From passion to journey of preservation
In 2017, Mr. Le Anh Kiet and his wife, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Giang, left Saigon and returned to their hometown of Hoi An with a simple wish: to open a small shop to introduce traditional handicraft products. “The first time we saw M'nong artisans making pottery, we were both amazed by the dexterity of their hands and proud of that unique culture,” Mr. Kiet recalled.
That was also the opportunity for them to start their journeys across the country, to visit craft villages and remote hamlets where people still diligently make traditional handicraft products. Through each trip, their love for ethnic cultures grew deeper. During the nights sitting by the fire with the people, listening to stories about the old crafts, they loved the quiet hands that kept the craft more and more, and felt even more heartbroken when they saw many traditional techniques gradually being forgotten.
And from those concerns, they decided to start their own journey, a journey to preserve, honor and support artisans. And then, a small "fortune" named An Nhan - Exquisite Cultural Gallery & Coffee was born, becoming a space of love and respect, where culture is told through rustic yet quintessential handmade products.
Stilt house in the heart of Hoi An
The highlight of An Nhan is the Tay ethnic stilt house, meticulously restored over more than half a year. This is the house that the couple brought back from the North Central region with the desire to recreate the original for the exhibition space.
Inside, hundreds of artifacts of more than 20 ethnic minorities are arranged harmoniously, both preserving the traditional features and evoking a sense of closeness. From only displaying products of the five original ethnic groups, An Nhan has now become a convergence of many handicrafts from all regions: Central Highlands sculpture, M'nong pottery, Co Tu bead weaving, Ta Oi brocade, Northern rattan and bamboo weaving...
There, each item has its own “voice”: a Thai wooden steamer for making sticky rice is transformed into a lampshade, or a rice cake mortar combined with Central Highlands patterns becomes a tea table. These innovations help the craft to come closer to today’s life, as a way to show gratitude and continue the old craft.
“Each handwoven cloth, each piece of clay, each carving, each bamboo strip… holds the soul of the community that created it. We hope that one day, this place will have all the products of 54 ethnic groups,” Ms. Giang shared.
Few people know that before An Nhan, they opened a small shop called Exquisite Cultural Gallery in their parents' living room. Then Covid-19 struck, and all plans had to stop. But in that quiet moment, a new opportunity opened up: a small piece of land in Con Nhan village became the beginning of a new journey - An Nhan.
The name “An Nhan” is a combination of “An” of Hoi An and “Nhan” of Con Nhan, both evoking the impression of the place and conveying the spirit that the couple pursues: a peaceful space, where visitors can leisurely enjoy the simplicity of the countryside, while quietly admiring the handicraft products imbued with the cultural breath of the ethnic groups.
Space of connection and sharing
Not only a place for exhibition, An Nhan is also a meeting place, where culture lovers and craftsmen find each other in the same passion. Artisan Vang, a H'Re, is one of An Nhan's close associates. From his skillful hands, rustic yet sophisticated wooden works are born, as proof of the enduring continuity of the traditional craft.
Currently, An Nhan's collaborative network is expanding, connecting with many artisans and ethnic communities across Vietnam. The M'nong, Co Tu, Ede people... that they met on their trips are now partners, friends, and relatives. "They are not good at business, but the way they ask questions, invite us to meals, drink wine, and tell old stories makes us love them more and become more attached," Kiet shared.
What makes Mr. Kiet and Ms. Giang happiest is seeing the sympathetic eyes and smiles of the guests who visit An Nhan. “Guests tell us that Vietnamese culture is so rich and unique. They are amazed by the craftsmanship of the artisans and moved when they hear the stories of life and work that we tell,” they confided.
From the small living room of the past to the peaceful space in the middle of Con Nhan village today, An Nhan still maintains the simple but profound philosophy: "Choose to walk slowly in the fast-paced era. Choose to patiently tell the fading stories of the distant village, of old hands, of a fading memory".
Rain or shine, An Nhan - Exquisite Cultural Gallery & Coffee is open every day from 8am to 5pm, welcoming those who seek the beauty of traditional crafts, where each product is a piece of culture and each meeting is a story about the never-ending passion for the craft.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/mien-van-hoa-giua-xu-dua-3306715.html
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