These days, Hanoi’s Hang Ma Street (Hoan Kiem District) is vibrant with the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival, showcasing a variety of traditional toys. Among the stalls, the to he (traditional Vietnamese toy figurine) booth by artisan Dang Van Hau stands out with its colorful and intricately crafted figurines.
Born into a family with generations tied to the to he craft in Xuan La Village (Hanoi), Hau has dedicated over two decades to this art. With a passion for preserving tradition, he has meticulously researched and revived many long-lost to he designs from Phu Xuyen, Dong Xuan, and Pho Khach.
Small to he figurines range from 25,000 to 100,000 VND. Larger, themed sets, requiring detailed craftsmanship, can fetch between a few million to tens of millions of VND.
Among the themed sets, a to he depiction of the Dong Ho folk painting “The Mouse’s Wedding” is priced at 12 million VND.
The “Lantern Procession” set, priced at 5 million VND, debuted in 2019. Hau mentions that only a few sets are sold each Mid-Autumn season, and it has won a national competition’s special prize.
A detailed to he figurine showcasing intricate craftsmanship.
According to Hau, a complex to he set can take 3-5 days, even up to a week. “The biggest challenge is refining each detail to ensure it’s both delicate and lifelike,” he shares.
Each piece combines traditional sculpting techniques with folk tales, brought to life by the artisan’s skilled hands.
A vibrant to he figurine on display at the stall.
Close-up of a meticulously crafted to he figurine.
A colorful to he set attracting visitors at the stall.
Beyond reviving ancient designs, Hau also creates modern to he figurines to appeal to children.
A modern to he design capturing contemporary trends.
The to he set depicting the legend of Kitchen Gods riding carp to heaven is particularly captivating.
Many to he sets vividly recreate historical events.
Though only open for half a month, Hau’s to he stall consistently attracts visitors. “What brings me the most joy is seeing not just children and adults, but also many young people stopping by. For artisans like us, this is a great encouragement,” Hau expresses.
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