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Incense making in Tay Ninh is one of the traditional crafts that vividly reflects the cultural and spiritual characteristics of the local people. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently signed Decision No. 2306/QD-BVHTTDL, adding the incense making craft of Tay Ninh province to the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
According to heritage records, the traditional incense-making craft in Tay Ninh is concentrated in Hoa Thanh town, Trang Bang, Go Dau, Duong Minh Chau, Tan Bien districts, and Tay Ninh city. This is one of the traditional crafts that has existed from ancient times to the present day, strongly reflecting the cultural and spiritual characteristics of the local people.
To make incense sticks, the craftsman must collect cotton leaves, dry them, and then grind them into a powder. This powder is then mixed with water and cinnamon or sandalwood powder is added to create a fragrant aroma. Therefore, the scent of the incense is very light, and the color is not vibrant, but purely yellow and red.
This is one of the traditional crafts that has existed from ancient times to the present day, reflecting the distinctive cultural and spiritual characteristics of the local people.
Incense making in Tay Ninh is not just a simple craft, but also a treasure trove of profound cultural and spiritual significance. The people here have breathed life into each incense stick, creating unique works of art. The size of each incense stick not only signifies its burning time but also carries deep spiritual messages. Long incense sticks symbolize longevity, while short ones represent a wish for peace. Through this, incense makers express their hope for a peaceful, happy, and prosperous life for their families and communities.
The incense-making craft in Tay Ninh clearly reflects its agricultural origins, evident in its tools, raw materials, and practical uses. Products from this traditional craft play a vital role in serving the lives of the entire community.
The locals have breathed life into each incense stick, creating unique works of art.
Throughout its long history of formation and development, regardless of socio-economic forms or production methods, incense making in Tay Ninh has remained sustainable and become one of the most famous traditional crafts in Southern Vietnam.
Previously, Tay Ninh province already had 8 national intangible cultural heritage sites, including: the art of Southern Vietnamese folk singing and music in Tay Ninh province, the Ky Yen festival at Gia Loc communal house, the Chhay Dam drum dance, the craft of making sun-dried rice paper in Trang Bang, the festival of Linh Son Thanh Mau (Ba Den mountain), the Quan Lon Tra Vong festival (Tan Bien), the art of preparing vegetarian dishes, and the traditional craft of making chili salt.
