The Cao Thon Craft Village in Bao Khe Ward, Hung Yen City, Hung Yen Province is one of the oldest incense-making villages in Viet Nam.

The village’s incense products are well known for their quality and special fragrance. They are favoured by the domestic market and exported to several countries around the world.

Incense powder is made from herbs and Chinese medicinal herbs. All herbs are purchased from forests in the northern mountainous provinces.  The 36 varieties of medicinal herbs include liquorice, cardamon, and tan beans.

All stages of making incense are done manually, so when burning incense sticks, the smoke gives off a pleasant aroma, helping relax and reduce stress fatigue.

Look at some amazing photos taken by our freelance photographer Nguyen Huu Thanh, showing some basic steps in making incense in the Cao Thon craft village.

Incense coils are made manually

Incense sticks

Incense sticks, and ...

... and incense coils are dried in the sun.

Sunlight will dry incense whilst keeping products' colour and fragrance.

Sticks are dyed and dried to prepare for making incense.

Finished incense coils

Reporting by DNO - Translating by M.DUNG