Dong Ho folk paintings come alive on stage after UNESCO recognition

THE HANOI TIMES — Dong Ho The Su, scheduled for December 14 at the Cultural House Hall of Hanoi University of Culture, comes at a timely moment, just days after UNESCO officially inscribed the 500-year-old Dong Ho folk painting craft on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The event responds directly to this milestone, transforming the celebrated folk paintings into a live stage experience as Vietnam reflects on the global recognition of one of its most iconic cultural legacies.

Dong Ho The Su is a folk-theater performance combined with a talk show and co-organized by The 21st Tale, a student event-production group from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU Hanoi), and the Theater & Film Club of Viet Duc High School, bringing 11 years of experience in promoting performing arts to students.

The event targets young audiences aged 18 to 25 who value the meeting point between tradition and modern creativity.

The program brings together experts in heritage research, creative practice and cultural preservation to explore the deeper meanings behind Dong Ho folk paintings.

Folklorist Nguyen Hung Vy adds academic depth by explaining the satire and fertility symbols expressed through rustic woodcut lines.

He stressed that preservation goes beyond museum storage and requires “enhancing dynamism” by expanding heritage into diverse art forms.

Vy added that young people carry a vital responsibility to promote heritage globally, echoing UNESCO’s recommendations.

Choreographer Hieu Nguyen and artisan Nguyen Huu Dao from Dong Ho Painting Village contribute practical perspectives.

Dao said the UNESCO inscription creates opportunities while placing greater responsibility on local communities.

He values theatrical interpretations like Dong Ho The Su, saying they make heritage more vivid, engaging and accessible to younger audiences.

The discussion moves beyond theory to address challenges in refreshing traditional narratives and sustaining heritage in a market-driven environment.

The open forum invites young audiences to listen, question and debate cultural preservation and creative expression.

After the talk show, the audience will watch a play inspired by the Dong Ho folk painting Dam Cuoi Chuot (The Rat’s Wedding).

The performance blends spoken drama, movement and contemporary folk music, using symbolic characters such as the Rat and the Cat to reflect enduring social themes.

Dong Ho The Su takes place as Vietnam accelerates the development of cultural industries, with heritage as a strategic pillar.

The event shows growing youth awareness of cultural value through independent, well-structured initiatives.

Organizing committee head Nguyen Gia Han hopes the program will grow beyond a student project.

“We hope Dong Ho The Su becomes a bridge connecting young people with traditional values, showing that heritage can resonate deeply in the right contemporary context,” she said.

The program serves as a pilot model for experiential heritage education. It proves that fresh storytelling and relevant settings can help traditional culture stand alongside modern entertainment in capturing public interest.

When the curtain rises, old stories are retold with new vitality. Don’t miss this date with traditional culture on December 14, register now at the link provided https://forms.gle/cWPLd6K5YZDiz9au8