The event, co-organized with the Association of Asian Artists in Paris, captured interest from art professionals and the public.

In his address, Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director of the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, said the centre serves as a bridge in promoting Vietnam’s culture, sports and tourism abroad. He noted that activities such as this exhibition help maintain cultural life within the Vietnamese community in France while introducing Vietnamese culture to European audiences. Though modest in scale, the exhibition provides young artists with access to the international art environment, opportunities for exchange and conditions to develop their creative practice.

The “Thien Ly Road” award was initiated by Charlotte Agusttes-Reynier, President of the Association of Asian Artists in Paris, to create opportunities for Vietnamese fine arts students to experience the art environment in France.

She said award winners spend one week in Paris visiting museums, approaching major works, meeting artists and building professional networks. The programme offers an opportunity for them to expand their artistic horizons and gain creative knowledge. Selection is conducted by a panel of experts in contemporary art, art history and gallery practice to identify promising young artists with distinct creative identities.

Commenting on the artworks, Alexandre Eliaba, Deputy Director and head of Asian Fine Arts, said the works of Vietnamese artists show a combination of Western artistic influence and national cultural identity. They reflect elements of tradition, history and Vietnamese artistic practice while applying European painting principles in a flexible way, forming an expression that is both familiar and new.

Sharing about his work Nguyen duong An Nam, Lam Gia Huan said the inspiration came naturally from scenes of women attending morning mass at a church on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street in Ho Chi Minh City. The everyday moment left a strong impression, which he later expressed in his work. The image of women is also a recurring theme in his art, rooted in his close bond with his mother. For him, the award marks recognition and opens a longer artistic journey.

Nguyen Nguyet Anh said her work Hide and Seek explores the search for identity in relation to nature. Growing up in Hanoi, where urban life can distance people from their inner world, she found that moments spent in nature bring stillness and help her better understand different aspects of herself. She said the award serves as motivation to continue experimenting and creating. Her time in Paris, where she directly encountered major artworks, has also brought strong inspiration for her future work.

Organizers said the “Thien Ly Road” award will be held annually, with selection rounds in September and awards presented in January of the following year. Each year, two Vietnamese fine arts students will be selected to take part in the programme in Paris to broaden their perspectives and develop their creative capacity.

The exhibition highlights the talent of the two young artists and shows efforts to connect Vietnamese and French cultures through art. It presents Vietnamese art as dynamic, distinctive and increasingly integrated into the international art scene.

Vietnamese students in France promote cultural values through Tet celebration

Vietnamese students in Rennes, France, celebrated Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025 with a recent vibrant cultural event.