Exhibition of Ancient Vietnamese Zen Poetry - A 20-Year Journey of Spreading the Spirit of Zen through Poetry

On the morning of May 19th 2025, Van Lang University officially opened the exhibition “Ancient Vietnamese Zen Poetry” at Trinh Cong Son Hall, marking the 20-year journey of the “Ly-Tran Zen Poetry” collection. The exhibition is a highlight of activities celebrating university’s 30th anniversary and serves to honor the spirit of Zen - a precious legacy of Vietnam’s medieval literature.

In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu - President of Van Lang University shared: “Van Lang University is committed to not only providing academic knowledge but also cultivating a cultural environment, where students can live in, feel, and appreciate national values. The Vietnamese Classical Zen Poetry Exhibition is an artistic endeavor with profound educational significance, helping to awaken a spirit of self-awareness, cultural pride, and promote the image of Vietnam to the international community”.

Born in 2005, the Ly-Tran Zen Poetry Collection was curated and compiled by Vietnamese poet Nguyen Duy together with poets Nguyen Ba Chung and Kevin Bowen (America). The collection features 30 representative poems from the Ly and Tran dynasties, accompanied by translations in Vietnamese six-eight poetry and English. Each poem is uniquely handcrafted on traditional poonah-paper. This rare collection is a one-of-a-kind artisanal work that blends poetry, calligraphy, and folk art - deeply reflecting Vietnamese cultural identity.

The Ly-Tran Zen Poetry Collection has been exhibited in numerous cultural and educational spaces both in Vietnam and abroad: From Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City to Boston... Each poem offers a delicate glimpse into Zen philosophy, radiating a tranquil energy that invites deep reflection on inner peace amidst the ever-changing tides of modern life.

Historian Duong Trung Quoc, former National Assembly delegate of the 14th term, highly appreciates poet Nguyen Duy’s pioneering role in making Zen poetry a bridge between traditional culture and the modern world. According to him, when the values of Vietnam’s medieval literature are translated and promoted internationally, it helps the world understand that although Vietnam has absorbed external influences, it has localized them in a Vietnamese way and elevated them into a unique identity - a self-reliant, humane, and profound culture.

During the exhibition, a thematic workshop discussed the role of poetry and culture in promoting Vietnam’s image to the world. Drawing from poet Nguyen Duy’s Zen Poetry journey, speakers pointed out that the world knows Vietnam mainly through war, but lacks a strong image reflecting its cultural identity. The workshop raised a question: How can Zen poetry - a local cultural essence - become a more effective bridge for cultural diplomacy than politics or economics? Although influenced by Chinese culture, Vietnam has deeply localized Zen philosophy through a form of engaged Zen poetry closely connected to everyday life. Bringing Zen poetry to the world is not only a personal journey but also contributes to affirming Vietnam’s cultural strength on the international stage.

The exhibition will continue from May 19th to May 26th 2025, at the lobby of Trinh Cong Son Hall, Van Lang University. The Zen poems are displayed on large sheets of traditional poonah-paper, solemnly hung within a space illuminated by soft lighting and decorated with traditional wooden materials, creating a meditative and profound atmosphere. Each poem, each brushstroke is like a slow breath, evoking emotions and awakening the depth of thought in the audience.

Over its 30-year journey of building a humane educational environment, Van Lang University has remained steadfast in its philosophy of education that connects national cultural identity with a spirit of innovation. The Classical Vietnamese Zen Poetry Exhibition stands as a testament to university’s academic development orientation, which values the role of art in holistic education - where students’ thinking is inspired, emotions nurtured, and positive impacts spread throughout society.

News: Dang Khoa
Photos: Hoai Thuong