(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam is working on the dossier on the Vietnamese folk art of Dong Ho painting in a bid to secure UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent safeguarding.
 Famous Dong Ho painting "The Mouse's Wedding". |
The dossier is expected to be appraised by the National Cultural Heritage Council in December, then submitted to the Prime Minister.
Dong Ho painting was included on the list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2012. Dong Ho paintings, or Vietnamese woodblock prints, originate in Dong Ho Village, Hanoi’s neighboring province of Bac Ninh, with a history spanning hundreds of years. Embodying historical, cultural, and artistic values, Dong Ho paintings often depict day-to-day activities and agricultural production. They portray legendary characters, landscapes, and activities that typically convey the wish for happiness, wealth, bountiful crops and effective husbandry. There are seven main categories of Dong Ho paintings: worship, blessing, history, story-telling, proverbial painting, scenery, and daily routine.
The process of making Dong Ho paintings include drawing on thin absorbent paper, carving onto a wood board, printing on “Do” or poonah paper, and coloring.
Dong Ho paintings used to be essential decorations during the festival of Tet-Vietnam’s lunar new year holiday.
Some popular Dong Ho paintings: