Photo Hanoi '25 - A dialogue space of photography and contemporary creativity

On November 1, in Hanoi, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and the French Institute in Vietnam coordinated with relevant units to organize the opening ceremony of Photo Hanoi '25 - International Biennale of Photography. The event is an opportunity for the public to admire 22 photography exhibitions along with many side events such as: art tours, seminars, workshops on photography...

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong said: Following the success of the "Photo Hanoi - International Photography Biennale" events held in 2021 and 2023, 2025 is the third season that Hanoi city is honored to coordinate with the French Embassy in Vietnam to organize this event. What is more special, joyful and proud is that this year's "Photo Hanoi '25 - International Photography Biennale" event is organized on a larger scale and with many rich and attractive activities. Thereby, creating a large, lively and deeply impressive international photography art and culture festival space in the capital Hanoi.

In addition, this also demonstrates the strong commitment and determination of the French Embassy in constantly promoting and connecting cultural cooperation between the French Republic and the participation of embassies, international organizations, foreign cultural centers in Vietnam; and the business community, sponsors, international photography professional organizations in implementing the Photo Hanoi international photography project. Hanoi City highly appreciates and respects the efforts of the French Embassy and related partners.

Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong spoke at the opening ceremony.

"Hanoi City always attaches importance to promoting cultural exchange activities between Hanoi and the French Republic in particular and other countries and international organizations in this project. We are committed to continuing to strengthen close cooperation with you to research, develop and implement new cooperation projects and linkage programs between Hanoi and creative cities, thereby actively contributing to promoting exchange relations as well as strengthening solidarity and friendship between the Government and People of Vietnam with countries in the region and the world " - Ms. Bach Lien Huong emphasized.

Expressing his joy and honor at the opening ceremony of Photo Hanoi '25, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker affirmed that this is an international Biennale event honoring photography as a universal language of humanity, and at the same time a powerful way to contemplate, feel and connect.

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker shares at the opening ceremony

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker shared: "Photography has a special power, it can preserve a single moment, but at the same time open up countless new perspectives. Photography connects people without language. And in the shared space of those images, we recognize a part of ourselves and of everyone. Photo Hanoi '25 also reflects Hanoi's vision as a UNESCO Creative City, where creativity is not limited to institutions, but is lived, experienced and spread throughout urban life. This event demonstrates the values ​​that can be created when artists, communities, authorities and international partners join hands to build a vibrant, open and inclusive cultural space."

Opening ceremony space

Photo Hanoi '25 is organized with a series of activities taking place at more than 20 locations, with the expectation of contributing to building Hanoi into a creative meeting place in the field of photography in Asia, as well as an attractive destination for the domestic and international visual art community.

Photo Hanoi '25 brings together more than 170 artists, photographers, curators and experts from 21 countries, along with 25 accompanying professional organizations. Over the course of a month, the public will be able to enjoy 22 free solo and group photography exhibitions, along with 29 side events ranging from seminars, workshops, art tours, book launches, film screenings to portfolio reviews (consulting sessions, professional support in the field of photography).

A corner of the exhibition "Nostalgia for cities"

Within the framework of the opening ceremony, the exhibition "Nostalgia for Cities" took place - this is the opening exhibition for the series of activities Photo Hanoi '25 - International Photography Biennale curated by photographer and visual artist Nguyen The Son.

"Nostalgia for Cities" is a group exhibition, bringing together 30 talented photographers and visual artists from Vietnam and internationally. The exhibition is inspired by the thought that each city is like a living body, constantly changing and developing with the flow of time. Those urban spaces are places that store countless collective memories, formed and nurtured by many generations of residents. "Nostalgia for Cities" continues and expands the research on urban spaces introduced in the exhibition "Hanoi - A City in Photography" held at the same location within the framework of Photo Hanoi '23.

Works on display at the exhibition

The silent dialogues spread throughout the exhibition, opening up new perspectives on seemingly familiar spaces - including Hanoi city. While Jean-Charles Sarrazin, a French photographer and cartoonist, brought nostalgic film footage of Hanoi in the years of post-war reconstruction, local photographers brought closer slices of contemporary Hanoi life: Dong Hieu with "Whispering" of nightlife, and Pham Duy with the moment "The city stood still" in the days when the city resiliently fought the Covid-19 pandemic.

Besides Hanoi, the exhibition also brings photo stories from many other cities: from metropolises like Paris, Tokyo, to unique destinations like Yangon or Bilbao... The works not only remind us of the power of photography in preserving and recreating personal memories in the flow of time, but also enrich our understanding of the identity and culture of each location in a modern context.

The event attracted a large audience.

Photo Hanoi '25 - International Photography Biennale takes place from November 1-30, 2025. Exhibitions are held at many cultural institutions such as: Exhibition House 45 Trang Tien, 93 Dinh Tien Hoang, Cultural and Art Center 22 Hang Buom, 02 Le Thai To, 49 Tran Hung Dao, Dien Hong Flower Garden, Hoan Kiem Lake, the wall of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, or the facade of the French Embassy...

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/photo-hanoi-25-khong-gian-doi-thoai-cua-nhiep-anh-va-sang-tao-duong-dai-20251101124726779.htm