{"id":2102,"date":"1999-12-09T12:40:51","date_gmt":"1999-12-09T12:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/?p=2102"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:39:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:39:55","slug":"hue-to-the-world-boi-tran-garden-a-pioneer-recognised-by-christies-in-1999","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/hue-to-the-world-boi-tran-garden-a-pioneer-recognised-by-christies-in-1999\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u1eeb Hu\u1ebf Ra Th\u1ebf Gi\u1edbi: H\u00e0nh Tr\u00ecnh Ti\u00ean Phong C\u1ee7a B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n, \u0110\u01b0\u1ee3c Christie\u2019s Ghi Nh\u1eadn T\u1eeb 1999"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\tHue to the World: Boi Tran Art Gallery, A Pioneer Recognised by Christie’s in 1999\t<\/h2>\n\t

In the soft light of Hue, a letter arrived. It came quietly, in December 1999, from Christie’s, unassuming and sincere, crossing borders to acknowledge a pioneering art gallery that had long nurtured Vietnamese art with care, grace, and vision.<\/p>\n

V\u00e0o th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m \u1ea5y, kh\u00f4ng nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi th\u1ef1c s\u1ef1 l\u1eafng nghe nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0111\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a Vi\u1ec7t Nam. Nh\u01b0ng t\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y, gi\u1eefa l\u00f2ng Hu\u1ebf, B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n \u0111\u00e3 s\u1edbm m\u1edf ra m\u1ed9t kh\u00f4ng gian d\u00e0nh cho ngh\u1ec7 s\u0129 v\u00e0 nh\u00e0 s\u01b0u t\u1eadp, nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u00ecm ki\u1ebfm kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 v\u1ebb \u0111\u1eb9p, m\u00e0 c\u1ea3 \u00fd ngh\u0129a. Ph\u00f2ng tranh d\u1ea7n tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i ch\u1ed1n, kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 c\u1ee7a t\u00e1c ph\u1ea9m, m\u00e0 c\u1ee7a c\u00e2u chuy\u1ec7n, tinh th\u1ea7n v\u00e0 di s\u1ea3n.<\/p>\n

The letter from Christie’s was not a headline. It was something gentler, a moment of recognition.<\/p>\n

V\u00e0 trong kho\u1ea3nh kh\u1eafc \u1ea5y, Hu\u1ebf b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ea5t l\u00ean m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i r\u1ea5t kh\u1ebd v\u1edbi th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi. V\u00e0 th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi, c\u0169ng b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u l\u1eafng nghe.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Boi\n\t\tBoi Tran posing in front of her art gallery at Saigon Morin Hotel in 1998\n\t

In a quiet corner of Hue, a letter from Christie’s marked the beginning of something extraordinary. Recognising Boi Tran Art Gallery as a pioneer in Vietnamese contemporary art, this 1999 moment remains a testament to vision, connoisseurship, and global connection.<\/p>\n

It was simple and graceful, typed on creamy paper, signed by hand, and addressed personally to Ms. Boi Tran, the founder of what would become known to many as Boi Tran Art Gallery (now Boi Tran Garden). Dated 9 December 1999, it came from Keong Ruoh Ling, head of the Southeast Asian Pictures Department at Christie’s Singapore.<\/p>\n

L\u00e1 th\u01b0 kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 trao \u0111\u1ed5i. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 ghi nh\u1eadn.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Letter\n\t\tLetter of Christie’s Singapore, Southeast Asian Pictures Department to Boi Tran Garden (Boi Tran Art Gallery), 9 December 1999.\n\t

I understand that you have a gallery of Contemporary Vietnamese artists in Hue… I would appreciate very much any information from your kind self.<\/p>\n

Keong Ruoh Ling, Christie’s Singapore<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\t

V\u00e0o th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m \u1ea5y, Vi\u1ec7t Nam v\u1eabn c\u00f2n \u1edf ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng c\u1eeda c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 ch\u00fa \u00fd qu\u1ed1c t\u1ebf trong th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi m\u1ef9 thu\u1eadt. C\u00e1c ngh\u1ec7 s\u0129 \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0111\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t Nam \u0111ang d\u1ea7n hi\u1ec7n l\u00ean v\u1edbi n\u1ed9i l\u1ef1c, chi\u1ec1u s\u00e2u v\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ng\u00f4n ng\u1eef b\u1eaft r\u1ec5 t\u1eeb l\u1ecbch s\u1eed v\u00e0 chuy\u1ec3n bi\u1ebfn.\n\nNh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng nhi\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng gian c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ee7 t\u1ea7m nh\u00ecn v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 t\u1eadn t\u00e2m \u0111\u1ec3 quy t\u1ee5, \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u00e0nh v\u00e0 n\u00e2ng \u0111\u1ee1 nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i \u1ea5y b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 am t\u01b0\u1eddng th\u1ef1c th\u1ee5. B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3.<\/p>\nThe gallery, nestled in Hue’s poetic heart, had already become a sanctuary for artists and collectors alike. Known not just for its curated collection but for its intimate atmosphere<\/strong>, cultural understanding<\/strong>, and bespoke guidance<\/strong>, Boi Tran’s work caught the eye of those far beyond Vietnam’s borders.\nSo when Christie’s reached out, not only recognising the gallery’s work, but inviting collaboration, asking for artist bios, and requesting to be added to exhibition mailing lists, it marked a quiet, monumental beginning.\nIt wasn’t a transaction. It was an opening.\n\t

