Artisan Nguyễn Tấn Phát with young visitors of Đường Lâm ancient village, who are showing their woodblock printing works. — Photo courtesy of the artisan

HÀ NỘI — Visitors to Đường Lâm ancient village on the outskirts of Hà Nội will have a chance to try their hand at woodblock printing under the instruction of local artist Nguyễn Tấn Phát.

Located just 44km away from Hà Nội’s centre, the village is an open-air museum housing interesting cultural value, landscape and architecture typical for a rural area in the Red River Delta. It has long been a popular tourist destination in the capital.

To promote interest in art and introduce a new tourism product of his hometown, lacquer artisan Nguyễn Tấn Phát has opened a free woodblock printing class for all children and visitors to Đường Lâm Village.

“The experience of making woodblock prints presents a unique opportunity for tourists to discover local cultural values through the lens of traditional art,” said the 40-year-old artisan.

“It will also nurture tourists’ artistic creativity, enabling them to interact with villagers and have exciting memories during their trip,” he added.

Joining the class, attendees will be directly instructed by the artisan in the necessary techniques and skills to create their artworks, which they could bring home as Đường Lâm’s souvenirs.

Since its opening in late April, the class has attracted over 100 tourists. It is held weekly at Phát’s studio in Đường Lâm Village.

A woodblock printing artwork depicts Đường Lâm ancient village by artisan Nguyễn Tấn Phát.

“I am very happy to see young children excited and eager to learn the woodblock printing technique and not encountering many difficulties in the learning process,” Phát said.

“Tourists also find this a fascinating and novel activity. Most of the works depict Đường Lâm ancient village, my homeland. Through this activity, I am motivated to continue carrying out meaningful activities for the community." 

Phát was born in Hà Nội's Sơn Tây Town. As the only lacquer artist in the town, he has contributed to passing down the craft to the next generation, inspiring young artists in his homeland, and creating jobs for dozens of residents.

In 2017, he was among the youngest artists honoured as a typical “Hà Nội Artisan” by the municipal People's Committee.

Woodblock printing is a long-standing sculptural art form present throughout the development of Vietnamese art. Wood carving and sculpting are graphic printing techniques that use a wooden block with relief images to create a desired artwork.

The art form flourished in Việt Nam in the 16th century and has been practised by generations of artists since. — VNS