Ha Thach handicraft village

PTO- For many years, Ha Thach - craft village of the

banh, bun has stably maintained and developed. A number of families invested in modern machine in order to reduce employees, and improve product quality. Products of the village including: Banh Chung (rice cake), Banh Cuon (rolled cake), Banh Tai (ear cake), Banh Gio (pork pie), Bun (vermicelli), noodle and other food which are provided to Phu Tho town market and neighboring areas such as Tam Nong, Viet Tri, Thanh Thuy, etc.

Currently, participants are 88 households, covering 35,9% of the total households in the village. In 2016, the total revenue of the village reached VND 136 billion, creating jobs for hundreds of employees with an average income of VND 4-4,5 million/person/month.

Production of Banh and Bun helped Ha Thach people to improve their living condition.

Many households in Ha Thach year round produce banh and bun as the main income. Especially, few years ago, Nguyen Huy Duc’s family – Head of the village boldly invested in machine of banh cuon (rolled cake) to meet the demand of the consumer. For 40 years, thanks to his reputation in banh cuon (rolled cake) production, many people has bought his products.

Now, his family produces from 1 to 2 quintal of the “banh cuon” each day. On the holidays, that number increased by 2 - 3 times so that he has to hire more employees. His profit is VND 150-200 million each year. Mr. Duc said: "The banh, bun making is easy, but it requires diligence, care, and craftsmanship. In order to make good products, it requires the maker to select carefully ingredients, especially rice. Delicious rice, new smooth powder can ensure the specific flavor". Being different from the other craft villages, Ha Thach village usually works at night. The households started making their products from 11p.m to 3a.m.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dung in hamlet 3 said: "For over 10 years in making banh, bun, my family produces 1 quintal of rice noodle, and 20kg of “banh” each day to sell them at the central market of the town". Banh, bun making brings high-income, but its wastewater has a large amount of starch which is not thoroughly processed, causing environmental pollution.

To overcome this situation, Mr. Nguyen Duc Ninh - Chairman of Commune People"s Committee said: "The commune has actively persuaded people to use biogas tanks to treat wastewater, instead of discharging to canals. At the same time, we encouraged people to invest in machinery to increase productivity and product quality". In 2013, the village has been recognized as a handicraft village, promoting people to develop their works. Development of the village contributed to the local economy, up to now, the Per capita income of the commune reached VND 25 million/person/year, the poverty rate decreased to 3.97%.

Ha Nhung