PHÙ ĐỔNG THIÊN VƯƠNG
Category: Accessories
Competitions: Vietnam
I present a design inspired by the legendary story of Saint Gióng. In this work, I chose the image of the bamboo tree as the central symbol—an image that is both familiar and deeply connected to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. In Vietnamese literature, Saint Gióng is known as a young boy who grew into a strong and powerful warrior, riding an iron horse into battle to suppress chaos and defend the country against foreign invaders. On his way to the battlefield, he uprooted a bamboo grove to use as a weapon, symbolizing resilience, strength, and an indomitable spirit.The bamboo tree, therefore, is not only a simple and rustic image, but also represents flexibility, endurance, and unyielding strength. It stands tall against storms and hardships, embodying the steadfast will, loyalty, and integrity of the Vietnamese people. In this design, I reinterpret the image of bamboo in a fresh and innovative way through a spiral form. This shape expresses softness, fluidity, and adaptability, symbolizing the ability to constantly evolve and respond to challenges. It also reflects the “bamboo diplomacy” approach of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the current stage of development, which carries three profound meanings: “Strong roots – Solid trunk – Flexible branches.” Although the international context is full of challenges and uncertainties, we remain calm and clear-minded in our responses—flexible yet firm, adaptive yet steadfast—maintaining national stability while striving toward peace and friendship . At the top of the design, I depict Saint Gióng’s iron horse—a creature that symbolizes agility, perseverance, and loyalty, always moving forward. At the same time, the horse is shown bowing its head, representing reflection, thoughtfulness, and composure in every decision. This thoughtful approach helps create turning points and breakthroughs in the development process—gradually accumulating quantitative changes to achieve qualitative transformation.
