Nguyen Tan Phat shared with VietNamNet reporters that the rice harvest season not only brings joy to farmers but also inspires him to repurpose discarded straw into creative works.

In his hometown, Duong Lam ancient village (Hanoi), Phat weaves straw into various animal figures, such as buffaloes and horses.

This innovation preserves cultural heritage, turns it into an attractive tourist product, and creates a traditional game for local children while drawing international visitors.
Animal figures familiar to Vietnamese villages, such as buffaloes and horses, are crafted from straw.

Phat shared, "After collecting discarded straw, I dry, clean, and select the finest pieces for my creations. These products bring joy to the local children and also boost the value of local tourism. Tour groups love the experience of making these unique items. This demonstrates that straw can become a valuable resource rather than waste."
Nguyen Tan Phat's creations attract the attention of many children and tourists visiting Duong Lam.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist

"In the future, I will continue to innovate with straw products, helping farmers earn extra income from discarded materials while promoting the traditional rural values of Vietnam," Phat added.

Nguyen Tan Phat, born in 1983, has spent 22 years dedicated to lacquer art.

Looking ahead, Phat plans to connect the heritage of lacquer art with continuous cultural and artistic activities, starting from Mia Pagoda - home to significant lacquer statues - with the goal of creating a compelling and far-reaching narrative that links the past to the present.

Tinh Le