This is a recent project of mine, presented by watercolor and pencil on 300gsm Canson paper during my trip across Vietnam in the Lunar New Year. From what I experienced from the trip, I chose to illustrate 5 of my most favourite locations with their very own signature outfits, weather and characteristics.
These drawings are intended for sketchbook cover, postcard and other artprint good (Please follow me on my website for more information)
These drawings are intended for sketchbook cover, postcard and other artprint good (Please follow me on my website for more information)
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SAPA
My trip began from the North and went all the way down to Southern Vietnam. SAPA – LAOCAI – a place 1600 meter higher than the sea level with all year round mist, was the first inspiration for my drawings. This is a well-known location for tourists but foremost, this is the home for many minority tribes. The outfit in my illustration is the traditional wear of the H’mong – an ethnic minority that left an unforgettable impression on me during my stay from their lifestyle, behaviours, their admirable skills in handcrafted goods to their traditional festival.
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HANOI
This… is Hanoi – capital of Vietnam and where I am currently resides. What makes me fell in love with this city is that chilly cold you feel on your cheeks every winter morning. It’s not too freezing but somehow it makes me feel so refreshed when I wake up and reach out aimlessly for my coat. Moreover, in my mind, this city landscape impressed me as blocks of old apartment stack on each other; growing bigger and bigger, continuing to “multiply” when each family expands their home. And somehow, it became such a unique beauty for this city.
HUE
Hue is the old capital of Vietnam, where multiple historical sites combined to create one of the must-visit place for tourists. You can get a glimpse of the ancient times through those old castles and antique villas. Surrounding the old capital are numerous lotus ponds; and when they bloom, you can smell that lingering aroma along with the mesmerising scenery of Hue. If you mention Hue to any Vietnamese, they will describe to you the image of beautiful women in “ao dai” – a well-known traditional outfit in Vietnam. With this drawing, I tried the simplest approach to illustrate the honesty and friendliness of the people in Hue with that special ambience of the city that touched my very soul.
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HOI AN
This could easily be my most favourite place – Hoi An – an ancient town in Quang Nam Province. You can find here those tiny old houses, lying next to each others with those creeper vines attach to the wall and rise to the top, brimming with life. The atmosphere here is so quiet and peaceful. One of the main attractions in Hoi An is lantern which was handcrafted by the people here, both for sales and personal use. Thousands of lanterns in the night shined through this small town will surely be one of most beautiful sights I can see in my life.
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SAI GON
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Sai Gon, its old name, is the largest city in Southern Vietnam. The city can be simply described as lively and festive. They called Sai Gon “the city that never sleeps” to sum up the exciting night life between the skyscrapers, the streets that full of people, the parks, the corners, the 24-hour coffee shop…. All of which makes this city so special, so youthful, so eager to change. This city does not have winter, so the people here wear an additional shirt sometimes just to get the feeling that the cold is coming. That’s why I chose to illustrate Sai Gon through a simple shirt with the highlight of Sai Gon Notre-Dame Basilica (nhà thờ Đức Bà) – my favourite architecture icon.
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