While preserving traditional handcrafted techniques, unicorn head-making artisans in Hue are adapting designs and colors to suit consumer tastes, seeking to expand their markets at home and abroad.

Among Hue’s traditional craft villages, the bronze-casting craft in the formerly Phuong Duc Ward (now Thuan Hoa Ward) is renowned for the skill, patience, and dedication of artisans.

The rhythmic clang of hammers rings out from blacksmiths’ forges, the scent of fresh wood fills carpentry workshops, and artisans work with bamboo strips, conical hat frames, needles and thread. Each craft has its own tasks, and each artisan has a personal way of keeping the tradition alive. The resulting products bear the distinctive marks of their craft villages and reflect the diligence and skill of the craftsmen.

Ceramic mosaic inlay has long contributed to the beauty of Hue’s royal architecture. Continuing these values, young artisan Huynh Kim Nhat Minh, born in the 1990s in Phu Xuan ward of Hue City, has devoted great passion to creating new works, bringing the art of ceramic mosaic inlay closer to everyday life.

After decades spent living almost solely in the memories of elderly artisans, Hue traditional musical notation system - the notation system tied to royal court music (Nha nhac) - is being revived and gradually digitized.

Once lost, Kim Hoang folk paintings are gradually making a comeback thanks to the effort of artisan Nguyen Thi Binh. Recently, those paintings have been exhibited and introduced to the public in Hue.

On the morning of June 5th, at Duyet Thi Duong Theater in Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized an experimental performance program titled “Practicing Huế music notation and the interpretation method,” drawing the attention of researchers, artisans, and lovers of traditional music.

More than 3 years after the passing of folk artisan Cong Ton Nu Tri Hue, the one who kept the secret techniques of making royal armrest pillows of the Nguyen Dynasty, also known as the “trai dua” (armrest pillow-blocks), an exhibition dedicated to her titled “Wholeheartedly, with devotion” has been organized by young people.

From discarded items left behind after use, artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia (Phu Xuan Ward, Hue City) has crafted distinctive handmade jewelry pieces that bear a strong personal imprint.

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.