[Image] Dong Ho paintings - Ancient charm tells modern stories

NDO - Bac Ninh - the land of Kinh Bac with a thousand years of cultural heritage, is a place where the essence of culture converges with the melodious Quan Ho folk songs and the Dong Ho folk paintings imbued with the national spirit. Within the framework of the "Essence of Bac Ninh Culture - The Colors of Dong Ho" program, the craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings has been honored, aiming for its inclusion in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

The program "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh Culture - The Colors of Dong Ho" took place from March 29-30, 2025 at Ba Kieu Temple Flower Garden (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi), organized by the People's Committee of Bac Ninh Province in coordination with the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee. The event was attended by delegates including leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, representatives from the Vietnam UNESCO Committee, representatives from embassies of various countries in Vietnam, and leaders of Bac Ninh Province.

At the opening ceremony, visitors and international friends not only had the opportunity to admire unique folk art works but also to directly witness the painting creation process under the skillful hands of folk artisans from Dong Ho village.

The cultural space of Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac in the heart of the capital city resembles a vibrant painting, where Quan Ho folk songs resonate, and the graceful four-panel dresses blend with the colors of festivals, recreating a lively heritage.

Comrade Nguyen Anh Tuan, Member of the Central Committee of the Party and Secretary of the Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee, attended and visited the Dong Ho painting exhibition booths.

Distinguished artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh from Dong Ho painting village (Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh), introduced the unique beauty of Dong Ho folk paintings at the event "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh Culture - The Colors of Dong Ho," immersing viewers in a vibrant and meaningful traditional art space.

Dong Ho paintings are not only folk art, but also the culmination of sophisticated traditional craftsmanship, along with the use of entirely natural pigments. The paper is made from finely ground seashells, and the colors are extracted from plants such as black from bamboo leaf charcoal, red from cinnabar, yellow from pagoda tree flowers, and blue from indigo leaves…

The technique of making paintings using woodblock printing is a quintessential aspect of folk art, where each printing plate not only preserves the imprint of the artist's hand but also breathes life into every line. In the photo: artist Nguyen Huu Dao (born in 1990, Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province) beside his exquisite printing plates, contributing to preserving the traditional values ​​of Dong Ho paintings.

The program features the participation of exemplary artisans from Dong Ho village, such as artisan Nguyen Dang Tam - who are continuing, preserving, and developing the traditional craft of their ancestors, contributing to bringing Dong Ho paintings to a wider audience.

According to the distinguished artisan Nguyen Huu Qua (Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province), Dong Ho paintings have four main themes: paintings depicting daily life (Mouse Wedding, Coconut Harvesting, Jealousy, Buffalo Herding and Flute Playing), historical and heroic paintings (Trung Sisters, Trieu Sisters, Saint Giong, Ngo Quyen), celebratory paintings (Herd of Pigs, Herd of Chickens, Glory and Wealth), and paintings of legends and beliefs (Four Palaces Assembly, Five Tigers, Kitchen God and Goddess).

Each Dong Ho folk painting vividly portrays the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the Vietnamese people.

In the space showcasing Dong Ho folk painting culture, the image of betel leaves shaped like phoenix wings and a cup of fragrant vối tea, like a warm greeting from the Quan Ho folk singers, blends with the colors of woodblock prints, creating a cultural picture that is both rustic and profound – where the spirit of the countryside converges through each carved stroke and love song.

The cultural essence of Bac Ninh - Dong Ho Colors also showcases unique cultural heritage through traditional craft village products such as Phu Lang pottery, Dai Bai bronze casting, Xuan Hoi rattan and bamboo weaving, Phu Khe and Dong Ky fine art wood carvings; along with Bac Ninh OCOP products, "Quan Ho local specialties" and calligraphy art performances from the Bac Ninh Calligraphy Club.

The diverse cultural colors of Bac Ninh blend together, creating a vibrant and captivating picture. This is not only an opportunity to honor and promote the cultural heritage of Kinh Bac but also to open a bridge for cultural and tourism exchange, connecting Hanoi with other regions and attracting domestic and international tourists to explore this region rich in cultural identity.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-tranh-dong-ho-net-xua-ke-chuyen-nay-post868644.html