Nghĩa Hưng Commune is famous as the “hub of Vietnamese sugarcane” of Nghệ An province. The area not only has vast sugarcane plantations but is also the “cradle” of traditional sugarcane processing. It produces products such as molasses, block sugar, and rock sugar, which are renowned both near and far. These products play an important role in promoting the local rural economy.
In the final days of the year, the atmosphere in rural villages becomes more bustling than ever. Along with this flurry of activity, the production facilities of traditional sugarcane-processing craft villages in Nghĩa Hưng enter their peak period.
They hurriedly prepare goods to meet consumer demand during the Tet holiday while also supplying raw materials for sugarcane manufacturing enterprises. Beyond bringing the sweet flavors of spring, Vietnamese sugarcane plays an important cultural role. It also helps preserve and spread the value of traditional craft in modern life.
A notable example of leveraging local raw material advantages to create signature products is the molasses processing facility of Mr. Phạm Quang Yên, born in 1982, from Xuan Lam Hamlet (Nghĩa Hưng Commune). His workshop spans several thousand square meters with boiling stoves, processing pots, and molds. It also has molasses-beating machines, meeting high safety and efficiency standards.
According to statistics, Nghĩa Hưng Commune currently has about 1,300 hectares of Vietnamese sugarcane. Thanks to favorable natural conditions, sugarcane grows well, with high yields and stable quality. Many households have boldly established sugarcane purchasing and processing facilities. This has created a value chain of sugarcane products that increases income and provides jobs for hundreds of local workers.
What is immediately noticeable upon visiting Nghĩa Hưng is that, besides supplying raw materials to sugar mills from its vast sugarcane fields, the commune also hosts craft villages with hundreds of households. Around 150 large-scale facilities produce a diverse range of products, including molasses, block sugar, refined sugar, herbal sugar, and more.
Regarding the production process of block sugar, Mr. Phạm Quang Yên explained that boiling the molasses is the most important step. The molasses is heated for about an hour to make this product. My spouse and I take turns stirring continuously to prevent burning. Then, the molasses is poured into a machine-stirred pan for about 10–15 minutes until it becomes uniform.
Afterward, it is poured into wooden molds measuring 60 cm long and 6–7 cm wide. About 15 minutes later, the sugar begins to solidify, is removed from the molds, cooled, and packaged.
Vietnamese sugarcane
On average, each batch of over 20 liters of molasses produces about 20 kg of block sugar. Each day, Mr. Yên’s workshop consumes roughly 300 kg of fresh sugarcane molasses. The block sugar is packaged and distributed nationwide, selling at 27,000–28,000 VND per kilogram.
In addition, his workshop also produces rock sugar, a high-value sugarcane. After boiling, the molasses is placed in crystallization barrels for 6 to 7 months. This process forms natural, pure rock sugar blocks that sell for 140,000–160,000 VND per kilogra. Each year, his facility produces about 3 to 4 tons of rock sugar. This meets demand for syrup-making, honey infusion, and herbal remedies for coughs.
Few people know that Mr. Phạm Quang Yên used to be a construction contractor with a stable job and good income. Meanwhile, his wife worked as a nurse at a hospital. However, motivated by a desire to preserve the traditional craft of his ancestors and recognizing the market potential for sugarcane molasses products, the couple decided to “return home.” They resigned from their jobs to start a business in molasses production.
Thanks to ensuring product quality and following safe production processes, Nghĩa Hưng’s block sugar has been certified as OCOP 3-star. This marks an important step in establishing and asserting the brand of this traditional local product. This recognition not only validates the quality of the product. It also opens up opportunities for the sustainable development of sugarcane cultivation and processing in the region.
Aiming to elevate the value of their products, local producers, together with the authorities, are actively upgrading processing techniques and standardizing production conditions. They are also investing in professional labeling and packaging. The goal is to achieve OCOP 4-star certification. This would gradually expand Nghĩa Hưng’s block sugar and molasses products to broader markets, including exports.
To meet increasingly high market demands, molasses-based products are now packaged in various ways. These include large-lot carton boxes or vacuum-sealed nylon bags for online sales channels. Updating packaging and sales methods not only helps the products reach consumers more effectively. It also contributes to higher added value.
Vietnamese sugarcane products
Currently, sugarcane cultivation and processing—producing molasses, block sugar, and rock sugar—provides employment for most of the workforce in Nghĩa Hưng. It has become a stable source of livelihood and plays a crucial role in increasing local incomes and ensuring social welfare for the community.
As a traditional craft preserved over generations, the profession of producing molasses and processing block sugar and rock sugar carries not only economic value but also rich cultural significance. Today, by inheriting the valuable experience of previous generations and combining it with the innovative and dynamic spirit of the younger generation, sugarcane cultivation and processing in Nghĩa Hưng is facing many new development opportunities. Strong support from local authorities in expanding raw material areas, building brands, and developing product labeling and packaging further enhances these prospects.
Mr. Đinh Thế Hiển is the Head of the Economic Department of Nghĩa Hưng Commune. He stated: “The profession of cultivating sugarcane, producing molasses, and processing block and rock sugar has brought substantial income to local residents. It also contributes to the diversification of rural occupations. The locality is focusing on planning standardized sugarcane raw material zones. It is also supporting the craft village to develop in a concentrated manner, improving productivity and product quality.”
With a structured approach, the support of local authorities, and the determination of the people, Nghĩa Hưng’s sugarcane products are likely to continue strengthening their brand. They are also likely to gradually conquer new markets and make a positive contribution to sustainable rural economic development.