Join us for this panel discussion and artist talk to learn about Vietnam's contemporary art, craft and design practices and new directions.

Facilitated by Thao Nguyen from the School of Art at RMIT, the discussion will feature emerging artist and designer Võ Thanh Tiến, whose work is on show at First Site Gallery, and Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, the Director at the Centre for Cultural Industries and Contemporary Art at the Vietnam National Institute for Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS).

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha has been working as a researcher at the Vietnam National Institute for Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS) since 2004. She obtained her Master's Degree in Public Policy from Korea in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Cultural Management from Vietnam in 2016. Since 2012, she has been actively involved as a core member in various projects that have significantly impacted the development of cultural and creative industries in Vietnam. Some notable projects include the National Strategy for the Development of Cultural Industries in Vietnam, Cultural and Creative Hubs Vietnam (funded by the EU, implemented by the British Council Vietnam in partnership with VICAS, 2018-2021), Vietnam Festival of Creativity and Design (est.2019), Vietnam Design Week (est.2020), đây/đó (here/there) project (2020-2024).Dr. Nguyen is also a member of the EU/UNESCO Expert Facility (for Stream II Culture|2030 Indicators) for the 2023-2026 term. As UNESCO's regional expert, she supported Vietnam and Hue City in implementing the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators pilot project in Vietnam and Hue City in 2022. Currently, Dr. Nguyen holds the position of Director at the Centre for Cultural Industries and Contemporary Art. In this role, she contributes to Vietnam's arts and cultural scene by offering diverse programs for artists and the creative community such as exhibitions, performances, training courses, talks &discussions, seminars and conferences, and art projects.

Võ Thanh Tiến is a Vietnamese designer with a passion for developing high-quality sustainable and functional products, particularly in the realm of lighting. Her work draws inspiration from the rich traditions and natural materials of Vietnam's craft villages. She believes that good design should not only be functional but also convey a sense of positivity and utility in people's lives. Tiến comes from Hòa Bình, a mountainous area often referred to as ‘the green land.’ This region is considered the cradle of Ancient Vietnam, associated with the origins of the land and water. The hamlet preserves many original customs and traditions of the Dao Tien people, including brocade embroidery and rice paper making. Tiến's lamps are made from natural materials from Hòa Bình, meticulously crafted to highlight their inherent beauty and strength. Tiến’s practice reflects her commitment to preserving cultural heritage through modern design, balancing form and function to demonstrate the important role of craft in contemporary design, and her dedication to sustainable design practices.