Telling stories with do paper

From the desire to preserve and renew Do paper, a group of young people, led by Le Trang, owner of the Dutra café chain in Phan Dinh Phung ward, and colleagues from many other localities, have combined folk techniques and contemporary art styles through the form of workshops. The workshop "Do paper - Revived from memories" is held once a month, attracting a large number of young people to participate.

Le Trang (second from left) shares about her journey of "touching" Do paper at the workshop "Do paper - revived from memories".

Modern inspiration on antique materials

For the past 5 years, Le Trang - one of the young people who loves Vietnamese culture has been tirelessly searching for the answer to the question: "What is Do paper? Where does it come from and why can it live so persistently in the hearts of Vietnamese people?".

Trang has spent a lot of time learning about Do paper. Not only reading books or searching online, Trang has traveled to the highlands of Tuyen Quang to meet artisans who still maintain the traditional craft of making Do paper.

There, she witnessed the papermaking process firsthand. Each stage was a cultural feature, a story of patience and respect for nature.

Yellowish, thin, flexible dó paper is made entirely by hand.

Not stopping there, when she had the opportunity to return to the countryside of Bac Ninh , Trang visited Dong Ho painting village, the land associated with Do paper and Vietnamese folk paintings. Only after going there did she realize that Do paper is not just a piece of paper, but a living treasure.

And when they "touched" Do paper, Le Trang and her colleagues organized workshops that included activities such as: Learning the paper-making process, learning how to draw on Do paper or making highly applicable handicrafts (such as: decor items, decorative lights...). Every last Sunday of the month, the workshop "Do paper - Reviving from memories" at Dutra art hub cafe in Phan Dinh Phung ward, becomes a meeting place for many young people who share the same passion.

By carefully observing and learning about the special dó paper through the stories and videos that Le Trang and her colleagues recorded during their trips, the young people present here were all extremely excited. Right from the first touch, the yellowish, thin but flexible papers made entirely by hand from the bark of the dó tree created a fascinating attraction for many young people.

Resurrection by the hearts of young people

Application of Do paper in living space decor.

Le Tham, Hanoi - one of the founding partners of the workshop “Do paper - Revived from memory”, shared: The group's goal is not only to preserve the traditional craft but also to make Do paper a part of modern life. Do paper is not only a material, but also a way of life. It carries the philosophy of simplicity, sustainability and respect for nature.

Not simply a traditional material closely associated with Vietnamese cultural life, Do paper has gradually become a silent "cultural ambassador", known and loved by many foreigners for its simplicity, sophistication and sustainable value.

Josh Daniel Stewart from the US, during his participation in the craft workshops in Thai Nguyen, shared: I have been to many regions in Vietnam, and also heard from friends about the type of paper commonly used in Dong Ho paintings. However, this is the first time I have seen this type of paper in real life. I am especially fascinated by the stories that young people tell on their journey to discover Do paper. I did not expect that Do paper can be used to make cards, decorative lamps, fans... very artistically. I really love Do paper. I will definitely stay here longer and learn more about the unique and distinctive cultural features of Vietnam.

The hand fan made from Do paper evokes childhood memories.

While providing a creative artistic playground, the workshop “Do Paper - Reviving from Memory” also helps young people approach traditional culture in a close, practical and in-depth way.

Not only stopping at the material of “telling stories”, products made from Do paper such as paintings, cards, bookmarks, lanterns, decorative lights… are on sale, attracting handicraft lovers because of their aesthetic value and strong Vietnamese cultural identity. This is a signal that Do paper can completely enter the modern creative market, making positive contributions to many aspects of life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202509/ke-chuyen-bang-giay-do-f6c1ca0/