Sketching The Country: How to Create a Travel Sketchbook in Vietnam

If you too dream of sketching when you travel, follow me during that amazing journey in Vietnam
where I create a travel sketchbook meeting local artists.

I was on national TV!
I was invited to a national TV SHOW called:
VIETNAM DISCOVERY where I made a Travel Sketchbook!

 

Let me share with you what I learned from it,

and how sketching the country can help you sketch more often and get results.

 

When I met the producer,

she was interested in my sketching skills as a designer and the videos I publish on the blog.

 

We talked about the concept and content of the TV show.

She wants to inspire travelers to discover the “hidden places” of Vietnam.

And I wanted to make this show for you who follow the Design Sketchbook blog and want to upgrade your level in sketching.

 

A few days later, I met the TV team for a 4-day of a video shoot at Binh Duong Province (2 hours driving from Saigon).

 

We were excited to create for the show: the Travel Sketchbook!

 

Along the journey, we’ll discover together art craft activities from the masters such as Pottery, Eggshell canvas, ancient architecture and so on that are the physical translation of the culture.

 

All people I met have in common the PASSION for their ancient art and the willingness to transmit it to the new generation.

 

I feel honored they opened the door of their house and atelier to me,
so I can share all these gems with you.

 

I hope this TV documentary will encourage you to Sketch more often on the go!

Participating in this documentary has been so inspiring to me, and I wanna share with you below how it impacts me even more.

 

Sketching while traveling is not something you have to do alone as an observant.

Feel free to go and talk to people you draw.

Show them what you draw, and ask them questions about their life.

You may wonder: How to start?

To answer this, I wanna help you with one 

of the main obstacle beginner face while they say: 

 

I want to sketch. I want to communicate my ideas.

I want to transform my career from engineer to designer.

I won’t become a designer…

 

But I have no time. 

 

Unfortunately, this is how most will stagnate for years

and never make a change.

 

I learned that if you want to achieve something new,

you can’t expect different results keeping doing the same things.

 

Instead of saying to yourself: I have no time.
How about Creating time?

 

I mean if you are passionate,

and wanna make a career and take a new direction for your life following what you love, sketching becomes as VITAL as drinking or eating. 

 

So instead of looking for the remaining time left you to have per day. You should ALLOCATE time for it.

 

If you can’t sketch every single day it is ok.

But the mindset you need to get is to PROVOKE a moment for sketching. 

 

A simple trick is to stop watching TV.

 

Change your routine. 

Switch your 2 hours daily TV session for sketching. It is as simple as that. 🙂 And if there is a show you can’t miss, how about sketching what you see in the show? Hehe.

 

Do not only sketch at home, school, or office.

Take your sketchbook, and your pen, and go out!

 

The world is rich with inspiration to grab!

 

All techniques I learned about Product design sketching,

I use them for architecture, people, sceneries, and so on!

 

As well if you love fashion illustration, and live drawing… go and explore! 

Don’t restrain your creativity!

TRANSCRIPT:

When it comes to Bingzong province, many people often think about a dynamic, modern, and developed locality in Southeastern Vietnam. So they are quite surprised to see that Bingzong also has beautiful natural landscapes, as well as historical and cultural values.

Hey, guys. How are you doing? So I’m Shutai from the designsketchbook.com. There are two things I love in my life: especially catching and traveling. This is what I like when I travel, and I really found it here. In this week’s edition of Vietnam Discovery, let’s follow Cho Thay Trung during his journey to Bing Xun province.

Visitors to Gansu Province would never want to miss the three beautiful landscapes of Goat Mountain, Zodian Lake, and Chuuk Stream. Zhou Tian Lake is the result of a huge irrigation project that has a total area of more than 27,000 hectares and a capacity of 1,500,000 cubic meters. Every weekend, the lake’s poetic scenery attracts quite a few visitors who come to take photos. The immensity of the lake with dreamlike clouds and water looks even more impressive from above.

I got the habit of sketching everywhere I go. Take a sketchbook and pen, draw what you want, enjoy it because there are beautiful things in every corner. It can be food; it can be details on the door; it can be a temple; it can be woodcraft; it can be anything you want, but it’s going to sharpen your eyes. And this is what I love the most: the discovery part. I’ve started pursuing myself in the vast Zoteung Lake. I am now coming up towards Copper Mountain and have made 650 steps on this path, and I’m pretty tired right here. But the air is refreshing, and I’m sure that when I reach the top, I will be able to have a rest. So follow me.

Located on Goat Mountain is Taisun Pagoda, which is cloaked in mystery. The main part of this pagoda spans more than 5 hectares and is always open to visitors. Whether visitors are Buddhist followers or tourists, they can always feel at peace in the atmosphere of the pagoda. With a quick sketch, I don’t try to have the perfect sketch; I try to capture a feeling or emotion when you come into it. I also love it for meditation. There’s nothing better than this feeling.

Chuuk Stream, near the foot of Goat Mountain, is a place for anyone who wants to relax. You can sit and enjoy the peaceful nature, like what Chotak is doing or share joyful moments with your beloved here. I met some local people and had fun with them while they were swimming in the stream. It was so fun to see them smiling and taking selfies together. When you meet people here, most of the time they actually smile at you first and get interested in you. It’s really what I love about this region.

The rubber plantation was introduced in 1917 by the French in the region of Bingham province. The rubber trees have witnessed the development of the regions, and we are going to sit in a place where the trees have been around for more than half a century. So let’s follow me; it’s going to be amazing.

