1. Some information about Sinh Village
Sinh village is about 10km east of Hue city center. This place is also called Lai An Village, located in Phu Mau Commune, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien Hue Province. Sinh village opposite Thanh Ha River port and Bao Vinh Old Town were important commercial centers during the Nguyen Dynasty.
According to local village elders, Sinh village was originally part of Lai An village, divided into two villages: Sinh and An. Sinh Hamlet is the place where folk painting was born and developed, and An Hamlet is where wrestling festivals are held. Over time, Sinh village became more and more famous and people began to call it “Sinh Village”.
2. What is attractive about Sinh Village?
2.1. Learn about the Sinh Village painting profession
Sinh Village painting craft has a history of more than 400 years. This is one of the most famous folk painting styles in Vietnam, along with Dong Ho and Hang Trong paintings. Sinh village paintings reflect the cultural and spiritual values of the Hue people, especially during Tet and worship rituals. Sinh village paintings are divided into three main categories: worship paintings, object paintings, and animal paintings.
2.2. Make your paintings
If you want to experience Sinh village painting art, you can join the Hue Traditional Craft Village Experience Tour. You will have the opportunity to learn from local artisans who will guide you through the steps to create your own painting. You can choose your favorite woodcut, print it on paper, and color it in your own style. You can also write your own label, using your name or a meaningful message. You will be able to take your painting home as a souvenir or gift to loved ones.
2.3. Participate in festivals at Sinh Village
Sinh Village is not only famous for its paintings but also famous for its wrestling festival held on the 10th day of the first lunar month every year. The wrestling festival is a traditional sporting and cultural event, dating back to the 17th century. It attracts hundreds of wrestlers from different villages to compete in a friendly and respectful manner. The wrestling festival is also a way to honor the village’s tutelary deity, who is said to protect the villagers and grant them prosperity and happiness.
3. Process of creating Sinh village paintings
Sinh Village paintings are made entirely by hand, using natural materials and traditional techniques. The process of creating Sinh village paintings includes 7 stages: cutting paper, preparing paper, printing on woodblocks, drying, coloring, labeling, and finishing.
Paper cutting
The first step of Sinh village painting is cutting the paper, and creating the appropriate shape and size of the paper. This type of paper is called “scallops paper”, handmade from the bark of a type of mulberry. This thin, soft, and durable paper has a natural yellow color. Usually cut into rectangles or squares depending on the type and size of the painting, the paper is then folded in half, creating a crease in the middle that serves as a guide for subsequent printing and coloring processes.
Preparing the paper
The second step is preparing the paper, which includes covering the paper with a layer of crushed seashells taken from Tam Giang Lagoon mixed with rice flour. This is done to make the paper more durable, and shinier, and create a smooth surface for printing and coloring. Seashells are ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water and rice flour to form a paste. Then the mixture is applied evenly to both sides of the paper using a brush or sponge. The paper is then dried in the sun until it is hard and shiny.
Printing on woodblocks
The third stage of Sinh village paintings is printing on woodblocks and transferring patterns onto paper. Jackfruit wood is famous for its durability and is carved with intricate designs representing many different themes. Skilled craftsmen, often inheriting the art from their ancestors, create valuable woodblocks that are considered cultural heritage. Special ink made from charcoal, water, and glue is applied to wooden blocks, and paper is placed on top, aligned with the pattern. The artist presses the paper onto the woodblock using a bamboo stick or roller. When carefully peeled off, the printed pattern will be revealed. This process is repeated with each woodcut until the entire painting is completed.
Drying
The fourth stage is drying, which involves exposing the printed paper to the sun. The paper is hung on a bamboo rack or clothesline, drying in natural sunlight. The drying process helps fix the ink on the paper and prevents the paper from curling and wrinkling. The drying process usually takes several hours, depending on the weather and the size of the paper.
Coloring
The fifth stage is coloring, which involves adding color to the printing paper. The colors used in Sinh village paintings are extracted from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and charcoal. The colors are vibrant and harmonious, creating a lively and attractive effect. The colors are often prepared by the artists themselves, using their recipes and techniques. The paint is kept in a small jar or bowl and applied to the paper with a brush or cotton swab. The coloring process requires a lot of skill and patience, as the artist must follow the printed pattern and fill in the gaps carefully, without smudging or overlapping the colors.
Labeling
The sixth stage is labeling, which involves writing the name and meaning of the picture on paper. Labels are written in ancient Chinese or Nom, which are ancient scripts used in Vietnam before using the Latin alphabet. The label is written with a brush and black ink, usually above or below the picture. The labels add a touch of elegance and mystery to the paintings, while also providing information and instructions to the viewer. The labels were usually written by the artisans themselves or by some scholars or monks who were fluent in ancient scripts.
Finishing
The final stage is finishing, which involves trimming the edges and adding some decorations to the paper. The edges are trimmed with scissors or a knife to keep the paper neat. The decorations are usually some gold or silver leaf, cut into small pieces and glued onto the paper.
4.Tips for sightseeing in Sinh Village
The best time to visit Sinh village is during the Lunar New Year, which usually falls in late January or early February. This is when the village is most vibrant and colorful with many activities and events related to paintings and wrestling festivals.
To explore Sinh village, you can walk around the village, visit artisans’ houses, watch them make paintings, and participate in painting classes. You can also visit the wrestling arena where the festival is held and learn about the history and rules of the sport.
5. Visit Pleaces near Sinh Village
5.1. Thanh Tien Bougainvillea Village
Thanh Tien Bougainvillea Village is located along the lower reaches of the Perfume River, about 2 km from Sinh Village. This village is famous for its 300-year-old tradition of making paper flowers, especially for the Lunar New Year. Thanh Tien paper lotus flowers have appeared in major festivals and events, such as the Hue Festival, Ao Dai Festival, and cultural and artistic exchange programs.
5.2. Ru Cha Mangrove Forest
Ru Cha Mangrove Forest is the only remaining mangrove forest in the Tam Giang Lagoon system, which is the largest brackish water lagoon in Southeast Asia. Ru Cha Mangrove Forest is located about 9 km from Sinh Village. Ru Cha Mangrove Forest is a popular destination for tourists, who come here to admire the scenery, take pictures, and relax. The forest has a small concrete path that leads to the main attractions, such as the watchtower, the ancient temple, and the lotus pond.
