Thousands of red incense sticks during Vietnamese Lunar New Year by Anouk Sassen

About "Thousands of red incense sticks during Vietnamese Lunar New Year"

by Anouk Sassen

About the artwork

In the last days of January and the early days of February, Vietnam buzzes with activity as everyone prepares for the vibrant Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The air is filled with excitement for this festive season.

During my Vietnam adventure trip, I visited a charming village that specialises in making 'incense sticks' - better known as incense sticks. On arrival at Quang Phu Cau village early in the morning, the entire community was already busy: from carefully selecting bamboo to crafting, colouring and packaging the sticks.

A vibrant sea of mostly red incense sticks filled the entire village, where local craftsmen have been practising this art for generations. These enchanting sticks then travel throughout Vietnam to shine on family altars, in temples or simply for decoration. An extraordinary cultural experience! The red hue here symbolises happiness.

Among all the photos's I took during my trip, this image remains one of my favourites. The intense red colour of the incense sticks combined with the distinctive rice hat form an unforgettable scene.

The iconic rice hat, known as the "nón lá," is an indispensable element in Vietnam's rich culture and tradition. Crafted from braided palm leaves, this conical hat not only provides protection from the scorching sun and torrential downpours, but is also a symbol of grace and simplicity. The nón lá not only embodies practical practicality but also reflects deep-rooted cultural pride and belonging among the Vietnamese people. #Vietnam #LunarNewYear #Traditions"