Inspiring – Openasia Group

NGUYEN THI NHUNG AND THE EMBODIMENT OF AN ‘ENERGY TRADER’

Tuan Le — Thu, 18 May 2023 07:47:14 +0000

“The human body is deeply interconnected, and to me, the hands are the most significant part.”

When I first started working at Openasia or Tam Son and was exposed to several luxury companies, I was perplexed as to why their items were so pricey. Whether it was a purse or apparel, everything seemed to be more expensive than I thought was reasonable. Later, as I traveled further, I discovered, “Oh, there are many handmade values behind those items, and that’s the value of a pair of hands”.

For me, the pair of hands represents a clear connection between the brain to create a product that touches the hearts of its users and to see it. Furthermore, I also have a personal meaning to this image. When I became CEO three years ago, I had to define basic components (including the vision, mission, core values, etc.) of the company, and while I was working on the core values with my team, I immediately realized that all Openasia‘s ideals are encapsulated within a pair of hands.

I frequently tell an amusing story to my employees to remind them that “Going to work is like doing energy business.” We go to work and arrive at the workplace joyfully in the morning, but when we encounter an unpleasant boss, a grouchy coworker, or an obstinate employee, we become frustrated. When we got home at the end of the day, our energy was depleted, and our smile was no longer as bright as it had been in the morning. Mothers and wives would sometimes return home and vent their frustrations on their spouses or children. To me, that is a day of labor with a lack of energy. As a result, I established a culture at Openasia: where I work, I have the opportunity to learn and create an environment where energy becomes more beautiful every day. We are only a ray of light, but if we take care of it, that ray of light will shine brilliantly and beautifully.

"Going to work is like doing energy business."

THREE TREES TURN INTO A MOUNTAIN

Tuan Le — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 09:56:27 +0000

Three longtime friends with a strong business partnership have built Openasia Group into a top-tier ecosystem of products and services serving a high-end lifestyle in Vietnam.

Openasia Hanoi is a seven-story office building designed with a spacious layout, like other creative companies. Located in a small alley in Hai Ba Trung district, the building stands out with its front adorned with sparkling decorative pieces, reflecting in the sunlight.

The lobby of the building boasts of exquisite flower arrangements while the bookshelves showcase an impressive collection of books covering a wide range of topics such as business management, work-life balance, and happiness. The walls are adorned with several frames that capture significant moments of Openasia’s leadership collaborating with luxury brands, including the renowned Patek Philippe watches and Hanoia’s in-house developed brand products. Despite being familiar with several world-renowned brands, many are still unaware of Openasia Group, the official distributor of numerous luxury brands in Vietnam’s market through its subsidiary, Tam Son International Company (meaning Three Mountains).

“The Vietnamese have a saying: “One tree does not make a forest. Three trees together make a tall mountain.” That is certainly us. Three elements work together to create movement and growth. Because of the certainty of stability, everyone in the company feels safe. We become forests and mountains because the three elements form the foundation. That is our secret”, Mr. Doan Viet Dai Tu, Chairman of Openasia Group, revealed during an exclusive interview with Forbes Vietnam alongside the two co-founders.

In Vietnam, Openasia Group currently offers a premium lifestyle product and service ecosystem. The Openasia Group was founded in 1994 as a financial consulting firm by three co-founders: Mr. Doan Viet Dai Tu (French, with a Vietnamese father and a French mother), Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung (CEO), and Mr. Christian de Ruty (French, Managing Director). Despite dealing in well-known luxury items, all three co-founders have kept a low media profile. They exuded a sophisticated and stylish appearance in their first official interview appearance, typical of people with extensive knowledge of aesthetics and fashion.

During a three-hour conversation, they opened up about their nearly 30-year journey building Openasia Group, while remaining cautious and humble – an attitude Mr. Dai Tu attributes to their experience collaborating with well-known brands around the world. Openasia Group currently employs approximately 1,500 people and operates 10 companies, over 60 high-end stores, yacht marinas, and restaurants, five joint ventures, four hotels and resorts focused on the health improvement industry. Tam Son stands out among the Openasia Group members as the market’s leading retailer of luxury goods, currently distributing around 25 international brands. The company’s distribution network is located on central streets, prime shopping centers, and the most luxurious hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Tam Son distributes many well-known brands, including Hermès, Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, Bottega Veneta, and Vacheron Constantin.

