Faculty of Arts & Design Launches Two Valuable Research Books on Vietnamese Art and Culture

On April 11, 2025, at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the Faculty of Arts & Design – Van Lang University hosted a launch event for two publications: “Vietnamese Traditional Fine Art from a Contemporary Perspective: Hue, South Central, Southern Regions” and “Re-embracing Vietnamese Identity through Hue Fine Art,” aimed at readers, experts, and the art enthusiasts.

This launch was part of a series celebrating the 30th anniversary of Van Lang University (1995–2025) and the 20th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts & Design (2005–2025). It also responded to World Book and Copyright Day (April 23, 2025) and Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21, 2025).

The two books are the result of extensive research and dedication over many years by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Arts & Design, VLU, in collaboration with leading art researchers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Van Tao, Researcher Nguyen Huu Thong, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, and Dr. Le Anh Tuan.

Speaking at the book launch event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu – President of Van Lang University – emphasized, "These two books are the result of over ten years of persistent research and creativity. In a world full of change, modernization brings both opportunities and challenges, making the preservation of traditional cultural values more important than ever. These books are not only academic products but also a concrete effort to preserve heritage and affirm national cultural identity in the modern era. VLU believes that a deep understanding of one’s roots empowers students to confidently engage in the global landscape.”

As the editor-in-chief of “Re-embracing Vietnamese Identity through Hue Fine Art” and Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Design, Artist-MA Phan Quan Dung remarked that the publication marks a meaningful milestone in the academic and creative journey of the Faculty. He highlighted the importance of blending research with practical training in producing valuable contributions to society. The theme “Vietnamese Traditional Fine Art and Cultural Heritage: Future Development Directions” is a profound and creative foundation, as it not only highlights the value of cultural heritage but also opens up new pathways in the context of globalization.

The book “Vietnamese Traditional Fine Art from a Contemporary Perspective: Hue, South Central, Southern Regions” offers a multi-dimensional study of ancient fine art relics in Vietnam. It draws connections and comparisons with Northern traditional art, folk art, Buddhist art, and medieval Vietnamese art. The book is divided into three sections: Traditional Fine Art of Hue, Traditional Fine Art of the South Central Region, and Traditional Fine Art of the Southern Region. In each cultural region, the authors focus on notable artistic achievements, such as royal court art, temples, and mausoleums in Hue; Champa art and Cham towers in the South Central region; and Chinese temples, ancestral halls, and ancient Khmer pagodas in the South. Through on-site study and observation of artistic heritage (mainly architectural decoration, sculpture, murals, and interior design supported by over 150 documentary images), the author team provides insightful and unique artistic analyses. The book reads as “a cultural journey through Vietnam’s ancient art heritage,” aiming to “accompany today’s generation in unveiling the artistic legacies of the past.”

“Re-embracing Vietnamese Identity through Hue Fine Art” includes five chapters:

• Chapter 1: Decorative Art and Architecture of Communal Houses
• Chương 2: Chapter 2: Art and Architecture of “Nha Ruong” (Traditional Hue Wooden Houses)
• Chương 3: Decorative Art and Architecture of Screen Walls (in communal houses, palaces, temples, and residences)
• Chương 4: Chapter 4: Perspectives on Hue Art: Approaching Modernity through Tradition
• Chương 5: Student Applications in Design and Storytelling

Compiled in English, the book contributes to bringing Vietnamese fine art to the world. Its rich content is the result of research by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Arts & Design - VLU, since 2015, in the ancient capital of Hue. This is reflected through documentary images, detailed drawings, sketches, paintings with descriptions, analyses, and commentaries. Additionally, the book showcases student artworks (including packaging, fashion, interior designs, ceramics, etc.) inspired by traditional motifs like phoenix, dragon, cloud patterns, and floral designs - embodying national identity, individual style, and international value. Speaking on the book’s inspiration, Artist-MA Phan Quan Dung shared that it answers the question of how history and national identity influence artistic creativity in the age of technology and globalization: “We are born and raised with unique cultural identities rooted in our heritage. No artwork can reach its full potential if it lacks the artist's own distinctive style. Similarly, a nation must preserve and cultivate its cultural identity.”

Following the event, the author team, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Van Tao, researcher Nguyen Huu Thong, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Quoc Thang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo Thi Thu Thuy, Dr. Ma Thanh Cao, and Artist-MA Phan Quan Dung shared their thoughts on the implementation process, content direction, and applied academic values of the two publications. Both works reflect deep practical academic value, a strong sense of heritage preservation, and a vision of bringing traditional art to life in contemporary society. On this occasion, the authors donated the books to the VLU Library, hoping to spread cultural values and inspire research within the student community.

The release of these books recognizes the authors' contributions to academic advancement, the promotion of traditional Vietnamese fine art, and the development of creative potential in contemporary art. These works exemplify the Faculty of Arts & Design’s mission: cultural understanding, national spirit, sustainable and creative design, and a commitment to raising public awareness of aesthetics and art.

During the book launch, the faculty introduced a documentary film “Vietnamese Heritage – Traditional Hue Wooden Houses.” The film is an emotionally visual journey that recreates the distinctive architectural beauty of “nha ruong” (Traditional Hue Wooden Houses) and the ongoing efforts to preserve this valuable heritage amidst the waves of urbanization and modernization. This event is part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of Van Lang University (1995–2025) and the 20th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts & Design (2005–2025), in response to World Book and Copyright Day (April 23, 2025) and Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21, 2025).

News: Le My – Dang Khoa
Photos: Tri Chau