Việt Nam - Kỷ nguyên vươn mình
Multimedia
>
Photos
thứ bảy, 04:43, 27/09/2025

Last guardians of traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys on the outskirts of Hanoi

VOV.VN - For more than half a century, artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen and her family in Hau Ai village, Son Dong commune, Hanoi, have been devoted to crafting traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys, and they are now the last in the locality still holding on to this age-old craft.

VOV.VN trên Google News
VOV
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, toys such as the star-shaped lantern, the paper mandarin scholar, the “two men fighting with sticks,” the fish lantern, the rabbit lantern, and the spinning lantern are indispensable to generations of Vietnamese children.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, toys such as the star-shaped lantern, the paper mandarin scholar, the “two men fighting with sticks,” the fish lantern, the rabbit lantern, and the spinning lantern are indispensable to generations of Vietnamese children.
The paper mandarin scholar and the “two men fighting with sticks” symbolise parents’ wishes for their children to excel in both academics and martial arts.
The paper mandarin scholar and the “two men fighting with sticks” symbolise parents’ wishes for their children to excel in both academics and martial arts.
Meanwhile, the five-pointed star lanterns shimmer with meanings of light, hope, and childhood dreams.
Meanwhile, the five-pointed star lanterns shimmer with meanings of light, hope, and childhood dreams.
The glowing lanterns, whether stars, rabbits, fish, spinning lanterns, or revolving lanterns, when carried alongside lion dances and the beat of festival drums, create the bustling atmosphere of Mid-Autumn nights in the childhood memories of countless generations of Vietnamese.
The glowing lanterns, whether stars, rabbits, fish, spinning lanterns, or revolving lanterns, when carried alongside lion dances and the beat of festival drums, create the bustling atmosphere of Mid-Autumn nights in the childhood memories of countless generations of Vietnamese.
Hau Ai village, on the outskirts of Hanoi, has been dubbed the “capital of Mid-Autumn Festival toys” in northern Vietnam.
Hau Ai village, on the outskirts of Hanoi, has been dubbed the “capital of Mid-Autumn Festival toys” in northern Vietnam.
Yet, as high-tech toys gain dominance, local villagers’ traditional craft, like many others in Hanoi, has died out. Today, artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen’s family remains the only household still producing handmade Mid-Autumn Festival toys in the village.
Yet, as high-tech toys gain dominance, local villagers’ traditional craft, like many others in Hanoi, has died out. Today, artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen’s family remains the only household still producing handmade Mid-Autumn Festival toys in the village.
Each year, beginning around late June or early July, the family starts preparing toy frames for children’s festive season.
Each year, beginning around late June or early July, the family starts preparing toy frames for children’s festive season.
“These star lanterns or rabbit lanterns are not just commercial products or children’s playthings; they embody the soul of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the spirit of Vietnamese tradition,” shares artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen.
“These star lanterns or rabbit lanterns are not just commercial products or children’s playthings; they embody the soul of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the spirit of Vietnamese tradition,” shares artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen.
Bamboo, rattan, coloured paper, cellophane, and glitter are all processed entirely by hand, from material preparation to framing, gluing, and final decoration.
Bamboo, rattan, coloured paper, cellophane, and glitter are all processed entirely by hand, from material preparation to framing, gluing, and final decoration.
Splitting bamboo, bending it, and assembling the frames require both dexterity and strength. A sturdy frame ensures the lantern keeps its shape and doesn’t warp during decoration.
Splitting bamboo, bending it, and assembling the frames require both dexterity and strength. A sturdy frame ensures the lantern keeps its shape and doesn’t warp during decoration.
Covering the frames with paper and cellophane, then attaching decorative patterns, demands patience and precision. A single slip can wrinkle or tear the paper, ruining the lantern’s symmetry and beauty.
Covering the frames with paper and cellophane, then attaching decorative patterns, demands patience and precision. A single slip can wrinkle or tear the paper, ruining the lantern’s symmetry and beauty.
“In recent years, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, our family is often invited to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre to demonstrate and teach visitors how to make traditional toys. The children especially love making their own colourful star lanterns,” recalls Khanh, who is Tuyen’s husband.
“In recent years, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, our family is often invited to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre to demonstrate and teach visitors how to make traditional toys. The children especially love making their own colourful star lanterns,” recalls Khanh, who is Tuyen’s husband.
For Khanh, these demonstrations and workshops bring joy by helping children understand and cherish the value of Vietnam’s traditional folk toys.
For Khanh, these demonstrations and workshops bring joy by helping children understand and cherish the value of Vietnam’s traditional folk toys.
On average, it takes two to three hours to make a medium-sized star lantern, which sells for only about VND30,000–60,000 (roughly US$1–2.5).
On average, it takes two to three hours to make a medium-sized star lantern, which sells for only about VND30,000–60,000 (roughly US$1–2.5).
Artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen admits that profits from this craft are modest and the work only lasts two to three months each year. Yet, she refuses to abandon it, saying “This is part of my childhood memories and the very soul of Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Artisan Nguyen Thi Tuyen admits that profits from this craft are modest and the work only lasts two to three months each year. Yet, she refuses to abandon it, saying “This is part of my childhood memories and the very soul of Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Tag:

