Using old, abandoned wooden objects, 27-year-old artist Thuy Giang from Sa Pa (Lao Cai) transforms these items into deeply personal portraits of the elderly locals, capturing the essence of Vietnam’s ethnic heritage.

“Sa Pa is home to various ethnic groups, like the H’Mong, Dao, Tay, Xa Pho, and Giay. The locals have retained their rich traditions in their daily lives and clothing,” explains Thuy Giang, a graduate from the Central Pedagogical College of Art.

“As someone born here, I want to share Sa Pa’s cultural richness and the beautiful people who represent it through my paintings.”

Thuy Giang paints portraits of elderly Sa Pa locals on reclaimed wood to introduce travelers to the region’s unique beauty. Photo: Song Song Giang

Giang and her husband rented an 800-square-meter plot amid terraced rice fields in Giang Ta Chai, Ta Van. They built a small house from local materials, creating both a home and a studio where Giang could pursue art and community tourism.

The house is decorated with her own creations, each reflecting Sa Pa’s native culture and providing visitors with an authentic view of the region. “I paint the elderly because they are living representations of our cultural identity,” she says. “Every person has their own story and beauty, which gives me inspiration to capture their essence.”

Each month, Giang and her husband roam the villages, searching for used or discarded wooden items to use as canvases. “These are simple, everyday items that tell the story of local life - like wooden trays, rice bins, and water tables,” she notes.

Once home, Giang cleans and polishes each piece of wood, then lets it dry before painting. Her most challenging task, she says, is capturing the eyes, which she considers the “soul of the portrait.” She also paints jewelry and traditional clothing details to make each portrait more distinctive.

Recently, a group of Dutch visitors purchased several of Giang’s portraits, drawn to the unique connection each piece had to Sa Pa’s cultural heritage.

Giang also creates smaller works on bags and shirts, making it easy for travelers to take home a piece of Sa Pa’s spirit. “Each piece is a message for visitors to know and remember Sa Pa’s people and culture,” she says.

In August 2024, Joei Lim from Singapore visited Sa Pa, painting a canvas made from local hemp fabric. “Sa Pa is breathtaking, not only in scenery but also in its cultural traditions,” he said. “We made two pieces on handwoven hemp, a unique experience I’ve only found here. I’ll tell friends and family about Sa Pa, and I hope to return one day to experience more.”

Giang’s portraits are painted on reclaimed wooden trays and boards from local villages. 

        After completing the portrait, Thuy Giang adds details such as necklaces, earrings, and woven scarves to highlight and help visitors distinguish the traditional attire of each ethnic group in Sa Pa.

Dutch tourists buy portraits of Sa Pa elders painted by Thuy Giang.

Joei Lim and his girlfriend paint on hemp cloth during their visit to Sa Pa. 

Thao Trinh - Photos by Song Song Giang