Boi Tran Art Gallery at Saigon Morin Hotel in 1998<\/p>\n\t

H\u01a1n M\u1ed9t Ph\u00f2ng Tranh<\/p>\n\t

T\u1eeb l\u00e1 th\u01b0 n\u0103m 1999, m\u1ed1i li\u00ean h\u1ec7 gi\u1eefa Ph\u00f2ng Tranh B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n v\u00e0 c\u00e1c thi\u1ebft ch\u1ebf ngh\u1ec7 thu\u1eadt qu\u1ed1c t\u1ebf b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u h\u00ecnh th\u00e0nh, m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfn tr\u00ecnh kh\u00f4ng \u1ed3n \u00e0o nh\u01b0ng b\u1ec1n b\u1ec9. Theo th\u1eddi gian, ph\u00f2ng tranh kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u00e0nh c\u00f9ng c\u00e1c nh\u00e0 s\u01b0u t\u1eadp, m\u00e0 c\u00f2n g\u00f3p ph\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ecbnh h\u00ecnh s\u1ef1 hi\u1ec7n di\u1ec7n c\u1ee7a ngh\u1ec7 s\u0129 Vi\u1ec7t Nam tr\u00ean b\u00ecnh di\u1ec7n r\u1ed9ng h\u01a1n, trong m\u1ed9t n\u1ed7 l\u1ef1c li\u00ean t\u1ee5c nh\u1eb1m g\u00ecn gi\u1eef, n\u00e2ng \u0111\u1ee1 v\u00e0 truy\u1ec1n d\u1eabn di s\u1ea3n ngh\u1ec7 thu\u1eadt Vi\u1ec7t Nam.<\/p>\nFor Boi Tran herself, the letter was not a surprise, but a reassurance. A confirmation that the quiet work of care, discernment, and cultural fidelity was being seen. And valued.\nAs we look back now, over two decades later, the letter remains framed in our memory-not only for its signature, but for what it symbolised: a moment when Hue whispered, and the world listened<\/strong>.\n\t

Original Excerpt from Christie’s (1999):<\/p>\n\t

Christie’s Singapore is presently holding two Southeast Asian Pictures sales yearly which include a distinctive Vietnamese section… I very much look forward to hearing from you.
\n
Keong Ruoh Ling, Christie’s International<\/blockquote>\n\t

Di S\u1ea3n Ti\u1ebfp Di\u1ec5n<\/p>\n\t

H\u00f4m nay, Nh\u00e0 V\u01b0\u1eddn B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n (ti\u1ec1n th\u00e2n l\u00e0 Ph\u00f2ng Tranh B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n) c\u00f9ng Kho L\u01b0u Tr\u1eef M\u1ef9 Thu\u1eadt Vi\u1ec7t Nam ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c g\u00ecn gi\u1eef v\u00e0 ti\u1ebfp n\u1ed1i h\u00e0nh tr\u00ecnh \u1ea5y, tinh tuy\u1ec3n, l\u01b0u tr\u1eef v\u00e0 k\u1ebft n\u1ed1i ngh\u1ec7 s\u0129 v\u1edbi nh\u1eefng nh\u00e0 s\u01b0u t\u1eadp kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 t\u00ecm ki\u1ebfm c\u00e1i \u0111\u1eb9p, m\u00e0 c\u00f2n t\u00ecm ki\u1ebfm \u00fd ngh\u0129a<\/p>\nAnd every time we welcome a visitor from abroad, or an artist finds their place in the world through our walls, we remember that December letter, and the gentle knock from Christie’s.\n

B\u1edfi \u0111\u00f4i khi, l\u1ecbch s\u1eed b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u t\u1eeb m\u1ed9t l\u00e1 th\u01b0.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Th\u00e1ng M\u01b0\u1eddi Hai n\u0103m 1999, m\u1ed9t l\u00e1 th\u01b0 t\u1eeb Christie\u2019s \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ebfn, thanh nh\u00e3 v\u00e0 l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd. V\u01b0\u1ee3t qua bi\u00ean gi\u1edbi, l\u00e1 th\u01b0 ghi nh\u1eadn m\u1ed9t kh\u00f4ng gian ngh\u1ec7 thu\u1eadt ti\u00ean phong t\u1ea1i Hu\u1ebf, n\u01a1i B\u1ed9i Tr\u00e2n b\u1ec1n b\u1ec9 vun \u0111\u1eafp kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 ngh\u1ec7 thu\u1eadt, m\u00e0 c\u1ea3 \u00fd ngh\u0129a. V\u00e0o th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m khi nh\u1eefng ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0111\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a Vi\u1ec7t Nam c\u00f2n \u00edt \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1eafng nghe, ph\u00f2ng tranh c\u1ee7a b\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 s\u1edbm tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t ch\u1ed1n l\u01b0u gi\u1eef v\u1ebb \u0111\u1eb9p, k\u00fd \u1ee9c v\u00e0 tinh th\u1ea7n.\n\nL\u00e1 th\u01b0 \u1ea5y kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ti\u00eau \u0111\u1ec1. M\u00e0 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1u hi\u1ebfm h\u01a1n: m\u1ed9t s\u1ef1 ghi nh\u1eadn l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd.\n\nV\u00e0 t\u1eeb kho\u1ea3ng l\u1eb7ng \u1ea5y, Hu\u1ebf b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u c\u1ea5t ti\u1ebfng. V\u00e0 th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi, c\u0169ng b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u l\u1eafng nghe.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,34,30,9],"tags":[90,91,17,80],"class_list":["post-2102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-auction-stories","category-christies","category-stories","tag-boi-tran","tag-boi-tran-art-gallery","tag-boi-tran-garden","tag-christies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2102"}],"version-history":[{"count":67,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7685,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102\/revisions\/7685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boitran.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}