“Encoding Time” was the theme of an exhibition that opened to the public on the afternoon of April 25 at the Intercultural Meeting Place - Lan Vien Co Tich space (part of the Huong River Museum of Ancient Ceramics, Bach Dang Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

The remarks were made by Cao Xuan Hai, CEO and Founder of HINOKI TAMASHI Vietnam. On the occasion of his visit to Hue to attend the recently held talk “The Journey of Vietnamese Lacquer from Heritage to the Future 1930 - 2030,” he took time to speak with the correspondent of Hue Ngay Nay Cuoi Tuan (Hue Today Weekly), sharing an engaging story about the potential to become Vietnam’s hub for lacquer art creativity.

“Vietnam Could Become the World’s Lacquer Art Innovation Hub” is the headline of an article written by Ngoc Ha, developed through a story, that connects with guest speaker Cao Xuan Hai, CEO and Founder of HINOKI TAMASHI Vietnam.

Artisan of lacquer and gilding Bui Van Trinh has recently been honored with the title of Meritorious Artisan, awarded by the President, marking more than thirty-five years of dedication to preserving national cultural heritage in the field of handicrafts. Yet, for him, the greatest joy has always been the moment of contemplating a completed work, shimmering with lacquer and gold under his own hands.

Lacquer art is not only the pride of the nation’s fine arts, but also an invaluable cultural heritage. This assertion was emphasized by many experts at the seminar “The journey of Vietnamese lacquer from heritage to the future (1930 - 2030)”.

For over two decades devoted to mother-of-pearl inlay work, Phan Tan Dat, born 1992, has transformed seashells into shimmering masterpieces on horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, guarding screens... preserving the complete ancient soul of Hue.

It is the sophisticated sharp carving and the glittering lacquer layers, especially the shiny gold color, that make the relics in Hue look superb and majestic. Visitors to relics not only admire the constructions themselves but also recognize the talent and the wholeheartedness of artisans.

“Vang son ky my – the essence of Vietnamese craftsmanship” is something that photographer Nguyen Phong is particularly passionate about as he introduced to Thua Thien Hue Weekly a series of photos showcasing “the golden hands” of artisans perfecting the process of applying gold leaf and lacquer to the columns of Thai Hoa Palace.

This year's gallery introduced to the public 28 works by 8 artists and 7 children on the theme of the Dragon, using mainly acrylic on canvas and lacquer.

Notably, this was the first exhibition to display the horizontal lacquered board of Vien Thong Pagoda presented by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, the scriptures whose printing and circulation sponsored by Patriarch Thiet Dieu Lieu Quan, the Tu Dung steles and many other precious artifacts, etc.