Vinh Quy Bai To – The Scholar’s Homecoming | Traditional Dong Ho Folk Art
$34.90
View artwork →
HANDCRAFTED IN VIETNAM
Vietnamese Folk Art, Made by Hand
Discover authentic Đông Hồ woodblock prints — a centuries-old Vietnamese art tradition, printed by artisans on traditional dó paper.
Explore the CollectionTHE COLLECTION
Art with a Story
Traditional works created to bring beauty, culture and meaning into your home.
THE ART OF ĐÔNG HỒ
Printed by hand. Preserved through generations.
Each print begins with a hand-carved woodblock and is printed layer by layer using traditional techniques. The distinctive surface of dó paper and điệp creates a warm, tactile character that makes every piece feel alive.
Our Story →01
HANDCRAFTING DÓ PAPER
From tree bark to traditional paper
The bark of the dó tree is carefully processed through multiple traditional steps to create a thin, durable paper. The surface is then coated with điệp, giving Dong Ho prints their distinctive texture and subtle natural shimmer.
1. Bark is stripped
2. Soaked and softened
3. Beaten into pulp
4. Paper with điệp coating
Traditional color preparation
02
PREPARING THE COLORS
Colors drawn from nature
Color is an essential part of Dong Ho folk art. Traditional pigments are prepared by hand from carefully selected materials, creating the distinctive palette that gives each print its warmth and character.
01
RED
Traditional pigment
02
YELLOW
Traditional pigment
03
GREEN
Traditional pigment
04
BLACK
Traditional pigment
05
WHITE
Traditional pigment
Each pigment is prepared before printing and applied separately during the woodblock printing process.
03
CARVING THE WOODBLOCKS
Five color layers. Five hand-carved blocks. One finished print.
A Dong Ho print is built from separate hand-carved woodblocks. Each block carries a different color layer, and every carved detail must align with the others when the artwork is printed. Traditionally carved from century-old Vietnamese persimmon (thị) wood, these woodblocks are valued for their durability and ability to preserve fine details through generations of printing.
5
HAND-CARVED WOODBLOCKS
ONE BLOCK FOR EACH COLOR LAYER
RED BLOCK
Carved for the light color layer
PINK BLOCK
Carved for the red layer
GREEN BLOCK
Carved for the yellow layer
YELLOW BLOCK
Carved for the green layer
BLACK BLOCK
Carved for the black layer
Each woodblock contributes one layer to the image. During printing, the blocks are carefully aligned so the separate colors come together as one complete composition.
HAND-CARVED BY ARTISANS
Five woodblocks for five color layers
04
PRINTING, LAYER BY LAYER
Five blocks. Five stages. One finished print.
Each color is printed separately from its own hand-carved woodblock. After each impression, the print is left to dry for 4–6 hours before the next layer is carefully aligned and applied. Color by color, the complete artwork gradually emerges.
01
The first impression.
THE RED LAYER
The process begins with the red woodblock, laying down the first shapes of the composition.
02
The image begins to take shape.
THE GREEN LAYER
Once the red layer has dried, the green woodblock is carefully aligned and printed over the first impression.
03
Another layer is added.
THE YELLOW LAYER
The yellow woodblock is aligned with the existing colors and printed, gradually revealing more of the composition.
04
Color by color, the scene comes alive.
THE PINK LAYER
After the previous layers have dried, the pink woodblock adds the fourth color layer to the developing print.
05
The final impression.
THE BLACK KEY-LINE
The black key-line is printed last, defining the outlines, expressions and fine details that bring the finished artwork together.
01
Hand-Printed
Printed by hand, one color at a time, using traditional carved woodblocks.
02
Dó & Điệp Paper
Traditional handmade paper prepared for the distinctive character of Đông Hồ prints.
03
Natural Colors
Colors traditionally derived from natural materials and printed layer by layer.
04
Vietnamese Heritage
A centuries-old folk art tradition, preserved and passed down through generations.
FROM OUR VILLAGE TO YOUR HOME
Made in Vietnam. Ready for your home.
Your unframed artwork is carefully rolled and protected inside a rigid mailing tube for international shipping. Frame it in a style that fits your space when it arrives.
ARTWORK ONLYUnframed for safer shipping
Choose your favorite frame locally and make the artwork your own.