Animal and fruit toys are made of coloured dough. This is one of few types of folk toys that still retain their appeal, a folk identity kept for generations.During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hà Nội, it is impossible to mention the unique urban-style dough toys in Đồng Xuân, Phố Khách andbird cakes from Xuân La and some other craft villages. Each line of products is a profound and expressive story that helps children appreciate historical values, nurture their soul and love for life.
A typical set of clay figurines consists ofBuddha, an old man, a child, a bird and a tortoise. Buddha, placed at the centre, is expected to teach children how to live kindly and decently. The old man and the child are symbols of generational continuity.The bird represents an aspiration for peace. The tortoise is a sacred animal symbolizing protection and longevity. Clay figurinesare made of dried clay covered with mollusk shell powder, and pained in basic colors.
The sounds of the small-sized drum (trống ếch) herald the coming of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The drum is an indispensable instrument accompanying all children’s games and activities, such as lion dance, dragon dance, and lantern parade. Apart from trống ếch, there is also trống bỏi, a coin-sized hand-held drum which produces ear-pleasing “clack clack” sounds when spun around.