The People’s Committee of Bac Ninh province has approved a project worthnearly 60 billion VND (2.86 million USD) to preserve its signature DongHo folk painting, which is on the brink of falling into oblivion.

Fromnow to 2016, the province will spend 2.1 billion VND (100,000 USD) onreviving and developing this type of paintings, which is among thenorthern locality’s finest properties.

A centre will also be set up by 2020 at a cost of 50 billion VND (2.38 million USD) to preserve and uphold their values.

Notably,Bac Ninh will compile a dossier seeking for the UNESCO’s recognition ofthe genre as part of the intangible cultural heritage in need of urgentprotection. The work will be carried out between now and 2016, using7.8 billion VND (371,400 USD).

In the short term, the provincewill make an in-depth study of the genre’s values, examine its currentstate, and forecast risks of oblivion, thus creating a database for thedossier.

The project is implemented by the provincial Departmentof Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Thuan Thanh People’s Committee, andthe Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

Dong Hopainting is a form of woodcut prints originating from Dong Ho village,now Dong Khe hamlet, in Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district.

Traditionally, craftsmen used raw materials from nature, making sheetsof printing paper from the bark of the “do” (poonah) tree and creatingcolours from earth, burnt bamboo leaves and sea shells.

Dong Hopainting reflects a wide range of themes, especially good luck wishes,historical figures, and folk allegories. In the past, it was part of theessential decorations in each Vietnamese house during the traditionalTet (Lunar New Year) festival.

According to villagers, thepainting dates back to the 11th century during the Ly dynasty(1009-1225). However, researchers believe the craft began under the ruleof the Le dynasty (1428-1788).-VNA