Stepping through the main hall of the Arts and Culture Centre at 22 Hang Buom Street and turning left, visitors are immediately greeted by an open courtyard where meticulously arranged bodhi leaf compositions form a lively, colourful artistic space.
The bodhi leaf, a symbol of serenity, enlightenment and peace in Buddhism, is delicately processed until only its fragile veins remain. These leaf skeletons are carefully dyed and assembled into large patterns in vivid shades of red, yellow, green and purple, creating an overall effect that is both eye-catching and tranquil - an ideal check-in space right in the heart of the Old Quarter.
Visitors can easily sense the spring atmosphere filling the courtyard: the gentle winter sunlight filtering through the eaves blends with the bright hues of the bodhi leaves to create a dynamic artistic whole. It is rich in traditional character while harmoniously infused with modern touches, evoking reflections on spring, heritage and the pulse of street life.
Many international visitors have shown particular enthusiasm for the free experiences of photography, painting and embroidery on bodhi leaves.
Claire Dubois, a visitor from France, said she has travelled to many Asian countries and was especially excited by a heritage space that is both beautiful and allows visitors to engage directly in artistic creation, as at 22 Hang Buom Street.
“I feel as though I’m touching Vietnamese cultural life. These delicate leaves contain so much craftsmanship, emotion and the colours of spring,” she said.
Daniel Wright, a visitor from New York, was impressed by the local people’s hospitality and the openness of the space.
“In many major cities around the world, artistic experiences like this are often quite expensive. Here, you are welcomed, guided, helped to capture images, and allowed to create your own work free of charge. That makes me clearly feel the hospitality and human spirit of your country,” he said.
The most compelling highlight is the free experience of painting and embroidering on bodhi leaves, open to all visitors. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, participants learn firsthand how to embroider, print and paint on each fragile yet intricate leaf.
Every stitch and brushstroke demands patience, focus and respect for the natural material. Even a slight tremor of the hand can tear the leaf. As a result, each artwork bears the unique imprint of its creator. This is both an artistic experience and a lesson in slowing down - cherishing beauty through care and subtlety.
Visitors can choose to wear ao dai or other Vietnamese historical costumes while taking part, immersing themselves in a vivid spring tableau in the centre courtyard.
The colours of traditional attire, combined with the bright bodhi leaves, soft sunlight and the Old Quarter setting, create striking and memorable moments. These images quickly spread across social media, helping to promote Ha Noi’s traditional culture and slow-living experiences to both domestic and international visitors.
Vu Trung Duc, Head of the Sinh Duoc Cooperative, said: “We want to bring this experience to everyone, so that all can access, love and appreciate traditional handicrafts. Each bodhi leaf, once embroidered or painted, tells its own story, bringing joy while reminding us of a slower pace of life and the Vietnamese cultural spirit.”
To ensure that the Sinh Duoc space at the Arts and Culture Centre operates safely, orderly and with strong aesthetic value, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter Management Board has worked closely with the organisers from the very beginning.
Staff from the Management Board are regularly present on site, coordinating to maintain security and order, guiding visitors to queue for experiences, and offering gentle reminders to preserve the shared space. Thanks to this support, even as visitor numbers continue to grow, the courtyard retains its calm, unhurried rhythm, true to the spirit of a heritage space.
The Management Board has also directly assisted the creative team in arranging and decorating the space. Pots of yellow chrysanthemums and seasonal flowers have been placed around the courtyard, while conical hats adorned with bodhi motifs are lightly hung from tree branches, creating a soft landscape layer that evokes the Tet atmosphere and highlights the colours of the bodhi leaf artworks. Every detail has been carefully considered to avoid affecting the heritage structure, while creating visual focal points and offering visitors more elegant and picturesque check-in corners.
Bringing her two young children to the space, Vo Thuy (Gia Lam, Ha Noi) said her family was genuinely surprised by the bodhi leaf art courtyard and the exhibition and experience system at 22 Hang Buom Street.
“As soon as my children stepped in, they were immediately captivated by the colours of the bodhi leaves and the beautifully arranged artworks. Once they sat down to paint, they became completely absorbed and forgot the time,” she said excitedly.
According to her, what reassured her and many other visitors most was that guides were always nearby, offering gentle instructions and assistance when needed.
Visitors also highly appreciate the use of safe, environmentally friendly materials throughout the space, from the hand-processed bodhi leaves to the paints, printing paper and tools, all of which are clean, light and easy to use.
“As a parent, I feel very reassured letting my children take part, because everything prioritises safety and environmental protection. The children not only bring home small artworks, but also beautiful spring memories,” Thuy shared.
Amid the flow of visitors in and out of the courtyard, the sight of young staff gently bending down to guide children in holding brushes and leaves has become a familiar image. Minh Anh, one of the staff members at the experiential exhibition area, said her greatest joy is seeing the eager expressions of visitors when they touch a bodhi leaf for the first time.
“Whenever someone completes their artwork and happily shares it, I feel my work has much more meaning. This space truly feels like a small garden of spring and memories,” Minh Anh said.
Huong Giang, who regularly assists visitors during the experiences, added that she always tries to explain clearly and simply the meaning of the art form and how to preserve the delicate material.
“Many visitors initially come just to take photos, but after sitting down to paint, they stay for a long time. Seeing them smile, chat and leave with a piece they created themselves, I feel I’m making a small contribution to making my hometown and country appear more welcoming and memorable in the eyes of international visitors,” Huong Giang said.
When leaving the space, each visitor seems to carry with them a spring of slowness, born from hands that have touched beauty, from rare moments of tranquillity amid the crowded Old Quarter.
There, art, cultural connection and human warmth are present in every brushstroke, every stitch, and in the gentle sway of bodhi leaves in the spring breeze and soft sunlight. It is a space that invites people to linger just a little longer, offering a tender, profound pause.
