Thanh Tiên Paper Flowers – 400 Years of Preserving the Beauty of Huế

From folk belief to cultural symbol

Born from the need to decorate altars and make offerings during festivals, Thanh Tien paper flowers were originally used mainly in the traditional rituals of local people. Through the ups and downs of history, the art of paper flower making has not faded away but has grown ever more refined and creative, becoming an indispensable part of Huế's cultural landscape.

Meticulous, eco-friendly craftsmanship

Each flower is made from naturally dyed dó paper, bamboo and rice-flour glue – materials that are eco-friendly and close to everyday life. Artisans cut each petal, dye each color and shape it by hand so the flowers look soft, vivid and true to life. Every lotus, lily, chrysanthemum… carries a spiritual meaning, symbolizing purity and reverence for heaven, earth and ancestors.

Huế's identity preserved through every step of the craft

More than an art product, Thanh Tien paper flowers are proof of the resilience of traditional craft villages in modern times. The artisans of Thanh Tien village – most of them women – still work tirelessly to preserve their ancestral craft, passing it on to the younger generation, while constantly refreshing their designs to bring paper flowers closer to visitors from Vietnam and abroad.

Bringing Huế paper flowers to the world

Today, Thanh Tien paper flowers have moved beyond places of worship to become souvenirs and decorative art, featured in cultural exhibitions and festivals at home and abroad. Many visitors to Huế want to stop by Thanh Tien village to see the flower-making process with their own eyes, try cutting and gluing a petal themselves, and take home a little of Huế's soul in a small gift.