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Created to bring cultural heritage closer to modern life, the Hoa ky Dong Ho project was launched with the mission of preserving, systematizing and reinterpreting the authentic values of Dong Ho folk painting for a new generation.
The project's highlight is a series of immersive, multi-sensory experiences held at the Vietnam Youth Academy, where young people actively contribute to the continuing story of Vietnam's traditional folk art. At the heart of the initiative is the cultural and artistic program Hon thieng tren giay diep (The Sacred Spirit on Do Paper).
Visitors were welcomed into a creative environment featuring a wide range of accessible and engaging activities, including a contemporary dance drama depicting the journey of Dong Ho heritage. The performance aimed to inspire pride and strengthen connections between younger generations and Vietnam's cultural traditions.
The event also featured direct exchanges with master artisans, who shared insights into the humanistic philosophy behind Dong Ho paintings and their lifelong efforts to preserve the craft. Participants had the opportunity to print traditional folk paintings by hand and explore their creativity through coloring activities.
Visitors could also step into the world of Dong Ho art by "becoming" characters from the paintings through digital technology applications, creating an interactive bridge between heritage and innovation.
According to artisan Nguyen Dang Tam from Dong Ho painting village, passing down the craft to younger family members is not only a source of pride but also a responsibility to the homeland and the nation. Rather than forcing the next generation to follow the profession, he believes in a gradual approach - patiently helping young people understand and appreciate the beauty and value of Vietnam's traditional culture.
The artisan also emphasized the uniqueness of Dong Ho painting, describing it as a cultural treasure found nowhere else. Compared with other craft villages, Dong Ho paintings possess a distinctive identity that remains unmatched. As society becomes increasingly modernized, he noted, traditional cultural values are receiving greater recognition, creating more sustainable economic opportunities for those who continue to preserve the craft.
Phan Nguyen Tam Anh, Head of the Organizing Committee and a 12th-cohort Public Relations student at the Vietnam Youth Academy, told VietNamNet that the idea for the project originated during a field trip to Dong Ho painting village in Bac Ninh Province.
During the visit, the student team was surprised to see artisans creating entirely new Dong Ho paintings inspired by contemporary daily life rather than relying solely on familiar traditional themes.
Recognizing the relevance and adaptability of the heritage, the group became determined to bring Dong Ho art closer to younger audiences. Tam Anh and the team decided that the key was to change the language of communication.
The Hoa ky Dong Ho project transformed folk stories into more contemporary and relatable content formats, including TikTok videos and interactive role-playing experiences that allow participants to connect with heritage in ways that feel natural to today's digital generation.
"What I hope for is not simply that visitors take home gifts or paintings," Tam Anh said. "I hope they come to understand that Dong Ho paintings are closely connected to everyday life and that art has always reflected reality. I hope young people will gradually come to love Dong Ho paintings in the same way they love their own lives."
A contemporary dance performance depicting the journey of Dong Ho folk painting heritage formed one of the central highlights of the program.
Tinh Le
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