[Photo] Dong Ho Paintings - Old Styles Tell Modern Stories

The program "Bac Ninh Cultural Quintessence - Dong Ho Colors" took place from March 29-30, 2025 at Ba Kieu Temple Flower Garden (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), organized by the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province in coordination with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO. The event was attended by delegates including leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, representatives of the Vietnam Commission for UNESCO, representatives of embassies of countries in Vietnam and leaders of Bac Ninh province.

At the opening ceremony, visitors and international friends not only had the opportunity to admire unique folk art works but also directly enjoy the process of creating paintings under the talented hands of folk artisans of Dong Ho village.

The cultural space of Bac Ninh-Kinh Bac in the heart of the capital is like a brilliant picture, where Quan Ho melodies echo, graceful Ao Tu Than dresses blend with festival colors, recreating a vivid heritage.

Comrade Nguyen Anh Tuan, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee attended and visited the Dong Ho painting exhibition booths.

Meritorious artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh, Dong Ho painting village (Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh), introduced the unique beauty of Dong Ho folk paintings at the event "Quintessence of Bac Ninh culture - Colors of Dong Ho", bringing viewers into a lively and meaningful traditional art space.

Dong Ho paintings are not only folk paintings, but also the crystallization of sophisticated traditional crafting techniques, along with the method of making completely natural painting materials. Die paper is made from finely ground seashells, colors are extracted from plants such as black from bamboo leaf charcoal, red from red gravel, yellow from pagoda flowers, green from indigo leaves...

The technique of making woodblock paintings is a quintessence of folk art, where each printing block not only retains the imprint of the artisan's hand but also breathes life into each line. In the photo: artisan Nguyen Huu Dao (born in 1990, Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh) next to the sophisticated printing blocks, contributing to preserving the traditional values ​​of Dong Ho paintings.

The program has the participation of typical artisans of Dong Ho village, such as artisan Nguyen Dang Tam - those who are continuing, preserving and developing the traditional profession of their ancestors, contributing to bringing Dong Ho paintings far and wide.

According to the excellent artisan Nguyen Huu Qua (Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh), Dong Ho paintings have four main themes: Paintings of daily life (Mouse wedding, Coconut gathering, Jealousy, Buffalo herding and flute playing), historical and heroic paintings (Ba Trung, Ba Trieu, Thanh Giong, Ngo Quyen), congratulatory paintings (Pig flock, Chicken flock, Glory, Prosperity) and legend and belief paintings (Tu phu cong dong, Ngu ho, Ong Cong Ong Tao).

Each Dong Ho folk painting vividly represents the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the Vietnamese people.

In the space introducing Dong Ho folk painting culture, the image of a betel leaf wrapped in phoenix wings and a cup of fragrant guava juice, like a warm greeting from Quan Ho singers, blends with the colors of woodcut paintings, creating a cultural picture that is both rustic and profound - where the soul of the countryside converges through each carving and love song.

The Quintessence of Bac Ninh Culture - Dong Ho Colors also introduces unique cultural heritages through traditional craft village products such as Phu Lang pottery, Dai Bai bronze casting, Xuan Hoi bamboo and rattan weaving, Phu Khe and Dong Ky fine art wood; along with Bac Ninh OCOP products, "Quan Ho hometown gifts" specialties and calligraphy performances from the Bac Ninh Calligraphy Club.

The cultural colors of Bac Ninh blend together to create a vivid and attractive picture. This is not only an opportunity to honor and promote Kinh Bac cultural heritage but also opens a bridge of cultural and tourism exchange, connecting Hanoi and other regions, attracting domestic and international tourists to explore the rich heritage.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-tranh-dong-ho-net-xua-ke-chuyen-nay-post868644.html