To he: a taste of tradition in today’s Mid-Autumn Festival
With nimble hands and heartfelt devotion, a Hanoi artisan shapes delicate, colorful figurines from rice flour, crafting a bridge between past and present, childhood and tradition.
THE HANOI TIMES —In the vibrant, lantern-lit atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 , amidst the glow of modern toys and digital distractions, artisan Dang Van Hau from Xuan La Village, Phu Xuyen Commune, Hanoi quietly shapes a more nostalgic kind of joy. To many, To he is a folk toy. But in the hands of the artisan, it becomes something more: a cultural symbol, a vessel of memory, and a keeper of Vietnamese heritage.
He shares with The Hanoi Times: “To me To he is not just a toy. It holds the soul of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. In an age flooded with plastic and mass-produced toys, this humble craft still holds its charm through its simplicity and enduring delight.”
“Every handful of dough, every figurine I make, carries with it my love for this craft and my hope to pass on our folk legacy. I hope that during this Mid-Autumn Festival, children will not only enjoy the glowing lanterns and lively lion dances but also feel the touch of tradition through each To he,” he added.
Born and raised in the To he making craft village, Hau has been immersed in the art since childhood. The scent of steamed rice flour, the vivid hues of natural dyes, and the laughter of children around the village square - all form the backdrop of his earliest memories. What began as a childhood fascination grew into a lifelong commitment.
As society rapidly changes, with new forms of entertainment emerging by the day, artisan Hau remains steadfast.
He sees his work not only as a means of daily livelihood, but also as a way to preserve a precious part of Vietnam’s cultural soul.
Each To he that is created by Hau carries the essence of Vietnamese imagination and innocence.
Every tiny sculpture is lovingly shaped from simple rice flour, but within it lies a depth of storytelling and heritage.
For this year’s festival, Hau has brought fresh energy to his creations that blends classic folk imagery with modern cultural icons.
His To he figures sparkle not just with color, but with meaning: they embody the values of joy, imagination, and cultural continuity.
The whimsical figurines attract the curiosity of children...
...and at the same time, stir deep emotion among the elderly.
They evoke memories of a simpler time, when Mid-Autumn joy came wrapped in the laughter of friends and the delicate form of a rice flour toy.
Through Hau’s exquisite craft, the spirit of Vietnamese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival continues to shine brightly, even in the heart of the modern world.
