An art exhibition featuring Vietnamese folklore paintings and antiques are on display in the southern Vinh Long Province as part of a series of activities to mark the upcoming Lunar New Year.

A Dong Ho painting

The exhibition at the Vinh Long Museum at No 1 Phan Boi Chau Street, Ward 1 features 57 art works in various genres like Hang Trong paintings and Dong Ho paintings, both originating from the north. Dong Ho paintings are considered among Vietnam’s finest folk arts and a cultural heritage.

Other features include more than 200 artifacts belonging to Dong Son, Sa Huynh, Oc Eo, Cham Pa – all famous Vietnamese ancient cultures dating from to 2,500 to 2,000BC years ago.

The exhibition is aimed at introducing various values and meanings and expose visitors to the Vietnamese way of life captured through the art.

Painted hundreds of years ago, these artworks depict farmers’ simple life in symbolic ways and poke fun at human foibles besides satisfying spiritual, moral and artistic values.

The exhibition in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum runs till March.

In related news, the Vinh Long provincial library is showcasing newspapers and magazines themed “Congrats the Party, Welcome Lunar New Year”, aimed at serving visitors during first days of Tet – Lunar New Year falling in early February.