The Department of Fine Arts, Photography, and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 27 announced the top 10 events of the sector in 2016. The list includes nine fine arts events and one photographic event.

1. Da Nang Fine Arts Museum inaugurated

The Da Nang Fine Arts Museum was inaugurated and opened to the public on December 19 in Da Nang at a cost of VND29 billion (US$1.26 million) after beginning construction in May 2015 .

The museum currently accommodates over 600 works of art and traditional handicraft products collected and presented by artists from Da Nang and the central and Central Highlands regions.

2. Competition honours ASEAN graphic art works

The second ASEAN Graphic Art Competition – Vietnam 2016 was held at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi from December 14-22, displaying 138 works of 108 painters from 10 ASEAN nations.

The competition was held by the department in collaboration with the ASEAN countries’ embassies in Vietnam and Vietnamese embassies in ASEAN countries. It offered an opportunity for Vietnamese and ASEAN artists to exchange experiences and showcase new works of print painting and graphic art.

3. Exhibition ‘Be Open’ marks 30 years of Vietnam Fine Arts after ‘Doi Moi’

Taking place from September 21-29 in Hanoi, the “Be Open” exhibition was the first display on 30 years of Vietnam’s fine arts during the period of the 'Doi moi' (Renovation) process.

The exhibition introduced diversity of styles and media by 49 outstanding contemporary artists, whose works provided a multifaceted outlook on Vietnam society.

It was held to review the entire three decades of fine arts in Vietnam and to honour the new generation of artists.

4. Contest and exhibition of public sculpture design held for first time

A contest and exhibition for designing sculptures and architectural symbols for public places was launched in April with an aim to bring fine arts into community life.

It drew 578 entries by 276 sculptors and architects across the country. Sixty-eight of the best works were displayed at an exhibition on November 15 and were awarded by the organiser.

5. Art in the Forest programme encourages visual artworks

Art in the Forest 2016 (AITF) programme is an annual visual art project organised by Flamingo Dai Lai Resort in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.

This year’s exhibition featured 14 paintings by Pham Tuan Tu and Trinh Minh Tien, and five impressive sculptures inspired by nature, including Nhung Hat Mam (Seeds) by Nguyen Ngoc Lam, Mua Nhiet Doi (Tropical Rain) by Le Lang Luong, Suc Manh Vung Dat (Strength of Earth) by Dam Dang Lai, Ket Noi (Connection) by Khong Do Tuyen, and Rung Tia Nang (Forest of Sunlight) by Japanese artist Katsumi Mukai.

6. Exhibition ‘Today’ honours talented young artists

The exhibition titled ‘Today’ was held in Hanoi from September 18-28, introducing outstanding works by 53 talented young artists.

Utilising various media to present a wide range of topics, participating artists conveyed their thoughts on issues about human, life, society and nature, as well as their common passion and dedication for art.

7. Exhibition boasts of beauty of Vietnam’s land and people

Launched by the Vietnam Artistic Photographers’ Association and the newspaper Tuoi Tre (The Youth), the photo contest and exhibition attracted 875 entries by 299 professional and amateur photographers from across the country.

The entries encompassed all aspects of modern life, including the country’s political, socioeconomic and cultural situation, traditional craft villages, environmental protection, festivals, traditional practices and the life stories of people across the country.

8. Vietnam Artistic Photo Exhibition held in Kien Giang

The 2016 Vietnam Artistic Photo Exhibition was launched on January 22 as an event celebrating the 2016 National Tourism Year.

A total of 25 photos were selected from 8,986 entries to be honoured on August 26. The entries touched upon assorted topics ranging from today’s life, the Vietnamese land and people, national construction and defence, to honouring the good.

The biennial event was co-hosted by the Department and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists to review and honour creativity and photographic achievements in Vietnam over the past two years.

9. Seoul exhibition introduces Vietnam’s world heritages

A photo exhibition on Vietnam’s world heritages opened in May 20 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea.

The 100 pictures on display, taken by Vietnamese photographers, were selected from the best entries sent to World Heritage photo contests held in recent years by the Department.

The 10-day exhibition introduced to RoK people 16 of Vietnam’s UNESCO-recognised heritages, including the complex of Hue monuments, Ha Long Bay, My Son sanctuary, Phong Nha-Khe Bang national park, Hue royal court music, and Xoan (Spring) singing.

10. Student photo and painting contest praises beauty of daily life

A photo and painting contest themed ‘Beauty of Daily Life’ was launched in March for Vietnamese students aged between 15 to 25.

The contest aimed to reflect exemplary behaviour and civilised acts at school, home and in public. It also encouraged young people to engage in creative activities like photography and fine arts.

As many as 212 of the best works by 153 entrants stood out from nearly 1,150 entries to be exhibited on November 20 in Hanoi on the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day.

Nhan Dan