A colorful balancing bamboo dragonfly - PHOTO: COURTESY OF ORGANIZER

Although bamboo dragonflies were originally made for children, the trade has now blossomed into one of Vietnam’s noticeable crafts.

Visitors will have a chance to meet the first bamboo dragonfly artisan, learn how bamboo dragonflies are made, and decorate their own dragonflies.

After the tour of Thach Xa craft village, which is in Hanoi suburban district of Thach That about 40 kilometers from the central business district, the excursion will take tourists to the nearby Tay Phuong Pagoda that dates back to the eighth century.

The pagoda features wonderful architectural woodcarvings and decorations and 62 beautiful wooden statues. The pagoda complex consists of three buildings built in descending order on the hillside.

Friend of Vietnam Heritage will also hold a workshop on Kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting, at Bluebirds’ Nest Book Cafe in Hanoi on November 3.

Kirigami stems from Origami, which is favored by many people around the world. It is based on paper cutting rather than just folding, and utilizes different techniques.

The instructor is a retired maths teacher who is also a very talented self-taught artist and skilled in the art of paper cutting and traditional crafts. He will instruct in Vietnamese with English translation.

Participants will be provided with colored paper and scissors.

Friend of Vietnam Heritage is a non-formal group of predominantly Hanoi residents from many countries, including Vietnam, whose purpose is to enhance and deepen the understanding of Vietnam’s culture, and to help with its preservation. SGT
 

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