Thanh Tien paper-flower village is located at the downstream of the Huong River in Phu Mau Commune, Phu Vang District, Hue City.
The flowers are handmade from environmentally friendly colored paper, bamboo, and natural pigments.
Thanh Tien paper flowers have long been a cultural staple in the spiritual life of the people of Hue. In the past, these paper flowers were displayed at worship sites in homes, temples, shrines, and altars, and were replaced with new ones during the Lunar New Year ceremony. As a result, the peak production period for this craft occurs in the final months of the year.
Thanh Tien villagers use local materials, such as bamboo, to craft a variety of flowers, including orchids, lilies, single and double chrysanthemums, wallflowers, and wild sunflowers.
The most famous product is the lotus, which is regarded as Vietnam’s national flower. Thanh Tien paper lotuses are displayed at major events such as the Hue Festival, the Ao Dai Festival, cultural and artistic exchange programs, as well as at the Hue Imperial City and the Nguyen Chi Dieu Memorial House in Thanh Tien Village.
While almost every villager in Thanh Tien can create paper flowers, only a few families continue to practice the trade. Currently, three households still produce these flowers and offer flower-making experiences for tourists.
The establishment of artisan Nguyen Hoa is one of them. Hieu, Mr. Hoa's son, said that nowadays, paper flowers are no longer simply used for worship, people buy to customers their houses and shops. The paper flower craft has more opportunities to develop all year round.
Thanh Tien paper-flower making also brings more income for local people, as it’s an attractive destination for tourists to experience the traditional Tet atmosphere.
Thanh Tien villagers carry their products by boat to Bao Vinh market for sale.
Thanh Tien paper flowers are often sold with statues of Ong Tao, the Kitchen God, for the Kitchen God ceremony.