More than 10 art works by classic Vietnamese masters will be auctioned in Hanoi on July 30.

Pho Cu (Old Street), oil-on-canvas, by Bui Xuan Phai, size 50 by 60, will be sold at $8,000.

The works include 12 paintings of various materials, including water colour, wood-carved sketches and a sculpture by Nguyen Gia Tri (1908-1993), Nguyen Tuong Lan (1906-1946), To Ngoc Van (1906-1954), Tran Van Can (1910-1994), Nguyen Tu Nghiem (1922-2016), Duong Bich Lien (1924-1988), Nguyen Sang (1923-1988) and Bui Xuan Phai (1920-1988).

For example, The First Love, drawn by Tran Van Can in 1973 with coloured powder will be sold at an initial price of US$6,000.

Old Street, oil-on-canvas by Bui Xuan Phai is among the highlight object at the sale and will be sold at $8,000.

Owner of the paintings, monk Thich Minh Thinh, says that he is an art lover but not an art expert.

"I got the painting as a gift from a Buddhist who had close relationship with many noted painters," he said. "After keeping the paintings for a long time, I have realised that pagoda is not the proper place for such artwork. It should be shared with someone who appreciates fine arts, and the money from selling it can help many needy children."

The works will be exhibited at No 17 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, till July 29, while the final auction sale will take place at 6pm on July 30.

The sale is the fifth of its kind hosted by Chon Auction House.

"Our success through five auction sessions shows that we have attracted more collectors, and we are trying to train our staff for a fairly new style of business in Viet Nam: dealing high ranking art works," said Tran Quoc Hung, the House’s auction director.

“We host a regular sale on the last Sunday of every month,” said Vu Tuan Anh, director of Viet Art Space and House founder. 

“We introduce rare, unique, precious, authentic and verified art works to the public. We hope the publicity and transparency will help promote the art market in Viet Nam.”

“One month after the sale, if the buyers provide any evidence proving the paintings are fake, we will return 100 per cent of the money to the buyers, as well as be responsible for the buyers’ loss psychologically,” he said. 

VNS