Q: It has been noted that the ‘Beautiful Green Vietnam” event on December 27, organised by C&D under your leadership and in collaboration with the Writers’ Association Publishing House, will feature many renowned artists and experts. Additionally, the event will see the participation of students and young people from 150 schools, leaders of Youth Unions from wards and neighbourhoods in Hanoi, and university representatives. What is the purpose of this event?

Collector Thuy Anh: This is quite a long story, but to summarise, this is a heartfelt project I have nurtured for a long time. Initially, we started with small exhibitions within the artist community, where we admired beautiful artworks, held discussions, and exchanged ideas about creativity, fine arts, literature, and music. The aim was to share knowledge and collectively protect the values of culture, art, and beauty. Gradually, I wanted to extend this knowledge and way of beautiful living to a larger audience, eapecially to the younger generation — the future of our country.

Through working and travelling, interacting with many different communities and cultures, I understand what we in Vietnam need to improve. In addition to sowing beauty in art, I want to expand that to the field of education and community culture. Therefore, I initiated the idea of ​​a bookshelf to support community cultural development. It’s not something far away, just publishing books that act as “handbooks” to help children get acquainted with and understand basic principles and skills, and then there will be works that go further.

For the first book, I came up with the idea and ordered writer Di Li to write it. It is called “Bi and Be’s Daily Stories”, with attractive illustrations by artist Kim Duan. The book gathers 36 life skills for primary and secondary school students, conveying close, gentle and profound lessons through the humorous stories of twin sisters Bi and Be.

I want to connect the community to join hands to preserve nature, spread the message of green and sustainable living.

On December 27, within the framework of the programme entitled “Beautiful and Green Vietnam” held at the Hanoi Opera House, the Writers’ Association Publishing House also announced the launch of the book and presented it to more than 100 primary schools in the city. This is not only a gift of knowledge but also a seed to nurture the love of beauty, awareness of living decently and responsibility for the environment for the young generation, because protecting the environment is also a way to create beauty. I want to connect the community to join hands to preserve nature, spread the message of green and sustainable living. If society is clean and beautiful, kindness will naturally flourish. That is the purpose of the project.

Q: It is also known that you have invited many famous artists and experts to the event. What is your wish when inviting them to accompany you?

A: For a long time, I have always received the companionship of artists, writers, etc., in smaller events, such as exhibitions and talks that we organised for non-profit purposes. They are people with very high professional knowledge, and at the same time, they have influence on the public. Therefore, their companionship in spreading cultural values and spreading awareness of beauty, in my opinion, is very effective and meaningful.

At the same time, this is an opportunity for the community to receive high-value spiritual support from influencers and celebrities. I would not reveal too much about the event, but it will certainly be engaging and interesting.

Q: ‘Beautiful and Green Vietnam’ is also a very urgent task to achieve specific goals in our new era. This project must be carried out persistently and systematically to have long-term effectiveness, right?

A: Vietnam has a good labour force and a young population, but the living environment is too polluted. This issue cannot be addressed by the government alone. It requires the participation of many organisations, individuals, and communities. Unless individuals take action, the entire system will struggle to operate.

I want to support the community, regardless of who they are, when they consciously engage more actively in this process. Based on various professional assessments and media reports, the community's awareness of this issue has not been fully developed.

If everyone contributes a helping hand, society will certainly be better.

From the perspective of building community thinking, it is still quite unclear. Therefore, we should start with education. Education through culture, through spreading beauty, starting from small communities towards a greener and more beautiful Vietnam, is a very friendly and effective strategic direction (as I have advised many community projects over the past 20 years).

In my opinion, to be green and beautiful, we must first be clean—clean streets, clean homes, clean environments, and clean thoughts for the community. If everyone contributes a helping hand, society will surely be better.

Q: I strongly agree with your view that “to be beautiful and green, we must first be clean.” On another note, I understand that you have long been deeply interested in beauty by collecting and owning many paintings by contemporary artists. As a businesswoman and policy consultant for development projects and non-profit initiatives, how do you grow interest in painting?

A: Nearly 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to approach ethnic minorities in poverty reduction projects in the highlands. I came into contact with the culture and the beauty of customs, food, and products of the ethnic minorities, all of which left a deep impression on me. Moreover, I also grew up in an atmosphere of beauty, exposed to painting, literature, and music from a young age, so it gradually permeated. As for collecting paintings, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that I wanted to do something to reduce the gloom and depression during the days of social distancing.

In 2021, I participated in an auction of paintings to support the community. And right after the lockdown was lifted, I organised the first exhibition called “Xuan Hong” — an art project that sent a message of spring, rebirth, and hope. At that time, the whole society was still scared and confused because of the pandemic, people still wore masks to attend the exhibition. But it sparked a belief and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Q: Over the years, you have successfully organised a series of art exhibitions, combined with discussions, helping people better understand beauty. Artist Luong Xuan Doan believes that Vietnam's art scene still lacks individuals like you. How do you view the significance of your work?

A: It is true that in recent years, I have organised numerous art exhibitions, combining talks and discussions on the life of fine arts, inviting experts and art lovers to share and converse. I understand that each artwork represents a dedicated journey of creativity by artists making great contributions to society. These artists possess strong foundations, boundless passion, and love for art, seamlessly blending traditional and modern elements. Their works need to be embraced by the public to provide them with further motivation for creativity.

I support contemporary artists who maintain connections with tradition and traditional culture.

I support contemporary artists who maintain connections with tradition and traditional culture. I recently held a seminar on connectivity, a pressing issue in today’s cultural landscape. Despite our development and innovation, it is essential to remain deeply connected to tradition and national culture.

Q: It is known that you own nearly 200 paintings but don’t sell them. The benefits you receive aren’t monetary but something greater?

A: Yes, I’m willing to gift valuable paintings to those who understand and can spread positive social values. As a community project expert, my mindset focuses on long-term beneficial values rather than immediate profits. 

It’s a long journey, moving from giving fish to fishing rods, and now to changing mindsets and thinking, because only changed thinking can change lives.

Q: However, to sustain this long journey from changing mindsets to behaviours and lifestyle, to bigger actions, you need financial resources. Do you have sponsors or use personal savings for your chosen path?

A: I’m proud to come from a family with a tradition for education in Hanoi. My father, Pham Quoc Truyen, taught mathematics at Viet Duc and Thang Long High Schools, training the best students for the city. My mother taught at Le Quy Don High School. Ten years ago, my father and I established the Cooperation and Development Fund, which he has now entrusted to me. 

My father’s name “Quoc Truyen” carries my grandfather’s hopes for doing good for the country. I’m likely carrying on that responsibility.

I believe education and culture, especially for youths, will create a better society. A society that appreciates beauty and lives green is a kind and civilised society.

This year marks 10 years of our “Young Leaders” training programme, which has supported exceptional young people across the country’s regions. At the December 27 event, a young leader will share how generations of Young Leaders have changed and succeeded over the decade.

I believe education and culture, especially for youths, will create a better society. A society that appreciates beauty and lives green is a kind and civilised society.

Q: Thank you for the conversation. Best wishes for your upcoming project and event’s success in spreading beneficial impacts to the community.

Published: December 2024
Interviewer: Minh Nhat
Translation: NDO
Layout: Diep Anh
Photos provided by collector Thuy Anh