“The Vivid Legacy of Viet Nam” draws the story of Vietnamese cultural heritage

Organised by ART SPACE in collaboration with A2Z Art Gallery (Paris), the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France, the Viet Nam Bretagne Sod Association, and Vietinter Foods, the contest aimed to inspire love for national culture and promote children’s creativity through the lens of visual arts, contributing to the international appreciation of Viet Nam's cultural heritage.

After over two months of launching, numerous entries came from young artists in France, the UK, Finland, and Canada. Entries were divided into two age groups: under 12 and 12–17 years old.

In Viet Nam, the contest drew participation from nearly 30 provinces and cities, with contributions from 35 schools integrating the contest into their art education. Notably, Alpha School (Ha Noi) submitted 112 works, Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School (Hung Yen) over 40, Tran Phu Primary School (Tam Diep) over 30, and 52 entries from students in Kon Vong Kia village (Kon Tum), representing the Central Highlands identity.

For overseas Vietnamese children, the contest was a meaningful bridge to their roots. For example, Do Minh Phong (2016, France) painted Hoan Kiem Lake and made a video in Vietnamese about the Legend of the Turtle. Similarly, Vu Linh Sam (9, Germany) illustrated her memory of Ho Guom, and Bao Tram (Netherlands) creatively depicted Ha Long Bay. From Finland, Duong Linh An (2015) impressed with Gifts from the Whale, a painting on the coastal fishermen's beliefs.

Ms Hoang Thu Trang, President of Art Space revealed that many children initially knew only famous symbols such as Pho, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An, then through the contest, they explored lesser-known aspects like Hat Boi (Vietnamese opera), cow racing festivals, Chau Van ritual singing, Hau Dong ceremonies, and the Four Sacred Animals.

"This deepened their love for Vietnamese culture and sparked a desire to share its value", she noted.

On June 11, 2025, the Organizing Committee of the international painting contest “The Vivid Legacy of Viet Nam” officially announced the selection of 2 First Prizes, 6 Second Prizes, 12 Third Prizes, and 12 Special Mentions.

The jury included artists and experts from multiple countries, such as painter Pham Binh Chuong (Viet Nam); Mr. Anthony Phuong and Ms. Ziwei Phuong, co-founders of A2Z Art Gallery (Paris); visual artist Nge Lay (Myanmar); and photographer Thao Nguyen (France).

Artist Pham Binh Chuong, jury member, shared: “I was truly amazed by this year’s competition. I didn’t expect the scale to reach nearly 1,000 entries—it was overwhelming. But after reviewing them carefully, I felt deeply moved. Vietnamese youth, both here and abroad, clearly hold strong patriotism and pride in our cultural beauty. While the older group’s works showed professionalism, the younger ones maintained innocence and sincerity. I believe the awarded works are truly deserving.”

Anthony Phuong and Léa Ziwei Li-Phuong, co-founders of A2Z Gallery and jury members, said: “We’re thrilled that the French public will soon have a chance to explore Viet Nam’s rich and diverse culture through this exhibition. Especially among older participants (12–17), we noticed skilful use of techniques and inspiration drawn from contemporary elements. Their creativity was evident. It’s clear these children were guided by excellent teachers who exposed them to various forms of artistic expression. Above all, we felt their pride in portraying Viet Nam—a culturally rich country with a unique identity.”

For the Organizing Committee, “The Vivid Legacy of Viet Nam” is not just a children’s contest but is being developed as an annual cultural event. It is part of a long-term strategy to preserve and promote Vietnamese heritage systematically and sustainably.

Ms. Nguyen Le Hanh Nhi, representative of the Organizing Committee of “The Vivid Legacy of Viet Nam,” added: "We started this competition with a simple hope - to create an artistic playground for children. But as it unfolded, we increasingly realized the power of art in connecting the younger generation with their cultural roots. What moved us the most was seeing so many children who were born and raised overseas expressing their love for Viet Nam through touching and sophisticated brushstrokes. Their pride in their heritage and willingness to share it with the world is truly admirable, and perhaps one of the most beautiful qualities of a true global citizen."

For a long-term vision, it is aimed to build a global cultural education network through school-based exhibitions, exchanges, and interactive activities in France and expand to other countries. Simultaneously, organizers are working with Vietnamese associations and export businesses to integrate children's artworks into everyday life, for example, printing selected paintings on packaging for export products.

The 20 prize-winning works will be specially showcased for one week at A2Z Art Gallery in Paris and 150 outstanding paintings, selected from nearly 1,000 entries, will be exhibited at cultural centres and art spaces in Nantes, Lorient, and Paris, France.