Art enthusiasts in the city will have the chance to view painter Do Duc’s seventh solo exhibition, “Borderland Scenery,” at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum (VNFAM) until September 15. The exhibition features over 50 of his latest oil paintings, promising an emotionally rich artistic experience.
 |
| The painting “Highland Market” by Do Duc captures the vibrant scene of a market in the highlands. |
Capturing the Majestic Landscapes and Culture of Vietnam’s Northwest
Do Duc’s exhibition makes a comeback this year, a decade after his last solo show. Celebrating two decades of dedication to oil painting, the artist presents “Borderland Scenery,” showcasing more than 50 artworks. Through these pieces, he masterfully portrays the beauty of stones and mountains, overcoming the technical challenges of the medium. The Northwest Region, Viet Bac Military Zone, and Dong Van Karst Plateau inspire his art, as seen in paintings like ‘Sunshine on Hong Ngai Range’ and ‘Early Highland Mist – West Side of Son Vi.’
 |
|
“Late Afternoon” is one of Do Duc’s paintings that captures the serene beauty of Vietnam’s rural areas. |
Do Duc’s artistic journey has focused on capturing the grand landscapes of Vietnam’s northern borderlands. In “Borderland Scenery,” he acts as a narrator, guiding viewers through the majestic mountains and forests, complemented by the tranquility of Vietnamese villages. His colorful oil paintings of rocks, mountains, fields, markets, and highland people showcase his profound love for his homeland. Each brushstroke conveys a deep connection to nature and the local culture.
 |
| Painter Do Duc shares insights about his artwork at the exhibition. |
According to Do Duc, his first visit to Ha Giang in 1973 left a lasting impression. He traveled through highland districts like Dong Van and Quan Ba in just 23 days, and this border region has since been a recurring theme in his art. “Through my mountain travels and interactions with ethnic minorities, I discovered the deep connection between nature and people,” he told The Hanoi Times. “I aim to translate this relationship into my paintings, recreating the historical bond between man and land.”
 |
| Do Duc’s love for horses is reflected in his painting “The Early Moon,” showcasing the beauty of these animals in the borderlands. |
The late artist Anh Thuong, when viewing Do Duc’s paintings, remarked, “It is a landscape, yet it becomes a portrait of the country. His paintings invite you to step into a world of vibrant villages and forests, full of the energy of its people.” She added, “His art captures the essence of the ethnic groups that have shaped the values of the nation’s frontier.”
A Celebrated Artist and Cultural Researcher
Painter Do Duc, born in 1945, displayed an early talent for art. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Viet Bac Intermediate School for Culture and Arts in 1970. A decade later, his woodcut painting, ‘Highland Market,’ earned him accolades for his graduate thesis defense, leading to his works being included in the VNFAM collections.
 |
| A portrait photograph of the talented painter, Do Duc. |
Do Duc’s artistic career is distinguished by the inclusion of his paintings in prestigious museum collections. The VNFAM and the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups in Thai Nguyen Province exhibit nearly 30 of his works, offering a realistic and profound perspective on the lifestyles and cultures of northern Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.
Beyond his artistic talent, Do Duc is also a respected researcher of ethnic customs and traditions. He has authored captivating books, including “Costumes and Cultural Traits of Ethnic Minorities in Northern Vietnam” and “Hanoi is Right Here.” With 17 books to his name and several co-authored publications, he has also conducted and published studies on fine arts, such as “A Study on Modern Vietnamese Fine Arts” and “Vietnamese Woodcuts.”
Charity Auction for a Worthy Cause
 “On the Field” is one of Do Duc’s paintings selected for auction, with a starting bid of $1,500, to raise funds for school construction. |
As part of the exhibition celebrating his 54 years as a painter, Do Duc is releasing a book of oil paintings titled “Borderland Scenery.” Published by the Fine Arts Publishing House, the 124-page book chronicles his 20-year creative journey with 200 stunning oil paintings.
On September 14, the artist will engage in a special art talk with visitors, sharing insights into his artistic path. The event also provides an opportunity for the public to contribute to the “Flowers of Stone” school building fund through donations and the auction of his painting “On the Field,” created in 2022.
Here are some of Do Duc’s remarkable paintings:
 The painting “Highland Sunrise” captures the peaceful beauty of the highlands at dawn. |
 “The Mountain Rocks” showcases the rugged beauty of the mountains in Vietnam’s northwest region. |
 “March Sunlight” depicts the vibrant sunlight unique to the early spring season in the highlands. |
 “A Highland Mother” portrays the strength and beauty of motherhood in the context of highland life. |
 “The People of the Lo Lo Ethnic Minority” captures the unique cultural identity and traditions of this ethnic group. |
 “The Borderland” showcases the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Vietnam’s border regions. |
Buckwheat flower festival in Ha Giang promises diverse activities
An annual festival centring around buckwheat flowers, the iconic flower of the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, and the unique cultural values of local ethnic groups will begin on November 23.
Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival 2019 kicks off
NDO – Ha Giang organised a ceremony in Dong Van Town, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province, on November 16, to open the fifth Tam giac mach (Buckwheat) Flower Festival 2019.
Museum boosts preservation of national treasures
Currently, 140 of 164 recognised national treasures are being preserved and displayed in museums nationwide, while the remainder are located in monuments and religious facilities. However, the preservation and promotion of the treasures are still facing difficulties.
Hamlets with Thatched Roof Houses
Tha and Ha Thanh hamlets in Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang Province are called “Ban nha la” (hamlets with thatched roof house) by tourists. 200 of them on stilts sit adjacent to each on the banks of the Suoi Tien stream. This is the place where the Tay ethnic people lead a quiet and gentle life, thus creating an unforgettable memory for visitors.
A look-back at 1979 northern border war
Forty-one years ago, on February 17,1979, the Vietnamese Party, people and army had to face a war of aggression across the entire northern border.
