Artist Vo Thanh Than has drawn inspiration from Hue’s folk culture and traditional values for his latest works, encouraging younger generations to preserve and honor the nation’s unique identity.

Vo Thanh Than’s solo exhibition, Mong Anh (Dream Images), recently opened at Quang San Art Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. The collection reflects the artist’s three-year journey of conceptualizing, researching, and painting pieces that celebrate Hue’s cultural heritage.

“I’m fortunate to have been born and raised in Hue, immersed in the Huong River and the city’s heritage. Over the past three years, I’ve been driven by the question: How can I convey the cultural essence of my hometown on canvas?” he shared with VietNamNet.

His works utilize various traditional materials, including inspiration from Thanh Tien paper flowers, ancient hoanh phi cau doi (horizontal lacquered boards with parallel inscriptions), and Sinh Village folk paintings. The Nép Xưa series captures the timeless charm of Thanh Tien craft villages, while The Nam - The Nu and Be Trai - Be Gai celebrate the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) and folk art.

The exhibition title, Mong Anh (Dream Images), reflects the artist’s wish to see traditional cultural elements brought to life in their full glory.

Through this exhibition, Vo Thanh Than hopes to inspire people, especially the younger generation, to cherish and uphold their cultural heritage. “It’s about remembering the traditions of our ancestors, nurturing a profound love for our roots, and feeling proud of the unique identity of our homeland and nation,” he said.

Nguyen Thieu Kien, Director of Quang San Art Museum, commended Than’s meticulous and professional approach.

“His works embody the essence of Hue and Vietnam, channeling this cultural brilliance to the community. I believe his love for the country and Hue will amplify these values and spread them far and wide,” Kien stated.

The exhibition organizers emphasized that Than’s works serve as a bridge between past and present, reminding viewers of the enduring significance of Hue’s cultural heritage. “Art here is not just personal expression; it’s a mission to preserve and extend the memories and legacy of one’s homeland,” they noted.

Born in 1987 in Hue, Vo Thanh Than graduated in Fine Arts Education from Hue University of Arts in 2011. He is a prominent contemporary artist known for his oil paintings that embody Eastern expressionism.