Vietnamese Calligraphy During Lunar New year
Vietnamese calligraphy has deep roots in the nation’s history and culture, reflecting the artistic and intellectual evolution of the Vietnamese people. Emerging alongside the introduction of Chinese characters, it has developed its own unique style over centuries. This art form, passed down through generations, embodies the writer’s personality, education, and worldview.
To Vietnamese, calligraphy is a beautiful and essential custom that brings luck, health, and peace to the family. If you’re a curious nerd wanting to learn more about Vietnamese Traditional Calligraphy, this post will share valuable insight into this unique art form.
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What is Vietnamese Traditional Calligraphy called?
Vietnamese calligraphy, known as Thu Phap, is a revered form of local art rooted in Vietnamese culture. This tradition introduces the styles and form of Vietnamese writing, blending harmony, philosophy, and artistic expression through intricately crafted ideograms. Calligraphers use a bamboo brush and ink on traditional rice paper, creating pieces that capture the essence of Vietnamese aesthetics.
Calligraphy in Vietnam is divided into three sub-category: a popular street-based form, a professional style using horizontal lacquered boards with parallel sentences at religious, historical, and cultural sites, and a new exhibition form as Vietnam integrates into the world. Calligraphers use both Chinese characters and the Vietnamese logographic system, Nom, to showcase the creativity of the people, featuring folk verses, proverbs, and poems.
- Popular street-based form
- Horizontal lacquered boards with parallel sentences
- New exhibition form
All three calligraphy forms are important in Vietnamese culture and society. Calligraphers use both Chinese characters and the Vietnamese logographic system, called Nom, to showcase the creativity of the writing, most of the works, featuring folk verses, proverbs, and poems.
The history of Calligraphy in Vietnam
Thu Phap (Vietnamese calligraphy), originated from Chinese scripts, through historical cultural consequences, the Chinese writing systems heavily influenced Vietnamese calligraphy, with the Hán tự (Chinese ideogram) script being used as early as the 1st century AD.
Over the time, the Chinese script couldn’t fully capture the depth and nuances of the Vietnamese language. After Đại Cồ Việt (ancient Vietnam) independence from China in 939, intellectuals created a distinct writing system called chữ Nôm (Vietnamese demotic script). Although chữ Nôm was based on Chinese characters, it incorporated unique symbols and meanings specific to Vietnam, transforming Thu Phap into a distinctly Vietnamese art form.
The evolution of Hán & Nôm scripts
Han-Nom scripts was used in the Vietnam’s first Declaration of Independence, combining both Hán tự (Chinese-style script) and Nôm (Vietnamese script). While the writing style and brush techniques in both calligraphy styles are similar, their content expresses different meanings. Hán tự conveys the complex philosophy of the Vietnamese elite, following strict rules and criteria, while Nôm appeals to the general population, focusing on themes like virtue, righteousness, beauty, and the aspirations of the people.
This ancient script served as the official writing system until the 20th century, when French colonization introduced the Quốc ngữ script. To understand this shift, we must look back to the 17th century when European missionaries arrived in Hoi An, a vibrant port town, to evangelize the local population.
This ancient Vietnamese calligraphy was the official writing form until the 20th century.
Why Did Vietnam Adopt The Latin Alphabet?
Why do Vietnamese use Roman letters? It wasn’t until 17th century, when Portuguese and French Catholic missionaries, especially Alexandre de Rhodes, arrived in Vietnam’s Hoi An. To help spread Christianity, Rhodes and others began using the Roman alphabet to transcribe Vietnamese sounds. This effort led to the creation of Quốc Ngữ, the modern Vietnamese alphabet.
The Values & hidden meanings
During Tet, people visit masters in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem to ask for calligraphy sentences, believing these bring prosperity & luck to their homes. Common wishes include Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Wealth), Tho (Longevity), Duc (Virtue), Tri (Knowledge), and Tai (Talent), which are displayed as reminders to strive in the new year. Vietnamese calligraphy during Tet takes on deeper meanings, combining characters like “Phuc” and “Duc” to form “Phuc Duc,” representing happiness from generosity.
Calligraphy has gained popularity in recent years, appearing on greeting cards, calendars, and decorations for the Lunar New Year. Calligraphy classes attract students, with some viewing it as a way to read old administrative documents. Calligraphers like Nguyen Thanh Tung argue that calligraphy reflects the writer’s soul and knowledge of literature, language, and architecture.
Calligraphy in the spiritual life of Vietnamese
The traditional calligraphy in Vietnam has played an integral role in the spiritual life of the people. Some houses in Vietnam display parallel sentences, laudatory writings, and horizontal lacquered boards, all reflecting the country’s rich heritage. Poet Phan Ngoc believes the script symbolizes Vietnamese culture, having become deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people and part of Vietnam’s soul. During the Lunar New Year, visitors can visit calligraphers in Hanoi to select their preferred script.
Where to learn Vietnamese Calligraphy?
Attending a Thu Phap classes is one way to learn something culturally valued. To explore Vietnamese calligraphy and its unique special characters makes an ideal and priceless souvenir from your time to Vietnam. While a framed calligraphy piece makes a great gift, consider its size as it can be difficult to carry.
Recommended Calligraphy Courses in Hanoi
- Backstreet Academy: #26 Hang Voi, Hoan Kiem District. Here to learn the basics of Thu Phap with a local instructor in Hanoi, learn calligrapphy in Hanoi through the master of art.
Recommended Calligraphy Courses in Saigon
- The Craft House Flagship – 53a Nguyen Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City classes to learn calligraphy.
Where to buy Calligraphy in Ho Chi Minh City
- Thư Pháp Chữ Việt gallery: Address: 68/13 Ut Tich, Ward 4, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City
- Call: 0909 766 525 – Opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00. Price from 200,000VND (~USD9)
- Thư pháp Gia Nguyễn: Address: 98 Tran Ke Xuong, Ward 7, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City
- Call: 0903 383 017 – Opening hours: 9:00 – 19:00 – Item price from 200,000VND (~USD9)
- Mỹ Nghệ Việt art showroom: Address: 212 Bui Ta Han, An Phu, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon
- Call: 0903 309 989 – Opening hours: 8:00 – 19:00 – Price from 300,000VND (~12USD)
Where to buy Calligraphy in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Viet Art Gallery: Address: N4D Trung Hoa Building, Nhan Chinh, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi
- Call: 0977 773822 – Opening hours till 20:00 – Price from 350,000VND (~13USD)
- Thư Pháp Ngọc Đình: Address: No. 5 Alley 97/31 Hoa Tham Street, Hoai Duc, Hanoi
- Call: 0915 86 99 66 – Opening hours till 21:00 – Price from 400,000VND (~17USD)
FAQ: Vietnamese traditional calligraphy
What is the Vietnamese writing style?
The Vietnamese writing style, or the modern writing alphabet for the Vietnamese language, known as “Script of the National Language”, uses the latin alphabet with intonation marks. This script, based on Romance languages, was originally developed by Francisco de Pina (1585–1625), a Portuguese missionary.
Is Vietnamese alphabet the same as Chinese?
No, Vietnamese uses Latin alphabet with tone marks while Chinese alphabet uses Chinese characters. In traditional calligraphy in Vietnam, uses chữ Nôm, which is a logographic writing system of the Vietnamese language based on the Chinese writing system.
What is Vietnamese calligraphy used for?
Vietnamese calligraphy is a versatile art form used for various purposes, such as writing poems, creating festive banners, and designing signage, the calligraphy however, is written by masters and scholars.
