Gain an insight into Vietnam’s art, history and culture – from great works inspired by the spiritual world to modern contemporary art, there is something to appeal to all tastes. This 12 day journey is thoroughly recommended for art enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike. The adventure begins in the bustling capital city of Hanoi at the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and built in the 11th century.

HANOI’S ART CULTURE

Take the opportunity to sit and capture the beauty of the temple by sketching this monument and its surroundings in charcoal. Across the street is the Museum of Fine Arts, here learn about the French Indochina influence on educating and encouraging Vietnamese artisans to explore the concept of self-expression. Visit the Vietnam Art Gallery with its focus on contemporary artists before exploring a local district of Hanoi. Your time in Hanoi also includes a special visit to one of the villages where Vietnamese water puppetry originated for a behind the scenes experience. Visit But Thap Pagoda, well known for its wood carvings, followed by Dong Ho Village famous for its long-preserved art of wood block painting

STUDIO TO MUSEUM

Spend the next day with a lacquer artist in his studio, creating your own lacquer ware piece before you take an evening flight to Hue. Explore the fascinating Imperial Citadel, Royal Tombs and local markets with a second day set aside to visit local art centres including Le Ba Dang Art Centre with its densely textured mixed-media paintings of moulded pasteboard and limestone; the Diem Phung Thi Art Museum; and the famous Truc Chi Art Centre. Truc Chi is the art of making objects from imprinted bamboo paper.

WORKSHOPS

It’s then onto Hoi An, recognised worldwide not only for its ancient beauty, but also its colourful lanterns – visit the home of a family who have been making lanterns for generations and construct your very own lantern. A day at leisure in Hoi An also allows you to wander through the cobblestone streets. Continue to Ho Chi MinhCity and explore the colonial-era Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum. This elegant building is filled with art, including thoughtful pieces from the modern period. The final day is spent with fun artistic classes and evening cocktails at a local studio.

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HANOI FOOD TOUR I HANOI CITY EXPLORATION I VIETNAM MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS I WATER PUPPETRY EXPERIENCE I WOODCUT PRINTS I LAQUERWARE STUDIO I HUE HERITAGE MODERN ART OF HUE I HOI AN LATERN MAKING I HO CHI MINH FINE ARTS MUSEUM I FULL DAY ART CLASS I COCKTAILS AT LOCAL STUDIO