Folk paintings. Folk paintings are a combination of traditional
cultural values with ancient artistic methods that have been
created through the labour of past generations. There are two
types of Vietnamese folk paintings, Tet (Lunar New Year
Festival) paintings and worshipping paintings. The Vietnamese
believe in ancestor worship and the deification of natural
phenomena, both of which are reflected in the paintings. Due to
their historical popularity, the folk paintings were produced in
large quantities. This high demand was met through the use of
the woodblock carving printing technique, which has been
practiced by the Vietnamese for many centuries. During the Ly
Dynasty (12th century), there were many families who specialised
in woodblock carving. By the end of the Tran Dynasty, they were
also printing paper money. At the beginning of the Le So
Dynasty, the Chinese technique of carving printing boards was
adopted and improved. The History Museum and the Fine Art Museum
in Hanoi still keep old printing boar