Each year as Tet approaches, the village of Thanh Tien, nestled along the Perfume River in Hue, bursts into color—not from real flowers, but from delicate, handcrafted paper blossoms that have adorned Vietnamese homes and altars for over 300 years.
Famous for its traditional craft of paper flower making, Thanh Tien Village becomes a hive of activity every lunar December. Locals gather bamboo, dye paper in vibrant hues, and carefully fold petals into lilies, lotuses, chrysanthemums, and more. The most revered of all is the paper lotus, symbolizing purity and used in both sacred rituals and grand cultural events like the Hue Festival and Ao Dai Festival.
More Than Decoration – A Cultural Legacy
Paper flowers in Thanh Tien are not mere ornaments. In the past, they were placed on altars to honor ancestors, the Earth God, and the Kitchen God, and replaced only once a year during Tet. Their vivid colors and symbolic shapes express solemnity, gratitude, and spiritual harmony.
Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village is steeped in tradition, and its charm is immortalized in the folk song:
“Green green, red red, yellow yellow – Every December, the village makes flowers.”
This poetic line captures the heart of Thanh Tien’s seasonal rhythm, where generations pass down the craft from grandparent to grandchild.
Tradition Meets Transformation
Today, fewer families continue the craft, but those who remain are deeply committed. Artisan Nguyễn Hóa and his sons are among the village’s most skilled makers. His eldest, Nguyễn Hiếu, has spent nearly 20 years perfecting the lotus design, adapting the craft for modern tastes while preserving its soul.
Though the flowers were once reserved for worship, they are now also used for home décor, festival displays, and souvenirs—helping the tradition find new life in modern settings.
Visitors to Thanh Tien can not only admire the artistry but also participate in hands-on workshops, learning how to shape petals and bring paper blooms to life. These experiences offer a rare, tangible connection to Vietnam’s intangible heritage.
A Tet Destination with Heart
During the weeks leading up to Tet, Thanh Tien becomes more than a craft village—it becomes a celebration of spring, memory, and renewal. Markets brim with paper flowers and effigies of Ông Táo (Kitchen God) as families prepare their homes for the new year.
Whether you’re a traveler seeking authentic culture, or a local returning to your roots, a visit to Thanh Tien during Tet offers warmth, color, and meaning—wrapped in petals of paper, tradition, and care.