Dinh Mai Linh – Tam Son’s CEO – stated that the company accounts for more than half of Openasia’s revenue. Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world in terms of the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, according to a Knight Frank report released in late 2022, estimating the period from 2020 to 2025. Meanwhile, McKinsey’s report “Asia’s Future – The New Face of Vietnamese Consumers” mentions the emergence of a new consumer class in Vietnam, estimating that 37 million middle-class consumers will exist by 2030.

As a result, the high-end product distribution market in Vietnam is rapidly expanding. In addition to Tam Son, there are several other notable names: Imex Pan Pacific (IPPG), led by businessman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, is currently distributing more than 100 fashion brands in Vietnam, including Rolex, Cartier, Bally, and Burberry…; Maison Retail Management International (MRMI), founded and operated by Pham Thi Mai Son, is currently distributing about 20 international fashion brands, including Charles & Keith, Perdo, Coach, and Converse; Havang Fashion Joint Stock Company founded and led by Chau Nguyen for nearly 20 years, notable with Furla, Geox, Native branded products.

“I think every aspect of the luxury industry in Vietnam will grow, exactly as we saw China 15 years ago. All brands will open more stores”, said Milind Jhaveri, director of Fineese Impex Ltd., which has distributed diamonds and jewelry to leading Vietnamese retailers for the past 20 years. According to Mr. Milind, this company has grown at a 50% annual rate over the last six years. “The next decade belongs to Vietnam”, he told Forbes Vietnam in an email interview.

According to Harry Morant, CEO of Buy2Sell, a B2B e-commerce platform specializing in importing goods into Vietnam, international brands rely on distribution partners’ ability to develop and invest in expansion. The system has a well-developed road map, local market knowledge, a strong team, and an effective management system. “The challenge for foreign businesses is understanding the business culture, dealing with the many processes, regulations, and locality in a vibrant and growing retail market like Vietnam,” Harry explained. Despite the excitement, the retail market in Vietnam is still in its early stages of development.

The market’s allure draws many luxury brands from world-renowned corporations, including LVMH, Kering, and Richemont. Although it can cost several million dollars to open a store, the market attracts luxury fashion brands with high-end leather goods, watches, jewelry, and luxury cars. According to Savills Hanoi, they began researching and consulting in December 2018 to find space for two flagship stores of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior from December 2018 to April 2020.

One of the significant challenges with the model of importing and distributing genuine products directly to consumers is having high-class premises commensurate with super luxury brands. Because it operates in a field with high rental costs, Openasia does not own real estate and instead focuses on expanding the ecosystem.

The three Openasia founders continually reinvest accumulated profits back into the company because “believe in their-self and have hope in this country”. “Having a reputation in the long run, brands will come to us because they know we are sincere and hardworking, and we are not using the brand for personal gain or to make ourselves famous. Our company serves brands in order to serve customers. Working in this industry humbles us,” Mr. Dai Tu said about the founders’ business philosophy.

According to Statista, the luxury goods market in Vietnam is expected to generate more than 957 million USD this year, representing a 2.9% increase. Over the next five years, growth is expected to average 3.3% per year, surpassing the $1 billion mark by 2025. The sector will also change, with commodity prices expected to fall after New-generation trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA, and RCEP enter into force, lowering tariff barriers for luxury goods (the current price gap between Vietnam and the rest of the world is around 30%).

The COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed the market for luxury goods. Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of IPPG, recently shared with the media that IPPG Fashion’s 2022 revenue increased 64% to 5,132 billion dong, with a pre-tax profit of 423 billion dong, the highest profit since before. “We are currently in a very good financial position, do not have any loan because we adhere to many principles from the beginning: do not use leverage, only invest when maybe, expand new products because the market needs it, because it has money to cover it and does not put the company in jeopardy,” Mr. Dai Tu said.

Regulations restricting cross-border travel during the pandemic promote luxury shopping trends in Vietnam. Tam Son was forced to close stores for two months in Hanoi and four months in Ho Chi Minh City due to COVID-19, but this silence has created an opportunity for brands to talk to customers about personality and brand values. “COVID-19 allows us to build a stronger relationship with our customers,” said Mr. Christian de Ruty.

