Discovering Chang Son traditional paper fan making village in Hanoi

In Chang Son, visitors easily find alleys lined with paper fans laid out by local farmers to dry in the sun. Homes engaged in the craft are often vibrant and eye-catching, drawing the attention of many photographers.

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The craft has existed for hundreds of years and has been passed down through many generations.

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The fan is used either as an interior decoration hung on the walls of homes or as an essential item in daily life.

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Fan-making requires sophistication and meticulous attention to detail. A skilled craftsman must carefully select the right bamboo for the ribs, the finest rattan for the lacing, and the most suitable paper for the fan leaves.

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Minh Huong, owner of the Minh Bang workshop, shares that most of the fans are made from Dó (poonah) paper or thin silk.

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One of the most challenging steps is attaching the paper to the fan frame in a way that prevents wrinkling, even when the fan is folded, while also ensuring it opens and closes smoothly later on.

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There are many types of silk used in fan-making. In recent years, a popular choice has been a lightweight silk fabric that is thin enough to craft fans that are both light and durable.

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Every stage of making paper fans is done by hand, requiring the craftsman's skill and precision at each step.

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Most villagers learn fan-making from an early age. A local artisan shares that she has spent her whole life making fans.

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In addition to paper fans, local villagers in Chang Son also craft fans made from bamboo, rattan, and silk in various sizes.

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During the recent National Day celebrations, paper fans adorned with national flags filled the streets of Hanoi, adding a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the city.

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The owner of the Minh Bang workshop says paper fans featuring national flags in high demand across the country. In the second half of August alone, the facility produced nearly 100,000 such fans in preparation for the National Day celebrations.

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After the National Day holiday, paper fan manufacturing facilities resume production of artistic fans and begin preparing new designs for the year-end holiday season.

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According to artisans, in addition to traditional paper fans, the village’s silk fans used for decoration and dancing are also well-known both domestically and internationally.

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Large-sized picture fans for interior decoration are highly popular and have received numerous orders from across the country. These fans have become a signature product that helps promote the Chang Son paper fan brand at fairs nationwide.

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Since the 19th century, the village’s fan products have been renowned both domestically and internationally. To this day, Chang Son paper fan craft village has not only preserved the traditional beauty of the craft but also made significant contributions to the development of the local economy, culture, and tourism.