'Hanoi 1987' - A Frenchman's nostalgic view of the capital during the Doi Moi period

(CLO) “Hanoi 1987” is a photo book by French photographer Jean-Charles Sarrazin, capturing everyday moments of the capital nearly 40 years ago - the beginning of the Doi Moi process.

“ Hanoi 1987” is printed in 3 languages: Vietnamese, French, English, with 2 introductions by artist Tran Trong Vu and writer Thuan. More than 200 photos, mostly black and white, with some color photos, are all valuable historical and artistic documents, and hopefully, will also evoke many emotions in viewers about a Hanoi that has just entered Doi Moi, both bustling and full of hope.

Mr. Vu Hoang Giang - Deputy General Director of Nha Nam Publishing House said, "Hanoi 1987" by Jean-Charles Sarrazin is not simply a collection of images but a living witness of a turning point in Vietnam's history - the early years of the Doi Moi period, recorded through the lens of a young French photographer, full of curiosity and full of love for the country he had just discovered .

Photographer Jean-Charles Sarrazin shares his memories while making the photo book "Hanoi 1987". Photo: Nha Nam

With his camera, he captured a fragile but hopeful Hanoi, still marked by life's hardships, but beginning to glow with the new vitality of the renovation period.

These dynamic and spontaneous black and white photographs express the gaze of an artist - where reality and dreams, memories and modernity intersect.

Nearly 40 years later, those photos come back to us like a letter from the past, inviting us to find the image of an old Hanoi - of youth, simplicity and a period of transformation.

Accordingly, some photos in the photo book “Hanoi 1987” are also displayed within the framework of Photo Hanoi'25 - International Photography Biennale held until November 30. This is an art festival organized according to the biennale model, an art festival held every 2 years, initiated and coordinated by the French Institute in Vietnam since 2021.

Photo book "Hanoi 1987" published by Nha Nam Culture and Communication Company and Thong Tan Publishing House. Photo: Publishing House

The author Jean-Charles Sarrazin is a photographer, as well as a famous author and illustrator. He graduated in photography and graphic design in Paris (France).

In 1986, the photographer had the opportunity to meet poet Cu Huy Can, then Minister of Culture and Arts of Vietnam, at a party in Paris. When Sarrazin said he wanted to study abroad, the poet suggested: “Why not go to Vietnam?”.

Thanks to this invitation and a scholarship from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Jean-Charles Sarrazin came to Hanoi. At that time, the presence of foreigners in Vietnam was extremely rare, and he eagerly seized this opportunity to embark on an exciting adventure.

Source: https://congluan.vn/ha-noi-1987-goc-nhin-hoai-niem-cua-mot-nguoi-phap-ve-thu-do-thoi-doi-moi-10317585.html