This morning I set off to see the Ho Chi Minh Museum. I went to the internet cafe to check my email and ran into one of my usual Xe Om drivers. He asked if I needed a ride and I said maybe but I needed to check my email. About 10 minutes later, he came in to say he would be back in 2 minutes. 20 minutes later I was I tired of pointless surfing while waiting for him, so I left and took a bus. I missed my stop. And started to walk back when I came upon something calling itself a lacquer museum. So, I walked in. It looked more like a gallery but the staff told me they offered lacquer classes. So, I asked if I could view one now and went up. Next thing I knew I was meeting interesting women and making a lacquer piece. What fortuitous transportation errors.
The place is called The Lacquer Tree, Cay Son, 22 Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam. Each class is $10. No need to pre-register. www.thelacquertree.com. When I say class, I really mean workshop. They don't exactly teach as much as direct. You do a sketch, and show them what you want. They tell what to do, when. We learn by doing. I understand there are lacquer classes at the Hanoi Art School also but have no further information.
