Tourists coming to Da Lat not only relax, but can also experience art in many forms at Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio - a meeting place for souls who love art and creativity. Travellive had a short conversation with Mr. Hien Nguyen - Founder of Pho Ben Doi.
Hillside Street Space.
PV: Hello Mr. Hien Nguyen. Can you share the reason why the Pho Ben Doi project was established?
Founder Hien Nguyen:The unique features of the architectural ecosystem, landscape, climate and gentle people are the inherent beautiful heritage values of Da Lat to become a special resort. Not only that, Da Lat is also the land that inspires artistic creativity for many artists from the past to the present, from literature to music, from painting to cinema, creating a source of cultural and artistic flow throughout the past 130 years.
Founder Hien Nguyen (middle) is the Founder of Pho Ben Doi project.
When I delved deeper, I realized that culture and art are also factors that bring sustainability to the city. As a native of Da Lat and an art lover, I realized that I could contribute to rebuilding the "Da Lat brand" based on those strengths and core values. This is also a way that, in my opinion, can help the city develop sustainably.
Pho Ben Doi was born with the philosophy "Art connects us": using art to connect people to make life better. The name "Pho Ben Doi" originates from the position of Da Lat city - relying on nature with beautiful landscape architecture values. In 2020, Creative Studio with an area of 500 m2 was put into operation, located in the most beautiful and highest location in the city - Dinh hill.
Pho Ben Doi - Art connects us hopes that the flow of art will bring people closer together.
PV: What types of art does Pho Ben Doi bring to the public?
Founder Hien Nguyen:I hope that Da Lat will be positioned as a cultural, educational and creative destination, not simply a tourist and resort city. Pho Ben Doi, a multi-industry center that wants to connect artistic and creative souls to develop together; at the same time, it will be a place that brings interesting experiences to locals and tourists.
Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio has many experiential spaces.
First is the Gallery space with regular exhibitions of 30 multi-genre works in oil, watercolor, and mixed media. We also support spaces for young artists to create and exhibit. In addition, Pho Ben Doi cooperates with domestic and international organizations to organize art and environmental exhibitions...
This is also a space for organizing cultural, artistic and educational events. Recently, Pho Ben Doi collaborated with Slide on strings to bring a classical music program. This September, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of UK-Vietnam diplomatic relations, Pho Ben Doi and D-Fuse co-organized a storytelling workshop about the environment. Pho Ben Doi also connects and supports artists and those working in the art field with painting residency programs, film residency programs... Through cultural and artistic programs and activities, I hope to preserve the inherent heritage of the city.
Classical music program organized by Pho Ben Doi.
In addition, we also cooperate with educational companies to bring interesting courses to Da Lat children. Through practical experience activities (learning by doing/playing), combining the educational model with science and art, thereby gaining more problem-solving skills. I hope these activities will bring children many sources of inspiration to make learning interesting, and understand the application in life.
Organize STEAM/STEM educational activities for children in Da Lat.
PV: Regarding sustainable tourism development in Da Lat, does Pho Ben Doi have any special projects?
Founder Hien Nguyen:There are many people who love Da Lat, but to understand Da Lat, research and experience are essential. I think tourism activities in Da Lat have only reached quantity, while quality also needs to be improved. That is, tourists do not only come to take pictures at places, but also go deep to learn about the city from many different angles. Therefore, the Pho Ben Doi team is working on and will launch the Art Map at the end of this year.
Community Bookshelf at Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio.
This is a well-organized and carefully invested art map with the first phase of free distribution of 20,000 map publications printed on fine art paper, as a gift that harmonizes aesthetic and functional values for tourists when coming to Dalat. Through Dalat Art Map, tourists can easily find information and instructions to experience artistic values through attractive destinations, events, and cultural and artistic programs introduced by Art Map. Phase 2 (2023 - 2025) will develop the Digital Map platform (ArtMap apps/web).
Dalat Art Map.
In addition, we have recently built an art tour called "Da Lat past and present" to serve tourists who want to learn about destinations with depth in culture - history - architecture - art. The activities and programs that Pho Ben Doi team has done over the past 7 years all hope to contribute to raising community awareness to preserve the city's heritage, helping the city develop more sustainably.
PV: In the future, how do you envision Pho Ben Doi continuing to develop?
Poetic event space of Pho Ben Doi.
Founder Hien Nguyen:According to Decision 1775/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, the cultural industry includes 13 key sectors: advertising, software and games, design, publishing, performing arts, photography and exhibitions, architecture, handicrafts, cinema, fashion, fine arts, television and radio, and cultural tourism.
In the general movement of the cultural industry, Pho Ben Doi also aims to develop it into a platform, a multi-industry connecting space, with the starting point being the love of art, to contribute to helping Da Lat become a creative city. UNESCO surveyed and found that Da Lat has the potential to develop into a creative city. Pho Ben Doi with an open mind joins the flow and develops sustainably through the cultural creative industry.
Thank you Mr. Hien Nguyen!
