All a glitter: Night in Budapest, a photograph by Janos Devcsics.

HA NOI (VNS) — A photo exhibition showcasing scenes from Viet Nam and Hungary took place yesterday in Ha Noi.

Entitled Friendship Erases Distance, the exhibition displayed 24 colour and black-and-white photos by Le Luong and Janos Devcsics. It aimed to introduce viewers to the culture, people and landscapes of Viet Nam and Hungary to strengthen the two countries' relationship.

While Luong focuses on daily life, cultural diversity and minority communities, Devcsics's photos depict beautiful scenery in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, and the famous Hungarian wine-making industry.

Devcsics takes pictures of both modern and traditional wine-making methods. One photo is of wine tanks, the modern section of the winery where reductive wines are stored in stainless steel tanks. Thanks to this technology, rose and white wines can become fruitier and lighter.

"I know that Hungary occupies a special place in Vietnamese hearts, and Viet Nam also shows much affection toward us as its countrymen," Devcsics said. "I wish to illustrate a beautiful capital and modern technology used to manufacture palinka, wine and mineral water in Hungary today. Even though Hungary is a small country, it produces top-quality beverages with cutting-edge technology."

Nguyen Dang Vang, chairman of the Viet Nam–Hungary Friendship Association, said mutual understanding and cultural activities help enterprises in the two countries co-operate effectively.

"The exhibition has deep significance for Vietnamese people who used to study and work in Hungary, those who love Hungary and the Hungarian community in Viet Nam," he said. "Also, I visited some ethnic minority groups in mountainous areas and now seeing Luong's photos, I believe that he selected the most beautiful images of Vietnamese ethnic minority groups. I expect that our Hungarian friends will understand more about the diverse culture of our country."

Luong, a freelance photographer, said he has been travelling all around Viet Nam, meeting and talking with lovely people. In that way, he was able to see the life, cultural diversity and different characteristics of each community in various areas.

"Smiles and special feelings on those trips have been captured in my photos," he said. "Through them, I, on the Vietnamese people's behalf, want to express a warm welcome to international friends."

The exhibition will run until February 13 at the Hungarian National Trading House in Viet Nam, 1 Ba Trieu Street, Ha Noi. — VNS