There, the indigenous beauty and cultural essence of Vietnam are preserved and passed down through generations, like a silent but enduring stream in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Recalling the moment when the Dong Ho painting craft was inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi (India) in December 2025, artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa—the only artisan from Dong Ho painting village to directly attend the session—still couldn't hide his emotion. His voice swelled as he shared: “The moment the craft village was named, not only I but all members of the Vietnamese delegation were overwhelmed with emotion, joy mixed with pride. I am silently grateful to the generations of our ancestors who created and passed down this unique craft that I have inherited.”
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According to artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa, the greater the pride, the heavier the responsibility. “For those of us who preserve this craft, what we need to do is preserve traditional values, continuously improve product quality, and strengthen promotion and advertising to our descendants, the people in the neighborhood, friends, and domestic and international tourists. Each artisan and each family needs to proactively create a bright, green, clean, and beautiful exhibition space; create a welcoming space for visitors to learn about the craft and the paintings, so that every visitor leaving Dong Ho carries with them a clear sense of the land and people of Kinh Bac – hardworking, diligent, and talented.”
In the flow of Vietnamese folk culture, Dong Ho paintings have been an integral part of people's lives for nearly 500 years, becoming a familiar source of spiritual nourishment, especially during the Lunar New Year. The craft of making Dong Ho paintings is the culmination of unique folk knowledge, sophisticated woodblock printing techniques, and a color palette derived entirely from natural sources: scallop shells, indigo leaves, bamboo charcoal, pagoda tree flowers, etc., creating paintings with colors that are both rustic and enduring over time.
In the early days of spring, visiting Dong Ho painting village, one still encounters the familiar sounds of chiseling on wooden boards, the steady rhythm of hands printing and painting. This atmosphere of labor serves as a silent but firm affirmation of Bac Ninh province's commitment to UNESCO in implementing urgent measures to preserve, protect, and promote the value of this precious art of painting.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries. According to Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Dang Che: The unique essence of Dong Ho paintings lies in their cheerful and innocent imagery, embodying the age-old dreams of working people for a harmonious, prosperous, and happy family life; and for a just and good society. Each painting carries a unique message, reflecting very ordinary yet profound aspirations: The lively "Lion Dance" painting conveys wishes for prosperity and success; the "Glory and Wealth" painting is a blessing for peace, abundance, and family reunion; the "Buffalo Herding and Flute Playing" painting celebrates the peaceful life of the Vietnamese countryside, conveying aspirations for personal growth and achievement.
However, along with the pride come significant concerns. The reality is that very few families continue to maintain the craft of Dong Ho folk painting, with the transmission of knowledge and skills primarily taking place within families. This is a shared worry for those preserving the craft, such as artisans Nguyen Dang Che and Nguyen Huu Hoa, as well as dedicated cultural managers. “The more proud we are of our national tradition, the greater our responsibility to preserve Dong Ho folk painting,” expressed artisan Nguyen Dang Che. He hopes that UNESCO's recognition will not only be an honor but also a reminder and a strong signal to encourage the State, the community, and international friends to work together to preserve this heritage in a more urgent, systematic, and sustainable way, so that Dong Ho paintings will forever retain their fresh, heartfelt, and deeply Vietnamese spirit.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/tranh-dong-ho-tham-dam-tinh-than-viet-1028148
