Woodblock printing connects the Nguyen Dynasty and contemporary life

Visitors at Ngu Ha Vien explore woodblock printing through exhibitions, workshops and interactive craft experiences.

Ngu Ha Vien was developed as a culmination of more than two decades of collecting and restoring traditional houses by the late artisan Duong Dinh Vinh. The philosophy of “preservation associated with function” is fully realised here: the traditional houses serve as spaces for exhibition, learning and exchange, where crafts are actively practised and can generate economic value. The experience is designed so that every visitor leaves the garden enriched with knowledge and emotion. Following a temporary closure, the space has undergone a full renovation, upgrading the infrastructure for exhibitions, learning and hosting guests, and presenting a more welcoming appearance for the public.

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Photo 1 of 3 Ngu Ha Vien is the result of more than two decades of collecting and restoring traditional houses by the late artisan Duong Dinh Vinh

Photo 2 of 3 The philosophy of “preservation associated with function” is fully inherited within the traditional house

Photo 3 of 3 The work Phoenix Rebirth was created by artisan Tan Vo

Ngu Ha Vien is the result of more than two decades of collecting and restoring traditional houses by the late artisan Duong Dinh Vinh

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Passing through the main gate, soft yellow lights illuminate the corridor, while hand-woven bamboo phoenixes by artisan Tan Vo (Hoi An) spread their wings under the eaves, seemingly guiding visitors into a living cultural space. The central house, with its glossy black wooden pillars, parallel sentences and lacquered horizontal boards, functions as a living gallery: prints created via woodblock printing hang along the porch, and craft tools are displayed on wooden tables, narrating the story of Thanh Lieu artisans who once contributed to woodblock printing sets for the royal court.

Next to this, the craft curation area presents products selected from domestic craft villages, inviting visitors to explore, learn about and purchase gifts with stories. This arrangement demonstrates that Ngu Ha Vien is not just a complex of ancient houses, but also a meeting point for craft villages, where the values of craftsmanship are shared within a single narrative.

Above This arrangement shows that Ngu Ha Vien is not only a complex of ancient houses, but also a meeting place for craft villages

This arrangement shows that Ngu Ha Vien is not only a complex of ancient houses, but also a meeting place for craft villages

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The opening ceremony at 9am on 23 August began with a discussion on Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock Printing – from Royal Treasures to Living Heritages, which addressed questions that often intrigue the public: why carve in reverse? Why use Thi wood? What is the ink made of? What defines a standard print? Immediately afterwards, a technical demonstration followed: selecting wood, carving in reverse, mixing pine smoke ink, placing Do paper and rubbing it with a loofah. The sound of the knife on wood, the scent of pine resin and the deep black of the ink became present in every movement.

Throughout the week, the daily workshop Your Mark guides participants through carving a basic motif into softwood, printing it on Do paper, and taking their creation home. Sessions for families and students are shortened to allow children to fully grasp the sketching–carving–mixing–printing–hanging process. Outside, a photo gallery of the workflow has been set up, so that even those not attending the workshop can visualise the complete life cycle of a print.

Notably, the woodblock printing workshop featured the participation of artisan Nguyen Cong Dat. He led the technical demonstrations and directly guided participants, while also developing ways to apply woodblocks to contemporary products, bringing heritage closer to younger generations and creating sustainable livelihoods for artisans.

Above Throughout the week, daily workshops Your Mark guide participants through carving a basic motif into softwood, printing it on Do paper, and taking home their creation

Throughout the week, daily workshops Your Mark guide participants through carving a basic motif into softwood, printing it on Do paper, and taking home their creation

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Above Woodblock Week invites the public to touch the wood, hear the knife, smell the ink, and bring home a personal mark

Woodblock Week invites the public to touch the wood, hear the knife, smell the ink, and bring home a personal mark

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“Heritage is only truly preserved when it is used,” the organisers said on the opening day. Woodblock Week invites participants to handle the wood, listen to the carving, inhale the scent of ink, and take home a personal impression. Through this experience, each person becomes part of the living heritage.

Following Woodblock Week, Ngu Ha Vien plans to host seminars on enamel, Hue embroidery, bronze casting and royal cuisine, alongside film screenings and school programmes. The aim is to establish a heritage hub where artisans, designers and the public can meet, exchange ideas, and create together.

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How woodblock printing connects Nguyen Dynasty heritage with modern life