One of their notable activities is Hermès Carré Club exhibition at Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, which occurred in October 2022, attracting approximately 6,000 visitors over three days to learn about designs, artisans, and creative ideas. “I am present every day. The fact that everyone is queuing, from VIPs to casual guests and also students, is fantastic. “They are curious and learn about a big brand that they would not normally have the opportunity to,” Mr. Dai Tu said. The luxury goods market is highly personalized, with buyers frequently returning. Activities that increase brand awareness are a new way of doing things that, when combined with an improved in-store experience, can help them build stronger relationships with loyal customers.

The development of Openasia is based on the three founders’ 30-year long-term partnership. Mr. Christian de Ruty and Mr. Dai Tu have been friends since high school, majored in finance in France, and founded their first company when they were 23 years old. They met Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhung, the other co-founder, in Paris, where she graduated from the ESCP College of Business. Openasia is a subsidiary of the French investment bank Lazard Frères, which they acquired in 1998 after the bank withdrew from the market after the Asian financial crisis.

With their business acumen and available expertise, they built Openasia into a financial consulting service and heavy industrial equipment company that met Vietnam’s massive development and reconstruction needs at the time. Many large corporations that come to Vietnam to do business are advised by Openasia. “We know how appealing Vietnam is to investors,” Mr. Dai Tu said. Vietnam’s economy is gradually opening up for integration, making travel more convenient and improving understanding of the world, forming a class of people who can afford high-quality products and high-quality service.

With a shared passion for the Kenzo, they actively sought collaboration opportunities in 2007 during a trip to Paris, and Kenzo became one of the first brands they distributed in Vietnam. They sold Kenzo products in the “concept store,” a brand-new concept at the time, along with Emilio Pucci, Korrloff, and La Perla. They then expanded into new brands, with Hermès entering Vietnam via Tam Son in 2008. To this day, all three founders own equal shares in the company. “With different social backgrounds, it appears that we cannot get along, but it turns out that this relationship creates diversity,” Mr. Dai Tu explained.

Pioneering is a feature of Openasia’s developmental DNA. Despite Vietnam’s 3,260km of coastline and interlaced river system, professional yachting is a relatively new high-end service segment. Since 2017, Openasia has launched Tamson Yachting, which provides this service. “We have always been a pioneer, preferring to be a little ahead of the market,” Mr. Dai Tu explained when he decided to invest in yachts. Tamson Yachting currently operates two marinas and offers full-service services, as well as testing the first yachts designed and built in Vietnam.

They operate Press Club restaurant next to Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Alba Wellness Valley (Hue) hotel and mineral water brand specializing in health care and rehabilitation, and investment strategy into the Toong coworking space chain. The chairman of Openasia Group is named after his hometown of Dai Tu village in Hoang Mai district (Hanoi). When he returned to Vietnam for the first time in 1991, he described his dream as follows: “I want to bring knowledge and expertise from outside to Vietnam, but also from Vietnam to outside, combining “three gold points” includes golden hands (golden hands, craft techniques), design thinking (golden brain), and favorable nature (golden land). These are the starting points for Openasia to create Alba mineral water, a brand that now competes with well-known mineral water brands from Italy and France.

After producing lacquer items for a super luxury fashion house since 1997, Openasia launched Hanoia in 2016 to capitalize on the strengths of Vietnamese craftsmanship and traditional heritage. With their youthful colors and eye-catching designs, they bring new appeal to the market. “The big brands have taught us a lot, from color mixing to design, story telling, or marketing,” said Mrs. Nhung, who was dressed in a black Lanh My A silk gown, a handmade product of the company. Openasia intends to market its own brands in foreign markets.

Mrs. Nhung focuses on developing human resources, leadership teams, and corporate culture based on five pillars that are equivalent to five fingers on one hand: positive attitude, passion, excellence, creativity, and sustainability.

“The most important thing I’ve learned from working with big brands, particularly family-owned ones, is that they have very strong legacies and values that are passed down from generation to generation. They remain committed to product excellence, with no regard for profit. That’s something I find very touching,” Mrs. Nhung said. Many of the Openasia brands distributed by Tam Son are owned and operated independently by long-standing families. It also makes them more concerned with laying the groundwork for long-term development for the next generation. Two of the co-founders have already returned.

After 14 years of studying and working abroad, Dinh Mai Linh, 33 years old, daughter of Mrs. Nhung, has been the CEO of Tam Son, a business segment with over 500 employees, for a year now. One of Mr. Christian’s sons was working at the Press Club restaurant.

