Not only visiting and taking photos, many foreign tourists are also excited to directly hold chisels and hammers to experience traditional wood carving in the "Bringing Profession to the Street" program at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward, Hanoi).
In order to bring interactive cultural experiences to tourists, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Center in coordination with Bui Gia Wood Workshop organizes the experience program to become a traditional handicraft sculptor "Bringing Profession to the Street" at the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Special National Relic.
Instead of just observing, participants were directly introduced to the history of Vietnamese wood carving, the meaning of the patterns appearing on 82 doctoral steles and many ancient architectural works in the relic site.
After completing her first work, Sarah Miller (Australian tourist) said that she felt excited when experiencing handicraft sculpture for the first time.
I think wood carving will be very difficult, but under the guidance of artisans, I can complete a small motif. This is a special experience because I not only admire Vietnamese culture but also directly create a product to take home as a souvenir," said Sarah Miller.
First time to Vietnam, Mr. Lucas Martin (French tourist) shared that this activity helps him understand more about the traditional values of Vietnamese people.
When I personally held the tools to carve, I clearly felt the meticulousness and skill of the artisans. This is what makes my trip more memorable," said Lucas Martin.
Meanwhile, Mr. Michael Schneider (a tourist from Germany) said that what impressed him the most was being able to interact directly with artisans instead of just visiting the relic.
I really like activities like this because they help tourists understand local culture in a closer way. Creating a product myself makes me feel that I can somewhat access the history and traditional crafts of Vietnam," Michael Schneider shared.
According to the Organizing Committee of the "Bringing Professions to the Streets" program, the event is built in the direction of combining heritage education, craft experience and interactive creativity. Each finished product is not only a handicraft but also the result of time, concentration and love for traditional crafts.
Through this activity, the Organizing Committee wishes to bring traditional handicrafts closer to the public, so that the values inherently associated with craft villages not only exist in the traditional space but also are present in the heart of the city, becoming a memorable experience for tourists when coming to Hanoi and Vietnam.
The program is held on Saturdays and Sundays every week at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam until the end of August 20, 2026, visitors who buy tickets to visit the relic will participate in free experience activities.
