At the exchange programme, artisan Tran Thi Yen and ceramic painting artisan Nguyen Tran Phuong Thao shared stories about their professions with the audience. According to Tran Thi Yen, who has devoted more than 40 years to the craft of pottery making and Southern-style hand-painted ceramics in Lai Thieu, she has remained attached to her paintbrushes and the pottery profession, considering it a habit in her daily life. In any profession, in order to stay with it for a long time, one must always maintain passion and perseverance.
In addition, the audience also heard Nguyen Thi Thuy Phuong from the Mekong Institute of Applied Science Technology and Training (MEFAST), Director of the social enterprise Reading Books with Cyclos Project, introduce books on craft villages and rural areas.
At the same event, Ho Chi Minh City Reading Culture Ambassador for 2023-2024, journalist Trung Nghia, introduced the illustrated book series Vang danh nghe co (Honouring Traditional Crafts), published by Kim Dong Publishing House, which recently won the 8th National Book Awards (2026), focusing on Viet Nam’s typical traditional craft villages.
On this occasion, from May 13-17, the city’s Book Street is displaying 19 selected photo collections honouring craft villages in Ho Chi Minh City and various provinces, produced by students from the K25 Multimedia Communications course under the Faculty of Journalism and Communication at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Viet Nam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, serving visitors to the Book Street.
This is an opportunity for young people who love national culture to express their affection and appreciation for traditional craft heritage and the valuable cultural values preserved through their fresh perspectives.
The exhibition introduces craft villages and traditional occupations such as Lai Thieu Ceramics Village, Tan Thong Hoi Bamboo Blind Craft Village (Cu Chi), Tuong Binh Hiep Lacquer Village (Chanh Hiep Ward), the Buddha statue casting craft village in Giac Hai Pagoda Hamlet, Lai Thieu Piggy Bank Craft Village, Phu Hoa Dong Rice Paper Craft Village (Cu Chi), Ly Nhon Salt Village (Can Gio), Le Minh Xuan Incense Village (Binh Chanh), Xuan Thoi Son Basket Weaving Craft Village (former Hoc Mon District), An Hoi Bronze Censer Casting Village (Phan Huy Ich Street, An Hoi Tay Ward), and Dai Hung Jar Village (Chanh Hiep Ward).
