Exhibition of giant tuna sculpture to celebrate National Day September 2

The giant tuna is made of coconut shell, 3m80 long and 2m80 high. The work vividly recreates the image of a typical fish that has long been associated with the life and culture of coastal people.

Artist Pham Hong Bao with his art work Ocean Tuna.

Mr. Pham Hong Bao, the artist who created the work, said: “To complete it, I mobilized 1.2 tons of dry coconut shells from Song Cau ward. At the same time, 5 people performed 15 stages with perseverance, dexterity and smooth coordination. The work was continuously completed for 3 months. In addition to the main image of a tuna fish, on the base of the wave-shaped fish, there is a motif of Nghinh Phong tower representing Eastern Dak Lak , a communal house typical of Western Dak Lak and many images of gongs, wine jars, Lac birds, the sun...".

After completion, Mr. Bao voluntarily proposed to Tuy Hoa Ward People's Committee to display the work at Nghinh Phong Tower. The work was then brought to Buon Ma Thuot to be displayed in a series of activities to celebrate National Day September 2. Finally, it will be kept at Dak Lak Museum.

The appearance of the tuna model made of coconut shells is attracting people and tourists to admire and check-in, creating more attraction for Tuy Hoa beach space.

People enjoy taking pictures next to the tuna sculpture made from coconut shells.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mo from Hanoi was delighted: "The tuna model is taller than me. The lines are exquisite, meticulous in every detail. At first I thought they were made of stone, but when I asked, I found out they were made of coconut shells, a rustic and natural material."

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh in An Giang province expressed: "I am very impressed with this tuna. Each piece of rustic coconut shell like each fish scale is handmade by the hands of laborers. This is the third time I have come to Tuy Hoa for tourism and each time Tuy Hoa never disappoints me with its new and strange things."

The work was made by meticulously assembling each piece of coconut shell over 3 months.

This is not the first time that visual artist Pham Hong Bao has created a giant work of art. In more than 20 years of working, he has made a name for himself with many works that have been certified by the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records such as Table Lamp, Hung Dynasty's Legendary Vase, Swallow Birds... Among them, the Hung Dynasty's Legendary Vase is currently on display at the Vietnam History Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

“The Phu Yen - Dak Lak merger event was the inspiration that urged me to create a meaningful product. After a period of research and thinking, I decided to create a giant tuna. I mobilized coconut shells as raw materials and arranged workers to perform each part of the work. Through this work, I want to promote the image of Dak Lak to friends near and far, spread the quintessence of Vietnamese handicrafts, honor the harmony between sophisticated manual labor and the beauty of indigenous culture…”, Mr. Pham Hong Bao confided.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202508/trung-bay-tac-pham-ca-ngu-dai-duong-khong-lo-chao-mung-quoc-khanh-29-2410910/