A typical example is the project “City of Strange Paintings”, where heritage is vividly recreated through assembly models, naturally arousing curiosity and love of history in the young community.
Touch history with pieces
In mid-April, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is covered in the golden sunshine of early summer. The project “Strange Paintings of the Capital” is taking place here and has attracted many young people to participate, making the solemn and ancient heritage space suddenly become lively and full of life.
In the mossy red brick yard, among the shady old trees, groups of young people and children are attentively assembling models, enthusiastically discussing every detail of the old architecture. The cheerful laughter echoes in the historical space, making the relic seem to be "awakened" after the dust of time.
Small exhibition booths are cleverly arranged around the campus, each booth is a “stop” to tell stories through images, artifacts, models and real-life experiences. Blind boxes placed on shelves make many young people eagerly choose, excitedly open them and then burst into joy when they unexpectedly discover that the model they receive is the Flagpole, the North Gate or the Doan Mon Gate - familiar structures but now appearing in miniature and sophisticated forms.
For children, this activity is not only a game but also a fascinating journey of historical discovery. Nguyen Ngoc Tam An, a 4A student at HanoiEducational Technology Primary School, shared: “What I like most is playing the game of assembling ancient structures. Each piece is like a small secret, after assembling it, I feel like I have just rebuilt an ancient house. The game is both fun and meaningful, I get to learn more about the place where kings and lords used to live in the past.”
Right next to him, Nguyen Bao Linh, a 4A student at Hanoi Educational Technology Primary School, was also excitedly showing off the model he had just assembled: “Every time I put it together correctly, I feel very proud, because it feels like I am doing the work of an architect. I think if I learn history this way, I will remember it for a long time.”
Connecting heritage with community
Sharing about the implementation process of the project "The Strange Capital", Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Head of the Organizing Committee, said that, stemming from concerns about the growing gap between young people and history, a group of third-year students from the Academy of Journalism and Communication implemented the project "The Strange Capital".
The project was launched in November 2024, initially as a professional assignment. However, during the implementation process, the group decided to develop the project into a community activity with a wider reach.
Currently, the project has entered its second season with the main product being the blindbox - an assembly model of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic named Long Thanh Phuc Kien. This is a new development step, aiming to further promote the cultural and historical values of Thang Long Imperial Citadel through a creative, intuitive and accessible form.
Each blindbox is a surprise experience, containing an assembly model of one of the typical monuments such as Hanoi Flag Tower, Chinh Bac Mon, Cong Chua Lau (Hau Lau) and Doan Mon Gate. The product includes: 1 set of model pieces, 1 information card about the monument with a QR code leading to a detailed introduction website, 1 assembly instruction sheet.
The special feature of this product set is the combination of education - entertainment - culture. Each model is not just a game, but also a miniature "historical puzzle piece", helping users directly experience and learn about the architecture and story of each relic. The "unboxing surprise" format also creates an interesting element, encouraging the collection and full exploration of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic complex.
In addition to the physical product, the project also developed an integrated 3D experience website where users can learn information, interact with 3D models, and rotate 360 degrees to observe each work in detail. This approach is designed to suit the modern technology habits of young people, while making learning about heritage more vivid and attractive.
The project team has a total of 14 members, of which 9 are the core force that has accompanied both seasons. Compared to the first season, season 2 has recorded more outstanding success: The product reaches a wider audience, attracts the attention of the press and media, and has high applicability in cultural and historical education.
In particular, while season 1 was organized independently outside, season 2 was combined by the Group with the Heritage Education program in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, to directly promote the product to visitors. Both seasons received professional sponsorship from the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, creating trust and quality for the project content.
“Although it started as a classroom exercise, “The Capital of Paintings” has now become a place for us to connect heritage with the community, especially with young people. That is what makes the whole group very proud and gives us more motivation to continue creating,” Lan Anh shared.
According to Lan Anh, the first difficulty is how to recreate massive, detailed architectural works such as Hanoi Flag Tower or Doan Mon Gate... into compact assembly models while still preserving the spirit, layout and aesthetics of the original monument.
To do this, the team had to carefully study drawings and actual photos, combined with consulting with the heritage management unit to create a detailed description and submit it to the designer. Each model was adjusted many times, from sketches to 3D models, then tested printing, test assembly, and further modification - almost a continuous testing process.
The second difficulty is resources. As a student project, the group faces many limitations in terms of human resources, finance and time. The large amount of work from coming up with ideas, developing the Blindbox product, to building experiential activities, organizing events and communications all require meticulousness while the human resources are limited.
There were times when members had to take on many different tasks at the same time, while still ensuring progress to promptly participate in major events such as International Heritage Day or the Heritage Education Program at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
Reviving golden memories
Ms. Nguyen Minh Thu, Head of the Interpretation Department, Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center shared: “We are really touched to see the historical and cultural heritage of the nation being recreated in a creative style such as “xè cái ngủ blind” - a new, youthful and very familiar way of expression for the Gen Z generation. What is special is that, although expressed in a new, humorous form, closer to modern life, the core spirit, historical value and cultural depth of the heritage are still preserved and fully conveyed”.
According to Ms. Nguyen Minh Thu, this is a positive signal showing that heritage is not outdated or only associated with the elderly. On the contrary, when accompanied by young people with innovative and creative thinking, heritage can take on a new look, reaching the public through many lively and attractive communication channels.
“Cooperating with young people in preserving and promoting heritage values is a very valuable direction and needs to be expanded to many other relic sites, not just the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi,” she emphasized.
Through the project “The Capital of Strange Paintings”, it can be seen that young people are not only a dynamic creative force, they are also an important bridge to bring heritage closer to the community. That companionship is not simply creating attractive media products, but also contributing to realizing the great mission of heritage: Passing on history, arousing national pride and connecting traditional values with the present and the future.
Forms of expression such as short videos, social networks, historical animations or creative variations on digital platforms are ways for the younger generation to personally “revive” the golden memories of their ancestors, helping them to come alive naturally in modern life. Thanks to that, heritage is not only a matter of the past but also present in the consciousness, actions and emotions of today’s community.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/xe-tui-mu-de-trai-nghiem-di-san-704232.html
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