Studying folklore paintings in Hanoi ancient quarter
Update: Feb 08, 2014
Hang Trong and Dong Ho folk painting styles, which are being introduced at the Heritage House at 87 Ma May street in Hanoi ancient quarter during Tet, have attracted a lot of domestic and foreign tourists.

The activity is being held from 24th day of the last lunar month to 15th day of the first lunar month (from January 24th to February 14th 2014).

Tourists have a chance to discover folklore cultural characteristics, similarities as well differences of the two famous Vietnamese kinds of painting.

Hang Trong painting consists two main topics for worshipping and decorating during Tet. Worship paintings are often hung in temples, communal houses, pagodas and sanctuaries. Paintings for Tet decoration reflect nature and daily life. Dozens of Dong Ho paintings introduced at the Heritage House depict simple things in daily life, sending aspirations about a peaceful and happy life in the new year. Common animals in the country side such as cocks and buffaloes are manifested in the paintings. Tourists to the house can also buy or order their favourite paintings.

Artisan Le Dinh Nghien, working at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, is succeeding his father to preserve Hang Trong folk painting. His study about Hang Trong folklore painting won first prize of the Vietnam Folklore Arts Awards 2013 of the Vietnamese Folklore Arts Association.

According to the management board of Hanoi ancient quarter, thousands of Vietnamese and foreign tourists have come the house during Tet holidays to study these two kinds of painting. Several people bought paintings and asked for telephone numbers to contact artisans.

CPV