Artwork celebrates Vietnam’s spirit of unity in central Hanoi
The striking artwork stands as a radiant symbol of unity, inviting the public to cherish beauty, remember history and celebrate the strength of togetherness.
THE HANOI TIMES —The unveiling of “Ket Doan” (Solidarity), an installation by artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen at Hanoi’s August 19 Flower Garden near the Opera House, breathes new life into Vietnam’s spirit of unity and collective identity.
The public art installation “Ket Doan” (Solidarity) by talented overseas Vietnamese artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen stands as a new cultural landmark in the heart of Hanoi. Photo: VOV
At the launch ceremony on October 26, Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Cua Nam Ward, highlighted the artwork’s powerful message.
“Solidarity reminds us of the strength in unity. Each individual is like a sturdy tree, but together they form a vast forest, an endless source of power for the community," said Hoan.
Historian Duong Trung Quoc shared a similar view, saying that Solidarity as “a profound expression of urban culture,” where art once again belongs to the people and “shines most vividly within the shared rhythms of city life.”
For artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen, the installation is an immersive dialogue between memory and modernity, blending metal sculpture, traditional craftsmanship, light and sound to reflect the enduring Vietnamese spirit through a contemporary lens.
She said that the August 19 Flower Garden, where the artwork stands, marks the site of Hanoi’s historic 1945 uprising, making it a living symbol of unity and resilience.
“For Vietnamese people, the forest is a symbol of life and strength. From that belief, Solidarity was born as a bridge between past and present, where history and emotion meet," she said.
Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Cua Nam Ward, delivered remarks at the artwork’s launch ceremony. Photo: Cong Tho/ The Hanoi Times
The installation features 18 metal “trees” arranged in a circular formation, a luminous forest rising amid the city’s rhythm. Each slender stainless-steel trunk tapers skyward, embodying both resilience and grace.
Following the success of her earlier piece, Hoi sinh or Revival installed in Co Tan Park across from the same site, Tia-Thuy Nguyen and her team refined their unique metal-sculpting technique for large-scale “tree artworks”.
Each joint was hand-welded and every curve shaped with precision, forming an artistic language uniquely her own. Thousands of hours of meticulous work by the artist and craftsmen produced a radiant testament to collective creativity.
Unlike the rugged textures of Revival, the trunks of Solidarity gleam with a polished metallic sheen, abstract yet alive, embodying strength and the spirit of renewal.
On these mirrored surfaces, motifs of flowers, leaves, doves and pinwheels in glass, ceramic and stainless steel emerge. The contrast of hard and soft, solid and delicate materials creates visual harmony, a poetic dialogue between modern art and traditional craftsmanship.
Locals enjoy taking souvenir photos with Solidarity artwork. Photo: Thu Huong
“I am always drawn to life, intangible, fragile, yet endlessly resilient,” the artist shared.
“With Solidarity, I do not aim to recreate history but to listen to its silent echoes that still resonate today,” she added.
Set within a vibrant public space, Solidarity merges seamlessly with daily life. Those who step into its radiant circle become part of it, immersed in a realm where light, sound, memory and emotion converge.
As part of Cua Nam Ward’s initiative to develop a hub of “Culture – Civilization – Creativity,” the installation enriches urban life and reaffirms art’s enduring power to unite hearts, generations and communities.
