Learn about the community project “Art – Stay”

“Art-Stay” is a community project undertaken by a group of renowned artists in Chieng Di 1 village, Nong Trang Xanh commune, Van Ho district, Son La province. Beyond donating and persuading the villagers to rebuild traditional stilt houses, the artists decided to “artify” the unsightly cement walls, telling stories through color and lines – stories of the lives of the Thai, Dao, and Mong people themselves.

Only two short months have passed since the first stilt house in the project was handed over to the villagers, but it has been a long journey, reflecting our efforts. And with the noticeable changes in the village's appearance, we are delighted to present to the press and the public our initial achievements, and we hope to receive your encouragement and support to continue on this long journey.

The "Art-Stay" Project

Chieng Di 1, Van Ho, Son La is just a small village, but it's a fascinating place, home to a diverse ethnic group, from Thai, Mong, Dao… However, this beautiful land of hardworking and poor people is gradually being marked by urban life with cement walls, box-like houses, and corrugated iron fences… making it boring and monotonous.

Therefore, "Art-stay" was born after much deliberation and thought. This is a community project that supports the reconstruction of traditional stilt houses where people were born and raised. We strive to erase all the ugly marks of industrialization, encouraging and helping people preserve the unique identity of their community.

But all of this would remain just a beautiful dream if we didn't provide them with additional income, because only by improving their quality of life would they have time to think about more beautiful things. Therefore, we introduced the concept of an "Art-Stay Village" to the locals, and they use their own homes to welcome visitors from near and far. Three houses have been completed, two more are under construction, and many more people will be supported through this project.

From the moment he received the invitation to participate in "artifying" the existing concrete walls in the village, artist Phuong Vu Manh immediately appeared. For 10 consecutive days, he challenged himself to create on the factory wall leading into the village, an indispensable highlight that captivated the public's visual senses. Following him were artists Nguyen Minh Hieu, Nguyen Doanh Ninh, and others…

And so, for the first time, the public will be able to enjoy art amidst a tea plantation, in a plum orchard, or peeking from under a thatched palm roof, behind a branch of peach blossoms... Everything can change, but art is eternal. We believe that every dream can come true if you truly dare to dream.

The project's creators are artists.

Pianist Pho An My is no longer an unfamiliar name to the Vietnamese public, known for her skillful piano playing and her captivating performances that challenge the limits of creativity. In 2019, while coincidentally staying in Chieng Di, she was captivated by the pristine and charming beauty of the area, and decided to settle there as a way to connect with nature. The community project was born as a natural consequence, a thank you, an expression of gratitude from the artists to the land that has harmonized with and nurtured their souls. Other participating artists include Quyen Thien Dac, painter Phuong Vu Manh, painter Nguyen Minh Hieu, painter Nguyen Doanh Ninh, painter Nguyen Thi Thao Nguyen, painter Tran Thi Thu, painter Huynh Le Nhat Tan, and Tran Xuan Hoa.