A Guide To The Art Galleries And Collectives Of Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is home to more than just culinary delights and cultural sites. Look beyond the architecture and numerous coffee shops, and you’ll find an emerging art scene that’s brimming with talent and creativity. Here’s our guide to the city’s art galleries and collectives.

Art in Hanoi has flourished post-Doi Moi, with the economic reforms that set the country off on a trajectory of rapid economic growth allowing artists greater freedom of expression. Today, Vietnamese art has veered away from the classical styles and propaganda that once defined it in favour of provocative work that isn’t afraid to explore and engage in social issues.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter has many galleries, from warehouse collectives to upmarket galleries

As the scene has developed, a number of art galleries and collectives have emerged, giving an evolving roster of contemporary local and international artists spaces to show and promote their work. These spaces have fostered the brightest talents and supported fledgling artists. Here’s our list of galleries and artist collectives in Hanoi you should check out.

An artist at work in one of Hanoi’s many art hotspots

2. Manzi Art Space

Cafe, Vietnamese, Coffee, Tea , Dessert, Pastries

Located in the centre of Hanoi, Manzi has established itself as one of the most reputable galleries in the city, consistently showcasing daring talents and promising young artists and holding exhibits, workshops and performances that challenge stereotypes and perspectives. Manzi funds itself through two establishments: an exhibition space/artist’s residency and a café/shop that’s housed in a quaint colonial-era villa that serves coffee as good as the art that hangs on its walls. Both are located within walking distance of each other and neither should be missed.

3. QUA.

Art Gallery

The recently opened QUA. is the latest addition to Hanoi’s art scene. Located on the ground floor of Hanoi Rock City, a go-to for live music, QUA. boasts an extensive collection of zines from the Hanoi Zine Library, an ever-growing archive of DIY mini-magazines and booklets handmade by both local and foreign artists. Apart from championing the zine scene, QUA. also hosts workshops and events on a regular basis and aims to support Hanoi creatives.

4. Work Room Four

Art Gallery

Established in 2013 by Claire Driscoll and Dorian Gibb, Work Room Four is a multidisciplinary art and design studio with a primary focus on creative collaboration. Apart from its work in design consultancy, it also manages a small gallery in a modest space in West Lake, Hanoi’s expat enclave. The group is also the brains behind Art For You, an annual collaboration with Manzi that provides affordable art to the public.

5. Green Palm Gallery

Art Gallery

Located in the heart of Hanoi’s French Quarter, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Hanoi Opera House, Green Palm Gallery features work from a roster of local luminaries and emerging artists, with pieces that seek to challenge the status quo in the form of both traditional and conceptual art. If you’re interested in buying one of the works, you can trust their highly trained and knowledgable staff to give you the lowdown on each artist. And should you purchase a piece, each artwork will come with its own certificate of authenticity.

6. CUC Gallery

Art Gallery

Located in Keangnam Landmark Tower, the country’s highest skyscraper at 72 storeys, CUC Gallery is committed to supporting Vietnam’s fine arts by hosting an array of events and exhibits that feature the work of local contemporary artists. Most recently, it was included among 20 galleries from across Asia in SEA Focus 2020, which hosted the selected galleries at Singapore’s Gillman Barracks.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.