VietNamNet Bridge – A simple kite used to be a favorite toy of children in Vietnam. However, it is losing its appeal due to the prevalence of modern toys that are easier to play.

Folk artist Nguyen Thanh Van prepares to fly his flute kite

Nguyen Thanh Van, a folk artist in HCMC, recognizes himself a guardian of the game of kite flying. Pursuing the passion for the traditional kite since he was young, Van has devoted a lot of time and effort to it.

He has turned out around 200 kite models featuring such animals as turtle, fish, bird, dragon, phoenix and eagle; flowers; and even flute kite to satisfy his hobby and compete.

The artist also participated in many local and international kite festivals with his team called the Phoenix Kite Club. The group usually joins folk festivals in different provinces including Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival, 1,000 years of Thang Long – Hanoi and the annual kite festivals in Hue, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and China.  

At the age of 65, Van still seeks to inspire the young generation to continue making and flying kites in the hopes that the tradition would not fade.

“I go to schools and universities to introduce the good and the beauty of kite flying. I wish the children could reduce online gaming to have time for kite flying. Kite flying does not only help them have an outdoor workout but also preserve the traditional game of the Vietnamese,” he shares.

In his journey to popularize kite flying to young people, Van has taught many students at an international university, some secondary and high schools in the city and the Mekong Delta region, as well as youth at cultural centers in many districts, to make a kite. He can show dozens of people how to make a simple kite within one or two hours.

“You cannot read a book to make a kite. You need to practice. It’s very easy if you follow step by step. I hope those who have learned from me can teach others,” says Van.

In addition to teaching people to make kites, Van holds classes at home. He is willing to wholeheartedly show those wanting to know how to make a kite. “I only wish they could find a place to satisfy their hobby,” he adds.

According to him, any child would love to fly a kite but in the densely populated urban areas as it is hard for them to find a place to do so. Since he was a boy, Van has dreamed of a playing field inside the city for kite lovers like him. “The current locations of the skyscrapers used to be open spaces where children came to run their kites. On February 10, fewer people consider kite flying as a hobby due to the busy city life,” he says.

“Most kite lovers are children at primary or secondary schools who need to be accompanied by their parents to kite flying locations on the outskirts. As a kite lover, I feel sorry for them.”

He says the city government will be organizing a kite competition in District 2 in April to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Reunification Day with the participation of many teams from the North, Central, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta. He expects the event will attract large throngs of kite lovers, especially children.

SGT