Handmade Dướng Paper – A Cultural Material from Vietnam’s Highland Communities

The Dướng tree, known as Mạy Sla by the Nùng An ethnic group, belongs to the mulberry family and grows abundantly in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam. In these remote regions, where life has long been difficult, local people once created a way to make paper from the Dướng tree—a craft that not only preserved tradition but also sustained their families.

Creating a sheet of Dướng paper is a meticulous journey, requiring patience, precision, and a deep love for traditional craftsmanship.

After harvesting, artisans peel the tree’s bark and soak it in water for several days to soften the fibers and remove impurities. The inner bark is carefully separated, stripped of coarse fibers, and boiled in limewater for many hours to cleanse and strengthen the pulp.

The next step is pounding—the most labor-intensive stage—where the fibers are beaten into a fine pulp. This pulp is then diluted with water and thoroughly mixed to form a smooth paper slurry. Using a paper mold, artisans skillfully dip and shake it until the pulp evenly coats the surface. To meet the standards required for crafting Hue’s paper lotuses, May commissions Dướng paper to be layered four times, ensuring a thick, durable sheet that resists tearing and blotching.

Once the paper is lifted from the mold, it is pressed to remove excess water and dried naturally under sun and wind—imbued with the soul of the mountains and the diligence of human hands.

Today, under the Zó Project’s handmade paper initiative, Dướng paper continues to be produced by the Mường people of Hòa Bình and the Nùng An people of Cao Bằng. Each sheet is the result of more than 30 stages, a laborious process stretching over weeks. A single batch takes 10–15 days to complete, carrying with it natural hues, a subtle fragrance, and the distinctive strength of this traditional fiber.

For Maypaperflower, Dướng paper is more than a material. It is heritage, continuation, and soul. It breathes life into each handcrafted paper petal, so that every flower is not only beautiful but also steeped in Vietnamese identity. To touch a Dướng paper flower is to touch a silent yet enduring tradition that lives on through time.

From a single sheet of paper, we hold in our hands an entire heritage.