HCMC – With the Lunar New Year approaching, traditional agricultural products like coconuts and bottle gourds are being transformed into intricate works of art by artisans. Through painting, decorating, and gold layering, these items become meaningful gifts and festive decorations.
The crafting process for a gold-layered coconut requires precision. The coconut is coated with adhesive and dried for 45 to 60 minutes before 24-karat gold leaf is carefully applied. Each coconut uses 50 to 55 gold leaves, measuring 9×9 cm. Decorative elements, such as zodiac symbols, calligraphy, and floral designs, are added later, often made from moldable resin for intricate details.
In addition to gold-layered coconuts, polished versions in vibrant colors like green, red, and blue are also popular.
Prices for these items remain stable compared to last year. A pair of gold-layered coconuts costs between VND700,000 and VND1 million, while polished coconuts sell for about VND600,000. More elaborate designs with added features, such as stylized dragons and decorative peacock feathers, can exceed VND1 million per pair.
Gold-layered bottle gourds command higher prices than coconuts. A large, elaborately decorated pair can sell for up to VND1.5 million, while simpler designs cost around VND1 million per pair. Smaller gourds with basic painted motifs and the words “Tài Lộc” (wealth and prosperity) are priced at VND600,000 per pair.
The workshop completes about 50 coconuts and 50 bottle gourds daily, all handcrafted by skilled artisans.
These unique products cater to the growing demand for festive gifts and decorations, symbolizing luck and prosperity for the new year.