Artisans of Duong Lam ancient village turn straw into toys

TPO - The activity of making straw toys by artisan Nguyen Tan Phat (Son Tay, Hanoi) has been well received by many local people. After purchasing discarded straw, he dries it, cleans it and selects the most beautiful pieces to create and transform them into familiar animals.

Duong Lam ancient village (Hanoi) attracts tourists with many historical and cultural relics associated with famous people and national heroes. The village is famous for its unique ancient houses made of laterite. In recent years, tourism in Duong Lam ancient village has flourished. One of the attractive destinations for tourists here is the toy making space of artisan Nguyen Tan Phat (born in 1983).

In 2017, Mr. Nguyen Tan Phat was awarded the title of Hanoi Artisan by the Hanoi People's Committee. In 2023, he made an impression when he launched a collection of 2023 cat statues made from jackfruit wood and laterite.

Nguyen Tan Phat’s activity of making straw toys has been well received by many local people. Artisan Nguyen Tan Phat said that after purchasing discarded straw, he dried it, cleaned it and selected the most beautiful pieces to create and transform them into familiar animals.

"The way to create buffaloes from straw is very simple, and children can easily learn. With just patience, children will have their own safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly toys," said Mr. Phat.

This is also a unique experiential tourism activity that Mr. Nguyen Tan Phat plans to expand in the near future. He shared that tourist groups coming to Duong Lam ancient village are all excited to experience traditional folk products, especially new products. "Straw can become a valuable resource, bringing value to tourism," the artisan expressed.

Buffalo and horse shaped toys are quickly created.

With this idea, farmers also have more income, contributing to diversifying local tourism activities, promoting beautiful images of Vietnamese countryside.

A weekend at the creative art space of Xu Doai artisans. This space has the advantage of a large garden and ancient house architecture, attracting visitors of all ages.

The straws are divided into parts such as buffalo horns, heads, horse manes, etc. In addition to making toys for children, artisan Nguyen Tan Phat also opens free lacquer art experience classes. In the summer of 2023, he welcomed about 5,000 tourists to visit and experience.

To better exploit the value of the ancient village and increase the attractiveness of the heritage, the Management Board of Duong Lam Ancient Village has coordinated with individuals and units to organize many creative tourism activities.

Ngoc Anh - Referee / Tienphong.vn

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nghe-nhan-lang-co-duong-lam-bien-rom-thanh-do-choi-post1678685.tpo