(VOVworld)- Crowdfunded projects promoting Vietnamese arts and culture have become more popular. The projects have enabled Vietnamese artists to realize their passion and find outlets for their work.
The crowdfunding concept of raising money from the public is quite new in Vietnam. In recent years, crowdfunding has been attempted in several fields. In 2014 this approach was used to raise money for the launch of the comic series “The Dragon General” by the Phong Duong Comic Group. The group managed to raise 300 million VND for the publication of the first volume and 200 million for the second volume. A 3rd volume will be released in April. The group received a Silver Award at the 9th International Manga Award in Japan, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for comics. Nguyen Thanh Phong, the illustrator of “The Dragon General”, calls crowdfunding a new experience: “We decided to raise funds from the public to publish the comics because we didn’t want to follow the traditional path of publication. Using this method, we can come closer to our readers. Readers can directly support the authors of their favorite works”.
Since the success of the Phong Duong group, other books have been published using this new approach: the photo book Humans of Hanoi, Thanh Ky Y's novel, Sweet Honey Kills Cat, and tHE Family Handbook…. The approach brings authors and THEIR readers closer because it allows readers to become co-authors by contributing their comments to the content and design of the book. authors favor crowdfunding because readers can help them bring out a high-quality product by contributing ideas as well as money.
In 2016, young members of the Ancient Dai Viet group launched a project called “Vietnamese decorative patterns”. The project uses funds raised from the public to digitize ancient decorative patterns of Vietnam and then use them in paintings, architecture, and design. The group plans to digitize ancient patterns on ancient objects and documents and make them a public asset. Aiming to raise 100 million VND, the group began collecting and digitizing decorative patterns of the Nguyen dynasty after having raised 35 million VND and patterns of the Le dynasty after they had 50 million VND. Painter Cu Minh Khoi is a member of the project: “We need to know what we can give and bring benefits to our supporters to encourage them to support us. We need to work with our hearts and enthusiasm as well”.
Such projects as “The Dragon General” and “Digitizing Vietnamese decorative patterns” provide lessons about using the crowdfunding approach, lessons of time management, publication planning, and customer care. Nguyen Khanh Duong, co-founder of Comicola Joint Stock Company, which organized fund raising for the both of these projects, says they plan to post the ancient decorative patterns on the internet and make them available to everyone: “The Dragon General” project, we received overseas support for digitizing ancient decorative patterns of Vietnam. The readers sent us money along with ir emails saying: “I don’t need anything back. Do your best”. These words encouraged us a lot”.
The Comicola JSC has also raised funds and supported the publication of dozens of comic books, music CDs, and information on social issues. The company’s activities have been enthusiastically supported by the public. The crowdfunding approach proves that public is ready to share their ideas and money to get good books.
Phuong Thuy