Spreading culture through workshop models in Nghe An.
Unlike long-term classes or simple gatherings, workshops—short-duration practical sessions—offer a dual experience: learning skills quickly and effectively relieving stress. The combination of speed, reasonable cost, and immediate results has made this model increasingly popular in Nghe An.
Diverse experiences
In the cultural and recreational landscape of Nghe An's youth, especially in urban areas, the workshop model has gradually developed into a trend attracting significant attention in recent years. Currently, in the central wards of the former Vinh city, there are at least three professional organizations specializing in organizing workshops, primarily focusing on painting, crafts, and life skills.
Before officially opening their painting workshops, the staff at Capy Complex workshop complex conducted a demo session for their loyal customers. A representative from the company shared: “Our common goal is to help customers complete their artwork perfectly with a gentle, dedicated, and thoughtful attitude. The goal is to ensure that when the session ends, customers are delighted.”workshop"Guests will leave feeling satisfied and relaxed because they have achieved their goal."
With its large space, this establishment has invested heavily in decoration and enhancing the customer experience. After more than a year of operation, this complex has become a familiar destination for many residents in the central wards, offering a variety of creative workshops such as: hat painting, bracelet making, glass painting, picture frame decoration, star lantern making, etc.
Another prime location is the workshop space of Wings Art Space - situated right next to Goong Lake (Truong Vinh Ward). Here, customers can participate in workshops in an open space surrounded by glass walls and numerous paintings. The program is also divided into various formats suitable for different age groups.
As someone who enjoys participating in craft workshops, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Anh (born in 1995 - Thanh Vinh ward) explains: “When participating in workshops, I feel like I'm conquering a small goal, gaining a new skill, completing a new product, and leaving my own mark. Importantly, I like the feeling of temporarily immersing myself in the workshop space to truly relax and heal my soul.”
The workshop attracts not only students and young working professionals but also families. “I see the workshop as an opportunity for family members to bond. Through it, they create memories and have the chance to practice patience and attention to detail,” said Ms. Nguyen Lan Anh (Truong Vinh ward).
As someone with experience organizing workshops for businesses in the area, Mr. Dong Quang Vinh (Truong Vinh ward) shared: “In Nghe An, there are currently two popular types of workshops: event workshops and training workshops. Event workshops are usually organized by businesses with the goal of promoting their brand, and are often linked to specific events.”
According to Vinh, training workshops aim to teach skills in a specific area such as handicrafts, painting, knowledge sharing, health care, etc. Workshops organized by businesses are usually commissioned from professional workshop organizers, and all elements such as decoration, design, ideation, and hosting are meticulously prepared. For these events, instead of focusing on skills, the main emphasis is on the brand story behind them.”
Opportunities to preserve and revitalize traditional culture.
Explaining the recent growth of workshops, Mr. Dong Quang Vinh said that this model is becoming increasingly popular because it suits the needs of the people and social trends. It ensures participants get results quickly (usually in just one or a few sessions), at a reasonable cost, with immediate results, and is easy to share. And because it's easy to share, many people are aware of and participate in this activity.
Workshop spaces also act as catalysts for preserving local culture and tourism. Having collaborated with the Nghe An Museum (now the Nghe An - Soviet Nghe Tinh Museum) to organize workshops related to traditional crafts and folklore for students, Mr. Dong Quang Vinh affirmed: “These events have received enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from both students and parents. Workshops are becoming an effective bridge for the younger generation to access traditional culture. With the advantages of in-depth knowledge, facilities, human resource mobilization, and influence, museums can transform cultural values from books into concrete, interesting products. This is also a way to help museums become attractive ‘learning through play’ destinations, promoting awareness of preserving and developing cultural heritage values, and even attracting tourism development.”
While museum-based events help students connect with traditional crafts, community projects leverage workshops as a tool for experiential tourism. Spacestamps, a community project by students from Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, began its series of activities with workshops themed around "Art." Here, participants had their five senses "awakened" through activities such as tasting lotus tea, painting conical hats, and decorating fabric bags.
Hoang Anh Tuan, a founding member of the project, shared: “We want everyone who comes to experience a part of Nghe An, not through books, but through their own senses. With that goal in mind, the workshop has become a means to transform heritage into a vibrant experience, attracting young people to take an interest in local tourism.” Building on the success of the workshop series, the project has developed the “Nghe An Passport” product – encouraging tourists to collect stamps at 12 cultural locations, redefining how young people connect with their homeland's identity.
With its unique advantages, workshops are gradually becoming an integral part of young people's lives, offering diverse formats and flexible locations. Workshops can be held at production facilities, cafes, or even on street corners. This reduces geographical and cost barriers, bringing creative experiences to students and workers. Furthermore, workshops are easily adapted to specific needs or customized for different target groups, creating opportunities for skill development.
The rise of workshop movements in Nghe An is not just a fleeting entertainment trend, but a clear reflection of young people's need to seek spiritual values, connection, and self-development. With serious investment from organizers and enthusiastic acceptance from the community, workshops are reshaping the space.cultureIt is innovative and promises a market with great potential and positive value in the future.
