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| Visitors tried their hand at woodblock printing, experiencing one step of the traditional folk painting process at the space at 23 - 25 Le Loi Street |
When culture is told through experiences
On summer days, the experiential space at Lang Hue (Hue Village) was always filled with the laughter of students. Around small tables, they carefully made conical hats, kites, and Thanh Tien paper flowers under the guidance of artisans.
Each handmade product carries a story. The conical hats are associated with the daily life of Hue people; Thanh Tien paper flowers carry wishes for peace, while kites evoke childhood memories.
For students, making these products themselves makes cultural stories more accessible. They get to handle the materials and work through each step of the process, sometimes having to start over several times before completing their products.
“I find it interesting because I had only seen these products before. Now that I have made them myself. I understand that each one goes through many stages. The artisans also shared stories about the origin of the craft, so I remember it better,” shared Hoang Nguyen Linh Chi, a student at Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted.
After learning about a craft, visitors can complete a piece themselves and take it home as a souvenir. For international visitors, it is a chance to engage with local culture.
A kite, a conical hat, or a paper flower made by hand may not be perfect, but it creates a personal memory of Hue. Participants remember the place, the people who guided them, and the stories they heard while taking part in the activities.
Hanaé, a visitor from France, shared: “This is a very different experience from those I have had elsewhere. I get to make something myself and learn more about the local culture. I think many international visitors would enjoy activities like these.”
Appealing venues
Alongside the craft experience spaces at Lang Hue, many businesses in Hue are finding ways to bring cultural elements into the activities for visitors. Many familiar traditional crafts now appear in coffee shops, workshops, and creative spaces.
At Hoi Cafe on Chi Lang Street, visitors can not only enjoy coffee, but also try making conical hats, Hue-style phan nu (a kind of facial powder), lanterns, and other handicrafts under the guidance of artisans. The activities are designed to suit different groups, particularly young people and visitors seeking experiences that reflect the local identity.
“I like places like Hoi Cafe because they have a relaxed atmosphere. The hands-on activities also give my trip a special memory, rather than simply visiting a place and then leaving,” said Tran Thi Minh Tam, a visitor from Hanoi.
At Ngu Uyen Tang Van on Xuan 68 Street, visitors can take part in various workshops featuring traditional culture, such as woodblock printing, beeswax printing on do paper, and making royal court cakes, etc. The workshops bring together artisans and cultural practitioners from different localities. Each workshop offers a distinctive element, helping visitors learn about traditional techniques through their own hands-on practice.
Ngo Quy Duc, who organizes workshops at Ngu Uyen Tang Van, said: “The workshops are designed to create a space where artisans can share their knowledge while making traditional culture more accessible to the public. With a variety of activities held regularly, I hope this place will become a popular destination for visitors who want to spend time learning about and experiencing Hue’s culture.”
What these experiential spaces have in common is that they give visitors opportunities to take an active part in the activities. A workshop may last only a few hours, but that is enough time for participants to observe, practise, chat with locals, and create a product bearing their own personal touch. For artisans, these activities provide an opportunity to introduce their techniques and products; for visitors, they offer an enjoyable experience in their itinerary in Hue.