“In terms of people, I admire the three founders for their energy. They are always open, eager to learn, and enjoy exploring new things and opportunities,” Mai Linh said. What is it that has kept the founders together for nearly 30 years? “We have mutual trust and respect. When one of us has a different opinion than the other two, we assume that the person with the opposite opinion is smarter than us. We pay attention to one another. This is extremely rare” Mr. Dai Tu said.

Christian stated that he wanted to include the phrase “we care – we care about each other”. Partnerships with ultra-luxury fashion houses and high-end brands help to keep all three fresh, and their curiosity and eagerness for life also leads to good opportunities. “Every day, we learn more about brands. They are leading me with all of their hearts. It’s my luck”, Mrs. Nhung explained.

The first generation of Openasia Group customers has reached the age of 60, and they are continuing to expand their customer base to the younger generations of Gen Y and Gen Z. New brands with young aesthetic tastes from Korea have been introduced. Customers are much more cautious when traveling and shopping, and the Internet helps customers connect and provide a wealth of information and knowledge.

“The market will continue to grow because there is a demand for it,” Mr. Christian de Ruty predicted. They will concentrate on raising the quality of Openasia’s products and services, making the company more appealing, and attracting qualified personnel to participate. Then, expand into areas that can add value to customers, and create or participate in the creation of local brands that are meaningful to Vietnamese people. “We have to put a lot of diligence to enter the luxury goods business. All of our activities, time, efforts, and lives are spent building this ecosystem brick by brick. We will not change our operations and will continue to do so”, Mr. Dai Tu stated.

Source: forbes.vn

Tom Trandt – Making new path out of familiar things

Tuan Le — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 09:01:04 +0000

Tom Trandt is a talented and young Vietnamese designer best known for his brand Moi Dien. Since the launch, Tom Trandt and his brand Moi Dien have captured the hearts of people in Vietnam who love fashion and work in the fashion industry. In a new role – Art Director of Hanoia, the young designer has high expectations for his time working with this traditional handicraft brand, specialize in lacquer.

Tom Trandt’s endless fashion journey

Tom Trandt’s fashion career is a series of uninterrupted days. After graduating from Parsons School of Design with a fashion design degree, Tom Trandt returned to Vietnam and began developing his own brand Moidien in 2016. Tom also received a huge number of notable achievements when studying at Parsons – one of the best fashion design schools in the world.

The way he presents his designs embodies the spirit of daring – daring to think, daring to do, and daring to strive for perfection. Tom’s brand has been embraced by fashionistas all over the world. Through the released collections, his new perspective on style and the image of young people took shape. Moidien’s popularity is reflected in specific sales, not just media accolades.

Tom Trandt “breaks” the familiar forms of clothes to create unique designs with his own style. He employs Moidien to unleash “rebellion” through his own aesthetic philosophy. His “rebellion” is clearly expressed in designs and the messages, which are delivered in a subtle but bold manner.

Introducing modern fashion personality into traditional craftsmanship

When Tom Trandt was appointed Art Director at Hanoia, a brand known for traditional Vietnamese handmade lacquer products, he stated, “Working in a craft house such as Hanoia is a fantastic opportunity. Not all young designers have the chance to work in such a unique “pressure” environment on a continuous basis. Hanoia provides me the opportunity to become a more versatile designer who is not restricted to a single design style”.

Hanoia is a handcrafted house with traditional values that are always present in its one-of-a-kind product sets. Hanoia, with the mission of preserving traditional craft techniques, wins the hearts of those who appreciate long-lasting beauty. Rather than following fashion trends, Hanoia takes the time to learn each material and technique, laying the groundwork for manufacturing products that meet timeless aesthetic standards. As an outstanding handicraft house, Hanoia does not intend to rest on its laurels, but instead has a long-term plan for growth in the near future, with the goal of becoming an international fashion house.

The pairing of Hanoia and Tom Trandt is an audacious move for a brand like Hanoia, attempting to reach out to a younger clientele. Customers at Hanoia come from all generations, but they all share a special love for traditional culture and know how to appreciate beauty. “Hanoia aims at a young community in big cities, over 30 years old,” said Tom Trandt: “In my imagination, they are very active people who love to try new things and are always looking for ways to enrich their spiritual life.”

