This thesis challenges conventional paradigms of cultural tourism to bolster the economy of a shrinking town. It explores the possibilities of embracing the natural state of decay in both culture and architecture, speculating how cultures and communities can thrive beyond the physical realm.
Once lauded as the "Kingdom of Bricks" for its vibrant red hues of bricks and renowned local techniques, Mang Thít thrived as the Mekong Delta’s largest clay products producer, firing over 1,500 kilns in its heyday. However, a 2010 government decree shut down traditional kilns, citing clay depletion and pollution. Today, time and neglect have slowly eroded at the remnants of this sunset industry. The last generation of brick kiln owners find themselves abandoned in unwilling retirement, their sense of purpose lost. As the kilns crumble, so too does the brickmaking community dwindle in numbers.
In the wake of the fading brickmaking tradition, this thesis embarks on a journey to revive the melodies of traditional folk singing, Đờn Ca Tài Tử, transcending the obsolescence of Mang Thít’s brick industry. Seeking to breathe life into a shrinking town by reinstating its cultural heritage, it redefines the conventional notions of cultural tourism to revitalise economies. At its core lies a commitment to bring purpose and meaning back into the twilight years of the last generation of brick kiln owners.
Through emphasis on the unique colour of Mang Thít’s red bricks, three temporal structures emerge, intricately woven into the fabric of the village’s landscape to anticipate the annual Đờn Ca Tài Tử festival. This celebration, steeped in tradition, becomes the heartbeat of the village, uniting its people through age-old rituals housed within these structures.
As the festivals unfold, this thesis speculates that after a full cycle of Hoi (60-year period), Mang Thít evolves into a sacred memorial ground, honouring the legacy of the pioneers and tradition of brickmaking. Embracing the natural decay of both culture and architecture, the village finds renewal in the passage of time, preserving its essence while welcoming change. The colour of Mang Thit’s brick becomes not just a physical presence but a narrative thread binding past, present, and future.
The spirit of Đờn Ca Tài Tử reverberates with each festival, echoing beyond Mang Thít's borders to neighbouring villages and igniting a renaissance of community and folk singing. As the timeless melodies of Mang Thít resonate far and wide, this thesis envisions a future where tradition thrives, a testament to the enduring resilience of culture and community beyond the physical realm of architecture.
