(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam’s Dong Ho folk paintings were introduced to international friends at an event at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris earlier this week to showcase Vietnam’s rich culture and push for UNESCO recognition this year of this art form as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
 Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Dang Tam introduces Dong Ho paintings at the event “Vietnam Day in France 2023” (Photo: The Organizing Board) |
Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Dang Tam from Dong Ho village in Bac Ninh province made thorough preparations for the Dong Ho folk painting exhibition.
“We demonstrate the art of printing Dong Ho paintings and show the guests how to do it, using the proper colors, materials, and many other elements,” said Tam.
Though the exhibition space is only about 12 square meters, it encapsulates the essence of a rich folk culture preserved and passed down through generations of Vietnamese people, he noted. Each painting was carefully selected to reflect the rich spiritual life of the rural areas of Vietnam in the past.
Tam guided international guests in a hands-on printing experience to showcase the intricate, time-consuming process of making a Dong Ho folk painting. After this exhibition, Dong Ho folk paintings will be promoted at a similar event in Germany.
"We hope this exhibition will give UNESCO members a deeper appreciation of the charm and unique beauty of Dong Ho folk paintings. It’s our hope that this traditional art form will soon be recognized as a UNESCO heritage," said Tam.
 The Dong Ho painting "Yin-Yang Pig Herd" (Photo: VOV) |
Dong Ho paintings are made on "do" (poonah) paper, which is coated with powdered seashells. The colors are created using natural materials from forests and seas, producing different textures and layers that make the artwork vivid and attractive. White comes from scallop shells, green from indigo leaves, red from mountain stones. The process of woodblock carving and printing is entirely manual and consists of many steps. Each color in a Dong Ho painting corresponds to a different carved woodblock.
Dong Ho paintings have specific themes that reflect various aspects of rural life. In the past, artisans used wood and color to record scenes of daily life with embedded messages about morality, aesthetics, and the hope for a peaceful, prosperous life.
“Dong Ho paintings are completely handmade and their colors are made from natural materials. Each painting portrays the simplicity of daily life, with themes such as blessings, history, spirituality, and social critique. In the past, people only bought Dong Ho paintings at the Lunar New Year for good fortune. Now, tourists can purchase them year-round,” Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh of Dong Ho village said.
 Artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh (Photo: VNP) |
Today, only three families from two lineages in Dong Ho village still practice the craft. There’s a severe shortage of young people who understand the ancient stories depicted in the paintings. And the wood used for carving the blocks is no longer as abundant, as rural areas have become urbanized. The shell material used to produce the white pigment is also increasingly scarce and at risk of depletion.
“Facing these difficulties, there is an urgent need to protect the Dong Ho painting craft as a heritage. If UNESCO adds Dong Ho painting to the list of heritages in need of urgent safeguarding, it would be very meaningful. Artisans like me have actively contributed to the preparation of the dossiers, offering detailed documentation and strong scientific evidence," Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Huu Qua of Dong Ho village said.
While awaiting recognition, the artisans are constantly working to preserve and promote Dong Ho folk painting.
“If UNESCO recognizes Dong Ho painting, it will help preserve and promote the craft, and would draw attention from authorities at all levels, leading to policies and actions to support its development. In recent years, artisans in Dong Ho village have made a great effort to preserve and promote our homeland’s folk painting tradition,” said Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa of Dong Ho village.