Although Tom Trandt is unfamiliar with lacquer or Lanh My A – the pride of Hanoia, but he admits that he will need more practice and experimentation in the future to truly understand the spirit and character of Lanh My A. As a young designer, Tom looks forward to new challenges because that is how he pushes himself. Hanoia believes that entrusting the brand’s future orientation to an inexperienced young designer with the brand’s core values will bring many interesting surprises in the future.

Hanoia also recently opened the brand’s newest flagship store at Diamond Plaza Shopping Center (Ho Chi Minh City), ushering in a new and youthful Hanoia 2.0 look. The open space with unique design elements highlights the display areas, providing a new brand experience while also conveying a youthful spirit to everyone.

“Always finding ways to surpass the norm is a lifestyle, which is inherently human nature. Youth is defined by recklessness and an exploratory spirit. With the first collections, I focused on trying to find a new way of writing from familiar words. Once I’ve mastered the technique, I’ll be able to incorporate my own voice into the product and hope that my personality in Hanoia comes across more clearly”, Tom Trandt shared.

Talking about masterpieces of time

Tuan Le — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:05:52 +0000

Being the most prestigious in the world, limited production, handcrafted with rare materials – Patek Philippe watches are luxury items that many people aspire to own. To be able to appreciate these miniature masterpieces with their own eyes is no longer a dream of watch collectors in Vietnam, as recently, Patek Philippe has opened a second store in this market, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Flying a long way from Geneva (Switzerland) to Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Thierry Stern – the fourth President of the Patek Philippe – entered the store with a friendly smile: “Let’s have coffee, shall we?”. In a cozy space showcasing the famous watch manufacturer’s creations, the story of the brand’s heritage spanning nearly two centuries was revealed.

Opening the second store in Vietnam, what does Patek Philippe expect from this market?

Mr. Thierry Stern: Last time I came to Vietnam, I had the opportunity to talk with Patek Philippe’s partners here. Their deep understanding and passion for watches impressed me. That’s really what we were looking for for a long-term partnership. Patek Philippe always seeks to partner with the best retailers in the world, who truly know the brand and can explain to customers how valuable owning a Patek Philippe is.

Patek Philippe watches are produced in limited quantities. How does the brand meet the needs of new stores, and more broadly, new markets?

Mr. Thierry Stern: As you said, our production quantity is not large enough. But I’m not worried, because I know Patek Philippe’s customers are in possession of masterpieces. It can take six months, maybe a year to own a dream watch. Be patient, because great works take time to create. Just like parents, they have to wait 9 months for the birth of their babies (laughs).

But if the production quantity is kept limited, are you worried that this will promote the "gray market", which is unofficial distribution channels?

Mr. Thierry Stern: The question is: How do Patek Philippe watches end up in the gray market? The key here is that a certain retailer sells a watch to the wrong person. What we’re doing is buying Patek Philippe watches on the gray market, then going back to the retailers: “Who did you sell it to? And why did you choose this person?”. You have to understand who you’re selling to – that’s the only way to control this market. That’s also the reason we want to work with local retailers, because they understand their customers, and it’s their responsibility to tell them: “Dear sir, I’m selling you something precious. Please keep it for yourself, don’t sell for money!”.

Patek Philippe is a family company. As the fourth generation, how have you continued and developed the legacy of the Stern family?

Mr. Thierry Stern: “You are not obliged if you are not willing to”. That’s what my dad used to say. What matters is who I am, am I passionate, and am I ready to take on this responsibility? My answer is “Yes”. Since the age of 12, I have dreamed of making watches, I love designing and finding ideas for new watches. Then I need to do what I believe is right for the brand. This is something I learned from my father, and is also the key to Patek Philippe’s success.

And will you also pass this down to your two sons?

Mr. Thierry Stern: Of course. But on the other hand, as a family company, you can’t do it alone. You need good partners, experts and advisors who are willing to become a member of Patek Philippe. Stay true to your family’s identity, and trust those who work with you. That’s what I always tell my sons. I never force them, what I give them is a good education, and then the choice is theirs. It took me 20 years to understand the whole family business, so will my children. They need to take it slowly, but firmly. Not only watches, what I want to pass down to my children is a beautiful world.

How has Patek Philippe maintained the brand for two centuries?

