The cover of the book Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Hàng Trống featuring an original genre of traditional Vietnamese woodcuts by artisans in Hanoi. — Photo anninhthudo.vn

Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Hàng Trống (Hang Trong Folk Paintings) is the result of two-year preparation of its author, collector Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa, following the publication of two previous editions featuring two other genres of Vietnamese folk paintings - Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Kim Hoàng (Kim Hoang Folk Paintings) and Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Đông Hồ (Dong Ho Folk Paintings).

All three of the books have been made by the author herself, from going on field trips, meetings with artisans, designing and printing.

The third edition, which includes 340 pages, was completed while Hoa stayed at home during the social distancing period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To compile the information for the book, she met senior artisan and the only temporary practitioner of Hang Trong folk paintings, artist Le Dinh Nghien and his son Le Hoan, to record their career stories.

One of its highlights is nearly 400 pictures and photos, many of which are rare and precious ones collected from various sources, including the author’s own collection.

Hàng Trống Folk Paintings also showcases the process of making a complete work, illustrated via hundreds of photos taken and provided by Nghien and Hoan.

“The publication of the book aims to bridge Hàng Trống folk paintings with modernity. Besides providing necessary materials for better understanding of the art form, we also hope to spread or awaken the passion for traditional culture that is secluded somewhere in the souls of the young generations.

“Moreover, I also expect stronger companionship from the cultural agencies of the capital so that the Hanoians and tourists could contemplate Hàng Trống folk paintings right on Hang Trong Street someday,” Hoa said.

The book is published by World Publisher in co-operation with the Hanoi Ceramics Museum. In addition to the paperback version, the book also has 100 limited edition copies for book collectors. There are five copies with leather covers, hand-stitched by artist Nguyen Duc Khuynh.

One of the most popular and original folk paintings in Vietnam, Hàng Trống folk paintings are closely associated with the culture of Hanoi. Their subjects are diverse, ranging from history, worship, decoration and social activities. Therefore, the paintings were popular to all classes in society and hung in various spaces and occasions.

Over time, the folk paintings are only created by the family of artisan Le Dinh Nghien, facing the risk of falling into oblivion like other traditional art genres.  VNS

Exhibition on Hang Trong folk paintings underway in Hanoi

The exhibition is a part of the project “From tradition to tradition” which encourages young artists to preserve the folk art and values of cultural heritages.