Young people and self-discovery workshops

One late afternoon at the end of the year, in the space of a small pottery workshop in Ho Nai ward (Dong Nai province), several young people were intently working with clay and paintbrushes. There was no noise, no cell phones, only quiet conversations and clear concentration on each face. This is a familiar scene at many workshops that are increasingly attracting the attention of young people.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh personally makes a Christmas tree during a workshop during the Christmas season. Photo: Nhat Ha.

Behind this boom is not just a trend; workshops also reflect profound shifts in the learning, experiential, and sometimes even "healing" needs of young people in modern society.

Experiential and creative space

The couple, Ha and Nhung (born in 2002, residing in Long Binh ward, Dong Nai province), chose to participate in a handmade pottery workshop together to celebrate their anniversary. Instead of going out for a meal or a stroll, this year they decided to make a ceramic mug together to make the anniversary more meaningful. “Neither of us had ever participated in a workshop before, so this time we wanted a new experience. Not only were we guided through the pottery-making process, but the finished product can be taken home and used as a reminder of the time we spent together,” Ha explained.

Workshops are often held on weekends to cater to young people who want to create their own ceramic products, ceramic enthusiasts, or simply those seeking a space to listen to themselves. For a fee ranging from a few tens to a few hundred thousand dong, young people can participate in workshops on various topics, from soft skills, artistic creativity, entrepreneurship, digital communication to mental health and personal development. Among these, art workshops attract a large number of young people, not only because they get to experience and create artwork, but also because they can take home their finished products as souvenirs. In reality, most young people who participate in art workshops don't have a background or a clear direction for a professional artistic career. Some come out of curiosity, others want a change of pace after stressful hours of studying or working. But it is during the process of holding a paintbrush, sculpting clay, taking a photo, or writing a short piece that many young people realize they are slowing down and listening to themselves more.

Nguyen Ngoc My Uyen (born in 2002) decided to start her own business with a pottery and mosaic art workshop five years ago when she noticed the demand for workshop participation among young people in Dong Nai. My Uyen said: After graduating from Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, she continued to study pottery in depth and opened a pottery workshop to connect young people who love this traditional art form.

“In modern life, young people are increasingly interested in nurturing their spiritual lives and personal development. Besides studying and working, many young people have turned to art workshops as a space for creativity, experience, and emotional connection. When participating in the workshop, participants don't need to have talent or know how to make pottery; we will guide and suggest ideas, and the rest is up to them to create and experiment. The finished pottery products will be fired and returned to the creators,” My Uyen said.

Self- discovery , community engagement.

With the festive atmosphere of the year-end holidays, many workshops related to Christmas are organized on weekends, attracting many young people to participate, such as: Christmas tree planting workshops, painting, sculpting, making Christmas greeting cards, etc.

Unlike formal classes, workshops often offer an open experience, where participants are not bound by rigid structures or pressure to achieve results. Many young people attend workshops simply to "get something hands-on," temporarily escaping the hectic pace of life and stressful work hours.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh (residing in Trang Dai ward) spent her weekend afternoon participating in a Christmas tree-making workshop. According to Ms. Kim Anh, every year she buys a small fresh Christmas tree to decorate her house for Christmas, but this year she made one herself to both experience the activity and relieve stress and pressure after a week of work.

In Dong Nai, workshops are quite diverse, ranging from short experiential sessions lasting a few hours to in-depth series of activities spanning several days. The majority of participants are students, young working professionals, and others in higher education. Beyond their personal value, workshops also serve as spaces for community connection. Strangers from different professions and age groups can easily chat, share, and empathize through shared creative activities.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Director of Nai House Co., Ltd. and a member of the Dong Nai Province Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council, for many young people, workshops are not only places to learn skills and acquire knowledge, but also spaces for networking and connecting with those who share the same passion. Through each experience, they learn to listen, share, respect differences, and broaden their perspectives on life. This is also an environment that helps young people cultivate patience, creative thinking, and teamwork skills. These creative spaces not only meet individual needs but also contribute to building a dynamic, creative, and culturally rich generation of young people.

Nhat Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202512/nguoi-tre-va-nhung-workshop-kham-pha-ban-than-663150c/