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Ong Hao villagers are busy with various stages of producing papier-mâché masks. |
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Each mask is made from a different cement mould, where layers of paper are placed and coated with paste. |
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Papier-mâché masks are colourful yet simple, reflecting the traditional essence of Mid-Autumn Festival toys. |
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Vu Huy Dong, who has been in the craft for over 40 years, shared that about ten years ago, traditional toys struggled to compete with imported toys, but in recent years, traditional toys have been making a strong comeback. |
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From simple masks, the villagers breathe life into them, turning them into toys that children love. |
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The Mid-Autumn Festival toys from Ong Hao Village are handcrafted with natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, paper, and cardboard. The process is meticulous and labour-intensive, as all stages are conducted by hand. |
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Each detail of the masks is carefully painted by the villagers. |
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The price of each mask here ranges from 15,000 to 35,000 VND, depending on the size. |
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On average, Dong’s family produces over 10,000 masks and 8,000 drums, each year. “The profit mainly depends on efforts, but Ong Hao villagers are determined to preserve this traditional craft”, Dong said. |
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Since the beginning of the 7th lunar month, Dong's family has welcomed visitors daily, including many kindergartens bringing children to learn about the papier-mâché masks. |
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Young people are excited about the traditional papier-mâché masks. |
