Category: Photo Journalism

Paper Production For Dong Ho Painting

Lip Seng

In Dong Ho Village, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province, 35 km from Hanoi, is famous for its folk woodcut paintings. The painting centre is a folklore exchange centre for UNESCO. “Giay Diep” a special type of paper is produced here in the centre. The paper is able to conserve the durability of colour. Combine with the special colours of paint used in printing, the colours of Dong Ho painting can keep for a long time.
The content of Dong Ho Painting is usually humorous and optimistic in a bright colour such as red, yellow and white. The painting is mainly bought and displayed on the Lunar New Year celebration.

One of the steps of the long process of producing the special paper is shown here.

Festival Of Bakar Tongkang

Lip Seng

The national Festival of Bakar Tongkong (burning the last ship the Chinese sailed in) in Bagansiapi- api, Riau, Sumartra, Indonesia, was originated from 18th Century .
The decision of Chinese migrants to settle in Riau,Sumatra is commemorated annually through this festival on 16th to 17th, in 5th month of Lunar Calendar.
The replica of the ship can measure up to 8.5 meters in length, 1.7 meters in width and weigh up to 400Kg. The procession of the ship is taken through the city to the site where it will be burnt.
Burning a huge replica of the traditional Chinese ship is the highlight of the festival.
The Festival this year was held on 29th & 30th June 2018 (16th, 17th, 5th month of Lunar Calendar).
As many as 69 thousand tourists, consisting of 40 thousand domestic tourists and 29 thousand foreign tourists attended the Festival.
I had an opportunity to witness this traditional religious cultural event of the Bagansiapi-api. Indonesia, recently.

In The Dream World of Books

Lip Seng


I stepped into a book shop in Xiamen, China, last month. In search of a sweet memory of my school days, I was attracted by this toddler sleeping soundly in the store. Obviously the owner of the shop need to look after the toddler and the business as well. Perhaps this scene will only disappear when all the publications are digitised one day.