Vietnam University of Fine Arts and friends: A century of integration and creativity

On November 14, the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition “Vietnam University of Fine Arts and Friends” took place in Hanoi. This event is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the first course of the Indochina University of Fine Arts, now the Vietnam University of Fine Arts (1925 – 2025). Attending the opening ceremony was Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong.

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•14/11/2025

The exhibition displays 94 new works by lecturers from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts and schools in the GoA9 network (Group of Asian Art Schools, a group of art schools in Asia). Thereby, it reflects the breath of the times and provides an overview of modern and contemporary art in Asia. Besides popular materials such as oil and acrylic, silk and lacquer works by Vietnamese artists create a unique highlight. Sculptures and installations also show the open creative thinking of artists from different countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Dang Thi Phong Lan, Principal of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, shared that the exhibition is not only a professional activity, but also evokes thoughts about people, nature, contemporary social life and the role of art in preserving and spreading humanistic values. In the context of globalization, the event becomes a message of friendship, cooperation and sharing of art and culture among artists, lecturers and researchers in the region and around the world .

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

On this occasion, the exhibition also introduced 30 prints by artists from the US, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Poland, the Philippines and Malaysia, from the international collection of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. This is the result of decades of academic exchange and artistic cooperation, while broadening the public's perspective and affirming the school's spirit of international integration.

Dr. Thanatorn Jiarakun, representative of Silpakorn University (Thailand), shared: “I am very impressed with the school’s promotion of international integration, which shows that fine arts is a language without borders. When creating cross-cultural exchanges, we are building a bridge of understanding and friendship between countries, opening up opportunities for long-term exchange in the region.”

Delegates take souvenir photos.

The exhibition is both a highlight in the 100-year series of activities and a thank you to generations of artists and teachers who have made many contributions to the country's fine arts. In addition, the exhibition also contributes to affirming the pioneering position of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in international art exchange and cooperation. Thereby, further deepening the sustainable and increasingly expanding cooperative relationship between Asian art training institutions. At the same time, opening up new directions in training, creativity and art exchange, contributing to consolidating the position and development vision of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in the future.