Cultural landscape amidst the coconut land

The traditional stilt house of the Tay ethnic group has been authentically restored and serves as the main exhibition space at An Nhàn. Photo: MC

From passion to a journey of preservation.

In 2017, Le Anh Kiet and his wife, Le Thi Thanh Giang, left Saigon and returned to their hometown of Hoi An with a simple wish: to open a small shop to showcase traditional handicrafts. “The first time we saw M'nong artisans making pottery, we were amazed by their skillful hands and felt proud of this unique cultural heritage,” Kiet recalled.

That was also the opportunity for them to begin traveling extensively throughout the country, seeking out traditional craft villages and remote hamlets where people still diligently create traditional handicrafts. Through each trip, their love for the cultures of ethnic groups grew deeper. Sitting by the fire with the villagers at night, listening to stories of their old crafts, they felt even more compassion for the hands silently preserving these skills, and a pang of sadness at seeing many traditional techniques gradually being forgotten.

And from those concerns, they decided to embark on their own journey, a journey to preserve, honor, and support artisans. Thus, their small "legacy" named An Nhàn - Exquisite Cultural Gallery & Coffee was born, becoming a space of love and appreciation, where culture is retold through simple yet exquisite handcrafted products.

A corner of the tranquil space. Photo: MC

A stilt house in the heart of Hoi An

The highlight of An Nhàn is the meticulously restored traditional Tay ethnic stilt house, which took over half a year to recreate. The owners brought this house from the North Central region of Vietnam with the hope of accurately reproducing its original form for the exhibition space.

Inside, hundreds of artifacts from more than 20 ethnic minority groups are harmoniously arranged, preserving traditional features while evoking a sense of familiarity. From initially showcasing products from only five ethnic groups, An Nhàn has now become a hub for many traditional crafts from all over the country: Central Highlands sculpture, M'nong pottery, Co Tu bead weaving, Ta Oi brocade, and Northern bamboo and rattan weaving…

There, each item has its own "voice": the traditional Thai wooden rice steamer is transformed into a lampshade, or the mortar and pestle for pounding rice cakes, combined with Central Highlands patterns, becomes a tea table. These innovations bring traditional crafts closer to modern life, as a way of honoring and continuing the legacy of the past.

“Every hand-woven fabric, every lump of clay, every carving, every bamboo strand… holds the soul of the community that created it. We hope that one day, this place will have products from all 54 ethnic groups,” Ms. Giang shared.

Few people know that before An Nhàn, the couple used to run a small shop called Exquisite Cultural Gallery right in their parents' living room. Then Covid-19 hit, and all plans had to stop. But it was during that quiet period that a new opportunity arose: the small plot of land in Cồn Nhàn village became the starting point for a new journey - An Nhàn.

The name "An Nhàn" is a combination of "An" from Hoi An and "Nhàn" from Con Nhan, evoking both the essence of the place and the spirit the owners pursue: a peaceful space where visitors can leisurely enjoy the authentic charm of the countryside while quietly admiring handcrafted products imbued with the cultural essence of various ethnic groups.

A space for connection and sharing.

More than just a display space, An Nhàn is also a meeting place, where culture lovers and skilled craftspeople find each other through their shared passion. Artisan Vang, a H'Re ethnic minority, is one of An Nhàn's close collaborators. From his skillful hands, rustic yet exquisite wooden artworks are created, a testament to the enduring continuation of traditional crafts.

Currently, An Nhàn's network of collaborators is expanding, connecting with many artisans and ethnic community groups across Vietnam. The M'nong, Co Tu, and Ede people they met on their trips are now partners, friends, and family. "They aren't good at business, but the way they ask about our well-being, invite us to meals, share rice wine, and tell old stories makes us feel even more affectionate and connected," Kiet shared.

What makes Mr. Kiet and Ms. Giang happiest is seeing the empathetic eyes and smiles of the visitors to An Nhan. “Guests tell us that Vietnamese culture is truly rich and unique. They marvel at the skill of the artisans and are moved by the stories of life and work that we share,” they confided.

From the small living room of yesteryear to the peaceful space in Con Nhan village today, An Nhan still maintains her simple yet profound philosophy: "Choose to walk slowly in a fast-paced era. Choose patience to recount the fading stories of a distant village, of old hands, of a memory that is slowly diminishing."

Rain or shine, An Nhàn - Exquisite Cultural Gallery & Coffee is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, welcoming those seeking the beauty of traditional crafts, where each product is a piece of culture and every encounter is a story about the undying passion for the craft.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/mien-van-hoa-giua-xu-dua-3306715.html