Hanoi exploits cuisine in developing cultural industry

(To Quoc) - Hanoi has many traditional culinary villages famous at home and abroad, some of which have become attractive tourist destinations. However, the craft villages are currently facing many major challenges.

That was the content discussed at the seminar "Developing the quality of human resources to preserve and promote traditional craft villages" organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports on the afternoon of November 30 within the framework of the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024.

Seminar "Developing the quality of human resources to preserve and promote traditional craft villages"

Preserving traditional culinary culture

Experts say that traditional culinary craft villages are not only places to preserve the quintessence of national culture, but also make important contributions to the economy. However, many craft villages are facing challenges that affect their development, such as a shortage of high-quality human resources; and competitive pressure from the modern culinary market.

In that context, the recognition of “Pho Hanoi” as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is considered an important turning point in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the capital. At the same time, it opens the door for Hanoi cuisine in particular and Vietnam in general to continue to shine on the world culinary map.

Talking about the story of “Pho Hanoi”, journalist Vu Tuyet Nhung, Vice President of the Vietnam Women Journalists Club, said that pho is not only available in Hanoi, but only by eating pho in Hanoi can one fully appreciate its deliciousness. The fact that “Pho Hanoi” is honored as a national intangible cultural heritage is truly a source of pride for the people of the capital in particular and Vietnam in general.

Memories of Hanoi pho from his childhood are still intact in artist Minh Vuong’s memory: “When I was young, I had to be sick to eat pho. Back then, there were only small pho stalls but the fragrant aroma wafted throughout the streets. Hanoians never got tired of eating pho, they ate pho in the morning, at noon and at night they could also eat pho…”.

According to artist Minh Vuong, in the past, Hanoians ate pho differently than they do now. For example, chicken pho was often eaten with lemon and no one used kumquat instead of vinegar like today. But as society developed, cuisine also changed somewhat.

Mr. Nguyen Thuong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Vocational Training and Employment of Chefs, shared that creativity in cuisine must still maintain traditional features, cuisine reflects society, reflects the economy, reflects technology, reflects attitudes towards life. The elderly choose familiar pho shops, young people look for new things, create trends... Mr. Quan affirmed that what belongs to history and culture must be preserved, but there still needs to be appropriate development to ensure civilization in eating and enjoying.

Developing high quality human resources for culinary culture

There are still many issues in exploiting cuisine in the development of cultural industry to promote the culinary values ​​of Hanoi. One of them is the issue of human resources.

Traditional culinary villages need to upgrade service and product quality, ensure food safety and hygiene in processing and packaging, and build good brand recognition.

Experts emphasize that in order to have high-quality human resources to preserve, promote and maintain traditional craft villages, including traditional culinary craft villages, efforts from many sides are needed. In addition to the role of artisans and chefs in preserving and transmitting, the factors that need to be focused on are training; preserving traditional craft villages to teach...

"To have high-quality human resources to preserve and promote traditional craft villages, including traditional culinary craft villages, requires a lot of effort. In addition to the role of artisans and chefs in preserving and transmitting, it is necessary to focus on training; preserving traditional craft villages for teaching is one of the important factors," Mr. Nguyen Thuong Quan emphasized.

MasterChef Vietnam Pham Tuan Hai shared: “Hanoi dishes reflect the soul of the capital’s people. Culture must be put into the dishes to create sophistication.”

"To have high-quality human resources, we must have strong resources. For the culinary industry, this training requires special teaching methods. That method is right from the family; from the daily meal. Dishes need to be taught from the previous generation to the next generation. With a good foundation, training in schools can develop and create good chefs. In schools, it is necessary to train systematically from traditional dishes so that learners have the basics, from which they can develop modernity and creativity" - MasterChef Vietnam Pham Tuan Hai said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, Deputy Director of Hanoi Cheo Theater, shared that when you grasp tradition, you grasp culture. Cuisine is a part of culture. Preserving and promoting human resources in traditional arts is a "difficult" problem, just like promoting human resources for traditional craft villages, including traditional culinary craft villages.

To promote traditional culinary villages, many opinions at the seminar said that cuisine is culture, so craft villages need to preserve traditions and history of many generations of professions, inspire the younger generation, and organize the transfer of experience to the next generation.

In addition, in order to survive in the market mechanism and the increasing demands of customers, traditional culinary craft villages need to upgrade the quality of services and products, ensure food safety and hygiene in processing, packaging, and build good brand recognition. And especially, craft villages need to focus on promoting and introducing products through digital media channels and social networks, making craft villages an attractive destination for tourists to experience, visit and enjoy./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/ha-noi-khai-thac-am-thuc-trong-phat-trien-cong-nghiep-van-hoa-20241201122200915.htm