Quinn Phan

Unpacking the Mystical Traditions and Beliefs of Vietnamese Heritage

The Intangible of Vietnam explores the fading spiritual practices and beliefs of Vietnamese culture, seeking to reconnect with a heritage often overlooked in modern times. Through a collection of four publications on Vietnamese Folktales, Funeral Rituals, Ghost Festival and Fortune Teller, I share my journey of discovering and understanding my culture, practices, and beliefs. The methodology involves collecting and reflecting on archival personal images to capture a visual personal narrative. Through research, I reveal the deeper meanings behind these cultural practices and beliefs and document these findings in the publication. The design system features raw brush-stroke illustrations printed black on black paper to reveal the subtle shadow of the intangible object. The inverted treated images reveal the hidden dimension, contrasting the seen and the unseen. The inverted treatment represents the presence of the intangible, bringing ethereal energy to the visual. Deboss symbolic titles invite curious readers to engage with Vietnam’s spiritual world. The project aims to preserve cultural heritage and open a dialogue for those looking to reconnect with their roots and spirituality. It highlights the importance of understanding our origins in shaping our identity.