Unique Dong Ho folk paintings

BAC NINH - On the afternoon of December 9th, at 2:38 PM Indian time (4:08 PM Vietnamese time), at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi (India), the Dong Ho folk painting craft of Vietnam was officially inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

Dong Ho folk paintings (Thuan Thanh ward) are the culmination of unique knowledge, sophisticated woodblock printing techniques, and completely natural colors. This unique style of painting vividly reflects the life, customs, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. Its recognition holds profound significance for the heritage community and all the people of Bac Ninh province.

Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa introduced and guided Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in printing Dong Ho folk paintings.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and provincial leaders experienced the Dong Ho folk painting printing technique at the exhibition booth showcasing images and documents celebrating the First Bac Ninh Provincial Emulation Congress, 2025-2030 (September 2025).

At the exhibition celebrating the First Congress of the Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030 (September 2025), Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa presented Dong Ho folk paintings to Comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Chairman of the Central Inspection Committee, and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Thai.

Distinguished Artist Nguyen Thi Oanh demonstrates the techniques of ink painting and color blending.

Young artisan Nguyen Huu Dao demonstrates woodblock carving techniques – a difficult craft requiring artisans to possess exquisite carving skills to create carvings of varying sizes, both robust and delicate, imbued with soul.

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

Typically, each Dong Ho folk painting will have 5 colors. After printing the main colors, the artist will print the black outlines, also known as outlining, to create the borders of the colors.

Dong Ho paintings are printed using the woodblock printing method, meaning the printed woodblock is pressed onto colored paper so that the color is evenly absorbed into the image carved on the woodblock, then printed onto diep paper. A piece of loofah fiber is then rubbed 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, built by Bac Ninh province with a total area of ​​over 2,000 square meters, has been in operation since 2022. The center has attracted tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors to tour and learn about the art form.

Photo: Dao Khoa - Tran Thao

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