Nam Dinh Photography accompanies the development of the homeland and country

Provincial Party Secretary Dang Khanh Toan and provincial leaders visited Nam Dinh art photography works displayed at the 2025 Spring Newspaper Festival.

Historical frames

Nam Dinh Photography today was formed and developed from the "common roof" of the Literature and Arts Association of Ha Nam Ninh province; it is one of the 7 art majors of the Association. The photographers share the same ideal of dedicating themselves to the cause of developing local culture and arts. The Nam Dinh Photography Department has soon affirmed its position with the participation of many veteran photographers - those who laid the first "bricks" for the "foundation" of the province's artistic photography. Among the photographers, the late photographer Nguyen Quang Van - author of the famous photo "The Right Punishment" captured the image of female militia Ha Thi Nhien dragging the wreckage of an American plane in the sea of ​​Hai Thinh (Hai Hau) in May 1966. The work is currently kept at the Vietnam Military History Museum, won the International Gold Medal at the Berlin International Art Photography Exhibition (Germany) in 1970, was widely published by the international press, and became a symbol of the indomitable spirit and courage of the Vietnamese people during the resistance war. During the same period, the late artist and journalist Do Duong Uyen - a veteran reporter for Ha Nam Ninh Newspaper, then Nam Dinh Newspaper, also left his mark with many works rich in humanity. A typical example is the work "Helping Grandma Thread a Needle" which won Second Prize at the Northern Photography Exhibition in 1968, and the Bronze Medal for International Photography in Sofia (Bulgaria) in 1970. In particular, the photo "Ready" with the theme of revolutionary war was awarded a Certificate of Honor at the World Press Photo Exhibition in The Hague (Netherlands) in 1966 - a rare honor for Vietnamese press photography at that time. During this period, Nam Dinh photography also recorded the persistent contributions of many other authors such as: the late artist Ta Duy An; the late artist Ha Khac Phuc; artist, journalist Do Thi Ly; artist La Thuong Sy... Despite working in primitive and lacking equipment, the previous generation of artists still made efforts to overcome difficulties, creating works rich in documentary and artistic value.

Actively integrate international art photography

In 1991, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists joined the International Federation of Photographic Artists (FIAP), Vietnamese photography had the opportunity to widely exchange and learn from regional and international photography. From here, domestic and international art photography festivals and competitions were held regularly, creating a training and competition environment for local artists. In that context, Nam Dinh photography continued to develop in both creative force and quality of works. In the period 1992-1997, along with the event of separating Ha Nam Ninh province into Nam Ha, then continuing to separate and re-establish Nam Dinh province, the Literature and Arts Associations of the three provinces were established separately. Despite changes in organizational structure, Nam Dinh photography activities still maintained a stable development pace, gradually affirming its role in propaganda work, preserving culture and promoting the spiritual life of the people.

Since the Resolution of the Central Committee 5 (VIII term) on "Building and developing Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity" was issued by the Party Central Committee on July 16, 1998, the Photography Department - Nam Dinh Provincial Literature and Arts Association was consolidated, the provincial photography movement combined with the development of the national photography movement, becoming a driving force for photographers to create. This period witnessed the emergence and maturity of young artists, winning many noble awards, continuing to glorify Nam Dinh photography. Notable are photographer Tran The Long - who won many medals, international Honor Certificates and Asian Excellence Awards; photographer Bui Dang Thanh has nearly 50 years of dedication to the art of photography with more than 40 major domestic and international awards; photographer Duy Quang, Head of the Photography Department, Head of the Vietnam Photographers Association of Nam Dinh Province, has nearly 40 domestic and international awards. The golden age of Nam Dinh art photography also includes the artist and journalist Luong The Tuan with dozens of first and gold prizes at national and international levels. Other artists such as Pham Hung Cuong, Ngoc Quang, Dinh Huu Tuyen, Chu The Vinh, etc. have also left a strong impression through outstanding works in many major competitions.

Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2008 of the Politburo on “Continuing to build and develop culture and arts in the new era” continues to create a strong driving force for Nam Dinh photography. The increasingly large number of photographers such as Vu Ngoc Vinh, Tran Van Hung, La Quy Trang, Mai Quoc Cach, Luu Truong Thinh, Dinh Trung Thanh, Tran Duy Cat, Nguyen Duc Huan, Pham Thanh Binh, Nguyen The Hai, Dinh Van Quan, Le Thanh Ton, Nguyen Son Ha, Do Ngoc Ha, Vu Thanh Nam... continue to enrich the province's photography treasure with many outstanding works recognized at major art photography competitions and festivals.

Spreading the artistic value of Nam Dinh photography

Over more than half a century of formation and development, the Photography Department - Provincial Literature and Arts Association has gradually affirmed its position and role in the cultural and artistic life of the province and the whole country. The Department has gathered 25 members with regular activities, including 9 artists who are official members of the Vietnam Association of Artists. The Nam Dinh Artists team has a strong political stance, professional ethics, a lasting passion for art, always delving into creative practice to create works of artistic value and profound content. Looking back on the development path, Nam Dinh photography has left many important marks. Thousands of artistic photographs of members have been awarded or selected for exhibition locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Notable among them are 13 Gold Medals, hundreds of Silver Medals, Bronze Medals, Certificates of Honor and many outstanding awards from the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). In particular, 4 Nam Dinh artists were awarded the title of International Artist, namely Bui Dang Thanh, Tran The Long, Luong The Tuan, Dinh Duy Quang. The Photography Department of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association has actively coordinated with agencies, units, and localities in the province to organize dozens of current affairs and art photo exhibitions in the districts of Giao Thuy, Hai Hau, Xuan Truong, Nghia Hung, Truc Ninh, Vu Ban, Nam Truc and Nam Dinh city; at the same time, effectively serving the propaganda work, promoting the image of the homeland in political and cultural events, on the occasion of holidays, New Year, tourism, traditional festivals... The Department also plays an important role in providing current affairs images for the local press - Nam Dinh Newspaper and achieving high achievements in art photo contests and festivals of the province, the Red River Delta region and the whole country. The provincial Literature and Arts Association has edited and published the publication "Nam Dinh Art Photography" in 2020. This is not only a cultural product with high artistic value but also a testament to the maturity, organizational capacity and creativity of generations and the provincial photography team, contributing to promoting the image of the homeland and country to domestic and international friends.

In the period of innovation and integration, with the mission of accompanying and developing with the homeland, Nam Dinh art photography has always continued to affirm its role as a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and modernity. In the process of development of the homeland and the country, each photographic work becomes a "slice" of time, the artist's emotions convey the message of aspiration to rise up, belief in the bright future of a land rich in cultural traditions and studiousness - Nam Dinh province.

Article and photos: Khanh Dung

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202505/nhiep-anh-nam-dinh-dong-hanh-cung-su-phat-trien-que-huong-dat-nuoc-0b25fc1/