Vietnamese Students Showcase Societal and Cultural Insights Through Creative Projects

The Summer Show 2026, held in mid-June at the BUV campus, features projects spanning film, design, installation art, and interactive media, showcasing students' perspectives on society and culture. Under the theme "Interform," this year's exhibition brings together projects across multiple creative disciplines. Many students have drawn inspiration from everyday life, using design, film, and interactive media to explore personal experiences, social issues, and cultural narratives, rather than focusing on abstract concepts. The 2D animated film "The Way Forward Isn't Clear" delves into the journey of young people entering adulthood. Another project, "What We Don't Say," examines unspoken emotions within parent-child relationships. Beyond personal stories, numerous projects expand to broader themes surrounding culture, heritage, and contemporary society. For instance, "Life. Death. And Taxes." explores Vietnamese ancestor worship beliefs through a multi-material installation. Each project involved months of research, experimentation, and community engagement. According to Dr. Paul D.J. Moody, Head of SOCCI (School of Creative Arts and Design), the exhibition reflects the school's emphasis on combining creativity, critical thinking, and real-world engagement. "At the heart of SOCCI's educational philosophy is our promotion of human intelligence in real life. We develop the creative mindset and critical thinking that technology cannot replace to equip our graduates for success in the creative industries. We encourage our students to make real their initial ideas and refine them to the best possible standard. In our graduates' professional careers, it is this analysis and dedicated refinement that produces winners who will create value and generate positive impact," Dr. Moody stated. He added that while emerging technologies continue to reshape the creative industries, developing creative thinking and critical analysis remains essential for graduates entering professional practice. Many projects focus on subjects often overlooked in everyday life, from conversations that never happen within families, to sanitation workers moving through the city at midnight, and cultural values gradually drifting away from modern youth. The campaign "This Meal is On Us" uses family meals to encourage conversations about comprehensive sexuality education and personal values. The "Nghe la Nghe" (Craft is Art) project highlights the contributions of everyday workers. The "Choi Hoi" (Festival Gathering) project explores the role of community and human connection in modern society. The "Snakes and the Art of Healing" project raises awareness of biodiversity conservation and the relationship between humans and nature. The exhibition also highlights the convergence of creativity and technology, with projects incorporating virtual reality (VR), game design, and real-time graphics to demonstrate new approaches to storytelling and interactive experiences.