Ladies capture their love of Ha Noi

Relic: Gieng Co (Old Well) by Pham Thi Thu. Historic: O Quan Chuong Trong Mua (Quan Chuong Gate in Rain) by Kim Lan. More than words: Net Xua (Old Feature) by Thi Tho.

The exhibition will remain open at the Temple of Literature in central Ha Noi until September 3 to express the artists' love for the capital and celebrate its 1,000th anniversary.

The Hai Au Club, for female photographers only, sponsored trips to Ha Noi for its members to take photos of the capital.

Fifteen women established the club in 1990. Members range in age and profession but they all have the same passion for capturing beautiful moments through pictures.

During the last 20 years, they have taken hundreds of trips throughout the country and have won 290 awards at home and abroad.

The artists spent hours exploring the capital's streets, Old Quarter, traditional craft villages and ancient pagodas to experience local life and capture some of the beautiful images that epitomise the culture of the capital city.

Their chosen sites included Bat Trang Pottery Village, Ngoc Son Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Thay Pagoda, Tram Pagoda, West Lake, One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.

The artworks reflect the sensitive souls of the artists and their love for Ha Noi, says Vu Quoc Khanh, chairman of the Viet Nam Association for Photographic Artists.

"It's easy to feel the tenderness and precision of the female photographers through their works," he says. "They express the lively life in Ha Noi which is both modern and traditional."

"Ha Noi has been modernised but retains the charms of its Old Quarter, traditional craft villages and ancient pagodas," says photographer Dao Hoa Nu, head of the club.

The members have selected the best shots to be included in a book to celebrate the club's 20th birthday. The book was released as a gift for visitors at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. — VNS