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A seminar themed “Old stories, new stories: From heritage materials to cultural products” took place on July 20 at the Hanoi-based Complex 01, a cultural and creative hub, as reported by VNS.

Not simply a professional event, the seminar was a place where cultural institutions, heritage practice communities, artists, designers, and creative businesses come together to answer an essential question of the times: How can heritage not only be preserved, but also retold in today's creative language?

The seminar was organized with the expectation of opening a cross-industry connection space, where people working in culture, art, design, research, business, and community development discuss how to use heritage materials in creative design, thereby forming cultural products with a strong community imprint.

Speakers at the seminar.

The event was organized by the Centre for Cultural Heritage Research and Promotion (CCH), with support from the British Council in Vietnam and in collaboration with Hanoi Grapevine, TUVA Communication, and Complex01.

Bui Thi Huong Thuy, deputy head of the Heritage Management Division under the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said that the city and those working in heritage preservation share a common aspiration: to transform heritage into cultural products. The goal is to turn its intrinsic values into creative, consumer-oriented products that generate economic benefits while still affirming the cultural identity of Vietnam.

The city has carried out a comprehensive inventory of both tangible and intangible heritage sites and built a detailed, well-organized database. This facilitates public access and encourages deeper engagement with heritage.

Heritage preservation, especially of nationally recognised sites, has been given priority in the city’s urban planning.

Hanoi has also introduced policies to support artisans in traditional craft production.

Rinstore Papercut lightbox

From the perspective of creative enterprises, Tran Tuyet Lan, director of Craft Link Social Enterprise, shared that since its founding, Craft Link has implemented numerous projects supporting ethnic minority groups, traditional craft communities, and people with disabilities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.

In addition to providing training, the organization also helps promote handmade products to both domestic and international markets, creating income opportunities for communities.

She also emphasized that integrating heritage into cultural and creative products still faces challenges.

“The first difficulty is the lack of connection between artisans, those who create handmade products, and designers, creative professionals, and businesses. This disconnect makes it difficult for handmade products to reach the market,” Lan said. “Furthermore, most artisans in craft villages today are elderly. Meanwhile, younger generations are showing less interest in preserving and continuing traditional crafts.”

One major issue raised at the seminar was intellectual property rights in the field of cultural and creative industries, particularly when a product embodies both traditional heritage and modern design contributions.

There have been numerous cases where, upon completion, the ownership of the final product was registered under the enterprise, rather than the artisan who created the original heritage element or the young designers who contributed the creative upgrades.

Representatives from several organizations noted that registering ownership rights for such 'hybrid' products often runs into legal and procedural difficulties, as they fall into a legal 'grey area' between intangible cultural heritage and modern intellectual property.

In addition to the main seminar, the Creative Connection Zone attracted a large number of participants with the participation of more than 13 outstanding craft organizations and brands, including Rinstore Papercut lightbox; Lam An; Napo's Handicrafts; Craftivity; Nhip Pho; Boi An; Lamphong Studio; Cool Vietnam; Nghe Nghe Art Fair; Thanh Lieu Woodblock; Comicola; To He (toy figurines that are made of rice dough) Artisan Dang Van Hau; and Hoa Tien Brocade.

Each display booth was not only a beautiful product, but also a story about the land, the people, the techniques, and the inspiration. Each thread of fabric, each carving is a living history. Young people today do not lack ideas. What they need is the opportunity to turn inspiration into products.

The Creative Connection Zone features more than 13 outstanding craft organizations and brands.

'Lamphong Studio is a creative design workshop based in Hanoi, specialising in handicrafts made from traditional materials such as ceramics, lacquer, copper and silver. Lamphong’s designs are inspired by traditional arts, combining folk patterns and ancient tales to tell contemporary stories through gift items, decorative and practical pieces that carry the spirit of the times.

Dang Van Hau, 41, from Hanoi's Xuan La village, was awarded the title of “Artisan” in 2014, becoming the youngest person ever to receive such a title. With over two decades of experience in the craft, Hau now often crafts and sells to he toy figurines at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street or fairs in Hanoi, following in his grandfather's footsteps.

Handicrafts made from resin, dried flowers, seashells, etc. are displayed attractively in the creative connection area, where many young artisans gather.

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