VietNamNet Bridge – Gone are the days when kids were content to toddle around with a helium-filled balloon bobbing above their head. Now they want them fashioned into all manner of shapes – giraffes, sausage dogs, cats, swans, the list is practically endless.

A trip to Thu Le zoo on the weekends is testament to just how popular the art of balloon modelling or twisting has become. In fact, the toddlers seem more interest in the animal creations they fondly cradle in their arms than the real-life menagerie about them.

And the most skilled twisters, as the artists are called, can work wonders with a bit of puff and balloon – although most balloon modellers use pumps to spare their lungs. Now colourful Doraemon characters from the manga series created by Fujiko F Fujio, aka Hiroshi Fujimoto, can be seen all about town.

Most of the balloon creations being fondly carried by children in Ha Noi have been made by Nguyen Nhat Tho, Nguyen Xuan Muoi and Vu Tri Cuong – true masters of the art.

Tho explains that balloon modelling originated in Europe and America. By using various techniques such as pinch-and-twist, locking twist, fold twist, ear twist, pinch twist, or bean twist all manner of things can be created – dogs, tigers, ducks, swords, airplanes, flowers...

Long, thinly skinned balloons in Viet Nam have been imported from the US and Thailand. Ones used to make balloon sculptures must meet certain requirements. Most importantly, they have to be flexible and durable so that they can withstand rubbing and being twisted.

The level of difficulty depends on how many balloons are used and how much twisting and knotting is required. A dog can be sculptured in two minutes, a flower takes three, but forming Winnie the Pooh and Doraemon characters, which require three to four balloons, can take six to eight minutes to fashion.

Muoi, a senior student at Ha Noi University of Agriculture, learned the art of balloon modelling two months ago under the instruction of Tho.

"This art form demands creativity and skill. Every time I look at a balloon sculpture I feel uplifted. Life becomes more interesting and vibrant," he says.

At a birthday party for his roommate, his friends were astonished when he unveiled a cake, complete with candles, he had fashioned for the occasion.

Tho says that each twister brings his own individual creativity to bear when he or she fashions a balloon sculpture. For example, Tho says he is particularly proud of the Doraemon character he has created with a tail and the giraffe he makes that comes with a mane.

"Children often love cute and colourful things and do not care much about detail. That's why I add something special while making them," he says.

The popularity of the trio's designs was evident during Kids Fair 2011 at Ha Noi Children's Palace. Parents were willing to queue up for two to three hours just to buy their kids' a balloon. Le Ba Lam, from the Ngoc Thuy Elementary School, was happily clutching a balloon dog. "I love my balloon!" he say beaming.

Trinh Thi Hong, who works for a furniture removals firm in the capital, also attended the fair. She bought her daughter a Doraemon sculpture. "I have heard about this art form but never seen it practised. It's really impressive. Children are far more interested in a balloon sculpture that just a helium-filled balloon," she says.

Tho spends most of his free time creating new designs and popularising the craft. He also teaches others how to become a twister.

"Whoever finds it interesting can learn, but it takes true passion to become an artist," Tho says.

Balloon modelling first came to Ha Noi in 2010 when an overseas Vietnamese introduced the art form to Tho. The postal worker was instantly captivated.

"I spent the whole year finding out information on balloon modelling and learning how to make different things. At first, I did not know where to start and how to create the simplest animals and flowers," he says.

Discouraged at first, Tho says he seriously considered giving up, but the spirit of the northern street vendor took over, and he persisted.

Four months ago, after a trip to HCM City, he realised he'd made the right decision.

He says the people of HCM City don't think of balloon twisters as vendors but as street artists and that the local authorities were happy to allow him to sell balloons on the street, in parks and zoos. When he returned to the North, he was determined to demonstrate that balloon twisters were not retailers but entertainers.

Now he is inundated with requests for angry birds and fruit robots. "It makes me feel very proud and happy to bring such joy to people," he says with a smile.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News