Young artisan tells stories of heritage with 'to he'
DNO - Amid the colorful stalls on Hang Ma Street in Ha Noi, young artisan Dang Van Hau diligently evokes the childhood memories of a generation. From colorful balls of dough, he shapes not only traditional toy figurines but also stories of cultural heritage.
Journey to revive ancient craft
Born in 1985 and raised in Xuan La Village, Phuong Duc Commune, Phu Xuyen District, Ha Noi - the cradle of the dough-figurine craft, Hau is the third generation in a family devoted to the tradition of making ‘to he’ (rice flour figurines).
His creations quickly attracted invitations for exhibitions from the Museum of Ethnology, the Ha Noi Old Quarter Management Board, and the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.
In 2018, he brought the traditional craft back to modern life by opening a small stall at its cradle - the Hang Duong, Hang Ma and Hang Buom streets.
Each day, his modest stall becomes a gathering place for hundreds of visitors. They come not only to buy souvenirs but also to admire a vivid miniature world from familiar folk characters to artworks depicting UNESCO-recognized heritage.
A new breath for heritage
When rice flour figurines were revived, a new question arose: How could this heritage not only revive but also live in the modern era? From that concern, Hau came up with the idea of turning the dough figurines into a means of telling stories about cultural heritage.
In 2023, when the Center for Cultural Heritage Conservation prepared an exhibition in South Korea and suggested using ‘to he’ to tell stories about the heritage of ‘hat boi’ (classical opera), Hau immediately accepted without hesitation.
It was an idea he had long cherished but lacked the materials to realize. Over the following months, he immersed himself in the world of classical opera such as consulting researchers, studying videos, and analyzing performance excerpts in order to capture the performers’ spirit and expressive nuances.
With his mastery of the three styles of Phu Xuyen, Dong Xuan and Pho Khach, he created a sophisticated and elaborate miniature ‘hat boi’ stage. Every costume, facial expression, and gesture was crafted with intention. Characters varied in size, stature, and temperament, bringing the scene to life. At the exhibition themed “Other Identities”, the work captivated South Korean audiences thanks to its uniqueness and the interweaving combination of two traditional cultural heritages.
Hau was awarded the title of “Ha Noi Artisan” in 2014 at just 29. But for him, the title is not as important as seeing the dough breed being welcomed by people at home and abroad.
He tirelessly brings his craft to tourist destinations, handicraft fairs, talk shows, and cultural events, with the desire to arouse pride in traditional handicrafts. At the same time, he takes advantage of social media to broaden its reach and bring rice flour figurines closer to the public.
With his great passion and skilled hands, artisan Dang Van Hau is persistently extending the village's cultural lineage, making ‘to he’ not only childhood memories but also becoming a bridge to bring the Vietnamese soul to the world.