Mr. Thierry Stern: I grew up in a family that owns the Patek Philippe brand, that was a privilege for me to understand the products and try to create new timepieces by listening to the customers. Speaking of a Patek Philippe watch, we are talking about the efforts of thousands of people in the handcrafting process. We wanted to create the most precise angles, with the most beautiful and delicate movements. As a brand with a legacy passed down through generations, customers can rest assured that Patek Philippe always has me behind, and my two sons, one day, will be there too.

Many watch manufacturers are shifting their business to e-commerce, will Patek Philippe follow this trend?

Mr. Thierry Stern: When you buy a watch, I believe you may want to have coffee with someone and talk about it. I am not ready to just lie in bed and order food, drinks, and even watches. That’s not what I call “life”. Just like instead of taking the time to talk to you today, I could have stayed in Geneva, and we could meet online. But then, everything would be different. That’s also why we opened this lovely store – where watch collectors can meet, admire, and talk about timepieces.

From Hermès’ petit h to “New Look New Laque” by Hanoia

Tuan Le — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:17:14 +0000

From 25th November to 1st December, “New Look New Laque” exhibition by Hanoia was held at Hanoi Exhibition & Information Centre. The event showcased collaborated works of art between Hanoia and famous artist Gilles Jonemann, one of the designers who laid the foundation for Hermès’ petit h project.

Gilles Jonemann – the man who revives the beauty of the past

Born in 1944 in Geneva, a beautiful city in southwestern Switzerland, Gilles Jonemann was educated at the Ecole des Arts Appliques in Paris (France) and at an academy in Aix-en-Provence (France). His whole life is dedicated to collecting special materials such as seashells, sea urchins, fragments or nuts and seeds from all over the world and then crafting them into exquisite and unique jewelry featuring Gille’s personality.

Gilles Jonemann was named “Maitre d’art” (Master of Arts) by the French Ministry of Culture in 2004. This is a prestigious lifetime reward for outstanding professionals in the field of art and craft, with exceptional expertise and ability to pass on their knowledge.Gilles Jonemann was named “Maitre d’art” (Master of Arts) by the French Ministry of Culture in 2004. This is a prestigious lifetime reward for outstanding professionals in the field of art and craft, with exceptional expertise and ability to pass on their knowledge.

Gilles Jonemann’s journey has taken him to many places around the world not only to serve his travel interests but also to connect him with many companies and artists in Nicaragua, Madagascar, Mali and most recently Vietnam. In addition, he has cooperated with many high-end brands such as Morabito, Per Spook, Issey Miyaké and started taking part in sustainable projects for Hermès’ petit h since 2007.

Gilles Jonemann’s creative eye has brought new life to old pieces, transforming them into new works of art to embellish human life.

“I love old things that deep inside shines the humble beauty of the past”, shared Gilles. It’s that humble beauty that has inspired him to prolong the life cycle of all creations.

Hanoia – a Vietnamese brand associated with sustainable values

Being a young brand, Hanoia cherishes an ambition to preserve the local traditional culture. The brand is proud to be the leading high-end craft manufacturer in Vietnam which wants to rely on Vietnamese young talents to be highly appreciated by the world. Rooted in the Vietnamese art of making lacquer, Hanoia has constantly revived ancient inspirations through contemporary shapes, colors, patterns and techniques in its diverse products and collections.

Over the time, Hanoia has contributed to honoring the uniqueness of pure Vietnamese materials, symbolic motifs of Asian culture and at the same time bringing Vietnamese lacquerware to the world. It was the result of a non-stop working process and an eagerness to learn new skills and knowledge to better improve themselves of Hanoia’s craftsmen.

When Gilles Jonemann and Hanoia look forward to “New Look New Laque” exhibition

“New Look New Laque” exhibition displays 24 unique works including Hanoia’s old vases, trays and large bowls which were meticulously crafted using traditional lacquerware techniques. Gilles Jonmann combined those objects with pieces of pottery, iron, brocade scraps, heaping hooks, handmade grass cutters, bamboo fish trap models of the previous century… He has collected these pieces during his journey to ancient villages, antique stores and construction sites… in Vietnam.

These small pieces were imbued with element of time and reflected the spirit of Vietnamese culture; when assembling with lacquer pieces of Hanoia, they become unique works that touch the heart of art lovers.

