An honest end-of-year reflection from a Vietnamese calligraphy artist building a slow, culturally rooted practice - navigating comparison, shame, joy, and courage while choosing the long way forward.

At The Fishbowl’s QTBIPOC creative market, I shared Vietnamese calligraphy with a new Seattle audience — and rediscovered the power of language, community, and connection. What started as uncertainty became a night filled with intention, cultural pride, and meaningful interactions that reminded me why this art deserves to live beyond Tết.

Vietnamese calligraphy — Thư Pháp — is more than beautiful writing. It’s a language of blessings, ancestral wisdom, and a bridge back to our cultural roots. Explore its meaning, history, and why this ancient art continues to inspire new generations.