(Hanoi) In Vietnam, the “incense village” has followed the Instagram trend to welcome tourists who, as the Lunar New Year approaches, want their photo among the brightly colored sticks.
Across the Southeast Asian country, many families make a living from making incense sticks from bamboo, the skills of which are passed down from generation to generation.
But in Quang Phu Cau, near the capital Hanoi, some artisans have added a touch of modernity to their century-old technique.
In addition to traditional red, Dang Thi Hoa uses yellow, blue and green dyes to expand its offering – and satisfy visitors who come for an Instagram post.
PHOTO NHAC NGUYEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
On Instagram, hundreds of publications testify to the popularity of the place: tourists like to pose among bundles of sticks which dry in the sun, and form a painting in flamboyant colors.
“I am proud of our family’s traditional know-how, and also I am happy that our village is becoming better known,” says the 45-year-old woman, who has been involved in making incense for three decades.
“I earn more money,” she confided to AFP.
Villagers charge 50,000 dong (about $2.75) to access the photogenic areas.
On the social network, hundreds of publications testify to the popularity of the place: tourists like to pose in the middle of bundles of sticks which dry in the sun, and form a painting in flamboyant colors.
In search of the “best angle”
PHOTO NHAC NGUYEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
In addition to traditional red, Dang Thi Hoa uses yellow, blue and green dyes to expand its offering – and satisfy visitors who come for an Instagram post.
In front of one of the village temples, hundreds of bouquets are arranged in the shape of a map of Vietnam.
Not far from there, a metal staircase was installed to provide a high viewpoint.
“I assigned one or two people to help visitors find the best angle for photos. And to ensure that they do not disrupt the drying of the sticks,” explains Nguyen Huu Long, another 58-year-old trader.
The artisan says he is very busy as Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, approaches, when families gather and light incense sticks in temples and in homes, on altars dedicated to ancestors.
The tourists seem to appreciate the attentions of the locals.
“This place is super pretty, there are lots of colors, it’s really great for Instagram,” assured Catherine Caro, a tourist from the Philippines.