To he art skills transform mooncakes into flowers

  • Crafted entirely from baking ingredients, Ms. Thuy Duong (31, from Hanoi) arranged the pieces into a vase with varying heights, creating the impression of a real lotus arrangement. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Crafted entirely from baking ingredients, Ms. Thuy Duong (31, from Hanoi) arranged the pieces into a vase with varying heights, creating the impression of a real lotus arrangement. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • The finished product combines two shaping techniques: the vase itself is made from mooncake dough, while the lotus stems above are hand-sculpted from *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) paste. This combination gives the mooncake the appearance of an artistic flower vase. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    The finished product combines two shaping techniques: the vase itself is made from mooncake dough, while the lotus stems above are hand-sculpted from *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) paste. This combination gives the mooncake the appearance of an artistic flower vase. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Vases of lotus and banana blossoms—crafted from mooncake and *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) materials—are finished in a variety of shades and styles, making it difficult for viewers to realize they are edible creations. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Vases of lotus and banana blossoms—crafted from mooncake and *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) materials—are finished in a variety of shades and styles, making it difficult for viewers to realize they are edible creations. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • The shaping process is carried out entirely by hand, requiring meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the petals, stamens, buds, and stems—crafted from *to he* dough—come together to form a natural and harmonious whole. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    The shaping process is carried out entirely by hand, requiring meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the petals, stamens, buds, and stems—crafted from *to he* dough—come together to form a natural and harmonious whole. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Beyond the lotus, the
    Beyond the lotus, the "tò he" dough is also shaped into Easter lilies - complete with petals, stamens, buds, and stems - expanding the creative possibilities for mooncakes. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • An incredibly unique and hyper-realistic mooncake shaped like a lily flower vases, crafted by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (Hanoi) and her team. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    An incredibly unique and hyper-realistic mooncake shaped like a lily flower vases, crafted by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (Hanoi) and her team. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Once completed, the lotus blossoms are arranged into a floral display, transforming the traditional mooncake into a decorative sculpted piece. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Once completed, the lotus blossoms are arranged into a floral display, transforming the traditional mooncake into a decorative sculpted piece. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Each petal is molded from *tò he* dough, pressed thin, and hand-shaped before being assembled into a flower. This technique allows the artisan to create natural curves, delicate thinness, and lifelike contours. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Each petal is molded from *tò he* dough, pressed thin, and hand-shaped before being assembled into a flower. This technique allows the artisan to create natural curves, delicate thinness, and lifelike contours. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • The artisans use food coloring to tint the *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) paste, adding definition and realistic hues to the flower petals. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    The artisans use food coloring to tint the *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) paste, adding definition and realistic hues to the flower petals. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • The delicate lotus petals, veins, and stamens are meticulously crafted to create shades and a structure closely resembling a blooming lotus flower. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    The delicate lotus petals, veins, and stamens are meticulously crafted to create shades and a structure closely resembling a blooming lotus flower. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • A lotus flower crafted from traditional *tò he* (figurine) materials—a blend of ordinary rice flour and glutinous rice flour. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    A lotus flower crafted from traditional *tò he* (figurine) materials—a blend of ordinary rice flour and glutinous rice flour. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • After completing the layers of petals, the artisan continues to adjust the lotus flower's shape before attaching it to the stem and receptacle. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    After completing the layers of petals, the artisan continues to adjust the lotus flower's shape before attaching it to the stem and receptacle. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Each lotus petal is shaped, curved, and assembled by hand, requiring meticulous care to create a soft, natural look for the flower. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Each lotus petal is shaped, curved, and assembled by hand, requiring meticulous care to create a soft, natural look for the flower. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • Gradually shaping a vase designed to hold flower stems crafted using mooncake-making techniques. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    Gradually shaping a vase designed to hold flower stems crafted using mooncake-making techniques. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
  • An artisan meticulously smooths and adjusts the outer dough layer of the mooncake to perfect the vase shape before decorating it and adding *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) flower pieces. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh
    An artisan meticulously smooths and adjusts the outer dough layer of the mooncake to perfect the vase shape before decorating it and adding *tò he* (traditional dough figurine) flower pieces. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh

VNA Photos

To he art skills transform mooncakes into flowers
08/21/2026 08:33 | TTXVN
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong (31 years old, Hanoi) and a team of young artisans have experimented with familiar molding and shaping techniques of traditional “to he” (dough figurine) craft to create vivid lotus flower vases from mooncake. This fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern baking techniques not only gives the Mid-Autumn Festival treat a fresh look but also opens up a creative approach to familiar cultural values. VNA Photo: Phạm Tuấn Anh

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