The 24 contemporary works on display at “New Look New Laque” exhibition coincide with the 24-hour time element in a day, connecting the present with the past to remind us to cherish every moment of life. Visitors may have different thoughts about the same work, but all will feel the joy and miracles in life. From Dancers, Gold Rice, Ocean to Rest, Time…, all made of the artist’s thinking of proportions and great imagination.

“New Look New Laque” exhibition is open to public from 25th November to 1st December at Hanoi Exhibition & Information Centre at 93 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

CORONAVIRUS AND THE LESSON FOR POSITIVE THINKING

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 04:41:44 +0000

The 4th wave of coronavirus hit Vietnam like a storm, sweeping through Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces. At first, people thought, at most after a month, this virus would be defeated like many times before, and life would return to normal quickly.

But one month, two months, then three months, the number of FOs in Ho Chi Minh City and some neighboring provinces didn’t show signs of cooling down; the number of patients who didn’t come over this disease is increasing; many families have been separated; many children suddenly became orphans after only a week.

We begin to move from fearless indifference to excessive anxiety and stress. What if this coronavirus attacks our family? What to prepare? Who to call? How to deal with it? If we can’t survive, oh my god, what will happen???

There is a simple, effective medicine that can cure all diseases and that we have long forgotten: think positively, follow an optimist life, stay calm and confident in any difficult situation. Every problem has its solution and there are always many hands ready to help us.

That’s what 3 F0s of Openasia (Ngoc Phan, Thanh Van va Duong Tu) wants to share with all of us from the heart of the pandemic. That’s also an important core value that Openasia is.

VIETNAM IN THE EYES OF JEAN-JACQUES PICART

admin — Wed, 01 May 2019 10:26:06 +0000

« The beauty of Vietnamese women remains a reference in Asia »

Passionate for anecdotes and stories, one of prestigious figures of the fashion world shared with us his personal description about Vietnam, through impressions of yersterday and today.

Born in Cambodia to a Vietnamese mother and a French father, married to a famous Eurasian journalist, Jean-Jacques Picart is a personality in the world of luxury, who has been known internationally for giving advice to the most prestigious fashion designers (his assistants, Christian Lacroix and Hedi Slimane, owed their reputation to him, among many others).

Consultant of Bernard Arnault (chief executive of LVMH group) for more than twenty years, he has greatly contributed to the success of numerous luxury brands – Thierry Mugler, Shiseido, Chloé, Kenzo, Carven, Hermès…

He is one of the persons behind the stage who have built the fashion and for him, Vietnam has been anchored in his memory as an intimate garden.

Then, Jean Jacques Picart talks about Catinat street (and not Dong Khoi)

« First of all, Vietnam is present in my daily life. And I have to tell you that this link has been firstly developped on the dining table. The meal remains the strongest, easiest, most enjoyable way to connect all people in general and the family in particular. At home, we eat 70% of Vietnamese food. One of my favourite dishes is Cha Ca La Vong that I have enjoyed in Paris – at Mai Do restaurant, 23 Montparnasse boulevard, or in Hanoi – at Doan family restaurant on Cha Ca street, with nước mắm cà cuống, a lightly sweet and spicy fish sauce, flavoured with cà cuống essentiel oil, extracted from a kind of insect. A rare recipe which risks to be sunk into oblivion ! A unique and indefinable taste we should discover.

I have recognized an interesting thing that some traditions which were lost over the time have been preserved by people who left their home country since long time. Is it surprising ? This is right for culinary traditions as well as for the language. For example, I find my Vietnamese out

of date ; My expressions are lightly arrogant and contemptuous with an imperative tone. I restart learning Vietnamese now to improve my language.

The fashion in Vietnam ?

Fashion seems more and more developing in Vietnam. Instead of fashion, I would like to say few words about Vietnamese women and their powerful beauty. During Chinese invasions, Vietnamese women were considered precious fortunes. Famous examples include Madam Ngo Dinh Nhu (sister in-law of president Ngo Dinh Nhiem) or Nam Phuong (spouse of Bao Dai) who contributed to this international recognition. Madam Nhu was even considered one of the world’s most beautiful women of her time. These women instilled a spirit of elegance into the world by bringing « áo dài » – Vietnamese fashion in the years of 1950 to Paris, with a modern touch on embroidered trousers and tunic and charming boat neck collar.

The beauty of Vietnamese women remains an Asian reference. Today, traditional fashion has been revived but hasn’t achieved international recognition. Definitely, thing can be accelerated. For example, in the years of 1970, Italian people made clothes. They became later dressmakers and brande-names. This case has been reproduced all over the world where the know-how’s culture is well developed. Vietnam will certainly speed on similar steps.

