Exhibition “Japan handmade: Crafts and design from Kyoto” in Vietnam

The exhibition “Japan Handmade: Crafts and Design from Kyoto” launched in Hanoi on April 24 and will run until May 12, 2025, before expanding to Ho Chi Minh City from May 15 to May 30, 2025.

This exhibition is organized to celebrate the ongoing cultural exchange between Japan and Vietnam, fostering artistic collaboration between the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam Design House.

Kyoto, once Japan’s imperial capital, is renowned for its rich tradition of craftsmanship that has flourished for centuries. Craftspeople in Kyoto continue to elevate their skills, blending time-honored techniques with modern innovations.

In this series of events, a select group of young craftspeople—heirs to Kyoto’s traditional arts—will showcase their work through an exhibition, lectures, and hands-on workshops. Participants will gain insight into the secrets behind their age-old techniques, as these artisans reveal how they integrate Japanese heritage into contemporary design.

Art enthusiasts in Hanoi can visit the exhibition now or participate in a workshop led by Noriko Kawakami on May 7. Those in Ho Chi Minh City are invited to join the first workshop on May 9, 2025.