Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity through the lens of young artists
WVR - On the morning of January 10, at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi), the art exhibition "Local Essence" officially opened, introducing the public to creative and contemporary perspectives on Vietnamese cultural identity through the lens of young artists.
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The exhibition is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, and the cultural-creative enterprise TiredCity, with support from the SOVICO Group.
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Running from January 10 to January 18, 2026, the exhibition showcases 89 outstanding works selected from an illustration contest of the same name, launched in May 2025.
Within just one month, the contest attracted 550 entries from over 400 visual artists nationwide, working in various fields such as painting, illustration, and design.
Through the showcased works, "Local Essence" paints a diverse picture of Vietnam's cultural identity, where creative inspiration stems from everyday, familiar materials: traditional costumes, local customs, festival colors, the rustic charm of village homes, to modern lines within urban spaces.
From mountains to plains, from islands to rivers, each region emerges with its unique "essence", narrated through the rich visual language of young individuals born and raised in these cultural spaces.
The highlight of the exhibition is the diversity in expression. The artworks are created using various materials and techniques such as pixel art, watercolor, digital illustration, or traditional materials, reflecting the spirit of experimentation and continuous creativity as well as the contemporary perspective of the young artist generation on Vietnam's cultural heritage.
According to the organizers, the exhibition is not just an art display space but also an opportunity for the public, especially the youth, to access and perceive traditional culture through fresh interpretations, closely tied to today's life.
Through this, local cultural values are revitalized in the flow of contemporary creativity, contributing to nurturing pride and awareness in preserving heritage.
The exhibition is open for free, welcoming visitors at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center during the hours: From 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:30 PM–5:00 PM on weekdays; on Fridays to Sundays, evening hours extend to 9:00 PM.
| The illustration contest and "Local Essence" exhibition are part of the EMPLEMENT! project initiated by UNESCO, aiming to connect young creativity with cultural heritage, promote cultural-creative initiatives based on local identity, and spread the image of Vietnamese culture to both domestic and international communities. |
