Secretary of Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Anh Tuan introduced the experience of making Dong Ho paintings to Ambassadors and Heads of international diplomatic agencies to mobilize support for the craft of making Dong Ho paintings. Photo: T.THANH
Recently, at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh had a working session with the delegation of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province on the nomination dossier of "Dong Ho folk painting craft" as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection, which will be considered by UNESCO in December 2025.
Van Hoa had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Van Dap, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province about the nomination documents.
Could you please inform us about the recent working session of the Vietnamese Delegation with the Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO in Paris?
- Mr. Nguyen Van Dap : At the working session, Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh appreciated the role and efforts of the Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province in the process of building the Dossier.
The Ambassador expressed his joy and commented that the dossier was systematically and seriously prepared, reflecting a high sense of responsibility in the work of preserving an intangible cultural heritage that is facing the risk of being lost. The Ambassador affirmed that the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO attaches great importance to this nomination dossier and the Delegation has been the focal point, together with the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the National Commission for UNESCO, to carry out many promotional and advocacy activities for the dossier.
In what context was the preparation of the dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of Dong Ho painting making as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection carried out?
- We are making efforts to prepare a dossier to submit to UNESCO for consideration and recognition of Dong Ho painting as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection in the context that this traditional craft is facing a serious risk of extinction.
Although it is a unique cultural symbol of the nation, the number of remaining artisans is very small, mainly the elderly. The sophisticated painting techniques, from making diep paper, creating natural colors from local materials to carving and printing, are gradually being lost due to the lack of successors and competition from modern art forms.
In addition, the market for traditional Dong Ho paintings faces many difficulties, making the lives of artisans unstable, reducing the motivation for the younger generation to stick with the profession.
Submitting to UNESCO for inclusion in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is an urgent action to attract the attention of the international community, mobilize resources and build effective conservation programs, helping Dong Ho painting overcome difficult times, revive and develop sustainably.
Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh Nguyen Van Dap guides the craft of making Dong Ho paintings at the program introducing Bac Ninh culture in Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province)
There are only six months left until UNESCO considers the Dong Ho Painting Profession dossier. Can you tell us about the nomination and how you received feedback from UNESCO and member countries?
- The 2003 Convention Dossier Review Council is reviewing the dossiers of countries in 2025, including Vietnam. The dossier review is an internal task of the Council, without direct feedback and requires many additions and corrections. In some cases, the dossier needs clarification or addition of some small, insignificant information, then in July - August 2025, the 2003 Convention Secretariat will send a letter to the member country regarding clarification or additional information.
The UNESCO Evaluation Council will review the dossier and report to the Intergovernmental Committee in December 2025. The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 UNESCO Convention will meet in New Delhi, India in December 2025 to officially inscribe the intangible cultural heritage of the countries.
In recent times, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the National Commission for UNESCO have chaired many cultural activities to promote and mobilize for the dossier. These events have left many good impressions on international friends, contributing to attracting the attention of the international community to this unique cultural heritage of Vietnam.
The recent working trip of the Vietnamese delegation aimed to research, learn about international experiences and exchange expertise in the field of intangible cultural heritage conservation, contributing to promoting the process of inscribing dossiers on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Vietnamese authorities will continue to coordinate closely with the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO from now until December 2025 when UNESCO considers this important nomination dossier.
Please tell me, what do we need to do from now until December 2025?
- While waiting for the results from UNESCO on the Dong Ho Painting Profession Profile, we need to take practical actions to preserve and promote this Heritage. We need to continue to strengthen conservation activities and direct teaching in craft villages, support artisans to continue production, ensure livelihoods and pass on the profession to the younger generation.
Continue to promote Dong Ho paintings domestically through exhibitions, cultural events, and especially the application of digital technology to reach a wide audience, especially young people, helping them understand and love the value of cultural heritage.
It is also important to be prepared for all scenarios from UNESCO: If the site is recognized, there will be a plan to promote its international stature; if not, there will be a plan to remedy the situation, supplement the dossier and continue to make stronger conservation efforts...
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/san-sang-cho-moi-kich-ban-141924.html
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