HA NOI (VNS) — Photos of Ha Long Bay from the 19th century will be displayed for the first time this afternoon in downtown Ha Long City in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

The collection, mostly taken by French experts between 1885 and 1950, belongs to Ha Noi-based retired history teacher Doan Thinh and his son, architect Doan Bac. There are about 150 photos of Ha Long Bay taken from airplanes, mountain peaks and boats as well as images of people living in the bay.

"Early photos by French in Viet Nam are important historical material," noted historian Duong Trung Quoc. "The collection is among the most valuable materials recording French people's lives in Viet Nam. We all know that when the French first set foot in Viet Nam, their first interest was finding the way to China from the southwest [of China]. During their search, they passed Ha Long and took the photos."

The exhibition also features 100 bottles of Da Lat wine bearing photos from the collection, which will be auctioned to raise funds for needy children in the province.

The exhibition is a key event in the annual Carnival Ha Long, which started on April 25 and lasts until May 1.

Thinh and his son have gathered old photos from various regions for the past ten years. They displayed their collection of old Ha Noi in 2010, during the celebration of the1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi. — VNS