When cultural diplomacy illuminates heritage.

From the painting village along the Duong River to a global heritage site, the journey of Dong Ho painting demonstrates the prominent role of cultural diplomacy in integrating national essence into the mainstream of human culture.

Originating around the 17th century, Dong Ho folk paintings are one of the quintessential symbols of Vietnamese folk culture.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van delivered a speech at the art program "Vietnam - Cultural Quintessence and Aspiration for Advancement" on the evening of April 9, 2025, at UNESCO headquarters. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO)

Made entirely from natural materials like dó paper and colors extracted from plants and minerals, Dong Ho paintings vividly reflect the working life, daily activities, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people for a prosperous, righteous life in harmony with nature.

Beyond its aesthetic value, Dong Ho paintings also contain profound humanistic messages, having been present in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people as a beautiful custom during the Lunar New Year.

These very values ​​have given the heritage its enduring vitality, while also creating an urgent need to protect it from the risk of disappearing in the modern context.

Recognizing the significance and challenges of heritage preservation, in 2012, the Prime Minister approved the plan to prepare a dossier for submission to UNESCO for the inscription of "Dong Ho folk painting craft". By 2017, the heritage was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, creating an important legal and scientific foundation for the preparation of an international dossier.

From 2017 to 2019, the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO (now the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy), acting as the Secretariat of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee and the Cultural Subcommittee, consistently supported Bac Ninh province (the locality possessing the heritage site) in building the dossier for submission to UNESCO.

The support activities were implemented systematically, from guiding the process according to the criteria of the 2003 Convention, organizing conferences and workshops to identify the outstanding universal value of the heritage, to conducting field surveys and inventories and inviting international experts to provide advice, ensuring that the dossier meets UNESCO's requirements.

In 2020, the complete dossier was officially submitted to UNESCO by the Secretariat of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, marking a significant shift from domestic preparation to international advocacy.

From 2021 to 2025, the campaign to obtain the nomination was implemented synchronously through close coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO, and the localities owning the heritage sites.

Many activities promoting and showcasing heritage were organized both domestically and internationally, as well as events within the framework of Vietnam Day abroad in Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

Through these activities, Dong Ho paintings are presented as a vibrant cultural story, linked to messages about environmental protection, sustainable development, and cultural dialogue—priorities that UNESCO is strongly promoting.

At the event "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh Culture - The Colors of Dong Ho" organized by the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee in coordination with the Vietnam UNESCO Committee in Hanoi on March 29, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that the craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings is facing significant challenges, most notably the shrinking market for the products and the risk of extinction as the number of elderly artisans gradually decreases.

"The unwavering spirit of the local community in preserving and protecting the Dong Ho folk painting craft is an invaluable and commendable contribution."

"In order for Dong Ho paintings to continue to be sustainably preserved and to strongly spread their humanistic values ​​and profound messages about gender equality, environmental protection, and the preservation of traditional culture in the international community, Vietnam hopes to receive the companionship, support, and cooperation of international friends," the Deputy Minister emphasized.

International friends experience making Dong Ho folk paintings at the event "Vietnam - Cultural Essence and Aspiration for Development" at UNESCO headquarters. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO)

Speaking at the event "Vietnam - Cultural Essence and Aspiration for Advancement," organized by the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO and the Vietnam Cultural Center in France on the evening of April 9, 2025, at UNESCO headquarters, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van also introduced Dong Ho paintings as not only a form of folk art, but also "a declaration of the Vietnamese people's harmonious lifestyle with nature" - a value particularly suitable for the sustainable development priorities that UNESCO is currently promoting.

Alongside these events were direct meetings and exchanges with the UNESCO leadership, Ambassadors, and Heads of Delegations of the member states of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention, contributing to bringing the voice of Vietnamese heritage to the right forum and the right audience.

Therefore, the inclusion of Dong Ho folk painting by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguard is both an international recognition and a reminder of our responsibility to preserve it.

At 2:38 PM on December 9, 2025 (local time), in New Delhi (India), the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 UNESCO Convention officially inscribed the Dong Ho folk painting craft of Bac Ninh province on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguard. This is the 17th intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to be honored by UNESCO, and is the result of a meticulous preparation process and persistent lobbying through cultural diplomacy.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khi-ngoai-giao-van-hoa-thap-sang-di-san-337884.html