Viet nam (Socialist Republic of)

In 2026, Viet Nam makes its first official appearance at the Biennale Arte, opening a new space for dialogue within the global contemporary art scene.

The project presents Vietnamese art as a dynamic, evolving practice, where tradition is continually reinterpreted through contemporary approaches. At its heart is Vietnamese lacquer, a material with a history dating back to the 15th–16th centuries. Early artisans combined meticulous techniques with materials such as then lacquer, cochineal, cinnabar, gold and silver leaf, and mother-of-pearl, originally used in decorative and sacred objects. Over time, artists expanded the palette to include eggshell, bamboo, and other materials, while refining multi-layer polishing techniques, creating surfaces that carry the depth of time and memory.

In contemporary practice, lacquer extends beyond painting into installation. Le Huu Hieu, one of the ten participating artists, integrates lacquer reliefs, wooden sculptures, traditional architectural forms, and living materials, forming an ecosystem where seemingly opposing elements coexist. Here, contrasts are not erased but transformed into a harmonious process, where tension becomes a possibility of coexistence.