Buzz
The vividly colored tò he creations are truly captivating.
Born and raised in Hanoi, tò he has been etched into my mind since the days of preschool, all the way through the end of secondary school. During those days, stepping out of the school gate meant encountering kind elderly individuals on old bicycles, carrying a small box with perforations on the surface. On it, there were figurines of dragons, roses, Sun Wukong, Son Goku, or Doraemon, made from a soft and fragrant material. As a child, drawn to colors, I would occasionally persuade my parents to buy me one, bringing it home to decorate every corner.
Craftsmen create enchanting tò he sculptures.
Tò he, a unique art form, thrives exclusively in the village of Xuân La, located in Phú Xuyên district, renowned for its longstanding artisan communities. This traditional folk game, once edible, was crafted from glutinous rice flour and sesame, meticulously prepared using a secret recipe. In the past, tò he was referred to as 'bird and stork cakes' as the villagers' creations mainly depicted birds and storks, showcased at local festivals. Over time, each sculpture incorporated a whistle, producing the distinctive sound 'tò te tí te' when blown, giving birth to the name 'tò he' in a playful twist of pronunciation.
From the realm of birds and storks, tò he has evolved into various captivating forms.
I visited the home of the talented artisan Nguyễn Văn Thành, one of the two recognized masters of the village. Despite his youth, Thành leads the tò he club, an initiative he founded in the village. During his university years in Hanoi, Thành seized every opportunity to sell tò he in parks and at school gates, preserving the traditional craft. Thành shared that his fascination with tò he began at the age of three. He emphasized that becoming a skilled tò he artist requires not only dexterity but also a vivid imagination.
Craftsman Nguyễn Văn Thành alongside his whimsical tò he creations.
He then arranged his tools to demonstrate a few basic techniques. The dough used for molding tò he has evolved significantly; gone are the days of using artificial dyes—now, artisans rely on natural colors derived from turmeric (yellow), charcoal (black), and beetroot (red). The artisan's hands skillfully manipulated each lump of dough, deftly shaping and pulling with incredible finesse. In a fleeting moment, he completed a masterpiece—a pig embracing a bouquet of roses, followed by a swift creation of a proud rooster displaying its vibrant plumage.
The softening process of the molding dough.
Refining the shape with a small comb.
Adorable little pig embracing a bouquet.
Although still taking shape, one can already perceive the proud image of a rooster.
He explained that a novice would need about 3 months to create their initial pieces, but those with talent and a vivid imagination could 'release' market-ready products in just a week. Presently, a tò he sculpture is sold for prices ranging from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND. If you happen to stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake on the weekend, you'll come across a tò he stall. These craftsmen are also residents of Xuân La village.
Some noteworthy points
Summary
Artisans in Xuân La tò he village always strive to meet the preferences of the younger generation.
While traditional tò he creations featured only birds, storks, pigs, and chickens, today's youth seeks more diverse figures, challenging artisans to continuously update their repertoire to meet market demands. Moreover, artisans in Xuân La tò he village are evolving into art performers and educators, moving away from the daily grind of pedaling worn-out bicycles, carrying a small wooden box behind. This marks a commendable development for a tradition deeply rooted in the local culture.
Author: Mai Minh Đức
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program.
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program showcasing beautiful destinations across Vietnam. It's an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism. For each approved article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. For more details, visit: https://www.Mytour/en-vn/golocal
