Photo exhibition depicts more than three decades of change in Vietnam

On the morning of November 4, the exhibition "Continued: Vietnam" by British photojournalist Andy Soloman officially opened in Hanoi, attracting a large audience of art lovers.

The exhibition is one of the highlights of the Photo Hanoi '25 International Photography Festival, offering a unique perspective on Vietnam's journey of more than three decades of strong transformation through emotional meetings and reunions.

"Continued: Vietnam" introduces more than 50 works by British photojournalist Andy Soloman in two periods 1992-1993 and 2022-2024.

In the early 1990s, when Vietnam began to open up, Andy Soloman traveled all over the S-shaped land. He was fascinated by a resilient Vietnam and the Vietnamese people full of hope.

The camera helps him enter the private world of "strangers" who are warm and friendly.

In 2022, Soloman returned to Vietnam to search for the characters he had photographed, continuing the unfinished story.

In this exhibition, black and white documentary photos are displayed side by side with current portraits, creating a dialogue between two dimensions of time. Viewers can feel not only the traces of the years, but also the strong transformation of a country where traditional and modern beauty always go hand in hand.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew said that cultural activities such as the exhibition by photographer Andy Soloman are vivid evidence of the connection and mutual understanding between the two countries. Appreciating the creative journey spanning more than three decades, considering it a symbol of human connection, Ambassador Iain Frew hopes that the exhibition will be warmly received by the Vietnamese public, contributing to deepening the friendship between the UK and Vietnam.

According to author Andy Soloman, the journey of more than 30 years is reflected through the stories of ordinary people, showing the connection between the past and the present not only through history but also through relationships built on a foundation of trust and sincere respect.

British photographer Andy Soloman gives a press interview. (Photo: Phuong Thanh/VNA)

For years, the faces from that first series have been in his mind. Reuniting with some of the people he photographed three decades ago was an unforgettable emotional experience, and a testament to the strong connections that have shaped his life and work.

This exhibition is also Andy Soloman's gratitude to the Vietnamese people - who welcomed him as a friend and were willing to share his life story.

Director of the British Council in Vietnam James Shipton said the portraits in the exhibition record the story of the artist's inseparable attachment to the people and culture of Vietnam for 33 years, while creating an artistic bridge between Vietnam and the UK.

Meanwhile, Mr. Matt Jackson, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam, emphasized the humanistic significance of the exhibition, affirming that this is not only a story about art or photography, but also related to population and demographic change in Vietnam.

Each photo is a slice of time, clearly reflecting the changes in the lives of the young generation. What we need to care about is how to provide them with the best development environment, enjoy social security policies and have the opportunity to develop their full potential.

"Continuing Vietnam" is part of the Photo Hanoi '25 International Photography Festival initiated by the French Institute in Vietnam with the accompaniment of the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to honor the art of photography as a bridge of cultural exchange between Vietnam and the world.

The exhibition is open until November 30 at the Hoan Kiem Cultural Information Center, 2 Le Thai To, Hanoi./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/trien-lam-anh-tai-hien-hon-ba-thap-ky-doi-thay-cua-viet-nam-post1074830.vnp