Hanoi has long been home to hundreds of craft villages. Over many years, many of the crafts have developed, while some have disappeared altogether.
The heart and soul of Hanoi’s vibrant old crafts are its craftsmen and women. One such couple are Nguyen Van Hoa and his wife of Hang Than Street. They are among the few artisans still making elaborate cardboard masks in order to preserve the traditional culture.
Making swans out of cotton is another traditional craft. Only artisan Vu Thi Thanh Tam of 79 Hang Luoc Street in the capital makes these swans. The swan frames are made of notebook paper and are stuffed with cotton, then a skillful artisan puts each layer of cotton on the swan frames and uses rice water to smooth them. The swan neck is made of steel wire and is covered by cotton. The finished product is placed in a rattan basket with cotton around glass-beads and silk flowers are added for colour.
1. How many traditional crafts are mentioned in the text?
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2. Who plays role as the heart and soul of Hanoi’s crafts?
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3. Are there a lot of artisans who make swans out of cotton in Hanoi?
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4. What is added to colour the finish the product?
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