Folk painting: Artist Nguyen Huu Qua in Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province follows in his ancestors' footsteps by keeping alive the traditional craft. — VNP/VNS Photo

BAC NINH (VNS) — The northern province of Bac Ninh will spend VND60 billion dong (US$2.8 million) to retain and develop a local art speciality, Dong Ho folk paintings.

The money, from the provincial budget and other sources, will be funnelled into the paintings in Thuan Thanh District, under a scheme approved on Thursday.

Accordingly, VND2.1 billion (nearly $100,000) will go to restoring and develop the paintings over the next two years.

Another VND50 billion ($2.3 million) will be spent on building a centre to conserve and promote the art over the next six years.

The rest of the funds will be spent on preparing a dossier for UNESCO outlining why the folk paintings should be classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Bac Ninh Province has been famous for the paintings for hundreds of years. The woodblock paintings printed on paper from the bark of the do (poonah) tree mainly reflect aspirations for a peaceful, happy and prosperous life.

In March last year, the craft was recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. — VNS