Accompanying the Future of Art – Maries x Hue University of Arts

On November 14, 2025, the Freshmen Welcome Day at the University of Arts – Hue University took place in a vibrant, youthful, yet solemn atmosphere. The event was not only an opportunity for new students to integrate into their academic environment, but also a journey of inspiration—connecting young people with the community and the artistic values that Hue has cultivated for generations.

This year, Maries was honored to sponsor and accompany the event, contributing a small part to creating a meaningful program for the students — those who will continue to preserve and renew the essence of Vietnamese art. For Maries, investing in the younger generation is not only a responsibility but also a belief in the future of culture and traditional craft villages.

At the event, the Organizing Committee and sponsors presented:

• 06 awards to the top graduates of each major
• 07 awards to students with the highest entrance exam scores
• 25 support packages for students heavily affected by floods
• 150 gift sets for students impacted by the recent flood season

🎁 Total value of contributions: over 30 million VND

Representing Maries at the event was Ý Phương, a hand-painting artist from the company’s creative team. What makes the moment even more special is that she is also an alumna of the University of Arts—a student who once devoted her youth, passion, and many memorable milestones to this very place.

Recognized as one of the outstanding students of her cohort, Ý Phương was not only diligent but also proactive, actively participating in artistic activities both inside and outside the university to refine her skills and broaden her creative perspective.

🌟 In 2018, she won First Prize at the Student Fine Arts Exhibition with her lacquer painting “Lụi Tàn” (“Fading”)—a work rich in emotional depth, reflecting her artistic maturity even during her student years.

>> Read more: How Maries Changed Me | Story No. 3: The Journey of a Creative Artist

Her growth—from a solid artistic foundation to a modern design mindset—has helped Ý Phương become an essential part of the Maries creative team today. During the event, she represented the company in receiving the University’s Letter of Appreciation—a moment symbolizing the meeting of two journeys: the school’s mission of nurturing talent and Maries’ commitment to supporting and elevating that talent.

Maries was founded on the spirit of preserving Hue’s cultural identity through the hands of local artisans—but preservation alone has never been our destination.

This is why Maries continually prioritizes collaboration and creates opportunities for young talents from this very university. Sponsoring the Freshmen Welcome Day is more than material support; it is a message:

“Vietnamese art will go further when young people are given opportunities, guidance, and trust.”

Through various training programs—ranging from weaving Lepironia grass and material processing to hand-painting—Maries provides an environment where young creators can learn, practice, and witness their artistic ideas turn into real products. Every young person who joins Maries carries not only skills, but also fresh, bold, and ambitious energy—the very force that helps traditional crafts renew themselves day by day.

Looking back at the event, we believe more than ever that:

• Today’s freshmen will shape the future of Hue’s art scene.

• Young talents will continue telling Vietnam’s cultural story in their own creative language.

• And many, like Ý Phương, will venture far and return—bringing back knowledge to continue the journey of traditional arts.

Maries is proud to accompany the University in nurturing these young seeds of creativity. We will continue seeking practical ways to support students—from scholarships and internship opportunities to broader community projects for the arts.

Maries believes in the younger generation.
Maries believes in the artistic path.
And we believe heritage truly blooms only when young people continue to plant its seeds.