Graffiti in Viet Nam

Art or vandalism is a famous question on Graffiti in Viet Nam, many may consider it is vandalism meanwhile other, especially the millennials, may see it an interesting art and way to express themselves.

In early 2000s, Graffiti started it journey in Viet Nam not long after Rap Music arrived in 2002. It was around 2003 when a Hanoian graphic designer (Linkfish) painted his first drawings on walls in Tinh Gia (Thanh Hoa province). Since then, Linkfish started to paint, copying the style he saw on-screen, and within six months there were already crews in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In big cities like Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh, there is an undeniable fact that Graffiti is becoming ugly in the eyes of many of its own people due to "incomplete" style, without investing in either idea or technique, using below and immature standard, etc. which only make the streets look dirty and sloppy. This trend has devaluated Graffiti as an art which formed part of a young Hip-hop culture in Viet Nam and caused loss of urban beauty.

Nowadays, at its teenage, Graffiti in Viet Nam still need a playground for its young community to show off the creativity and pursue their dreams for the art. The art of Graffiti has been accepted in many parts of the world, receiving support for young graffiti artists. When young artists do not have a playground to express themselves and lack a sense of living space, it will inevitably lead them to "sneak" in order to satisfy their inner passions.

The attraction of Graffiti is associated with the landscape, the array of colors, giving young people dynamism and creativity. In order to make Graffiti a widely recognized art in Viet Nam, a playground is necessary for graffiti community to develop not criticism./.