Hung Yen - a fertile land in the middle of the Red River Delta, is not only famous for its green rice fields but also the cradle of many traditional craft villages. From the fragrant incense of Cao Thon, the resounding hammering sound of Long Thuong, to the sweet longan bunches and the exquisite jewelry of Hue Lai, each craft village contributes to embellishing the diverse cultural picture of this land.
And in particular, we cannot fail to mention Ong Hao village, one of the most famous craft villages for making Mid-Autumn toys in the country. Every time the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the whole village seems to put on a new coat of bright colors. From the skillful hands of the people here, inanimate pieces of papier-mâché have become vivid works of art, bringing joy to children across the country.
Ong Hao Village - one of the most famous Mid-Autumn toy making villages in the country
Photographer Nguyen Hong Son (currently living and working in Hanoi) is inspiring the community with beautiful photo collections of Vietnamese craft villages. Through his lens, the simple, genuine beauty of craft villages is vividly recreated, evoking national pride in each of us.
Having the opportunity to visit Ong Hao village near the Mid-Autumn Festival, Nguyen Hong Son shared: “I visited and talked with a skilled craftsman and he shared a lot about his work. He said that his job is to bring joy to children. The working atmosphere in the village is very cheerful with the participation of many ages, from young people to middle-aged men. Everyone is very welcoming when visitors come to visit or experience and they enthusiastically guide me to try one of the steps”.
Every time the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the whole village seems to put on a new coat of brilliant colors.
Touching childhood memories
Although the number of households making papier-mâché masks is only sparse, about 6-7 households, the flame of the craft is always preserved and fanned by the craftsmen here. They are like gatekeepers, connecting the past and the present, preserving a traditional cultural beauty. Each mask created carries the passion and talented hands of the artisan, contributing to the uniqueness and characteristics of this craft village.
The process of drying the mask on the cement mold
Unlike mass-produced toys, each product of Ong Hao village has its own unique breath. From the slender bamboo stalks, the skillful hands of the villagers have created sparkling star lanterns and sophisticated lanterns. Wood and buffalo skin are carefully selected to create resounding drums, and seemingly useless pieces of newspaper are "magically" transformed into vivid papier-mâché masks. Even the glue is made from natural materials to ensure safety for users.
To create the vivid masks, the artisans created unique molds for each character. From Mr. Teu's mischievous face to the rabbit's long ears, each mold has its own unique features. Tiny pieces of paper are skillfully glued on top of each other, creating a sturdy shell for the face. After drying, the artisans meticulously paint, breathing life into each stroke, making the masks come to life.
Each layer of paint is painted continuously and successively until the paint meets the requirements.
The coloring stage is when the lifeless papier-mâché masks suddenly become more vivid. Each stroke is meticulously and patiently applied to the mask. To ensure the colors are bright and long-lasting, the artisans must wait for the previous layer to dry completely before applying the next layer. Through each layer of paint, the mask gradually becomes more complete and shimmering with color.
Through the talented hands of the craftsmen of Ong Hao village, scraps of paper gradually come to life, creating humorous faces or familiar images in life. Each mask has a rustic soul, a bit of mischief, making viewers laugh. The papier-mâché masks are not just toys but also unique works of art, bearing the mark of Vietnamese culture.
Every stroke is painted with passion.
Preserving the spirit of Mid-Autumn Festival in the heart of modernity
Since the beginning of July, Ong Hao village has been bustling like a Tet market. Every household and every person is busy making papier-mâché masks. The sound of hammers and paper cutting blend together to create a joyful symphony. Children in the village eagerly await the day they can transform into their favorite characters, while adults work hard to deliver their products to the market.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the village returns to its normal routine, but the craftsmen of Ong Hao village do not rest. They begin preparing materials for the next year’s toy-making season. Mask molds are carefully made, drums are meticulously carved. And so, year after year, the craft village still maintains its unique traditional features.
Since the beginning of July, Ong Hao village has been bustling like a Tet market.
These products are not only popular in domestic provinces such as Hai Phong, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Da Nang but also many tourists come to the factory to experience. With affordable prices from 15,000 to 35,000 VND, papier-mâché masks of Ong Hao village have become meaningful gifts during every Mid-Autumn Festival.
The return of traditional toys such as papier-mâché masks, drums, and star lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a welcome sign. This not only helps children understand more about national culture but also motivates artisans of Ong Hao village to continue to preserve and develop the traditional toy-making profession. Thanks to the love of parents and the attention of society, papier-mâché masks, drums with bustling drum sounds... are not only toys but also bridges between generations, bringing joy to children and pride to artisans.
Ong Hao village continues to preserve and develop the traditional toy making craft.
