Preserving the soul of the past in the new forms of Hanoi’s young art scene
WVR - In a place where new artistic trends constantly emerge, a generation of young artists in Hanoi is returning to old values, even reviving techniques that are gradually fading away. On this journey, they are not merely preserving tradition but engaging in a dialogue with it - allowing new currents of creativity to blossom from heritage.
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The dialogue between two generations
In the summer of 2023, the exhibition "Dialogue with Hang Trong Folk Paintings" at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam space attracted a large audience of art lovers in the capital.
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| The exhibition "Dialogue with Hang Trong Folk Paintings" at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. (Photo: Trang Nhung) |
In the summer of 2023, within the sacred space of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, the exhibition “Dialogue with Hang Trong Folk Paintings” captivated art lovers in the capital.
Amidst the ancient courtyards, 22 young artists presented 38 contemporary works inspired by the traditional Hang Trong paintings, displayed alongside 29 original pieces created by artisan Le Dinh Nghien - the last craftsman to master the complete process of this art form.
Familiar images such as The Five Tigers, Four Palaces and Carp Looking at the Moon were reinterpreted through lacquer, silk, do paper and modern visual media. Some works remained faithful to tradition, while others broke free from classical compositions to express the perspectives of a new generation.
Over the past decade, Hang Trong folk paintings have become a steady source of inspiration for generations of students at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.
Under the guidance of artist Nguyen The Son - the exhibition’s curator and mentor of the project “From Tradition to Tradition” - these young artists have patiently explored the aesthetic and spiritual values of this heritage.
During three years of implementation, the project not only rekindled love for folk art but also opened a dialogue between past and present. The artists learned to feel, interpret and recreate Hang Trong paintings through their own creative language, both preserving and innovating.
Particularly memorable were the sessions with artisan Le Dinh Nghien, who has devoted over six decades to preserving Hang Trong paintings. From woodblock carving and pigment mixing to the stories of his craft, students experienced the purity and depth of genuine artistic labour.
From there, they infused folk spirit into new materials - silk, do paper, lacquer, oil, even digital graphics, design, and contemporary installation - allowing heritage to transcend memory and live vibrantly in today’s creative life.
When heritage becomes the present
It is undeniable that Hanoi offers a unique setting for those seeking to rediscover traditional values. Every street corner, temple, and old house carries layers of cultural memory that deeply move young artists.
Take Tran Trung Hieu, a 25-year-old Hanoian who has chosen a distinctive path - pursuing the ancient craft of hand bookbinding, a tradition with millennia of history that is fading in Vietnam.
A graduate in interior design, Hieu discovered bookbinding through YouTube tutorials and became so captivated that he began to self-study and craft his own tools. Without a teacher, he delved into foreign materials and gradually mastered each technique: sewing, gluing, gilding and decorating covers.
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| Tran Trung Hieu at a hand bookbinding class. (Photo: NVCC) |
Hieu founded Sao Bac Bookbinding – where he and his associates craft high-end artistic hand-bound editions, bringing the spirit of the old craft into modern life.
Works like Michelangelo: Six Masterpieces of Life, Almanach – Civilizations of the World... are all hand-bound by him, using sedge thread, goat leather covers, and gold embossing, inspired by 15th–19th century European books. Each book is a unique piece, containing both emotion and traces of time.
Beyond personal creativity, Hieu also organizes workshops to pass on the craft, guiding young people to make books in the traditional French style, contributing to spreading the spirit of craftsmanship in the community.
In 2024, he was one of the two main speakers at a bookbinding workshop at the Hanoi Book Fair and is currently preparing to participate in an international bookbinding art competition in France – hoping to bring the image of Vietnamese craftsmen to the world.
For Hieu, bookbinding is not just a craft but an art of the hands – where each stitch, each embossing is a way to honor knowledge and time. From the books he creates, one can see not only skill but also a deep love for cultural heritage and the spirit of preserving human knowledge.
Creativity from the roots
Hanoi, a thousand-year-old city, is not only attractive for its ancient charm but also for its music – where memory and the present share the same rhythm. Amidst the modern streets, Hanoi's music still resonates with heritage-marked melodies, from ca tru, hat xam to vibrant young creations.
Mentioning Hanoi's music is to mention hat xam – a form once echoing in market corners and riverbanks. After a period of fading, xam is now revived on the Dong Xuan mat, attracting a large audience, from old town residents to foreign tourists.
In the small space, the sound of phach and the voice of dao nuong rise, reminding of a refined and profound old Hanoi. Ca tru artists not only perform but also quietly teach, keeping the heritage flowing in modern life.
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| Singer Ha Myo. (Photo: NVCC) |
From those ancient values, many young Hanoi artists have found new creative inspiration. Notably, Ha Myo (Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha) – a pioneering singer who blends hat xam with pop and EDM.
Her MV Xam Hanoi made a significant impact, not only for its bold experimentation but also for its spirit of dialogue with tradition, bringing folk music out of its old framework to reach the younger generation.
Similarly, with a passion for traditional culture, artist Nguyen Hoang Anh (Hoang Mai district, Hanoi) has researched and created unique handmade dolls, dressed in the traditional costumes of 54 ethnic groups.
Born in the ancient village of Duong Lam, Nguyen Hoang Anh grew up amidst mossy roofs and the quiet rhythm of Hanoi's old quarter. From an early age, he was passionate about folk cultural values and always pondered over the fading traditional souvenirs, especially the dusty dolls on store shelves.
From there, he dreamed of creating dolls that embody Vietnamese spirit – not just for display but as a bridge bringing national culture closer to everyone.
Hoang Anh chose to recreate the traditional costumes of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups on the small form of dolls. He spent much time traveling through highland villages, learning about the life, customs, patterns, and unique materials of each ethnic group.
Each product is an artwork meticulously crafted by him: from composite molds, facial features, posture to every small detail of the costumes like scarves, necklaces, sandals, baskets, or gongs.
Without formal training in fashion design, Hoang Anh self-taught embroidery and color coordination from painting, ensuring each miniature outfit is both authentic and aesthetically harmonious.
For him, doll-making is not just a craft but a fusion of art and culture. Each stitch is a storytelling method about the people and land of Vietnam.
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| Nguyen Hoang Anh creating ethnic dolls. (Photo: Kieu Trang) |
Thanks to his creativity and dedication, Hoang Anh's collection "Dolls of 54 Vietnamese Ethnic Groups" has become a diplomatic gift chosen by the National Assembly, contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to the world.
These dolls are now present at airports, tourist spots, and Hanoi's old quarter, beloved by international visitors as a sophisticated symbol of Vietnam.
Hoang Anh hopes to complete the full collection of 54 ethnic groups and create a line of couple dolls in ethnic wedding attire. He believes each doll will be a "cultural ambassador" carrying the beauty, stories, and pride of Vietnamese identity on the global integration journey.
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When traditional heritage is touched by the emotions of the young, it gains a new life. Today's Hanoi is witnessing a generation of young artists creating a trend of slowing down, looking deeper to find beauty that never ages. This affirms their unique love for this land, through art, memories, and the aspiration to extend tradition.
