Lacquer horse sculptures revive Duong Lam traditions for Tet celebration
A lacquer horse collection in Duong Lam Ancient Village celebrates the Year of the Horse 2026, showcasing Vietnamese folklore, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary lacquer art by master artisan Nguyen Tan Phat.
THE HANOI TIMES — In the heart of Duong Lam, an ancient village in Hanoi’s Son Tay Ward, artisan Nguyen Tan Phat has introduced the collection of lacquer horse sculptures to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.
Hanoi-born artist Nguyen Tan Phat and his creations. Photo courtesy of the artist
The collection is titled “Giong”, featuring 2,026 handcrafted horse artworks, each a unique piece shaped by its maker’s vision.
Inspired by Saint Giong, a legendary hero and one of the Four Immortals in the Vietnamese belief, the collection reflects strength, resilience and community spirit of the Vietnamese when it comes to hardships.
Phat said the project represents a decade of collaboration, with each piece taking several weeks to complete.
Each sculpture follows a fully handmade process, starting with wood carving, then eggshell, copper and stone inlays and finished with up to 10 layers of lacquer, polished by hand for depth and sheen.
Honored as an Outstanding Artisan in 2025, Phat continues to preserve Vietnam’s lacquer heritage by opening his workshop to visitors interested in traditional craft.
Ranging from small decorative objects to large functional furniture, the collection merges traditional techniques with contemporary design.
Each lacquerware piece requires precision and careful attention to detail.
The creative lacquer horse works serve as refined décor items and distinctive gifts.
Drawing on Vietnamese folklore, the collection reimagines the legendary horse of Saint Giong in modern form.
Large lacquer horse sculptures stand as bold focal points for interior spaces.
A horse-shaped lacquer bench combines sculptural form with practical function.
Each lacquer horse artwork by artisan Phat stands as a singular, original creation.
Phat’s lacquer workshop remains open to visitors seeking insight into Vietnam’s traditional lacquer craft.
