Photo Hanoi'23: Artistic dialogue between Vietnam and the world

The Photo Hanoi'23 International Photography Biennale with many rich activities such as exhibitions, discussions and photography practice experiences will last from now until June 3 in Hanoi .

The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

The Photo Hanoi'23 International Photography Biennale brings together more than 100 photographers, curators, speakers and experts in the field of photography from Vietnam and internationally. The event officially opened on April 21 in Hanoi.

“Biennale” means “every two years”, a very popular term in the international art world, referring to exhibitions and art exchanges held periodically. In recent years, many Vietnamese artists have been invited to participate in international Biennales. This is the first time that the French Institute in Vietnam has coordinated with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and many partners to introduce this model in the capital.

The Photo Hanoi'23 International Photography Biennale features a variety of activities such as exhibitions, discussions and photography practice experiences, which will last from now until June 3 in Hanoi.

Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Do Dinh Hong speaks at the press conference. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Do Dinh Hong affirmed that this is a large-scale event in the field of photography, contributing to promoting the cultural industry and creative activities.

“ Photo Hanoi'23 promises to be an impressive event in the field of photography; bringing to the public a new and attractive perspective on contemporary photography in Vietnam and internationally; the opportunity to experience art practice and better understand the visual language; contributing to introducing and promoting the image of the country and people of the Capital through the perspective of photography,” said Mr. Do Dinh Hong.

Talking about the significance of organizing the event, Mr. Thierry Vergon, Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, General Coordinator of the event shared: “It is also very good for Vietnamese photographers and the Vietnamese public to be exposed to international works, allowing for the creation of a dialogue between Vietnamese art and world art.”

'Green' series of works by photographer Benjamin Reich.

Mr. Thierry Vergon said this is also an opportunity for Vietnamese photographers to better understand different cultures and mature through typical examples of achievements in world photography.

“Currently, Vietnam is lacking photography curators, the International Photography Biennale may contribute to promoting some experts in this field to try to participate more in organizing photo exhibitions,” said Mr. Vergon.

On this occasion, the exhibition “Hanoi - A city in photography” opened at the Cultural and Art Center 22 Hang Buom, gathering 16 artists, 16 approaches to using photography as an art medium, 16 perspectives on Hanoi as an art object.

The exhibition contributes a voice in a series of 20 photography exhibition spaces throughout Hanoi, hoping to bring the public a comprehensive experience of the diversity in the expression of photographic language in artistic life.

'Remaining memories' by artist Nguyen Duy Kien.

According to curator Nguyen The Son, the exhibition is displayed according to the standards of fine art popular in art galleries and museums around the world today, but there is still a great lack in the practice of art/fine art photography in Vietnam in general, and in Hanoi in particular.

In addition to the works of 16 authors, the exhibition also displays black and white photos of street vendors in the early 20th century by many French photographers and a series of 3D color images recreating the architecture and context of houses with unique Indochinese architecture by architect Dam Quang Trung./.

Within the framework of Photo Hanoi'23, there will be more than 20 solo and group exhibitions and more than 20 side events. The event will feature more than 100 photographers, curators, speakers and experts in the field of photography from Vietnam and internationally. The exhibitions will be held in 7 districts in the city, open to the public for free to enjoy and explore the richness of contemporary photography as well as iconic works of heritage photography.

Seminars and discussions will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition in both live and online formats, discussing the current status and context of the photography industry in Vietnam. Detailed information is available on and .

Minh Thu (Vietnam+)