Mid-Autumn festival

/

Mid-Autumn festival

/

last guardians

/

hanoi

/

traditional toys

/

star lanterns

Bình luận

Bình luận của bạn sẽ được xét duyệt trước khi đăng

Tin liên quan
Mid-Autumn Festival art program marks 75 years of Vietnam-China diplomacy

Mid-Autumn Festival art program marks 75 years of Vietnam-China diplomacy

VOV.VN -The Vietnam-China Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 art program took place at Au Co Art Centre in Hanoi on September 25 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 2025 Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange.

Hanoi's Old Quarter gears up for Mid-Autumn Festival

Hanoi's Old Quarter gears up for Mid-Autumn Festival

VOV.VN - A string of cultural activities will take place in Hanoi’s Old Quarter from September 25 to October 12 to celebrate the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival, offering locals and visitors a blend of tradition, art, and community spirit.

Đọc nhiều

Đẩy mạnh xây dựng dự án, công trình trọng điểm, đánh dấu sự vươn mình của đất nước

Đẩy mạnh xây dựng dự án, công trình trọng điểm, đánh dấu sự vươn mình của đất nướcvideo

Việt Nam kiến tạo kỷ nguyên mới trên 5 trụ cột

Việt Nam kiến tạo kỷ nguyên mới trên 5 trụ cột

Chuyên gia Trung Quốc: Làm đường sắt cao tốc, Việt Nam đừng phá hủy núi non, sông hồ

Chuyên gia Trung Quốc: Làm đường sắt cao tốc, Việt Nam đừng phá hủy núi non, sông hồvideovolume-high

Đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc – Nam: Chuyển giao công nghệ thà đắt nhưng bền vững

Đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc – Nam: Chuyển giao công nghệ thà đắt nhưng bền vữngvideo

“Tạo nên kết quả hôm nay cũng là nhờ thể chế”

“Tạo nên kết quả hôm nay cũng là nhờ thể chế”

Nhà thầu nội đủ sức với “đầu bài” thực hiện đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc - Nam

Nhà thầu nội đủ sức với “đầu bài” thực hiện đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc - Nam

Hiện thực hoá khát vọng "Make in Vietnam"

Hiện thực hoá khát vọng "Make in Vietnam"video

Phát huy vai trò của doanh nghiệp nhà nước trong kỷ nguyên vươn mình

Phát huy vai trò của doanh nghiệp nhà nước trong kỷ nguyên vươn mình

Di tích lịch sử văn hóa - Nguồn lực bền vững phát triển Thủ đô

Di tích lịch sử văn hóa - Nguồn lực bền vững phát triển Thủ đô

Từ nghị quyết của Đảng, đột phá chiến lược về hạ tầng đạt kết quả ấn tượng

Từ nghị quyết của Đảng, đột phá chiến lược về hạ tầng đạt kết quả ấn tượngvolume-high

Phụ nữ tham gia chính trị: Thách thức cũ trong kỷ nguyên mới

Phụ nữ tham gia chính trị: Thách thức cũ trong kỷ nguyên mới

Nông nghiệp Tây Nguyên rạo rực trên những con tàu số hóa

Nông nghiệp Tây Nguyên rạo rực trên những con tàu số hóavolume-high

Văn hóa – “Sức mạnh mềm” đưa Hà Nội lên tầm cao

Văn hóa – “Sức mạnh mềm” đưa Hà Nội lên tầm cao

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm: "Chuyển mình chậm là lạc hậu với thế giới"

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm: "Chuyển mình chậm là lạc hậu với thế giới"

Bảo đảm quyền con người để đất nước phát triển bền vững trong kỷ nguyên mới

Bảo đảm quyền con người để đất nước phát triển bền vững trong kỷ nguyên mớicameravideo

Đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc-Nam và cơ hội cho các nhà thầu trong nước "thể hiện"

Đường sắt tốc độ cao Bắc-Nam và cơ hội cho các nhà thầu trong nước "thể hiện"

Bài viết của Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm: "Tinh - Gọn - Mạnh - Hiệu năng - Hiệu lực - Hiệu quả"

Bài viết của Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm: "Tinh - Gọn - Mạnh - Hiệu năng - Hiệu lực - Hiệu quả"

Gỡ điểm nghẽn thể chế: Bỏ tư duy "không quản được thì cấm"

Gỡ điểm nghẽn thể chế: Bỏ tư duy "không quản được thì cấm"

Chống lãng phí phải đặt ra những yêu cầu, nhiệm vụ mới

Chống lãng phí phải đặt ra những yêu cầu, nhiệm vụ mớivolume-high

Phân cấp, phân quyền chưa mạnh, tạo cơ chế xin-cho

Phân cấp, phân quyền chưa mạnh, tạo cơ chế xin-cho