1. Lang Cheu Nem Wrappers: Renowned Traditional Specialty of Ha Nam

1.1. Cheu Village: The Cradle of Famous Nem Wrappers in Vietnam

Located in Nam Xang commune, Ninh Binh province, Cheu Village is known as the leading center for the production and supply of nem wrappers in the country. The image of a peaceful countryside with old brick houses tinged with the colors of time, and the bustling sound of pestles and mortars from early morning, has created a craft village scene rich in traditional cultural features.

The craft of making nem wrappers is the main livelihood for many generations in Cheu Village. This craft not only ensures the livelihood for hundreds of households but is also a source of pride for the community here. Baskets of bamboo frames full of wrappers drying in the early sun create a poetic scene, leaving a deep impression on visiting tourists.

Cheu Village Nem Wrappers have reached many provinces and cities in the North and are available in large supermarkets and restaurants. With their distinctive flavor and superior quality, these wrappers have become a symbol of Ha Nam's specialty, attracting the interest of domestic tourists and international friends.

1.2. Nearly 700 Years of Formation and Development

According to local genealogies and legends, the craft of making nem wrappers in Cheu Village appeared in 1349, during the reign of King Tran Du Tong. Mr. Tran Van Ham is revered as the ancestor of the craft, the first person to create the method of soaking rice, grinding it into a liquid batter, steaming, and drying to produce the famous nem wrappers. From that foundation, he taught the craft to everyone in the village, making Cheu Village the cradle of the traditional wrapper craft.

Through many ups and downs, the craft of making nem wrappers in Cheu Village still endures as a cultural and economic link for the entire community. From the traditional dew-kissed wrappers, the people here have continuously innovated, preserving the ancient secrets while flexibly applying modern machinery to production. As a result, productivity has increased while still ensuring the distinctive flavor, better serving the growing demands of markets both within and outside the province.

Lang Cheu nem wrappers have been preserved and developed for over 700 years. (Source: Collected)

Each year, on the 10th day of the 2nd lunar month, the people of Lang Cheu village organize incense offering ceremonies together to commemorate the ancestor of the craft at the village communal house. Not only is it an occasion to honor ancestors, but the festival also carries profound meaning in community bonding, gathering children who have moved away to return, together reminiscing about traditions and nurturing pride in the traditional craft that has sustained generations.

1.3. Cultural imprints of Lang Cheu nem wrappers

Lang Cheu nem wrappers are not just a familiar dish but also carry profound spiritual value in the lives of the local people. Through many generations, that simple wrapper has become a symbol of reunion and togetherness, present in most occasions like Tet holidays, death anniversaries, weddings, and ancestor worship ceremonies. During family gatherings, the image of the whole family making nem rolls together, frying the wrappers to a golden crisp, has become a cherished memory, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere that bonds family generations.

The craft of making nem wrappers in Lang Cheu village is also associated with the custom of honoring the craft's ancestor, solemnly held at the beginning of the new year. The ancestor's death anniversary is not only an occasion to honor the founders but also an opportunity for the craft village community to look back at its development journey together, share experiences, and inspire the younger generation. In recent years, local authorities and residents have collaborated to organize many activities to introduce and promote traditional products, helping the Lang Cheu nem wrapper brand reach far, becoming a typical specialty of Ha Nam province known throughout the country.

The cultural value of Lang Cheu nem wrappers is further affirmed through the persistent process of passing down the craft over many generations. The secrets of making the wrappers, from selecting rice, mixing batter to the techniques of steaming, drying, and preserving, are all carefully passed down within each family. The combination of traditional experience and modern innovation has helped each batch of wrappers possess its own unique characteristics, rich in flavor and quality. This spirit of preserving heritage has helped the craft village not only survive but also develop strongly, becoming the pride of the Ha Nam people and an attractive destination for tourists wanting to learn about Vietnamese culinary culture.

2. The process of making Lang Cheu nem wrappers: Elaborate, meticulous, and secret

Selection of premium ingredients for Lang Cheu nem wrappers:

Rice is the decisive factor for the quality of Lang Cheu nem wrappers. Each grain of rice must be round, full, free from impurities, and naturally fragrant and chewy to ensure the wrappers achieve the necessary softness and chewiness.