A small revolution to follow…

IN THE EYES OF MAI DUONG, A PHOTOGRAPHER

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 11:12:50 +0000

« Mai Duong… has sharp eyes on beings and objects, in an unceasing quest for its deep identity, which makes the synthesis for links between abstraction in mathematics and traditional animism of distant past. This approach has convinced Dior, Vuitton, Christofle, Baccarat, Hermès… They let her be free to describe by images the quintessence of their know-how and creativity ».

-Claude Postel-

Accueil

Her father is Vietnamese, her mother Spanish. This double culture has contributed to her sensitivity in which the diversity holds a special place. Women’s portraits, linked with the quintessence of know-how she wants to make picture, are placed in the middle of exceptional moment. Inherited from familial know-how – her grand-mother had a boutique selling embroidered sheets in Saigon, her mother was a decorator, a specialist in Chinese painting on porcelain, she is descended from a world of audacious women. With a long nurtured project on Saa paper*, she returns to Vietnam on regular basis and perpetuates her family’s memory in her art in an intangible way. * Saa paper is a traditional paper in Vietnam, made of mulberry’s bark. Produced by hand, this unique texture is traditionally used by Vietnamese painters.

THE MAN WHO CAPTURES THE SOUL OF HANOIA

admin — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 10:02:56 +0000

Quiet and reserved, with a great love for lacquer in his vein, Mr. Ty – the master craftsman of Hanoia lacquer workshop – is likened to a “treasure” of traditional lacquer craft, or a “living manual” about ancient techniques.

Inheriting the ancient lacquer secrets is difficult enough, turning them into a richer and more contemporary language of expression that is closer to modern life is much more challenging. However, Mr. Ty, the master craftsman of Hanoia lacquer workshop, has managed to do just that.

Among Hanoia’s products, Ty mostly sympathizes with the antique bronze-colored lacquered table. He confided a memory associated with the copper material. When he was a child, his uncle once brought to his house a bronze bullet shell for polishing. For being lazy and negligent, he did not polish it properly but accidentally created a very unique scratching effect on the copper surface. Since then, he has been intending to apply this technique to lacquer one day, and this lacquer table has recreated a part of his childhood memories.

Ty has a wealth of experience in traditional lacquer. He said that our traditional lacquer is durable, beautiful, but limited in color. However, if Phu Tho (in the North) paint and Nam Vang (in the South) paint are mixed together at a 1:1 ratio, the combination will create a better material with richer colors. To bring depth and gloss to the lacquer, a few types of turpentine should be added during the baking process.

Passionate about the handicraft, Ty has witnessed the ups and downs of Vietnamese lacquerware, from the time our traditional lacquer still held a unique position, to the reign of Japanese paint with higher applicability. But no matter how it is developed, each lacquer product has to go through many rigorous and meticulous stages, requiring high degree of concentration and patience in the craftsmen’s handwork. After being coated on wood surface, each layer of paint must be ground to become thinner. It is impossible to describe how thin the paint needs to be, nor is there a recipe for how much it needs to be ground. It all depends on the instinct of the craftsmen. Even when spraying paint, every movement of the paint lines must be very gentle and flexible to make it smooth and shiny . No software or machine can replace humans in controlling that subtlety.

As for Ty, he always recalls the golden age of our traditional lacquer, when each individual vase needed from 6 months to 1 year to finish and could fall from a height of 5-6 meters without any damage. He always wants to create lacquerware using the traditional techniques handed down by our ancestors. Therefore, as renovated and renewed as they are, Hanoia lacquerware are always imbued with Vietnamese identity.

Hanoia has made a bridge between traditional lacquer techniques and contemporary European design style. Artists have put on their sketches talking colors, extraordinary shapes, and textures that are either subtle or abstract… And the mission of lacquermen like Ty is to make these unique ideas come alive. Not only difficult, it is also a challenge that requires the love for the job and the aesthetic sensitivity of the craftsman. Ty shared: “There are new colors that we have to research, mix and experiment for months to find the exact language we want.” Thanks to him, Hanoia now has several dozen shiny effects, many unique lacquer techniques such as scratch sanding, lacquering metal… and an endless palette of lacquer colors.