Image Missing
mai chau
Getting to know...
In the villages surrounding the Mai Chau Valley, the Dao (Yao) ethnic minority have been making giấy dó (dó paper) for generations. This is not paper for writing - it is a rough, textured paper made from the bark of the dó tree (Rhamnoneuron balansae), used exclusively for burning during spiritual ceremonies, ancestor worship, funerals and Tết celebrations.
The process is entirely by hand. The bark is harvested from the dó tree, soaked in water with ash to soften the fibres, then pounded repeatedly with wooden mallets until it forms a pulp. This pulp is spread thinly onto bamboo mesh frames and left to dry in the sun, producing sheets of off-white to yellowish paper with a distinctive rough texture.
Cultural significance
Spirit paper plays an important role in Vietnamese spiritual life. It is burned as an offering to ancestors and spirits - a way of sending gifts to the afterlife. The handmade dó paper is considered more respectful and traditional than the factory-produced versions found in cities. For the Dao communities who make it, the craft is both a source of income and a connection to their cultural heritage.
Visiting
The paper making demonstration is typically included as part of a village walk or cycling tour through the Mai Chau area. You’ll see the full process from bark to finished sheets and learn about the spiritual traditions behind it.