The difference of Lang Cheu village is that the ingredients are all purely natural, without preservatives or chemical flavorings. Artisans always steadfastly preserve the complete traditional flavor and protect the health of consumers, even when expanding production on a large scale.

The water used for soaking and mixing the batter is also given special attention; it must be clean water with a suitable pH level to ensure the nem wrappers have chewiness and the most appealing appearance.

Traditional standard stages of making the wrappers:

First, rice is soaked in water overnight then finely ground into a liquid batter. The spreading stage can be done by hand or machine; however, it still requires meticulousness, experience, and skillful hands to produce evenly beautiful wrappers.

The wrappers after spreading are steamed in a pressure cooker with carefully controlled heat and time. The drying stage is always carried out early in the morning, on traditional bamboo trays, so that the nem wrappers achieve chewiness and the distinct aroma of local rice.

People dry rice paper wrappers on bamboo sieves in the early morning. (Source: Collected)

Finally, each wrapper is neatly packaged, ensuring food hygiene standards. All are carefully inspected before being distributed to the market, maintaining the established reputation of Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers .

Secrets of salt mixing, humidity control, and differences among families:

The salt ratio during the dough mixing process is flexibly adjusted according to weather conditions. On dry days, more salt is needed to maintain chewiness, while on humid days, it must be reduced to prevent the wrappers from becoming soggy when rolled.

Mastering humidity control is the key point where each family possesses its own secret. Many households choose to dry the wrappers in a sheltered place, while others utilize direct sunlight, bringing diversity in quality and flavor to the batches of wrappers.

These ancestral secrets and unique personal skills have created the identity for each household producing Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers . These distinctive features contribute to strengthening the village's brand, while also encouraging positive and healthy competition among families.

3. Outstanding characteristics of Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers

Characteristic shape, texture, and color:

Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers are known for their ideal softness and chewiness, rolling firmly without tearing, and maintaining a moderate crispness and attractive even golden color when fried. This perfect balance helps dishes, from traditional fried spring rolls to modern fresh rolls, achieve beautiful presentation and complete flavor.

A special feature of the wrappers is their natural ivory white color, without the use of any bleaching chemicals. This demonstrates that Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers are made with carefully selected ingredients and a safe, hygienic production process, highly regarded by consumers.

Besides the traditional round shape, the village also innovates with rectangular rice paper wrappers to serve the needs of restaurants, hotels, and exports. This modern design is not only convenient to use but also retains the handcrafted spirit, creating a unique mark for the Lang Cheu rice paper wrapper brand in the market.

Flavor and experience when used for rolling fried spring rolls:

When using Lang Cheu rice paper wrappers to roll fried spring rolls, diners will immediately feel the difference: the golden-brown wrapper is crispy for a long time but not hard, emitting a light aroma of rustic country rice. Each spring roll, after frying, maintains even crispness from outside to inside, without breaking or cracking, making the dish achieve perfect beauty in both color and appearance.

Lang Cheu rice paper, when fried, has a golden, crispy, delicious shell. (Source: Collected)

The subtle aroma of rice blends with the crispness of the shell, offering a refined taste experience, both rich and elegant. The cake does not overpower the flavor of the filling but instead highlights the natural sweetness of the meat, mushrooms, glass noodles, and the spices inside.

The sensation of biting into a fried spring roll wrapped in Lang Cheu spring roll rice paper is a perfect blend of the crisp shell, the rich filling, and the subtle aroma of rice. It is this sophistication that has made Lang Cheu spring roll rice paper renowned for so long.

4. Tips for choosing authentic traditional Lang Cheu spring roll rice paper

Lang Cheu spring roll rice paper is currently produced in various types to meet the diverse needs of consumers in 2025. The type of rice paper used for frying is thin, chewy, and elastic, specifically designed for traditional fried spring rolls. When fried, the cake turns a beautiful golden color, stays crispy for a long time without breaking, bringing perfection to each spring roll.