In the early 20th century, French colonists realized that the jungles of Zoting had all the natural conditions needed to grow rubber trees. Tire manufacturer Michelin recruited laborers and signed contracts to lease land for rubber plantations. In 1930, the number of laborers in rubber plantations neared 1,000 and kept rising as more recruits came from northern and central Vietnam.

Do people still tap trees here? The French rubber plantations are still preserved today by Zoteung Rubber Corporation as historical evidence that reminds people of the glorious history of great struggles against colonists carried out by unyielding workers in rubber plantations in Bingzheng. We could see that life was tough; they were poor, but it was a sacrifice they made for their families. And I really admire this because they kept going.

As a young city and metropolis of Bingzong province, Duomo city has impressed its visitors with its modern architecture and dynamic development in recent years. However, the city on the bank of Baekdang River is also an ideal place for people who want to know more about the cultural traditions of Bingzong.

Chenvantui also said Bingzong province has a 300-year-long history. For nearly half a century, this land was called Tu Zomot, which was very famous for its crafts such as shipbuilding, wood carving, pottery, and lacquer painting.

In Mingzong province, there are many old houses like these that represent the beautiful talents of carpenters from the past. Many of these houses are well maintained and preserved by descendants of their owners; now we are going to have the chance to visit one of them.

The ancient house of Chengkongvang is a precious wooden architectural structure in Bingzong province. This wooden house is still well preserved in its original form with high architectural, artistic, and cultural values. This ancient house was recognized as a national relic in 1993.

The owner of this house used to be very rich and bought a lot of precious wood to build it. A number of skilled carpenters from Central Vietnam were invited to build this house over three long years. In this century-old house, there are still assets and furniture with sophisticated designs and elaborate decorations.

However, what Duit likes most is quite simple: it’s an interesting story related to this place. I’m feeling pretty impressed by this house; it’s remarkable how ancient it is and how well-preserved it has remained after all these years. And this is something that we feel really touched by because even though this place is quite close to public access, I really feel lucky to be here experiencing this atmosphere.

Thank you very much! This place is very beautiful; thank you for preserving it!

When it comes to traditional handicrafts in Bingxing province, it would be wrong not to mention pottery making and lacquer painting. After hundreds of years with ups and downs throughout history, what is their status in modern life? Let’s follow Cho Tak and find out.

Bingzong province is very famous for its crab villages; today we are visiting one such village where we will explore a famous workshop that has been making pottery jars for 160 years! Let’s go inside to see how this trade remains well-maintained while meeting some locals along the way.

Daet Hung Pottery Jar Kiln is also known as Dai Hung Ancient Pottery Kiln. What’s special about this pottery kiln is that all products here are still made by hand using traditional methods. First off, clay is kept in cellars for 12 hours so that it becomes perfectly soft before being rammed into smooth blocks.

During kneading phase: clay is cut into thinner pieces which then go into molds so they can be kneaded into two halves forming one jar!

So this piece right here—this small item from our workshop—is called wouk wouk! What I’m doing now involves assembling two pieces together: one on top & one on bottom—making sure everything fits just right!

Okay! Now I’ll grab some water (right here) along with my sponge—it might feel muddy but trust me—it’s essential for smoothing everything out nicely! Is everything okay? Great!

Now let’s put these jars back among all others before letting them dry until tomorrow morning!

After drying up nicely—jars will receive enamel coats before heading into our kiln! Once burned for three days/nights—those jars emerge with stunning brownish shine!

What makes Dai Hung Pottery Jar Kiln unique lies within generations working diligently preserving craft through bare hands creating rustic products reflecting traditional culture found within Bingzheng!

So right now we’re sketching together witnessing strength while holding these jars—such joy radiating back towards us! How many jars do you make daily? Must be tiring!

What do people typically store inside? Looks like there’s always work available throughout life’s journey!

And oh! The café here serves delicious coffee too—how many cups do you consume daily?

Moments spent here hold warmth connecting intimately with locals—we learn so much through interactions especially meeting Batwat who dedicates her time caring not only for pottery but also looking after her granddaughter allowing parents peace knowing she’s there too!

In Tuzomot City within Bingzong Province—not only does crafting pottery thrive but lacquer painting persists as well practiced nearby Thu Binghe—the cradle nurturing lacquer artistry throughout Southern Vietnam!

Here artisans pour heart & soul creating masterpieces showcased internationally—each step taken toward completion requires meticulous effort—fascinating process unfolds before my eyes reminding me childhood memories shared amongst friends experiencing these artsy wonders firsthand!

So here’s our starting point—how many times must they repeat each step? Nine times?! Wow—what’s duration per piece?

Creating art using eggshells opens new avenues—can I give it a try?! Yes please! Filling blank spaces carefully ensuring control breaking shells vertically helps maintain shape intact–look at our white moon glowing bright tonight scene unfolding beautifully before us!

One activity truly stands out: lacquer workshops particularly meeting Quan whose intricate work demands patience & dedication—requires hours upon hours crafting elegance resembling meditative journeys undertaken throughout generations ensuring sophistication remains paramount within each creation shared passionately amongst community members ensuring rich cultural heritage thrives continuously flourishing through time passing down wisdom learned along pathways treaded together merging tradition & innovation seamlessly enhancing future possibilities envisioned ahead!

As designers delving deep exploring various art forms—the journey enriched through encounters experienced reminds us growth takes time nurturing passion alongside creativity ultimately leading toward impressive outcomes envisioned along personal paths traveled forward embracing opportunities awaiting discovery ahead!

I hope when revisiting my sketchbook someday perhaps weeks/months/years later—or even sharing stories with future generations—they’ll grasp same feelings cultivated during experiences lived fully embracing artistry surrounding every moment treasured deeply rooted within hearts forevermore!