Dong Ho used to be famous for folk woodcut painting. Now, 90% of local households make votive objects to offer to the dead, especially on the occasion of Vu Lan festival, “Vu Lan bao hieu” (Parents' Day) or “Xa toi vong nhan” (Wandering Soul’s Day). |
In the past, votive objects were simple, such as clothes, boat and cotton. Now there are different kinds, ranging from automobile, mobile phone, iphone 6, to fridge and air conditioner. |
Hoa’s family specialises in making paper conical hats. |
Tu My is the biggest paper workshop in the village, which produces around 1 tonnes of paper per day to make votive objects. |
Votive objects are not only consumed in the north but also shipped to the south and even to Laos, Taiwan and China. |
A dragon boat even costs VND2 million. |
During the Vu Lan Festival, the village is busy with trucks and motorbikes coming to transport votive objects to domestic and foreign customers. |