Unique Dong Ho folk paintings

BAC NINH - On the afternoon of December 9, at 2:38 p.m. Indian time (4:08 p.m. Vietnam time), at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi (India), Vietnam's Dong Ho folk painting craft was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding of Humanity.

Dong Ho folk paintings (Thuan Thanh ward) are the crystallization of unique knowledge, sophisticated wood carving techniques and completely natural colors. This unique painting genre vividly reflects the life, customs and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. Being listed has profound significance for the heritage community and the entire people of Bac Ninh province.

Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa introduces and guides Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Prime Minister Li Cuong in printing Dong Ho folk paintings.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and provincial leaders experienced the technique of printing Dong Ho folk paintings at the booth displaying images and documents to welcome the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress of Bac Ninh province, period 2025 - 2030 (September 2025).

At the exhibition area to welcome the 1st Congress of Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030 (September 2025), Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa presented Dong Ho folk paintings to comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Inspection Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Thai.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Oanh demonstrates ink painting and color mixing techniques.

Young artisan Nguyen Huu Dao demonstrates wood carving technique - a difficult craft that requires the artisan to have exquisite carving skills to be able to create large and small carvings that are strong, delicate and soulful.

The paper and colors used to print Dong Ho paintings are all taken from nature. In the photo: Artisan Nguyen Dang Tam (son of Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Dang Che) pounding scallop shells at his family's painting workshop in Dong Khe quarter, Thuan Thanh ward.

Normally, each Dong Ho folk painting will have 5 colors. After printing the color blocks, the artisan will print black lines to outline the color blocks.

Dong Ho paintings are printed using the overlapping method, which means holding the colored printing board down on the colored cover so that the color is evenly absorbed into the carving on the board and then printed onto the diep paper. Using a loofah, rub evenly on the back of the paper so that the color or printed lines appear evenly on the do paper.

International tourists experience printing paintings at the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Center (Thuan Thanh Ward).

The Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Center was invested in and built by Bac Ninh province with a total area of ​​over 2,000 m2, and put into operation since 2022. The center has attracted tens of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors to visit and learn.

Photo: Dao Khoa - Tran Thao

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/doc-dao-tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-postid432803.bbg