Dong Ho folk paintings honored by UNESCO: A new milestone for Vietnam
WVR - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO have successfully collaborated with Bac Ninh to have the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" recognized on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam. |
On December 9, at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi, India, the heritage "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" from Bac Ninh province, Vietnam, was officially inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This marks the 17th intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to be honored by UNESCO, signifying an important milestone in the effort to preserve and promote the nation's cultural heritage values.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Bac Ninh province, and various departments have worked diligently with the community and international friends to successfully elevate Dong Ho folk painting to an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van believes that through sincere cooperation and a love for traditional values, new chapters of the heritage story will be written, not only to preserve but also to develop and spread this heritage to future generations.
In 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO actively and effectively collaborated with ministries, sectors, and localities to successfully advocate for seven UNESCO titles, raising the total number of UNESCO titles in Vietnam to 77. These prestigious UNESCO titles are considered national features but are also viewed as assets of humanity. They are seen by countries as resources and potential to attract tourism and support sustainable socio-economic development models.
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| The Vietnamese delegation working with Ambassador Vishal V. Sharma, Chairman of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: Nguyen Khanh) |
Speaking immediately after the heritage was inscribed, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, Head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the session, stated that the inscription of Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft on the List of Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding reflects the international community's high appreciation for the unique, historical, and deeply humanistic values of this folk painting line that has been associated with Vietnamese cultural life for hundreds of years. It is also a timely recognition of a heritage facing a high risk of fading away. The Deputy Minister also affirmed that Vietnamese government agencies will continue to pay attention and support localities and heritage communities in protecting intangible heritage so that these heritages are not only protected but also passed on and sustainably revitalized.
Mr. Mai Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee, emotionally announced that during the moment the session considered the inscription of Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft, the entire heritage community and many residents of Bac Ninh province were attentively following and were extremely delighted when the Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft was officially inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Mr. Mai Son emphasized that Dong Ho folk paintings embody sophisticated woodblock printing techniques and natural colors, vividly reflecting the life, customs, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. This inscription holds great significance for the heritage community in particular and the people of Bac Ninh in general. He thanked the countries for their support and affirmed that Bac Ninh province is committed to seriously implementing the plan to protect this important heritage.
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| Mr. Mai Son, Permanent Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh province, speaking. (Photo: Nguyen Khanh) |
Honored and delighted to be present at this memorable moment, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, stated that this event not only contributes to honoring the traditional cultural values of Vietnam in the treasure of human civilization heritage but also serves as a vivid testament to UNESCO and the international community's respect for Vietnam's contribution to protecting cultural diversity and promoting sustainable development. The event is even more significant in the context of Vietnam and UNESCO moving towards 2026 with rich and unique activities celebrating 50 years of Vietnam's participation in UNESCO (1976–2026).
The success of the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" nomination dossier is the result of persistent efforts, meticulous preparation, and close coordination between the Dong Ho folk painting community, Bac Ninh provincial authorities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, heritage experts, along with the active coordination and collaboration of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO throughout the process of building, completing, and advocating for the dossier. The dossier was highly evaluated for its quality and persuasiveness, clearly demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to heritage preservation, ensuring continuity and authenticity, while emphasizing the participation and central role of the community – the creators, preservers, and teachers of the craft.
In the future, the inscription of the Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft by UNESCO will lay an important foundation for Vietnam in general and Bac Ninh province in particular to continue implementing comprehensive urgent and long-term measures to protect this heritage in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations; mobilize diverse resources; enhance education and craft teaching for the younger generation; link preservation with promoting heritage values in contemporary life and sustainable socio-economic development. Along with this, Vietnam will intensify the promotion of the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" heritage and Vietnamese cultural heritage in general to international friends, thereby contributing positively to the global effort to protect the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
