MAN KHÁU

Keeping up with the flow - Growing up with the sprout

Inspired by the rich and conceptual local Thái word, man kháu means "pregnant rice", indicating one of the most important phase of the rice cultivation: when the seed starts to grow kernel. The exhibition named Man Kháu emphasized the importance of water to the development of the main ration, the livelihood, and the culture of the area.

The Man Kháu - Rice Up exhibition is part of the project "Preserving Pù Luông's rice culture through sustainable water management in Tourism" supported by Youth4Climate, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.

The exhibition lasts from 9th September to 30 September 2025.

THE INVITATION OF WATER

The Journey

The Journey starts with a Blueprint, an image of the Circularity of water, of life, of yearly crops. Therefore, the exhibition flow was designed as a closed-loop, where the starting point is also the ending. The main character of the story is the Rice Plant, accompanied by its melodic companion Water, under the guidance of the majestic Pu Luong mountain.

The exhibition seeks to bring local wisdom, techniques, and culture to life through the art of spatial arrangement and storytelling.

The Soothing Tunnel

The soothing tunnel is an empty space, light dimmed, characterized only by the pattern of the bamboo trees, small but necessary, leaving behind the astonishment and the excitement of the giant “cắp” to calm down and greet new knowledge.

Awakening

The Awakening welcomes visitors with bright, clear light. At its center stands a hand-crafted bamboo shelf displaying nearly a hundred rice samples - from plain to sticky varieties, hulled and unhusked.

Along the bamboo wall, the “awakening” process from seed to sprout is illustrated step by step, accompanied by the handbook of Mr. Giáp, the village head, which records precise soaking times — a testament to the collective wisdom and traditions of the community in their rice culture.

The Stream of Life

Zone 3 is the real-life version terrace rice field with the signature irrigation system mương-phai-lái-lín, showing natural stream flowing down from the mountains, with the village head guiding fair distribution.

The Golden Harvest and the Dark Room

At midpoint of the Man Kháu path is the entrance to the Golden Harvest zone, presenting the first hypothesis: where the rice grows well and the harvest is abundant, so too does Thai culture flourish. The zone is alive with vibrant fabrics in traditional Thai colors and patterns, symbolizing daily life, spirituality, and the richness of their cultural identity.

The Dark Zone offers a glimpse into a catastrophic future, raising the most powerful call-to-action: "Without water, is this the future?"

The Man Kháu Path

The true protagonist of the exhibition, the Man Kháu path cut through Dark room and the Golden Harvest, structured with 100 rattan poles, reaching up to 3 meters. Suspended above are 100 bamboo baskets, creating a distinctive atmosphere that immerses visitors in the experiences.

In the foot, the Man Kháu rice plants are planted inside the carved bamboo trunks, an unique idea by the local artisans.

The Giant Wishing "Cắp"

At the entrance rises a three-meter-tall "cắp", a giant woven basket that welcomes visitors from afar. It stands as the emblem of the exhibition, linking the beginning and the end of the journey, shaping a closed loop that reflects the circle of life, the rhythm of the rice season, and the spirit of circularity.

Within its woven frame lies an opening to the sky - a window towards Pu Luong's bright future.

The Opening Agenda
9 September 2025

03.00pm

IMMERSIVE LOCAL EXPERIENCES (free at leisure)

Guided tour of the Don Village Community Exhibition
Self-exploration of thematic routes: Rượu Cần, Xôi Ngũ Sắc and Cơm Lam, accompanied by local delicacies
Interaction with multimedia displays in the Community Space