Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong (first from right) delivers the recognition of Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls craft as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
On March 18, Vinh Hung Ward solemnly held a ceremony to announce the recognition of the Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls craft as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Attending the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, Deputy Director of the ministry's Department of Cultural Heritage Nguyen Viet Cuong and representatives from city departments and wards of the former Hoang Mai District.
At the ceremony, Nguyen Viet Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, officially announced the decision to inscribe the Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls craft on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Presenting the heritage certificate and congratulating Vinh Hung Ward, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong noted that Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls are widely known across the country.
While many regions produce rice rolls, being recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage is a great honor for this traditional craft.
He emphasized that the craft reflects sophistication in every stage—from selecting rice, grinding and filtering, refining batter, steaming the thin sheets, to presentation and preparing dipping sauce.
This process embodies folk knowledge passed down through generations and holds immense cultural value.
Phong noted that despite rapid technological advancement, Thanh Tri rice rolls are still made entirely by hand.
This demonstrates the diligence, patience and refinement characteristic of Vietnamese culture, particularly the Red River Delta tradition.
He added that despite urbanization, Thanh Tri Ward in the past and Vinh Hung Ward today have preserved this cultural heritage, transforming it into a livelihood that creates jobs, increases income, improves living standards and contributes to socio-economic development.
He praised the Hanoi People's Committee, the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Hanoi Department of Tourism and relevant agencies, especially local authorities and residents of Vinh Hung Ward, for recognizing and promoting the craft's value.
Deputy Minister Ho An Phong hands congratulatory flowers to Vinh Hung Ward.
He also expressed appreciation for artisans who have preserved and passed down this tradition and called on authorities at all levels to strictly implement regulations on preserving and promoting heritage values.
He emphasized raising public awareness and continuing to promote Thanh Tri rice rolls to domestic and international tourists, contributing to Hanoi's thousand-year cultural identity and enriching Vietnam's culinary offerings.
"Vietnam has a rich and attractive cuisine. Each year, the country welcomes over 20 million international visitors, with one of the highest growth rates globally," he said. "In that context, culture in general and Thanh Tri rice rolls in particular contribute to Vietnam's appeal."
He also urged effective planning to ensure that as Hanoi undergoes urban restructuring, there remain spaces for developing service economies, showcasing traditional crafts and promoting cultural heritage.
Phong proposed that the National Tourism Administration, the Department of Cultural Heritage and media agencies coordinate with Hanoi and Vinh Hung Ward to include Thanh Tri rice rolls in promotional products for domestic and international tourism.
In response, Pham Hai Binh, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Vinh Hung Ward People's Committee, emphasized that recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage is both an honor and a responsibility.
He stated that the ward will continue to coordinate with city agencies to implement practical measures to preserve, promote and popularize the craft.
Deputy Minister Ho An Phong tries making Thanh Tri steamed rice roll.
Efforts will include supporting artisans in training younger generations, linking heritage preservation with tourism and local economic development and widely promoting the cultural value of Thanh Tri rice rolls.
The ward also plans to invest in infrastructure and develop a cultural center combined with experiential spaces where visitors can learn how to make rice rolls, thereby promoting the craft to both domestic and international tourists.
On this occasion, Vinh Hung Ward also organized the 2026 Thanh Tri traditional rice roll craft competition to honor artisans and craft households while creating opportunities for exchange and broader promotion of the traditional craft among residents and visitors.