Hanoi artisan preserves the art of making toy figurines
He has devoted his talent and passion to preserving these traditional toys and promoting them to the outside world. Dang Van Hau was born in Xuan La hamlet into a family with a tradition of making toy figurines. Hau learned to make To he when he was a boy. Eventually his creativity began winning him prizes in craft competitions. Hau was awarded the title “Hanoi Artisan” in 2014, the youngest person ever to receive the title. Hau’s research uncovered ways to make the dough more durable. “I have restored the traditional figurines typical of Phu Xuyen district, Pho Khach, and the Old Quarter. We aim to create toys typical of Vietnamese culture, rather than figures of foreign superheroes or princess Elsa. We want to preserve traditional Vietnamese culture,” he said. Toy figurines made by Dang Van Hau. (Photo: VOV) Hau has promoted his toy figurines, which include lions, goldfish, domestic animals and fowls, and the traditional animals of Hue, at exhibitions, fairs, a