For those interested in the art of "dó" paintings, which are made from "dó" tree bark, a small café on Hanoi’s Ly Quoc Su Street is just the joint.  

Dó Cafe & Art at 25A Ly Quoc Su Street, about 150 meters from Hanoi's St. Joseph's Cathedral, stands out for its elegant sepia color. While serving signature drinks like egg coffee, the cafe displays drawings on dó paper, widely used in Vietnam’s famous Dong Ho and Hang Trong folk arts. The paper is made from the bark of dó tree (Rhamnoneuron balansae), which is native to northern Vietnam.

Owner Thu Hang explained dó paper had long been used in renowned folklore paintings, calligraphy and documents from past dynasties and family annals.

Works on display include modern art created by painters Ngo Thi Phuong Binh and Dinh Y Nhi. Hang is particularly passionate about the paper for its typical Vietnamese imprint and need for meticulousness.

"Drawing on dó paper requires great technique and care, since it is very thin and easily torn," said Hang.

Artist Ngo Thi Phuong Binh’s work features the image of a man’s face assembled from countless female bodies. Hang said the number of paintings would increase in future, along with the style of display.

The shop consists of three floors. In addition to dó paper art, it also features collections of oil paintings and sculptures.

The second floor ís favored by many customers for its balcony with a view of Ly Quoc Su Street, home to the capital's signature food stalls.

Drinks cost from VND30,000 to 70,000 ($1.30-3.04).

The only minus is the café’s lack of parking space.

Two plates decorated by late writer Nguyen Huy Thiep who presented them to the owner. The plate on the right, featuring a mouse gifting a cat a fish, celebrates the Year of the Mouse in 2020, while the other plate decorates Thiep's famous work "The Retired General."