VietNamNet Bridge – Paper-made doctors are not only toys for the Full Moon festival but also the wish for success in study.



VNE
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyen in Van Canh commune, Hoai Duc district, Hanoi,
is the only household that makes paper-made doctors – traditional
 toys for the Full Moon Festival.
Tuyen said in the past, her family used to be very busy with making
paper-made doctors for the Full Moon festival. Family members did
 different tasks: sharpen bamboo splints, cutting colorful papers, etc.

Paper-made doctors are not simply toys. They are placed on children’s
tables to wish for success in study and to encourage children’s learning spirit.
“However, children have not been interested in this toy any more since Chinese
 toys flood the domestic market,” Tuyen said. She said her family is trying to
 preserve the traditional trade. They mainly produce paper-made doctors
 for museums and ancient houses.
A paper-made doctor consists of 20 parts, from making frame,
parasol to draw his face.
The frame is made with bamboo splints and strengthened by used papers.


The doctor is escorted by two servants. The faces of servants
 are made from clay and drawn manually.
A small-sized paper-made doctor is priced VND25,000 ($1.2).
A big one is VND100,000 ($5).