Vietnam University of Fine Arts celebrates 100 years of establishment and development

On November 15, in Hanoi, the 100th Anniversary Ceremony of the Indochina College of Fine Arts - Vietnam University of Fine Arts (1925-2025) took place with many exciting and meaningful activities, marking the school's milestone after a century of contributions to Vietnamese fine arts, culture and fine arts education.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong presented the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the representative of Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Tran Thanh Lam; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong; representatives of many departments, branches, educational institutions; a large number of staff, lecturers, students, and alumni of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

In particular, the event also had the presence of Ms. Alix Turolla Tardieu, granddaughter of painter Victor Tardieu - founder and first principal of the Indochina College of Fine Arts during the French colonial period (now the Vietnam University of Fine Arts); Mr. Arnaullt Fontani, great-grandson of sculptor Evariste Jonchere - second principal of the Indochina College of Fine Arts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Dang Thi Phong Lan, Principal of Vietnam University of Fine Arts, reviewed the historical milestones and proud achievements of the school over the past 100 years.

Principal of Vietnam University of Fine Arts Dang Thi Phong Lan spoke at the ceremony.

Ms. Dang Thi Phong Lan emphasized: "The hundredth anniversary of the Indochina College of Fine Arts - Vietnam University of Fine Arts has demonstrated its influence and importance in the modern art life of Vietnam. The stature and mission of the school have affirmed its position as a leading center for training and education in fine arts in Vietnam, with influence in the region and attention in the international art community. Generations of painters and sculptors from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts have many outstanding faces, won many national and international awards, representing the cultural identity of Vietnam and carrying the spirit of national and modern liberal arts. Generations of teachers and students of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts are proud to believe that entering the "New Era, the era of national growth", the school will continue to be a leading center for training, research and artistic creation, strongly integrating with the world and the region".

In 1925, the school was founded under the name of Indochina College of Fine Arts, or simply Indochina College of Fine Arts, by the artist Victor Tardieu and his colleagues. At that time, the school was the first professional art training institution in Indochina, marking an important turning point in the history of the formation of modern Vietnamese fine arts. After the successful August Revolution in 1945, through the historical periods of the country, generations of teachers and students of the school have always accompanied the fate of the nation with great names that have made Vietnamese fine arts famous such as To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Gia Tri, Tran Van Can, Bui Xuan Phai... and many generations of contemporary artists who continue to make a deep mark in the artistic life.

At the same time, with the establishment of the school, unique materials of Vietnamese fine arts were also formed. Besides oil painting materials imported from the West, traditional materials such as silk paintings and lacquer paintings were revived, becoming unique materials, with distinctive shapes for modern Vietnamese fine arts on the world art map.

Vietnam University of Fine Arts was honored to receive President Ho Chi Minh's visits in 1955 and 1960. The school has been awarded many noble prizes by the State: twice receiving the First Class Labor Medal in 1990 and 2010, the First Class Independence Medal in 2005 and the Ho Chi Minh Medal in 2015.

There are 18 artists trained at the school or are teaching staff of the school who were awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for literature and art. 7 lecturers were honored to receive the noble title of People's Teacher, 16 lecturers were awarded the title of Meritorious Teacher. 2 lecturers were awarded the title of Professor, 22 lecturers were awarded the title of Associate Professor...

Awarding Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to the collectives.

Sharing about the challenges and determination in the next phase, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Nghia Phuong affirmed: "With the attention of the Party and the State, in recent years, the school has continuously expanded its training scale. In the changes of the world art flow, how to maintain its training perspective, integrate without losing its identity, develop new languages ​​and art forms without fading the academic training method; create new art but not forget the task of serving the Fatherland and the Vietnamese people for the common development of the nation. Those are the concerns of the school, at the same time the driving force and motto for development in adapting to the times, thereby ensuring the school's leading position in creating modern and contemporary fine arts in Vietnam".

At the ceremony, Vietnam University of Fine Arts was honored to receive the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for its specialized faculties, recognizing outstanding achievements in art training and contributions to the country's fine arts.

Within the framework of the program, there will also be the launching of the publication "100-year mark of Indochina College of Fine Arts - Vietnam University of Fine Arts" and the announcement of the documentary "Vietnam University of Fine Arts: 100-year journey".

On this occasion, Vietnam University of Fine Arts simultaneously organized 3 large-scale and high-quality exhibition events, marking a proud journey and serving the needs of art lovers. These are:

"100+ Exhibition" displays outstanding works of students of the Faculty of Painting (from October 31 to November 15, 2025 at the Museum of Vietnam University of Fine Arts, 42 Yet Kieu, Hanoi).

"Exhibition of 100 years of modern Vietnamese fine arts" displays the collection of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (from November 14 to November 24 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hanoi).

"International Exhibition of Vietnam University of Fine Arts and Friends" (from November 14 to December 22 at Art Space exhibition space, 42 Yet Kieu, Hanoi).

My Hanh

Source: https://nhandan.vn/truong-dai-hoc-my-thuat-viet-nam-ky-niem-100-nam-hinh-thanh-va-phat-trien-post923382.html