The third edition of Da Lat’s annual Pho Ben Doi art exhibition will feature more than 125 artworks by nearly 50 young, well-known Vietnamese and international artists and experts in archeology, architecture, and music from December 8, 2018 to February 28, 2019.

Pho Ben Doi, or “The City On Hill,” is an inter- and multidisciplinary community art event established with a vision to transform the romantic resort city into one of Southeast Asia’s most unique and cultural destinations.

Part of reaching this goal means using the event’s contemporary art displays, community activities, and tourist-focused programs to raise public awareness of urban heritage preservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

This year’s Pho Ben Doi will be in its third iteration, and event organizers plan to celebrate their success over the past three years by expanding to a scale worthy of the city’s 125th anniversary, which happens to coincide with the event. 

Pho Ben Doi’s 2018 theme, “Relive the Time," is also a means of honoring the city’s past.

This year’s program is expected to attract around 45,000 visitors to Cau Dat Farm, a 100-year-old tea and coffee plantation situated about 24 kilometers to the southeast of the city.

A photo of the oil painting “An tuong Sakura” (Impression of Sakura) by Nguyen Anh Duc

“We want to nurture heritage pride and cultivate awareness of preserving heritage through the use of contemporary art forms,” Nguyen Trung Hien, founder of Pho Ben Doi, said at a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

The show will also host the Vietnam affiliate of Urban Sketchers - a global community of artists that focuses on the storytelling and educational value of on-location drawing in the cities, towns and villages they live in or travel to.

Speaking at the press conference, architect Vu Duc Chien, founder of the Vietnam Urban Sketchers, shared that his artist community “will go [around Da Lat] and create sketches during the event” that “reflect the artists’ impressions of the city.”

“Heritage sites, buildings, alleys, public transportation, and street food are all familiar images that reflect Da Lat’s urban charm,” Chien said.

“However, the pace of our modern lives has unintentionally swept away these spiritual and material values, so we want to open up a playground to bring together and keep these core values,” the architect added.

Pho Ben Doi will also host several various workshops, side events, and handicraft and souvenir stalls.

A photo of the water color painting “Qua Da Lat” (Da Lat Specialty) by artist Bui Thanh Thuan

A photo of the acrylic painting “Thap chuong Yersin” (Yersin Bell Tower) by Nguyen Thuyen

A photo of the acrylic painting “Hoa dao” (Peach Flowers) by artist Lieu Nguyen Huong Duong

A photo of the water color painting “Suong Pho” (Urban Fog) by artist Doan Quoc

A photo of the oil painting “Ngoai o” (Suburb) by artist Le Kinh Tai

A photo of the painting “Di qua mua da quy" (Pass by the Wild Sunflowers) by artist Bao Huynh

A photo of the oil painting “Vang son” (Golden) by artist Nguyen The Thong

A photo of the water color painting “Ga Da Lat” (Da Lat Station) by artist Bao Huynh

A photo of the oil painting “Pho hoa” (Flower Street) by artist Nguyen Yen Phi

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!