Duong Lam Ancient Village in Son Tay Town, Hanoi, is a beloved tourist destination, boasting a wealth of historical and cultural relics tied to national heroes and prominent figures.
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| Artisan Nguyen Tan Phat teaches the art of crafting straw buffaloes and horses to children, igniting their creativity and appreciation for traditional folk art. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times |
Nestled within the village are centuries-old laterite houses, which have witnessed a tourism boom in recent years. Among the myriad attractions, the toy-making workshop of artist Nguyen Tan Phat stands out as a favorite among visitors.
Growing up in the lush countryside of northern Vietnam, Phat’s childhood memories are steeped in rice fields and folk games. It was these nostalgic recollections of straw that inspired him to create toys from this humble material. “Crafting buffaloes from straw is a simple art that children can easily master,” he shares. “With patience and practice, they can create their own toys that are not only fun but also safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly.”
Do Van Binh, a local villager from Duong Lam, expresses his gratitude for Phat’s contribution: “After each harvest season, we usually have about a quintal of straw left over. Phat purchases this excess straw from us, providing additional income opportunities without causing environmental harm. In the past, villagers would burn the straw and stubble in the fields, contributing to air pollution.”
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| Artist Nguyen Tan Phat’s straw toys captivate children and adults alike with their charm and eco-friendly nature. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times |
The process of creating these toys is a meticulous one. After carefully drying and cleaning the straw, the strongest and most aesthetically pleasing pieces are selected and sorted into groups. Each group is then used to craft a specific body part, such as the head, buffalo horns, horse mane, legs, or tail. These individual parts are then skillfully woven together to form the final product. Working with straw presents unique challenges due to its variable strength, demanding careful craftsmanship to prevent deformation. The artisan acknowledges that straw toys are not the most durable, and he often finds himself repairing and restoring them to their original glory.
Recalling his first attempt, Phat shares, “It took me four hours to create my very first straw buffalo, from selecting the right straw to completing the final product. That experience set the foundation for my journey with straw art and defined my style and direction.”
While straw toys may not possess the same level of intricacy as wooden or ceramic creations, they hold a unique charm. It takes a skilled artisan to capture and highlight characteristic details, such as buffalo horns or horse manes, allowing viewers to instantly recognize the animals. Over time, Phat has refined his craft, and his toys now exude both character and flexibility.
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| Local children immerse themselves in the traditional art of crafting straw toys, a fun and educational experience. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times |
“My straw toys bring joy not only to the children in the village but also contribute to promoting local tourism,” Phat says with pride. He explains that tourist groups visiting Duong Lam Ancient Village often seek out traditional crafts, especially those with a unique twist. This trend highlights the potential for straw to become a valuable resource, offering economic benefits beyond its initial agricultural purpose.
“Moving forward, I aim to continue creating innovative straw products to help farmers generate additional income from this discarded material,” Phat asserts. “By doing so, I hope to preserve and promote the traditional folk values of Vietnamese villages.”
Nguyen Tan Phat’s straw toys have captured the hearts of the local community, and his creative endeavors don’t stop there. Along with members of the Son Tay Fine Arts Club, he continues to design new animal models and small toys, constantly pushing the boundaries of what straw can do. The team also has plans for larger straw creations, such as scarecrows, as well as practical items like lamps and bags.
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| Straw toys crafted by artisan Nguyen Tan Phat are proudly displayed at his exhibition space in the heart of Duong Lam Ancient Village. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times |
In addition to creating toys, Phat opens his doors to children and adults alike through free, hands-on lacquer art classes. Over the years, he has mentored nearly 200 apprentices, sharing his skills with locals and individuals from other provinces and cities across Vietnam. During the summer of 2023 alone, his gallery attracted approximately 5,000 visitors, testament to the popularity of his traditional art form.
Phat is also a trailblazer when it comes to merging traditional arts with tourism. His “Ancient Village Night” initiatives offer visitors unique cultural experiences and contribute to the vibrant local night economy.
Artist Nguyen Tan Phat, born in 1983, hails from a family with a deep-rooted passion for fine arts. After completing his high school education, he pursued his artistic dreams by enrolling in Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, majoring in lacquer painting. Throughout his 22-year career, he has honed his skills by learning from skilled artisans in Hanoi’s renowned artisan villages and the historic Old Quarter. His unwavering dedication to traditional craftsmanship and his creations’ powerful messages have left an indelible mark on the community.
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