1.
GVs & MVs INT Shop with people looking at lacquer wear (5 shots)
0.32

2.
MVs People take lacquer into workshop (3 shots)
0.51

3.
SVs Polishing lacquer (3 shots)
1.07

4.
CU Putting egg shell on the lacquer (2 shots)
1.17

5.
GV & CU Gold painting on lacquer cup (2 shots)
1.26

6.
CU Painting on big table (3 shots)
1.39

7.
SVs More shots painting (3 shots)
1.44

8.
MVs Folishing after finish (2 shots)
2.00



Initials BB/1730 RW/DW/BB/1716



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: South Vietnam's art industry has almost doubled its output in the last few years, and one of the leading commodities is lacquered furniture. Most of it is produced in tiny workshops in country areas. Often people work on intricate detail needing intense concentration and steady hands shile aircraft rear overhead on active missions, and gunfire thunders in the distance. Some of the most detailed designs involve minuets pieces of eggshell being inlaid. Rural scenes are popular. and objects produced range from large tables and screens to tiny bowls and cups. Many of the styles and techniques are based on the traditional methods of the past.

SYNOPSIS: In South Vietnam life goes on despite the war; people go shopping just as in any other country. And when people want to buy, other people have to make things--so many South Vietnamese industries are booming. The art industry has done especially well, doubling its output in the past few years, with lacquer ware well to the force. Shops like this stock lacquered goods, ranging from huge tables to tiny egg-cups.

Although it's big business overall, the lacquer industry is made up of many independent firms--most of them tiny businesses in small country Villages. Since labour is plentiful, the small factories have been able to concentrate on detailed work and a high finish.

This is the polishing process, It's the many layers of lacquer, each lovingly polished, which gives South Vietnamese lacquer-ware much of its appeal.

Sometimes tiny pieces of eggshell are used in creating specially intricate designs.

And for that extra refinement -- gold, delicately applied by an artist with patience, a skilled eye and a steady hand.

Many of the designs reflect centuries of Vietnamese tradition. Country scenes are popular, showing facets of rural life ranging from hunting to music.

It's an industry that provides scope for artistic self-expression--and there's always time for an extra bit of polish.