HA NOI — A new photo exhibition called Ha Noi – Trai Tim To Quoc (Ha Noi – The Heart of Country) is offering visitors an opportunity to use 100 images as a portal to journey through the city's history.
Selected from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) photo archives, the images not only depict the glorious history of our nation from the very first days of its foundation, but also the achievements that have been created during the industrialisation and modernisation process and a glimpse into the daily lives of regular Hanoians.
"The exhibition aims to present different images of the capital to locals and foreigners alike. The photos were taken by VNA photographers over the past 65 years," said VNA deputy general director Nguyen Duc Loi.
Black-and-white images of historical moments, such as President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence in Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, and the first resistance troops on their way to liberate the capital on October 10, 1954, can be seen at the exhibition.
The simple life of Hanoians during the American war of destruction, including photos of a night class for illiterate students and a group of kids at play next to a bomb shelter, is also on display.
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City life: Two among more than 100 photos that are on display at the Ha Noi – The Heart of Country. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh |
Veteran photographer Pham Nho Nghia, 83, said the old photos reminded him of the tough and glorious period in the past. "The black-and-white photos have a special meaning for our generation, who have experienced many such memorable moments."
Along with old images of the capital, the exhibit is also showcasing photos of present day Ha Noi, including images of the "ceramic road" – a mosaic project to decorate the 6km cement dike which protects the city from Hong (Red) river floods, the new My Dinh residential complex and the Old Quarter's night market.
The endless vitality of this historic city has also been expressed with a photo of its first-ever mass wedding and another of young people gathered near the calligraphy stalls next to the walls of the Temple of Literature to watch the artisans display their skills during the Lunar New Year Festival.
Former VNA general director Do Phuong said he was impressed by the black-and-white photos at the exhibition, but still wished "to see more old photos that have never been published before".
Le Hong Trang, a young visitor, said the exhibition brought her a glimpse of Ha Noi as it used to be, so she was able to see the difference between the past and the present.
Opened to the public yesterday, the Ha Noi – The Heart of Country exhibition will run until next Sunday at the Exhibition House, 29 Hang Bai Street. — VNS