Thach Xa commune in Hanoi’s suburban Thach That district is famous for its unique traditional craft product – the bamboo dragonfly.
The craft of making bamboo dragonflies started booming 20 years ago in Thach Xa commune (Photo: VNA)
The 'kingdom' of bamboo dragonflies can be found just 35km west of the capital centre – in a quiet village near ancient Tay Phuong Pagoda, in Thach Xa commune, Thach That district (Photo: VNA)
The village craft of making bamboo dragonflies started booming 20 years ago (Photo: VNA)
To ensure the durability and flexibility for its product, Thach Xa villagers have bought material bamboo from Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh, or Tuyen Quang provinces which are home to forests of thin but solid bamboo (Photo: VNA)
The creation of bamboo dragonflies involves many different processes including splitting bamboo, body and wing dragonflies, making mine, wing assembly and decoration (Photo: VNA)
The most difficult stage is to assemble the wings to the body which must be precise to ensure the dragonfly will be perfectly balanced on the sticks or twigs (Photo: VNA)
To make such lifelike bamboo dragonflies that can balance and perch on anything, craftsmen have to go through different processes requiring meticulosity and precision in every detail (Photo: VNA)
Dragonflies are coated with colourful paints and vivid patterns (Photo: VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
Dragonflies are coated with colourful paints and vivid patterns (Photo: VNA)
From bamboo, Thach Xa villagers create eye-catching dragonflies (Photo:VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
Each dragonfly or other animals that are made illustrates a lively and symbolic picture of the Vietnamese countryside (Photo: VNA)
Villagers also make bamboo birds, butterflies, peacocks, and tortoises (Photo: VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
Dragonflies are coated with colourful paints and vivid patterns (Photo: VNA)
(Photo: VNA)
Thach Xa bamboo dragonflies are loved across the country and have been exported to many countries worldwide such as the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea (Photo: VNA)
More than 100 young people in Hanoi will take part in five trips to different craft villages of the city and the nearby regions to experience the life and work of artisans, starting this weekend.
Modern life and technology have brought many comforts to humankind. Many children in big cities miss out on childhood joys, replaced by lavish and hi- tech toys such as smart phones. However, for many