KANOS VIETNAM 2016 | Graffiti, Culture and Urban Art in Saigon

Vietnam Graffiti Travel 2016

After my travel to Hong-Kong, i had chance to go to Vietnam with support of l’institut français Hô-Chi-Minh-Ville.

Thanks to Suby / DemonSlayer / Apoiler / Ties / Kong / Barok Ipot

This journey to Vietnam in 2016 marked an important stage in my exploration of Asian cultures through travel and street art. Thanks to the support of the French Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, I had the opportunity to discover the country from within, meet local artists and immerse myself in an environment that was both culturally rich and historically complex.

The trip began in Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis where traces of the past coexist with rapid urban development. The city offered a fascinating introduction to Vietnam, combining colonial architecture, dense urban life, traditional markets and an emerging contemporary art scene.

One of the most significant encounters of the trip was meeting Suby, a French-speaking artist who introduced me to local creative communities. Through him, I was able to discover part of the graffiti scene in Saigon and connect with artists actively shaping urban culture in the city.

These encounters provided an authentic perspective on contemporary Vietnam, far beyond the usual tourist experience. Through conversations, shared painting sessions and exploration of the city, I gained a deeper understanding of local artistic practices and cultural dynamics.

During my stay, I created three different wall paintings. Among them were a Vietnam lettering piece, a Saigon lettering composition and a black-and-white mural. These works reflected both the influence of local culture and my own visual language developed through years of graffiti practice.

Lettering has always been an important part of graffiti culture, and creating pieces dedicated to Vietnam and Saigon felt like a way of engaging directly with the places I was experiencing. Rather than simply passing through, the act of painting became a means of establishing a connection with the environment and its inhabitants.

Beyond the murals themselves, the journey was deeply inspiring because of Vietnam’s unique cultural identity. The country carries the memory of a long and complex history, shaped by ancient traditions, colonial influence, conflict and reconstruction. These historical layers remain visible throughout daily life and contribute to a strong sense of place.

The trip also included visits to several cities beyond Saigon, including Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang. Each location revealed a different aspect of Vietnam. Hue offered a connection to imperial history, Hoi An demonstrated the richness of architectural heritage, while Da Nang illustrated the transformation of contemporary urban Vietnam.

Traveling through these regions provided a broader understanding of the country and reinforced my interest in observing how history, architecture and everyday life influence visual culture.

Photography, observation and direct experience became essential parts of the creative process. The streets, signs, colors and rhythms of Vietnamese cities provided a constant source of inspiration that would continue to influence later projects developed after returning to Europe.

This experience also strengthened my desire to continue exploring Asia through art and travel. In the years that followed, similar journeys would lead me to Cambodia and China., expanding an ongoing investigation into urban cultures, visual communication and artistic exchange across different countries.

Kanos Vietnam 2016 ultimately represents more than a graffiti trip. It documents a moment of cultural immersion, artistic discovery and human connection. Through travel, painting and encounters with local artists, the project reflects a genuine curiosity about the ways creativity develops across different cultural environments and how art can create bridges between people from different backgrounds.

Thanks to Suby / DemonSlayer / Apoiler / Ties / Kong / Barok Ipot