Hanoi Museum renew itself to attract more visitors

Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi Museum has managed to promote the organisation of thematic exhibitions which are not only diverse in content but also creative in the display of objects since its reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic.

With these changes, the museum expects to become a destination that should not be missed for tourists who want to explore the capital city, Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) Newspaper reported.

The exhibition "Nhung manh vun" (Fabric Scraps), which is jointly held by the Hanoi Museum and Vun Art Cooperative, is an example.

Visitors to the exhibition are not only surprised at stunning artworks made of silk fabric scraps but also touched by stories about their makers.

Le Viet Cuong, Director of Vun Art Cooperative, said silk fabric scraps, which are seemingly useless, are put together to create traditional folk paintings imbued with Vietnamese cultural identities such as Dong Ho paintings.

He went on to say that the use of fabric scraps has contributed to reducing environmental pollution and generating jobs for people with disabilities, helping them gain confidence in their lives.

Talking about the exhibition, Dang Minh Ve, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Museum, said that silk scrap collage is an art form that requires meticulousness, carefulness, nice artistic eyes, and the ability to mix the fabric pieces.

According to him, the silk scraps seem to be revived and come to life through the hands of Vun Art craftsmen, making the canvas beautiful and unique artworks.

The exhibition will run until October 2023. During this time, the museum will hold a weekend workshop to give visitors the experience of making collages and souvenirs from silk scraps.

Besides “Fabric scraps”, there are three exhibitions that are opened for visitors at the Hanoi Museum. They all leave a deep impression on tourists thanks to their impressive stories and unique approaches.

An exhibition named “Nep xua” (Traditional Customs) reflects good cultural values through the typical lifestyle of Hanoians in the first half of the 20th century. It reminds elderly visitors of their memories of Hanoi as it used to be and teaches younger visitors something about the lifestyle of their predecessors.

Thematic exhibition "Hanoi 1972 - Aspiration for peace" showcases more than 300 photos, documents and artifacts which reenact the historical imprints of 12 days and nights of fighting against the US Air Force.

The sculpture art exhibition entitled "Ego - human" features more than 200 lacquer and oil paintings and more than 100 sculptures from materials such as bronze, stone, and wood by artist Ngo Xuan Binh. These works are designed for urban spaces, contributing to creating a colourful cultural life for modern citizens.

Director of the Hanoi Museum Nguyen Tien Da said that, to meet the public’s requirements, the museum’s staff members always think about how to improve the quality of services.

Besides coordinating with organisations and individuals to hold exhibitions, the Hanoi Museum also maintains the display of national treasures and special national relics of Hanoi, promoting heritage-related education through seminars on handicraft villages, traditional ao dai (traditional long dress) and cultural programmes that bring a lively and attractive atmosphere.

The museum welcomes between 12,000 and 15,000 visitors a month who want to explore cultural heritages, documents and artifacts about Hanoi in the past and at present.

Pham Mai Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Historical Science, said that it is necessary for the museum to continue to develop special, in-depth, and well-organised thematic exhibitions, set up a team of tour guides who are fluent in foreign languages, and offer creative spaces for the youth and essential facilities to attract more visitors to the museum in a sustainable way./