Ginger candy is an essential Tet delicacy cherished by most families in Hue.
This traditional craft has been preserved through generations. It is favoured in Hue and widely sold in different localities nationwide.
The product is crafted from fresh, spicy ginger grown in the Bang Lang area. The ginger is meticulously chosen from the arid hillsides upstream of the Perfume River, resulting in a unique ginger candy that stands apart from similar products in other places thanks to its distinctive colour, spiciness, and aroma.
The key ingredient is fresh ginger, which is carefully washed and sliced thinly before being soaked in lime water. The ginger is then combined with white sugar in precise proportions and simmered over gentle heat. The finished product is golden, aromatic ginger slices that are subtly sweet while preserving their distinctive, light spiciness.
Truong Dinh Thu's family in Kim Long Ward has maintained ginger candy production for three generations. Since he was young, he has been deeply involved in the craft.
According to the elders, Hue's weather used to turn cold and rainy by the end of the year. To bring warmth and a sense of unity during Tet, the villagers made ginger candy to fend off the winter chill. The ginger candy was also oncea delicacy offered to the king.
Thu's family produces around two tonnes of ginger candy for Tet. Each kilo is sold at VND80,000.
According to Mai Khac Phuc, Chairman of the Kim Long Ward People's Committee, many local households continue to uphold the traditional craft of ginger candy. Kim Long ginger candy was recently officially recognised as a traditional craft.
