The fan-making craft of Chang Son village has existed for over 200 years. Since the 19th century, the village's products were renowned both domestically and abroad. The French even brought the fans across the ocean to Paris for exhibitions. During the subsidy period, Chang Son fans spread far and wide, since the village was the primary producer of paper fans for the government.
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Colorful fans at Nguyen Thi Tuan’s store |
However, thanks to the industrial development, electric fans were widely produced and became more convenient, gradually replacing traditional bamboo and paper products. As a result, Chang Son fan-making craft fell into oblivion a long time until artisan Duong Van Mo and other locals revived and made the craft to flourish again. The village’s traditional festival was also restored.
In 2009, during the lunar New Year flower festival, visitors were amazed by the magnificence and intricate design of a giant fan made by artisan Duong Van Mo. It took him eight days to paint an image of an old Hanoi market scene on the fan. After the event, Chang Son’s fan-making craft gained recognition both in Vietnam and internationally.
Born in Chang Son, Nguyen Thi Tuan in Dinh hamlet decides to continue the family tradition of fan-making and wishes to preserve the craft. To make Chang Son be distinctive, Tuan painted images that strongly reflect Vietnamese culture, such as national flag, Dong Ho painting, historical sites, and famous landscapes on the fans.
“Fans are not just a tool for cooling, it can also be turned into a piece of art, showcasing unique cultural features that others can appreciate” Tuan said.
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Chang Son fans showcased at a trade fair |
To ensure that the traditional craft handed down by their ancestors does not fade away, many generations, from the elderly to the young, are tirelessly working together. The older generation make the fans, while the younger generation leverages modern technology to help spread the image of their hometown’s fans as far as possible.
Thanks to the efforts, Chang Son fans have even crossed the oceans, being exported to Japan and the Republic of Korea, with various styles, sizes, and designs. Not only do they make paper fans and bamboo fans, but the people of Chang Son also produce silk fans of all sizes. Larger fans are often custom-ordered by art troupes, festivals, tourism companies, and international tourists.
To adapt and thrive in the digital age, the people of Chang Son have started learning how to “sell fans online.” Most orders now come from younger customers who prefer the convenience of online platforms.
Apart from selling fans, Tuan has actively brought Chang Son fans to various exhibitions and trade fairs both in Vietnam and abroad. She has collaborated with elderly people from the Bach Nien Thien Duc Center to create special four-season fans for exhibitions. Attending the exhibition, many international tourists showed their admiration and were interested in taking photos of the fans, which highlighted Vietnam’s unique culture.
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Foreigners interested in Chang Son fans |
Over time, the craft of fan-making has not only improved the livelihoods of Chang Son villagers but also played an essential role in preserving and promoting the traditional craft of this ancient village. It has also contributed to spreading Vietnamese culture to both domestic and international friends.
Translated by Tran Hoai