“Heaven’s fairies often came down to attend Earth’s festivals.” This is the enchanting origin story of Kite building in Hanoi. Here, in Ba Duong Noi village kite making is not just a craft. It is a cultural bridge spanning a thousand years.
Kite building in Hanoi began in the Dinh dynasty in the 10th century. The village is renowned as one of Vietnam’s premier kite flying centers. According to the village elders, heaven and earth were once close. Fairies frequented Earth’s festivals. When heaven rose higher kites became a way to reconnect. Bamboo flutes were added to the kites inviting the fairies back to Earth.
Today Kite building in Hanoi thrives in Ba Duong Noi. Villagers hold a kite festival every year on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month. The flute kites evoke Vietnam’s countryside with its spacious rice paddies. The lilting sounds remind people of little boys tending buffalo.
Kites are more than just a fun activity here. They are prayers sent to the sky for good weather and abundant crops. The kite represents yin and yang. It connects heaven and earth. The flute’s melody is believed to drive away miasma and epidemics. The higher the kites fly the better the harvest will be. Kites even act as weather forecasters.
Crafting a kite requires skill. The kite and flute are made of bamboo. Bamboo grows throughout Vietnam’s countryside. The kite string is also made of bamboo. Old bamboo is chosen for the frame. It is cleaned dried in the sun and soaked in lime juice to prevent insects. The frame is covered with special Dó paper making it waterproof and light.
Making a good flute is equally precise. Artisans select old bamboo exposed to sun and rain. They drill holes carefully. The more precise the holes the better the sound.
Kite building is a passion for Ba Duong Noi residents. Unlike Hue kites these kites have simple shapes without tails. The delicate flute expresses the artisan’s heart. This passion passes down through generations.
The Hong Ha Kite Club was founded in 2004. It provides a space for kite enthusiasts. Club members meet weekly to perfect their kites. The club was recognized by the Vietnam Folk Arts and Literature Association in 2005. It is the first kite club in the North and has participated in domestic and international festivals.
The vice president of the Hong Ha Kite Club says domestic and foreign friends like the kites. He says they are traditional and unique. Flying kites relaxes him. It teaches him patience and skill.
Children are involved with this folk art almost from the cradle. They love flying kites more than anything. Some intend to take Vietnamese kites to other countries. They plan to paint a large picture of Vietnam with a kite flying father. Seeing kites in the sky brings joy to many.
Visiting Kite building in Hanoi offers more than just viewing crafts. It immerses you in a tradition. It connects you to the land the sky and the spirit of Vietnam. The thousand-year-old art is a source of pride. It is a symphony that continues to echo across the sky.