Dong Ho folk paintings honored by UNESCO: A new milestone for Vietnamese heritage.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, in collaboration with Bac Ninh province, successfully campaigned for the inclusion of the "Dong Ho folk painting craft" on the List of Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, requested Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, to collaborate with and support Vietnam in protecting and promoting the value of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

On December 9th, at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi (India), the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" of Bac Ninh province, Vietnam, was officially inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This is the 17th intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to be honored by UNESCO, marking an important milestone in the efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage values ​​of the nation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, Bac Ninh province, and other ministries and agencies have made efforts together with the international community and friends to successfully have Dong Ho folk painting recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by humanity. Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van believes that with sincere cooperation and love for traditional values, new chapters in the heritage story will be written, not only to preserve but also to develop and spread this heritage to future generations.

In 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee actively and effectively coordinated with ministries, sectors, and localities to successfully campaign for 7 UNESCO titles, bringing the total number of UNESCO titles in Vietnam to 77. These prestigious UNESCO titles are unique to the nation but are also considered assets of humanity. These titles are regarded by many countries as resources and potential for attracting tourism and serving sustainable socio-economic development models.

The Vietnamese delegation held a working meeting with Ambassador Vishal V. Sharma, Chairman of the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: Nguyen Khanh)

Speaking immediately after the heritage was inscribed, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the session, stated that the inscription of Dong Ho folk painting on the List of Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding demonstrates the international community's high appreciation for the unique, historical, and profoundly humanistic values ​​of this folk painting tradition that has been closely associated with Vietnamese cultural life for hundreds of years. It is also a timely recognition of a heritage facing a high risk of extinction. The Deputy Minister also affirmed that Vietnamese government agencies will continue to pay attention to and support localities and communities that are the custodians of this heritage in protecting intangible heritage so that it is not only protected but also passed on and its vitality sustainably promoted.

Mr. Mai Son, Standing Committee Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province, emotionally announced that at the moment the session was considering the inscription of Dong Ho folk painting, the entire community of heritage custodians and many people of Bac Ninh province attentively followed and were extremely excited when Dong Ho folk painting was officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguard.

Mr. Mai Son emphasized that Dong Ho folk paintings demonstrate knowledge, sophisticated woodblock printing techniques, natural colors, vividly reflecting the life, customs and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. This registration has great significance for the heritage community in particular and for the people of Bac Ninh in general. He thanked the countries for their support and affirmed that Bac Ninh province is committed to seriously implementing the plan to protect this important heritage.

Mr. Mai Son, Permanent Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh province, delivers a speech. (Photo: Nguyen Khanh)

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO, expressed her honor and delight at being present at this memorable moment. She stated that this event not only contributes to honoring the traditional cultural values ​​of Vietnam within the treasure trove of human civilization's heritage, but also serves as vivid evidence of UNESCO and the international community's appreciation for Vietnam's contributions to protecting cultural diversity and promoting sustainable development. The event is even more significant in the context of Vietnam and UNESCO looking forward to 2026 with rich and distinctive activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO (1976–2026).

The success of the nomination dossier for "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" is the result of persistent efforts, meticulous preparation, and close coordination between the Dong Ho folk painting community, the Bac Ninh provincial government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, heritage experts, and the active coordination and collaboration of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee throughout the dossier's development, completion, and advocacy. The dossier was highly praised for its quality and persuasiveness, clearly demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to heritage preservation, ensuring continuity and authenticity, while emphasizing the participation and central role of the community – the creators, preservers, and transmitters of the craft.

In the coming period, the UNESCO inscription of the Dong Ho folk painting craft will create an important foundation for Vietnam in general and Bac Ninh province in particular to continue implementing comprehensive measures for the urgent and long-term protection of this heritage in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations; mobilizing diverse resources; strengthening education and training for the younger generation; linking preservation with the promotion of heritage values ​​in contemporary life and sustainable socio-economic development. Along with that, Vietnam will promote the image of the "Dong Ho folk painting craft" in particular and Vietnamese cultural heritage in general to international friends, thereby making a positive contribution to the world's common efforts in protecting the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-duoc-unesco-vinh-danh-dau-moc-moi-cua-di-san-viet-nam-337309.html