Vietnamese Art Heritage

The capital city of Hanoi, known for its scenic lakes and French colonial buildings, is home to a flourishing contemporary art community. Visit established galleries and art museums with a local curator who will offer insight on how today’s contemporary artists are taking an innovative approach to creative expressions. Gain a different perspective with a visit to an art studio of an American art director who is recognised as a leading authority on contemporary art in Vietnam. View her private collection and learn about the artists and stories behind the paintings.

The Old Quarter, known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’, is also home to a number of passionate artisans who continue to practice their age-old crafts. Meet with a water puppet craftsman in his home where you will learn about traditional water puppetry and hear his stories of travelling the world to promote this unique Vietnamese folklore performance art. Continue to the home of an artisan specialising in the ancient folk art of ‘Hang Trong’ paintings, originating in the 17^th century. Spend a fascinating few hours learning about this ancient craft and watch him create a folk painting using the same woodblock used by previous generations of craftsmen.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the peaceful countryside to Dong Ho Village, known for its 300-year-old woodblock folk paintings produced on ‘dzo’ tree bark paper. At its height, the entire village was devoted to this art. Today, there are only a handful of families who are keeping the tradition alive. Visit the home of an elder craftsman and his family and learn about their efforts in preserving this soulful art form.

The former imperial capital of Hue was home to 13 Nguyen emperors from 1802 to 1945. During this period, elaborate tombs and palaces were decorated with sophisticated art forms such as ‘Phap Lam’ or enamel art. Phap Lam is unique for its copper base which is then layered with colourful enamel paint. The art form vanished for a time and has only recently been revived. Visit a workshop and try your hand at creating your own piece of Phap Lam under the instruction of the artists.

Explore craft villages outside of Hue where passionate artisans continue to produce legendary folk art. Meet an artisan who specialises in the 400-year-old tradition of folk painting using natural materials such as red earth, seashells and ashes of bamboo leaves. Afterward, take a scenic bike ride to Thanh Tien Village and learn about the 300-year-old craft of making paper flower which are mainly used to decorate altars for ancestor worship and as offerings in religious rituals. Try creating your own paper lotus flower under the guidance of one of the artisans.

Drive over the Hai Van Pass, one of the most beautiful coastline routes in the world, to the former merchant town of Hoi An. During your walk through the Ancient Town, you will notice the beautiful silk lanterns that decorate the street and storefronts, a sight which has become emblematic of Hoi An. Visit a family who has carried on the tradition of lantern making from the previous generation. Under their guidance, choose your lantern design and fabric and create your own signature lantern to take home with you.

Situated on the maritime Silk Road, the thriving port of Hoi An attracted its fair share of skilled artisans from the 15^th to 19^th centuries. Some of these traditions have survived in small single-craft villages such as the pottery village of Thanh Ha, known for producing bricks, tiles and floor slabs for buildings. You will also notice the abundance of bamboo trees in the countryside. Meet with an artisan specialising in bamboo utility design and learn how bamboo is used in everyday life.

Dynamic Ho Chi Minh City is home to a burgeoning contemporary art scene led by young emerging artists introducing new concepts while challenging old ideologies. A modern art scholar will join you, providing insight into the current art trend, as you visit the Quang San Museum, an art space of a young artist, and an artistic café nestled in an old Saigon apartment building.

Making our way down to the Mekong Delta, head to Tân Phong Island, Cai Be for a rowing boat ride through peaceful mangrove-shaded canals, stopping at a local garden for fresh fruits, hot tea and traditional music. Bike along village paths past orchards, schools and traditional houses, visiting artisans who weave water hyacinth into baskets and bags.

Cross the Mekong to An Bình Island for lunch on the boat or at a homestay, then explore the village, visit a workshop making rice paper and coconut candy, and enjoy local sweets with tea. End the day cooking with a local family, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Board a wooden boat to visit Hoa Tinh Village, a traditional craft area located in the Mang Thit region of Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta, famous for its heritage red brick kilns and river canals. Pass floating fish farms and beehive-shaped brick kilns lining the waterways, a striking piece of industrial heritage, and watch local artisans craft bamboo baskets, trays and other traditional wares.

Continue to explore daily life along the Long Ho – Hoa Tinh – My An canals, then enjoy a bike ride through Hoa Tinh Village to explore old kilns, stepping inside them to learn more about this traditional craft that is almost gone, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your onward departure.