The display features dozens of hand-carved wooden horse figures from the Central Highlands, alongside contemporary interpretations by artist Le Huy and the Lamphong Studio collective.

The exhibition opened on Thursday and will run through the end of March.

According to the organizers, the Central Highlands works have attracted particular attention for their raw, unpolished style, which reflects a carving tradition rooted in community rituals rather than formal artistic training.

Dang Minh Tam, a researcher of Central Highlands culture and the owner of one of the collections on display, said the tradition of folk wood carving in the region was historically linked to sculptures made for funeral houses and has only recently seen renewed interest.

Carvers typically work directly from naturally shaped pieces of wood using simple tools, without sketches or standardized measurements, Tam said at the exhibition's opening.

Proportions are estimated using hand spans and arm lengths instead of rulers, contributing to the wide variation in form.

The artisans are largely self-taught, learning through family and community transmission rather than formal education, he said.

As a result, no two sculptures are alike.

The works are left unfinished, without sanding or paint, a feature that Tam said appeals to international visitors, particularly from Europe and East Asia.

Alongside the folk sculptures, the exhibition includes lacquered horse figures with traditional motifs by Lamphong Studio and an installation of horse sculptures arranged on a tree trunk by painter Le Huy.

The contemporary works were created to mark the approach of the 2026 Lunar New Year, which will be celebrated as the Year of the Horse.

The exhibition is being held at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university and one of Hanoi’s most visited cultural landmarks.