The exhibition “Forming Identity,” by artist Minh Dam, is now on display at the iconic Temple of Literature in Hanoi, marking 75 years of Vietnam–Poland diplomatic ties and celebrating the cultural dialogue that has long connected the two nations.
The solo exhibition, running until December 26, brings together more than 200 watercolor works created by Minh Dam over the past two decades. It is the first time his pieces have been presented in Vietnam in such a curated and expansive format, offering visitors a quiet journey through memory, place and heritage.
Visitors at the exhibition “Forming Identity” by artist Minh Dam. Photo: Lao Dong Thu Do
Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek said Minh Dam represents a generation born in Vietnam but raised, educated, and living in Poland, embodying a distinct cultural duality.
“Minh Dam’s personal journey, shaped by experiences moving between Poland and Vietnam, is beautifully reflected in the exhibition’s theme ‘Forming Identity.’ It shows how identity can be enriched, rather than divided, when one belongs to two cultures,” she said.
As an artist shaped by both Vietnamese and Polish cultural spaces, Minh Dam has become a vivid symbol of artistic conversation between the two countries, the Ambassador added.
Following the opening ceremony, a gala concert by Poland’s OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra filled the Temple of Literature with festive brass sounds. Founded in 1998, the ensemble is regarded as one of the finest brass bands in Poland and Europe.
Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature, said the blend of Vietnamese painting and Polish music underscores the enduring value of cultural diplomacy, where art becomes a bridge that nurtures understanding and mutual respect.
The exhibition is accompanied by a series of interactive experiences, including calendar-painting workshops, tea-tasting sessions, Christmas card making, red-envelope painting at the Temple of Literature, folk-art activities, watercolor demonstrations, and guided tours with Minh Dam himself, offering visitors a richer encounter with both the artworks and the artist’s story.
By Nhat Khanh
