A mask by Dang Viet Trieu.

Bad art drives out good in Hoi An Town

Sparkling Hoi An lanterns

However, they can also be objects of art that bring you face to face with yourself; and trigger different emotions within you.

In the old central town of Hoi An, one store has such masks - those that provoke thoughts and emotions

The Trieu Mask Store on Nguyen Duy Hieu Street run by artist Dang Viet Trieu has become popular among local and international visitors because the masks he sells are special and leave a distinct impression.

Heidemarie, a Swedish visitor who has been to many exhibitions and mask stores in the town, said Trieu's masks made her remember her dreams and fantasies.

Sherwnine Olivady, an Australian, said that he had collected masks from many countries around the world, but Trieu's masks were the most thought-provoking.

Another visitor from the United States said he felt like a different person as he looked at Trieu's masks. He said they reminded him of what he had forgotten and offered hints of what was to come. The masks made his year-end vacation in Vietnam more significant, he said.

After living in the Central Highlands and Ho Chi Minh City for several years, artist Trieu left both places to move with his wife and children to the central town of Hue and then to Da Nang City where he rented a small house in the Hoa Cuong neighborhood to focus on painting masks.

He visited tombs and pagodas nationwide to look at and think about the expressions on the pictures and idols at these places. He also visited art museums of the Cham ethnic minority people and theaters nationwide to study other expressions on masks.

The insights his trips gave him are reflected in the masks that he creates.

Expressions may appear on our faces for a short time and disappear; but Trieu's masks help retain them and remind us of forgotten emotions.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien