Memorable Hanoi through the lenses of British and Vietnamese photographers

Baoquocte.vn. With a deep love for Hanoi , photographers Le Bich and Andy Solomon have captured the indelible imprints of the capital city for over two decades.

Their works have become invaluable assets, showcased in the photo exhibition "Hanoi - A Time to Remember" - one of the activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024) organized by the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board.

The exhibition is open to the public and tourists free of charge until October 31st. (Photo: Quynh Anh)

Introducing photographs of Hanoi taken between 1992 and 2012, published for the first time by photographer Le Bich and British journalist Andy Solomon, the exhibition captures the lives of Hanoians during the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, when the city underwent significant economic and social changes.

A vibrant, colorful film.

"Hanoi - A Time to Remember" is a vibrant film, captured through black-and-white photographs, documenting moments of the capital city over the past 20 years since the early years of the Doi Moi (Renovation) period.

Displayed at an old French villa (49 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi), 86 black-and-white photographs by the two authors are arranged in a mixed style. Through the years and many changes, Hanoi has retained its old-world charm, yet it never grows old; these distinctive features will live on forever.

The exhibition not only evokes nostalgic memories of Hanoi for the older generation but also offers a new perspective on Hanoi for the younger generation. Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Lan, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter, believes that the exhibition is very special as part of the series of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital.

Here, the two authors, along with guests and the subjects of the photographs, shared stories and memories of a memorable period in Hanoi's history.

Photographer Le Bich. (Photo: Quynh Anh)

Photographer Le Bich, a native of Hanoi, has witnessed the city's transformation throughout its rapid development. He shared: "Hanoi has changed a lot, but I don't allow myself to forget the old beauty and essence of Hanoi."

Looking back at the photo taken at Nguyen Du Primary School in 1992, the former students of the school couldn't help but feel nostalgic, recalling their precious memories.

Among them, some have kept in touch, chatting and meeting regularly, while others haven't been in touch since graduation. Everyone was surprised to see pictures from their childhood in the early 1990s – when they were only 10 years old.

Their attire at the time consisted of simple, unpretentious uniforms that blended seamlessly with the rustic setting of their old school. These images evoked memories of the difficult yet joyful lives of children growing up during the period of reform.

Ms. Phong Lan, one of the visitors to the exhibition, said that what the artworks conveyed most accurately was the faces of the people of Hanoi in the past.

According to her, the faces of the past were very typical. Because if you compare them to now, when economic conditions are better and people interact more, the facial features of Hanoians today are different from before.

Expressing her feelings about the personal photo taken by Andy Solomon, Ms. Ngoc Lan - an editor working at Vietnam Television in 1993, shared: "Back then I was just over 30 years old."

"Seeing these images of old Hanoi, preserved by a foreigner, is truly invaluable. Thank you, sir, for bringing us such immense happiness."

This photo was taken at Nguyen Du Primary School in 1992. (Photo: Quynh Anh)

That cannot be changed.

Arriving in Hanoi for the first time in October 1992, photographer Andy Solomon immediately fell in love with the city. He lived and worked in the capital for seven years and returned frequently in the years that followed.

Sharing more about the process of taking these photos, Andy said: "Back then, whenever I went out, I would just raise my camera and photograph the people here."

They were complete strangers to me, yet they welcomed me with such warmth, even inviting me to their home to chat. Such things can only be achieved when there is trust between people.”

Recently, while walking along Dien Bien Phu Street, he saw a woman in her 70s dancing alone, so he stopped and asked to take a picture. The woman happily agreed, posing beautifully for him to photograph, and even invited him to dance with her.

Photographer Andy Solomon. (Photo: Quynh Anh)

Andy shared: "The city may change over time, but the people of Hanoi remain the same—still warm and hospitable!"

What made him happiest with this exhibition was being able to meet and hear the stories and memories from the very people who had appeared in the photographs.

Those conversations not only provided inspiration but also served as a powerful motivation for him to continue creating and documenting new aspects of Hanoi in the future.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ha-noi-dang-nho-duoi-ong-kinh-cua-nhiep-anh-gia-anh-va-viet-nam-291090.html