In this predominantly agricultural land, rich in patriotic and revolutionary traditions, the people here have been involved in incense making for generations. This craft not only contributes to their livelihood but also preserves a vital part of the nation's cultural heritage. The incense sticks from Hoang Xa are not simply consumer products, but the embodiment of the diligence, skillful hands, and heartfelt dedication of the Vietnamese people.
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People are drying incense sticks in bundles in the sun. Photo: Vietnamplus |
The tradition of incense making in Hoang Xa has been passed down through many generations. The incense makers here still maintain traditional steps such as selecting ingredients, mixing the powder, shaping the incense sticks, and sun-drying them. Hoang Xa incense is famous for its composition of precious traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as agarwood, cloves, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and fennel. When burned, the incense emits a gentle, clean, and peaceful fragrance, perfectly suited to the worship spaces and traditional rituals of the Vietnamese people.
Many tourists love the fragrance of Hoang Xa incense and order a lot. However, the locals dare not exceed the permitted daily production due to the limited space available for drying incense in their yards. Incense must be dried in the sun; using ovens would cause the herbal scent to dissipate. Although some modern machinery has been introduced to increase productivity, many households still persevere with traditional methods. For them, each incense stick is a spiritual product, requiring meticulous craftsmanship and heartfelt dedication.
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Bundles of "fragrant flowers" - a characteristic image in incense-making villages. Photo: Vietnamplus. |
In Vietnamese culture, incense is not only a product serving religious needs, but also an indispensable part of spiritual life. Each incense stick lit is a prayer, a connection between people and their ancestors, between the earthly realm and the sacred realm. On holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), full moon days, the first day of the lunar month, etc., in every Vietnamese family, incense is the first thing lit on the ancestral altar as a way of expressing reverence, gratitude, and a deep connection to one's roots.
Incense burning is a greeting, a farewell, and a remembrance in Vietnamese folk life. Vietnamese people burn incense on New Year's Day to pray for a peaceful year, on death anniversaries to commemorate ancestors, at weddings to announce the joyous occasion to family deities, and even on ordinary days to maintain family traditions. Even as society changes and rituals may be simplified, incense burning remains an indispensable part of life. It's not just a belief, but also embodies the moral principles of "drinking water, remembering the source," and "respecting elders and yielding to juniors," reflecting the profound spiritual and cultural depth of the Vietnamese people.
Currently, the atmosphere of work in Hoang Xa craft village continues steadily every day. Under the golden sunlight of the late summer days, bundles of bright red incense sticks are still scattered around the yards and along the village roads, creating a characteristic scene only found in traditional craft villages.
The gentle aroma of herbs drifts on the breeze, blending with the peaceful rhythm of life in the countryside. Each household is preparing goods to fulfill orders from provinces and cities across the country – especially from religious establishments, temples, and pagodas. This is also the time when artisans stockpile raw materials, maintain machinery, and arrange manpower, getting ready for the peak season in the final months of the year.
During the period of innovation and integration, the people of Hoang Xa have continuously improved designs, diversified products, expanded markets, and gradually brought their traditional incense brand further afield. However, what is most valuable is that they still uphold their craft and preserve their traditional identity. Here, incense makers not only create products but are also contributing to the preservation and transmission of national cultural values to future generations.
The fragrance of Hoang Xa incense, derived from precious ingredients, the diligent hands of skilled artisans, and the loyal and compassionate hearts of the Vietnamese people, is a vivid symbol of the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, of spiritual values and economic development during the country's transformation.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/huong-thom-tu-long-trung-hau-1028005
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