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Explore Xuan La village and discover the art of To He, traditional rice powder figurines. Visit Dau Pagoda, a famous historical site in Hanoi’s Thuong Tin district.

Highlights

• Discover the art of To He, traditional rice powder figurines
• Watch artisans create colorful figurines using simple tools
• Learn about the history and cultural significance of To He
• Explore Xuan La village, the only place in Vietnam making To He
• Visit Dau Pagoda, a famous historical site in Hanoi’s Thuong Tin district

Description

Visit Xuan La village in Hanoi’s Phu Xuyen district, famous for making To He, a traditional toy made of rice powder. Discover the only village in Vietnam that makes these toy figurines, a craft that requires dexterity, creativity, and precision. Learn how To He is made from sticky rice powder, sugar, and food coloring. Watch as artisans use simple tools like combs, bamboo sticks, and beeswax to create these figurines. In the past, To He depicted familiar animals, fruits, and national heroes. Today, they come in a greater variety of imaginative forms. See how the craftsmen grind glutinous rice into a fine powder, pour water into the mixture, and then steam it. A perfect To He product depends on dough preparation, rice quality, and the artisans’ experience. The seven basic colors of To He include green, blue, red, purple, yellow, white, and black, all made from natural and edible ingredients. Marvel at the way beautiful flowers, animals, or cartoon characters are created by skillful and creative artisans using simple tools, including a tray of colorful rice powder, a small comb, a bunch of bamboo sticks, and a spongy box to display their products. Visit Dau pagoda , a famous historical site in Hanoi’s outlying district of Thuong Tin, which houses the embalmed bodies of two monks, Vu Khac Truong and Vu Khac Minh. Situated on a hill in the middle of the field at Gia Phuc village in Thuong Tin district’s Nguyen Trai commune, the pagoda is covered with luxuriant trees and surrounded with lakes and the Nhue River flowing behind, forming a picturesque landscape. The pagoda was the object of great care in the feudal dynasties of Vietnam, and has been repaired and upgraded many times. The stele, erected in the year Duong Hoa 5th (1639) of Le Than Tong and preserved in the pagoda reports that the Dau pagoda was constructed under the Ly Dynasty, repaired and enlarged under the Tran, Le and Mac Dynasties.

Includes

Visit to Xuan La village Demonstration of To He making Interaction with artisans Viewing of traditional To He figurines Meals Transportation to and from Xuan La village Tour guide and entrance fees

Important Information

• Xuan La village is located about 40km from Hanoi's city centre To He figurines are made from sticky rice powder, sugar, and food coloring The art of making To He originated 300 years ago To He figurines are edible and made from natural ingredients

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund