Hang Trong paintings and their mission to preserve the essence of Vietnamese culture.

Amidst the constant changes of modern life, where traditional values are gradually overshadowed by the pace of industrial life and new tastes, Hang Trong paintings quietly endure as a part of Hanoi's cultural memory. Without fanfare or ostentation, in every brushstroke and every layer of color, this style of painting carries a great mission: to preserve and transmit the essence of Vietnamese culture through time.

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•03/04/2026

Hang Trong paintings were deeply present in the living spaces of the people of ancient Thang Long, especially during the Lunar New Year. They were not just decorative paintings, but also symbols of faith, aspirations, and a whole system of spiritual values passed down through generations.

Artist Le Dinh Nghien introduces Hang Trong paintings at the Vietnam Folk Painting Exhibition.

During my journey to explore traditional cultural values, I had the opportunity to meet artisan Le Dinh Nghien – one of the few people still dedicated to this art form. My conversation with him not only helped me better understand this unique folk art but also sparked much reflection on the responsibility of preserving national cultural identity in the current context.

Sharing about how he came to the profession, artisan Le Dinh Nghien said: "". From this sharing, it can be seen that Hang Trong painting is not only a means of livelihood, but also a continuation of family tradition and national culture.

Beyond its historical value, Hang Trong paintings also embody profound cultural and religious significance. Paintings such as "Five Tigers," "Four Realms," or "The Emperor Riding in Robe"... not only possess aesthetic appeal but also reflect the spiritual life and worldview of the Vietnamese people. Each image and color scheme carries its own meaning, refined and perfected over time.

However, these unique values are now in danger of disappearing. One of the biggest challenges today is the shortage of successors, as more and more people are leaving the profession due to unstable income. This makes preserving the technique and spirit of painting more urgent than ever.

Artist Le Dinh Nghien further shared: "". This shows that the value of the painting lies not only in its form, but also in its exquisite technique and creative depth.

In fact, what makes Hang Trong paintings unique is the combination of line printing, color mixing, and hand-painting. This process gives each artwork its own distinct character, irreplaceable by modern technology. This is also the core element that needs to be preserved intact.

The Hang Trong painting exhibition space at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

In this context, cultural institutions play a crucial role in preserving and disseminating heritage values. The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is one of the typical examples, where folk paintings are preserved and introduced to the public. Here, it is not uncommon to see young people lingering for quite a while in front of Hang Trong paintings, not only out of curiosity, but also to appreciate and understand a long-standing cultural value.

Nguyen Thanh Tra, a first-year student at the University of Industrial Fine Arts, shared: "".

From this practical experience, it is clear that the mission of preserving the essence of Vietnamese culture cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of artisans or conservation spaces, but must become a shared responsibility of the entire society. Artisans play the role of preserving the techniques and spirit of the craft; management agencies provide guidance and develop supportive policies; cultural and educational institutions are responsible for connecting and disseminating the heritage; and the younger generation is the force that receives, creates, and continues the legacy. Only when these elements are closely and synchronously linked can the preservation of Hang Trong paintings truly go deeper and have lasting vitality in contemporary life.

In the ever-changing flow of time, innovation is an inevitable trend. However, without the support of tradition, development will become fragmented and directionless. Hang Trong paintings, with their rich history and unique cultural value, are one of those important pillars. Preserving these paintings is not just about preserving tangible works, but also about preserving national identity. Within each layer of color, each seemingly simple brushstroke lies the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture, accumulated and refined over many generations.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/tranh-hang-trong-va-su-menh-luu-giu-hon-cot-van-hoa-viet-1033102