Where do incense sticks come from: Vietnamese incense village

Asia is simply inseparable from its aromas: smells lie in wait everywhere, from spicy curry and sweet tom yum to such a soothing smell of incense. Incense is burned everywhere, especially on the eve of the lunar New Year. It was at this time that a large number of the most popular incenses were made - incense sticks. So, on the outskirts of Hanoi there is a village called Kuang Fu Kau, which is also known as the Vietnamese "incense village." Its inhabitants are engaged in the manufacture of incense sticks. Every year in January-February, the streets of Kuang Fu Kau turn bright red from the huge amount of incense exhibited for drying in the sun.

Incense assembly

At its core, it is a sliver of bamboo on which oils and vegetable powder have been applied.

Oils, bamboo bark and vegetable powder - all this is made and collected by hand

After the aromatic mixture was applied to the sticks, they are dried under the sun

Of course, there are other methods of drying, but it is the sun's rays that provide the most persistent smell

Incense from this Vietnamese village is especially famous

Locals have been making incense sticks for over a hundred years

This is a very profitable business - in the season they earn up to $ 450, for Vietnam it is a very good income

However, it is necessary to carefully monitor the drying: the Vietnamese winter is very changeable, and the rain can ruin everything

The streets of Kuang Fu Kau become so colorful in the winter months

Watch the video: Vietnams Incense Village Prepares for Tet. Radio Free Asia RFA (April 2024).