The unique paper-making craft

The unique paper-making craft of the H'mong ethnic group in Hoa Binh Province has been going strong for 300 years. H'mong ethnic people in Mai Chau District live 1,200-1,500 metres above sea level. For hundreds of years, they have made bark paper from giang trees, Aganonerion polymorphism, for religious ceremonies. When the trees are about three metres tall, H'mong people will cut from of them off to make papers. The trees are cooked with kitchen ashes and calcium hydroxide for a night before it is incubated for about a week. The paper is smooth and has a light beige colour.