Dó paper
Dó paper or poonah paper is a handmade paper indigenous to Northern Vietnam cultures, made from the inner bark of the dó or poonah tree. It is a preferred support in some traditions of Vietnamese art.
History
Sources stake the first creation of dó paper as either the 3rd century or 13th century, after its introduction from China. The origin of the paper was the village of Dương Ổ in ward, Bắc Ninh.In the 18th and 19th centuries, Dương Ổ and Yen Thai guild were centers of the burgeoning dó paper industry. Following the late 20th century Đổi Mới reforms, dó paper production dropped significantly with the introduction of mass-produced pulpwood paper. Many traditional producers pivoted to paper recycling.
Production and use
To create dó paper, first Rhamnoneuron bark is soaked in limewater for 24 hours up to three months. It is then boiled for ten hours, after which the outer bark is split from the inner bast fiber, and soaked again to extract remaining resin. Following the second soak, the bark is ground into a pulp with the sap of chi bân bấn. The pulp is sieved with a bamboo screen, then pressed, dried, rolled, and dried again. Artisans claim that production takes from 30 to upwards of 100 discrete steps to complete, and that the paper can last upwards of 800 years; exact production details are often trade secrets.Dó paper features in various Vietnamese art traditions. Vietnamese calligraphy makes use of the paper, as does folk painting such as the Đông Hồ, Hàng Trống and Kim Hoàng painting traditions.
Ethnic minorities
Multiple ethnic minorities in Vietnam produce and use dó paper as a part of ethnic traditions: the Mường people of Cao Sơn ward, Tủa Chùa district, and Điện Biên province; and the Nùng An of Dia Tren village, Quảng Uyên. Dó paper is used for votive offerings and decorations for Tết Nguyên Đán.In Mường tradition, dó paper is used to create xử ca, paper craft ornaments of cut dó paper and chicken feathers to adorn altars.
Specialty varieties
''Giấy điệp''
Produced for Đông Hồ painting in the eponymous Đông Hồ village, giấy điệp is dó paper treated with powdered nacre for a sparkling, iridescent effect. The effect is achieved with brushes made of pine needles.File:Sắc phong Quách Đình Bảo.png|thumb| from the reign of Tự Đức of Đại Nam