The meeting between contemporary art and the quintessence of Vietnamese agarwood

On the evening of October 10, at the Front Hall - Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, the exhibition "Sac tam" officially opened, opening a meeting between contemporary lacquer art and traditional Vietnamese incense.

The event is organized by Nguyen Art Gallery in collaboration with Tram Tue from October 10-22, 2025.

In the sacred space of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, a symbol of national culture and love of learning, "Sac Tam" brings the public a unique experience, where the beauty of painting and incense blend, evoking tranquility and guiding people back to their inner self.

Opening the exhibition, Mr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, said that the exhibition "Sac tam" was organized with the hope that Vietnamese culture would become more and more vibrant, continuing the cultural flow from the past, present to the future - as a source of spiritual nourishment for the Vietnamese people.

He hopes that the exhibition will bring strong inspiration to the public when they come to the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, and at the same time open a journey of connection and dialogue between lacquer and agarwood - two quintessence of Vietnamese culture, contributing to creating joy and inspiration in spiritual life.

Artists perform agarwood carving at the exhibition. (Photo: Tuyet Mai/ VNA)

The exhibition brings together 14 famous lacquer painters and artists such as: Trieu Khac Tien, Do Khai, Luong Duy, Trinh Que Anh, Le Khanh Hieu, Ngo Ba Cong, Dang Hien, Nguyen Van Nghia, Nguyen Hong Giang, Ngo Tuan Anh, Tran Tien Thanh, Nguyen Luong Huyen, Nguyen Tuan Cuong and Le Xuan Huong. Each person brings a unique story through lacquer - a traditional material, but recreated with a contemporary creative mark.

The exhibited works demonstrate a variety of styles, from abstract to realistic, from delicate to powerful, creating a harmonious whole, reflecting the depth of Vietnamese lacquer art in the contemporary flow.

Mr. Le Xuan Huong, owner of Nguyen Art Gallery, shared about the work "Hung Vuong Chess" which he designed and handcrafted from wood with a gold-plated copper base - as a small tribute to the national origin and Vietnamese creative spirit.

According to him, familiar images in folk songs and idioms such as "Sơn xanh láp vang", "Lâu xanh tom" or "Sơn ăn một mặt, ma mà một người" all evoke lacquer - a material deeply associated with Vietnamese culture and aesthetics for centuries.

Painter Do Duc Khai, author of the lacquer painting on wood "White Crane Lotus". (Photo: Tuyet Mai/VNA)

The exhibition “Color and Mind” is therefore not only a place to display art, but also an emotional journey, where art, culture and Vietnamese soul meet in peace and spread.

Painter Do Duc Khai, author of the lacquer painting on wood “Bach Hac Lien Hoa”, said that the exhibition “Sac Tam” brings a new, colorful breeze to the sacred space of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, aiming at the values of truth, goodness and beauty of the Vietnamese people.

He shared: “Everyone who comes to the exhibition will feel their soul lightened, immersed in the harmony of colors and scents. The two works I bring this time express my desire to convey the spirit and beauty of life through the image of the lotus flower - a symbol of nobility and purity.”

Along with fine arts, Tram Tue introduces a collection of high-class and premium agarwood, marking the 9-year journey of the brand's formation and development.

The unique and rare landscape works and two jewelry sets “Sac Pho-Ha Thanh elegant in jade shape” and “Ky sac Thang Long” are unique designs, a delicate combination of rare materials and sophisticated craftsmanship, introduced for the first time in the space of the Temple of Literature, bringing a combination of craftsmanship and cultural depth.

According to Mr. Hoang Xuan Huong, Chairman of Tram Tue, the products displayed at the exhibition are the brand's latest creations, demonstrating the spirit of connection between humans and nature, between tradition and modernity.

He believes that each agarwood product not only has artistic value but also contributes to creating a pure, meditative and emotional viewing space.

The exhibition “Color and Mind” not only introduces the unique aesthetic values of Vietnamese fine arts, but also sends a message to the public: stop in the midst of the hurried pace of life to listen to the call of culture, of the soul, and find peace in the lasting values of the nation./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cuoc-gap-go-giua-my-thuat-duong-dai-va-tinh-hoa-tram-huong-viet-post1069584.vnp