The 2024 Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Cultural Festival is currently taking place in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province. This year, the Thua Thien Hue delegation participates with over 60 cadres, artists, and artisans.

For the first time, artisans and skilled workers are honored for their significant contributions to the preservation and restoration of historical monuments.

The art of making reliefs appeared in Hue thousands of years ago. It flourished brilliantly in the 17th century along with copper casting and Hue porcelain mosaics on the complex of relics in Hue ancient capital. In the 21st century, painters and skillful artisans in Hue contributed to the development of the art.

“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.

From purchased pieces of broken ceramic bowls, the talented hands of Hue ceramic mosaic artisans have revived the majestic appearance of flying dragons and dancing phoenixes on Hue Ancient Capital's monuments, pagodas, temples...

Inanimate pieces of wood have become magnificent unique works of art thanks to the skills and talents of artisans and sculptors. They have shown the beauty of the culture and life of the ethnic people of Co Tu in the mountainous district of Nam Dong.

Visiting Bao La Bamboo and Rattan Cooperative (Quang Phu commune, Quang Dien district), I met artisans who are hard at work keeping their professions and looking for new directions through their product design improvement. Many of their fine and quality handicraft products have been present in the world market.

Of more than 350 artisans from the 69 well-known craft villages across the country participating in Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2023, artisan Phan Thi Thuan and her booth of the Phung Xa weaving village attracts many visitors because of her unique product: silk from lotus fibers.

A large number of local residents and tourists gathered to witness the Worship Ceremony of the Ancestor of Crafts and Procession to honor traditional artisans and craftsmen that took place on the afternoon of May 5th at Tu Tuong Park, along the banks of Huong River in Hue city.

On the evening of April 28th, at the Quoc Hoc Hue Stele Stage, the opening ceremony of the Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2023 took place, featuring the theme "The Hands of the Artisans," kicking off a week of exciting and unique festivities.