The national Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has initiated the implementation of the nation-branding projects, namely ‘Vietnamese Lacquer Arts’ and ‘Vietnamese City of Photography’. Interestingly, Da Nang will be one of the Vietnamese cities to be chosen to host events under the projects if they are approved. According to local insiders, Da Nang’s involvement in such projects will help to considerably advertise the city’s image.

A painting exhibition at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum

The above-mentioned projects aim to build a national brand in the fields of culture and arts, and boost the development of the country’s cultural industry.

‘Vietnamese City of Photography’ is an unprecedented model in Viet Nam with a focus on holding a series of photography activities every 2 years in rotation amongst some localities nationwide to promote the country’s photography market.

According to photographer Than Nguyen, Chairman of the city’s Artistic Photography Association, in recent years, local photography activities have been thrived with the organisation of many creative camps and the debut of high-quality photos. Along with the metropolises of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is highly appreciated by domestic and foreign experts for it active involvement in the country’s photography industry.

Notably, the central city’s photography has affirmed its position at international and domestic photo contests. “If Da Nang is chosen to host this project’s events, it will be a great opportunity for local photography community to develop”, said photographer Than Nguyen.

‘Vietnamese Lacquer Arts’ aims to set up criteria and standards in terms of  lacquer making materials and lacquer processing processes in line with the national brand standards.

Besides, the project heads towards developing plans to turn Viet Nam into a hub of lacquer arts in the region, and hosting an international lacquer arts festival every 2 years here. These ideas are highly expected to promote the development of Vietnamese lacquer arts, and stimulating the consumption of lacquer handicraft products and lacquer paintings at home and abroad.

In his perspectives, local artist Truong Vinh affirmed, that a certain city is selected to organise events under the project brings an opportunity for it to honour the value of Vietnamese lacquer paintings, and advertise the beauty of its land and people to international friends as well.

In his point of view, People's Artist Huynh Van Hung, Director of the city's Department of Culture and Sports, affirmed the fact that the city’s arts and photography activities have brought a breath of new life, and considerably contributed to making Da Nang a city of events. If the central city is selected to implement these projects, its image will be promoted at home and abroad, in addition to the brand of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.

Mr Vi Kien Thanh, Director of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said, many localities nationwide have to date shown their willingness and eagerness to participate in these projects. He added, only a few provinces and cities, including Da Nang, which meet the projects’ implementation criteria, are expected to be chosen.

The soon-to-be-completed plans for these projects will be submitted to the national government next month, and if approved, their implementation will begin either in 2020 or 2021.