Chều Village rice paper with "3 more" quality. (Source: Collected)

Besides, the spring roll rice paper has a moderate thickness, very suitable for dishes like fresh rolls, fish cake, or fresh spring rolls. The thicker wrapper helps to hold the filling firmly, while also creating a soft, smooth, easy-to-eat, and light texture. Additionally, the rectangular spring roll rice paper is an improved version targeting the export market and serving in large restaurants and supermarkets. Thanks to its uniform shape, this type of rice paper is easy to package, store, and display, meeting modern aesthetic and convenience standards.

To purchase authentic Chều Village spring roll rice paper, visitors should go directly to Chều Village, Nam Xang Commune, Ninh Binh Province, or buy from reputable distribution facilities with clear quality certification. Buying directly from the source not only ensures product quality but also offers reasonable prices. Original cakes always have packaging clearly printed with the address, craft village logo, and manufacturer information, an evenly ivory-white wrapper with a faint natural rice aroma, and no strange odors or signs of mold.

From 2025, with the combination of modern packaging technology and traditional cake-making techniques, Chều Village spring roll rice paper has reached further than ever before. The characteristic flavor of the craft village is not only fully preserved but also spreads to all regions across the country and gradually conquers the international export market, affirming its position as a hometown specialty deeply imbued with Vietnamese identity.

5. Suggestions for Enjoyment and Combining Old Ha Nam Tourism Experiences

5.1. Delicious Dishes Made from Chều Village Spring Roll Rice Paper to Try

Chều Village fried spring rolls have long been an iconic dish of the old Ha Nam region, embodying the rural soul and the essence of traditional cuisine. The crispy, chewy, golden-brown wrapper, combined with the filling of meat, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and scallions, creates a rich, savory, yet light flavor. Each fried spring roll emits an alluring aroma, crispy on the outside yet tender and sweet on the inside.

Not only famous for fried spring rolls, but fresh spring rolls are also a signature dish associated with the craft village. The soft and chewy rice paper is used to wrap fresh rolls, fish cakes, or fresh spring rolls, bringing a light and harmonious feeling. The wrapper is just thin enough, chewy but not tough, helping to perfectly hold the filling inside and enhance the deliciousness. This dish is very suitable for family reunion meals, family parties, or community events, being both rustic and sophisticated.

Refreshing shrimp and pork spring rolls, loved by many. (Source: FPT Shop)

Visitors to Ha Nam should definitely try the fried and fresh spring rolls of Lang Cheu at traditional restaurants or right in the Nam Xang commune's craft village, where the spring rolls are made from fresh ingredients and authentic wrappers. Only when enjoying this specialty in its homeland can you fully appreciate the flavor, spirit, and pride that the people of Lang Cheu have infused into every layer of wrapper and every crispy bite of spring roll.

5.2. Itinerary for visiting Cheu Village spring roll wrapper craft village combined with eco-tourism

The journey to explore the Lang Cheu spring roll wrapper craft village is not just a simple tour but also a vibrant cultural experience, where visitors can witness firsthand and participate in the process of creating a traditional product. Under the guidance of artisans, you can observe each step from selecting rice, grinding flour, making wrappers, to drying them on bamboo racks under the sun. Many visitors even get to try making wrappers, drying them, or peeling dried ones, bringing a sense of both fun and appreciation for the labor of the craft village people.

Besides, exploring the cuisine right in the village is also an unforgettable experience. Many families in Lang Cheu open their doors to welcome guests, serving fried and fresh spring rolls made from freshly baked spring roll wrappers, fragrant with the scent of new rice. The cozy, intimate atmosphere and rustic flavors make visitors feel like they are returning to simple, sincere countryside meals.

After visiting the craft village, you can combine the trip with visits to famous tourist spots in old Ha Nam such as Tam Chuc Pagoda or Sun World Ha Nam. An itinerary combining culture, cuisine, spirituality, and entertainment will provide a complete and profound experience, helping visitors understand more about the value of traditional craft villages, while also contributing to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the cultural essence of the old Ha Nam region.

Lang Cheu spring roll wrappers are not just a dish but have become a symbol of the craft village, a convergence of spiritual and historical values, and a source of livelihood for hundreds of local households. This product contributes significantly to the province's revenue each year, playing an important role in the economic development and tourism of old Ha Nam. Come to Lang Cheu to directly enjoy the spring roll wrappers, feel the unique characteristics of the countryside, and preserve the experience of traditional Vietnamese culinary customs.