[Video] The craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings has been inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Crafts in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, on December 9th in New Delhi (India), the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 UNESCO Convention decided to inscribe the Dong Ho folk painting craft on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This is the 17th Vietnamese heritage item to be inscribed by UNESCO.

UNESCO assessed Vietnam's application as fully meeting the criteria, showing that Dong Ho folk painting is associated with the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and religious rituals. However, the number of skilled artisans has decreased sharply, with only a few households maintaining the craft; few young people are pursuing the profession; income is unstable; and the demand for woodblock prints is declining, leading to the risk of a breakdown in the transmission of the craft.

The heritage protection plan comprises seven objectives, including establishing training classes, inventorying heritage, designing patterns, diversifying markets, improving raw material sources, and providing protective equipment for artisans. The plan demonstrates the active participation of the community, especially families involved in the craft.

UNESCO recommends that Vietnam incorporate heritage into its formal and informal education systems to raise awareness and help younger generations understand the value and responsibility of protecting traditional crafts.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/video-nghe-lam-tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-duoc-unesco-ghi-danh-vao-danh-sach-can-bao-ve-khan-cap-post929170.html