Trảng Bàng Rice Paper Village – A Traditional Beauty of Southern Vietnam

The Trảng Bàng rice paper craft village is a beautiful cultural tradition that has been preserved and passed down through generations in Tây Ninh province. Famous for its specialty dew-wetted rice paper (bánh tráng phơi sương), this traditional village promises to bring travellers unique and memorable experiences when visiting Tây Ninh.

1. Introduction to Trảng Bàng Rice Paper Village

1.1. Where is Trảng Bàng Rice Paper Village?

Located along National Highway 22, in Lộc Du neighborhood, Trảng Bàng town, about 40km from the centre of Tây Ninh city, Trảng Bàng rice paper village has been handed down through many generations and has become a distinctive cultural feature of the province. Every year, as the Lunar New Year approaches, the village’s rice paper ovens burn all night to meet the increasing demand. Even after the festive season, the hustle and bustle of the village never fades.

Each artisan in Trảng Bàng has dedicated several decades of their life to this craft. Under their skillful hands, hundreds of rice paper sheets are produced daily. According to elderly artisans, the rice paper-making craft was inherited from their ancestors, who migrated from the Ngũ Quảng region (Bình Định) to Tây Ninh to reclaim land and settle in the 18th century. In the early days, the village mainly produced grilled rice paper and softened rice paper, but over time, other variations were created – the most unique being the dew-wetted rice paper. With sunny days and misty nights, artisans in Trảng Bàng stay up late and rise early, working under both sun and dew to perfect their products.

1.2. The Origin Story of Dew-Wetted Rice Paper

There are many stories about how the craft of making dew-wetted rice paper began. One tells of a young man who accidentally left a stack of grilled rice paper outside overnight. The morning dew softened the sheets, but when he tasted them, he found them delicious. Another story tells of a girl who couldn't sell all her grilled rice paper and left it outside overnight. The next morning, the dew-moistened sheets had an unusual texture that inspired her to recreate the process intentionally. Regardless of which version is true, Trảng Bàng’s sunny days, misty nights, and the technique handed down through generations have given rise to this unique and renowned traditional craft village.

2. Exploring the Traditional Rice Paper-Making Process in Trảng Bàng

2.1. Discovering the Steps of Making Dew-Wetted Rice Paper

Selecting Ingredients and Spreading the Batter

According to local artisans, choosing the right rice is crucial to producing delicious rice paper. They usually use làng Miên rice – a premium variety. The rice is carefully washed, soaked, mixed with a bit of salt, and the water is changed continuously over two days before being finely ground. To make the rice paper soft, white, chewy, and slightly salty, the artisan adds a pinch of salt when mixing the batter.

In the spreading stage, the artisan must be skillful to spread the batter evenly without tearing it. Unlike regular rice paper, Trảng Bàng’s dew-wetted sheets are made from two layers of batter carefully poured on top of each other. Once cooked, the sheets are lifted onto bamboo mats and dried under mild sunlight for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the weather. When slightly dry, the sheets are removed and lightly grilled over a fire.

Grilling and Dew-Wetting

While ingredient selection and batter spreading affect the taste, the grilling and dew-wetting processes create the signature texture. The grilling stove is simple – just a tilted pot using peanut shells as fuel to avoid excessive heat. The griller must continuously flip the sheets to ensure they puff up evenly without separating the two layers.

After grilling, the rice paper is placed outside to catch the dew between 9–10 PM or 2–3 AM. Once the dew softens the sheets to the perfect level, they are stacked and sealed in bags to prevent them from hardening. The most laborious part of the craft is spending hours next to the scorching fire and staying up late into the night to capture the perfect dew. Each sheet of dew-wetted rice paper embodies the essence of the land and the dedication of its artisans – turning this product into a celebrated specialty of Tây Ninh.

2.2. Challenges Faced by Trảng Bàng Rice Paper Village

Dew-wetted rice paper is not merely a dish; it is a cultural heritage shaped by the skill and perseverance of Trảng Bàng's people. However, like many traditional crafts, the number of households producing rice paper has declined. Previously, almost every family had two or three rice paper ovens, but today, only a few dozen households remain. According to veteran artisans, income from this craft is no longer sufficient, forcing many to take on other jobs. The entirely manual production process is time-consuming, and the output remains low due to small-scale operations and the absence of modern machinery. Despite high consumer demand, Trảng Bàng’s rice paper village continues to face many difficulties in sustaining itself.

2.3. Efforts to Develop the Rice Paper Village Alongside Local Tourism

In recent conferences discussing Tây Ninh’s tourism development, both local authorities and businesses have expressed their desire to promote Trảng Bàng rice paper village more widely. Since 2016, Tây Ninh province has organised the Trảng Bàng Dew-Wetted Rice Paper Craft Village Cultural and Tourism Festival, giving young people opportunities to learn about this traditional craft. Each festival features over 200 booths and various activities that introduce and celebrate the village's rice paper-making tradition. With over a century of history and continuous efforts in preservation and promotion, Trảng Bàng Rice Paper Village has been officially recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.