Preserving the old profession
In the midst of the modern, competitive, diverse and rich confectionery market, Quang Ngai traditional confectionery products still maintain a special position with consumers. Because, for many people, confectionery products are not simply food, but also cultural symbols, flavors that preserve the memories of many generations. Phuoc Yen mirror candy, inherited from the famous Hoang Yen mirror candy brand, is one of the typical products of that crystallization.
Phuoc Yen candy production facility is located on Tran Hung Dao Street (Quang Ngai City). Every Tet holiday, this facility must operate at full capacity to complete orders sent everywhere. Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Hoa (50 years old), the owner of the facility, said that on normal days, the facility only produces about 250kg of candy each month. However, on the days before Tet, demand skyrockets, with candy production reaching more than 1,500kg in December. Along with that, more than 25 other traditional and rustic cakes imbued with the cultural identity of Quang Ngai people are also produced to meet market demand.
Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Hoa (50 years old), owner of Phuoc Yen mirror candy production facility, and her mother, Ms. Tran Thi Lieu (85 years old), have devoted much effort to building the Hoang Yen mirror candy brand. |
Despite the hard work, Ms. Hoa always feels happy when seeing the mirror candy products carefully packaged, shipped, bringing the sweet taste of her homeland to consumers. This is not only a job to make a living but also a way for her to continue and preserve the family's traditional profession, inherited from her mother, Ms. Tran Thi Lieu (85 years old), founder of the Hoang Yen mirror candy brand; and was also taught the profession by her father-in-law, the famous mirror candy owner Thanh Loi in Thu Xa (Tu Nghia).
Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Hoa (50 years old), owner of Phuoc Yen mirror candy production facility, packs and sends mirror candy products to various places. |
Besides mirror candy, Phuoc Yen mirror candy production facility also produces many other traditional confectionery products, bearing the typical identity of Quang Ngai homeland. |
Recently, Phuoc Yen mirror candy products have been certified with 3-star OCOP at the provincial level, helping to enhance the reputation and expand the influence of the brand, while easily bringing the traditional flavors of the homeland to many other regions. Ms. Hoa shared that this initial success is the result of daily perseverance in producing quality products, ensuring the reputation that the family has worked hard to maintain over the years.
“The most important thing is to know how to preserve the family secret and maintain the brand’s reputation, so that every time they enjoy it, consumers can immediately feel the unique flavor of the family-made mirror candy. The changes only focus on improving the design, switching from plastic packaging to luxurious tin boxes when requested by customers, for easy transportation. The flavor of mirror candy must still be the flavor made according to the traditional method so that the mirror candy is crispy, transparent and has a characteristic sweet and delicious taste. It is all thanks to the carefulness and meticulousness in each processing step,” Ms. Hoa confided.
Pride of Quang Ngai homeland
Quang Ngai is the cradle of many sugar-based products. One of the most successful brands is Biscafun confectionery, belonging to Quang Ngai Sugar Joint Stock Company. According to Le Van Lap, Deputy Director in charge of business at Biscafun Confectionery Factory, in 1993, realizing the importance of creating new products, not only to increase the value of the sugar industry but also to meet the country's strong innovation trend, the leaders of Quang Ngai Sugar Factory (now Quang Ngai Sugar Joint Stock Company) decided to expand into the field of industrial confectionery production.
In 1994, the company's confectionery workshop produced its first batches of products, marking an important turning point in the development of the Biscafun confectionery brand. The biscuits and cow's milk candies, later Chocovina, were popular during the early stages of the factory's establishment, and were once sweet memories for many generations of Quang Ngai people during a difficult time.
Product of Biscafun Confectionery Factory. |
In the 2000s, thanks to a successful branding strategy, Biscafun went beyond the domestic market and exported products to other countries. From the first shipments to Russia, the market has now gradually expanded and is present in nearly 30 countries and territories around the world , including demanding markets such as the US, Europe, Japan and the Middle East. The factory's revenue in 2024 increased by 12%, consumption output increased by 8%, while exports grew by 28% over the same period. This demonstrates Biscafun's brand strength and competitiveness in the confectionery industry.
“Over the past 26 years, Biscafun has been continuously voted by consumers as a High-Quality Vietnamese Good. From 2016 to 2024, Biscafun's products have always met the criteria of the Vietnam National Brand Program. To achieve this result, the company has continuously invested and improved quality and design to meet the requirements of demanding markets. A modern candy production line with a capacity of 1,000kg/hour will be invested and is expected to be operational from 2026, continuing to expand the scale and production capacity of the factory,” Mr. Lap shared.
Products of Biscafun Confectionery Factory are brought to the international market. |
With nearly 500 direct employees at the factory, Biscafun not only creates quality products but also contributes to the socio -economic development and solves employment problems for the locality. Ms. Bui Thi Hoa My (39 years old), a worker who has been working at Biscafun Confectionery Factory for 12 years, shared that pride in her hometown products is an important factor that helps her stick with the job longer. This pride is not simply about making quality products for the market but also knowing that the products are imbued with the identity and tradition of the hometown, and have been loved and welcomed by international consumers. "With each cake, each product made, I know that I have contributed a part in building the reputation of a big brand of my hometown", Ms. Hoa expressed.
Quang Ngai sugar products, with the inheritance of traditional quintessence and creative innovation, not only stand firm in the domestic market but also conquer international markets. This is the great pride of Quang Ngai people on the path of development and integration.
Article and photos: THIEN HAU
Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/quang-ngai-que-minh/202502/con-mai-huong-vi-banh-keo-quang-ngai-f0c0849/-49832.htm
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