Vai Village Rice Noodles

Since the 1990s, the craft of making rice noodles has been developing in Vai Village, Tri Quan Commune, Phu Ninh District. Initially, only a few households produced noodles using traditional manual methods—grinding rice with stone mills, cooking noodles in pots over firewood stoves, and cutting dried noodles with knives. Over time, more households joined the trade, though production remained small-scale and scattered, with products mainly sold within the commune and neighboring areas.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Phuong’s family in Hamlet 7, a member of the local cooperative, supplies approximately 1.4 tons of rice noodles to the market each month.

To connect local households in production and product distribution, the Tri Quan Agricultural Service Cooperative (HTX) was established in 1998. The cooperative focused on developing rice noodles—a local agricultural product—through collaboration, capital contribution, and experience sharing. As a result, the quality of the commune’s rice noodles improved, and their packaging was enhanced to meet market demands both within and beyond the province. By 2023, Vai Village rice noodles were officially recognized as a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) certified product by the Phu Ninh District People’s Committee.

Although not directly involved in production, Son Que Mini Supermarket, owned by Ms. Tran Thi Hong Que in Hamlet 2, Tri Quan Commune, has become a key distributor of OCOP-certified rice noodles. Ms. Que shared: "Since Vai Village rice noodles received OCOP certification, local shopping habits have changed. In the past, people only bought them for daily meals. Now, these noodles have become a specialty gift for those traveling far from home, thanks to their attractive packaging, easy storage, and affordable price. As a result, my store sells about 200 kg of dried noodles daily.”

Currently, Vai Village rice noodles are being produced in Hamlet 7, with nearly ten cooperative households participating. The product is actively promoted and distributed within the province and some neighboring provinces. In 2024, the cooperative supplied nearly 5,000 kg of rice noodles to the market, contributing to increasing household income for its members. Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, Vice Chairman of the Tri Quan Commune People’s Committee, stated: "For a locality like Tri Quan, which still faces many difficulties, successfully developing an OCOP product is a significant achievement for both the local government and cooperative members. The raw materials are carefully selected, and the production process ensures food safety and environmental protection. Every batch produced is immediately sold, bringing income and improving the livelihoods of noodle-making households. The local government will continue directing the cooperative to expand its distribution channels on e-commerce platforms so that consumers nationwide can access Tri Quan’s agricultural products, thereby boosting the socio-economic development of the region."

With the desire to preserve and promote the traditional noodle-making craft while utilizing the vast rice fields of the commune, local households are continuously learning, upgrading equipment and production technology, improving product quality, and innovating packaging and branding. These efforts aim to establish Vai Village rice noodles as a recognized brand in the market, enhancing incomes and creating sustainable jobs for the local community.

Hong Nhung