Tourists can also take part in various stages of the production process. (Photo: tienphong.vn)Tay Ninh (VNA) – The southern province of Tay Ninh is hosting a festival highlightingthe local specialty - banh trang phoi suong (rice paper exposed to the fog), which has been recognised as part of the NationalIntangible Heritage, with the aim to promote traditional food and handicrafts.
The event takingplace from December 20-25 features 34 stalls offering the locally-made banh trang (ricepaper for wrapping spring rolls), and tourists will have the chance toexperience the various stages of making rice paper, from grinding the rice tobaking it and drying it at night.
Various local dishesare also on offer including vegetarian food, beef, shrimp and wild vegetables.
The event also features exhibitions oftraditional handicraft products from nearby areas, and is expected to receiveup to 100,000 visitors.
Banh trang phoi suong (rice paper exposed to the fog) made in Trang Bang is a specialingredient for various types of spring rolls.
According to locals,exposing the rice paper to the fog is the most important stage to ensure therice paper is soft and flexible. The stage requires experienced people who knowhow long to leave the rice paper out for.
Dating back to the13th century, the round rice paper in Trang Bang has a slightly salty flavour.Rice is soaked for 4-6 hours before being ground in water. The mixture is then filteredto remove hard substances. Some salt is added to keep it fresh in all kinds ofweather. A big saucepan with water is brought to the boil, and cooks make therice paper steamed on a cloth over the saucepan. The rice paper is then dried under the sun fortwo days. Then it is baked for a short time before being put outside under fog.The fog is absorbed by the paper, making it soft and flexible.
The technique makesTrang Bang rice paper stand out from other localities across the country.-VNA
