For the people of Phja Thap, incense making is not simply a means of livelihood but also a source of pride in the heritage passed down by their ancestors. In every household, from the elderly to younger generations, people know the various stages of incense making and work together to preserve this traditional craft as an integral part of their daily lives. For the Nung An people, incense making is not merely a seasonal occupation; it has become a familiar part of community life. In the final months of the year, when demand for incense increases, the entire village becomes bustling with activity as families prepare materials, split bamboo-like sticks, mix the incense powder and dry the incense. The sight of bundles of incense fanning out in brilliant colors under the sunlight has become an iconic image of Phja Thap, attracting visitors and photographers who come to explore the village and capture its beautiful moments.

One of the distinctive features that has created the reputation of Phja Thap incense is that all its ingredients are derived from nature and carefully selected from the surrounding limestone mountain areas. The incense sticks are made from wild mai trees, known locally in the Tày language as may muoi. The wood is straight, flexible and resistant to warping after drying. The incense powder is made from a mixture of fine sawdust, kapok tree bark and, most importantly, the leaves of the bau hat tree, a forest plant that naturally provides adhesive properties. These leaves allow the incense powder to adhere firmly to the sticks without the use of chemical adhesives. The exclusive use of natural ingredients produces a mild and pleasant fragrance when burned, with little smoke and without a harsh or overpowering smell. This distinctive quality has made Phja Thap incense popular for use during traditional festivals, Lunar New Year celebrations and ancestral ceremonies.

Creating a complete incense stick requires many consecutive stages, each demanding care, precision and experience. After the mai wood is harvested, it is cut into suitable lengths, split into small, evenly sized pieces and carefully smoothed to form the incense sticks. This stage requires considerable skill to ensure that the sticks are uniform in size, allowing the incense to burn evenly and consistently.

The bau hat leaves are collected from the forest, dried and ground into a fine powder. The kapok tree bark is also carefully processed before being mixed with sawdust in appropriate proportions. This mixture not only provides the natural fragrance but also determines the durability and quality of the incense. The makers dip the mai sticks into a solution made from bau hat leaf powder to create an initial adhesive layer, then roll them evenly through the incense mixture several times. Each layer must be applied gently and uniformly so that the incense sticks remain round, firm and free from cracks during drying.

Once the incense sticks are finished, they are laid out to dry naturally under the sunlight. After drying, the lower ends of the sticks are dyed red, a color traditionally associated with good fortune, prosperity and happiness. The bundles of incense are then dried once more before being tied into groups of ten and taken to local markets or supplied to the wider market.

In Vietnamese spiritual life, incense serves as a bridge between people, their ancestors and the spiritual values they hold dear. Whenever incense is burned, people express gratitude and remembrance while offering wishes for peace and well-being for their families. For this reason, incense makers in Phja Thắp place great importance on care and precision throughout every stage of production. Each incense stick must not only be visually appealing but also meet quality standards, burn evenly and release a gentle fragrance. This is why the traditional craft continues to be preserved with a deep sense of respect and responsibility toward the cultural heritage of the community.

Today, Phja Thap Incense Village is becoming an attractive destination for visitors seeking to explore the traditional culture of the Non Nước region. Visitors can walk along the village's small roads, admire the colorful bundles of incense fanning out under the sunlight, learn about the traditional handmade production process and even take part in selected stages under the guidance of local residents. The vivid red color of incense sticks displayed along the roads and in front of homes creates a distinctive landscape of Phja Thap, offering memorable experiences for visitors, particularly photography enthusiasts. In addition to these experiences, visitors can purchase handmade products from the village, thereby contributing to local livelihoods and encouraging residents to continue practicing the traditional craft.

Despite the growing availability of industrially produced incense, the people of Phja Thap continue to preserve their traditional craft through the use of natural ingredients and handmade techniques passed down through generations. This is not only a way of safeguarding a traditional occupation but also an important contribution to preserving the cultural identity of the Nung An community.

The development of the incense village in connection with experiential tourism is opening up new opportunities to promote local products, increase household incomes and bring the image of Phja Thap closer to domestic and international visitors. Each Phja Thap incense stick is a product of diligence, skill and deep affection for a traditional craft. Its gentle fragrance carries not only the essence of the mountains and forests of Cao Bang but also the story of a community that continues to preserve, with enduring dedication, the cultural values passed down from generation to generation.