Incense-making village in Hung Yen bustles ahead of Lunar New Year

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, anyone passing through the village can easily sense the distinctive, lingering aroma of herbal incense filling the air.

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At the workshops, the pace of work intensifies as trucks carrying raw materials and finished products move in and out continuously, reflecting strong seasonal demand ahead of the Lunar New Year.

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Courtyards and open spaces are fully used for drying incense, creating a vibrant and bustling scene of the traditional craft village in the lead-up to the holiday.

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The craft village operates all the year around, and the last few months of the year are the busiest time. Craftsmen increase their production capacity to serve the Tet holiday.

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Villagers dry incense sticks directly in the sun light as opposed to making use of drying machines. It helps to dry the sticks naturally and quickly, ensuring quality, saving money, and providing the best fragrance.

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The products are diverse, serving both spiritual and daily life needs.

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All the steps must be carried out by hand, with each stage requiring careful attention and meticulousness of craftsmen.

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Most importantly, safe ingredients are used which harmoniously combine traditional herbal medicine and natural fragrances to create a relaxing and pleasant aroma.

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Local villagers have preserved the secret of making unique herbal incense sticks for generations.

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Each household has its own unique secret of making incense which sees a blend of different herbs and helps to identify the product of each household.

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Popular ingredients such as cinnamon and star anise create the essence of each incense stick, contributing to the preservation of the nation's traditional cultural values.

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The incense products from the village are made from 36-40 different kinds of herbal medicine.

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Each incense stick is a delicate blend of various herbs to create a distinctive, long-lasting fragrance.

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Currently, the village has nearly 100 households involved in this craft, including dozens of large-scale workshops that employ approximately 300 workers.

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Villagers constantly improve designs and apply new techniques to enhance quality and promote their products widely.

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Little to none of the process of making incense is automated to ensure good quality of products.

The craft village’s products attract customers for their beautiful appearance and delicate fragrance, and they are sold in many cities and provinces across the country.