Unique Display Of The First 30 Color Photos Taken Of Hanoi

Speaking at the exhibition, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan reflected on the beauty of Vietnam. “Hanoi city and the Ile-de-France region are honored to be partners in the cooperation relationship between Vietnam – France since 1989. Over the years, the two sides have cooperated effectively in the fields of sustainable development, urban planning, culture, and heritage.”

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan delivered a speech. Photo: Nam Nguyen.

Within the framework of the 12th Vietnam-France Local Cooperation Conference, Hanoi, and the Ile-de-France region opened the photo exhibition “Hanoi - Beginning of a Western City in Southeast Asia” at the Villa 49 Tran Hung Dao campus, in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the friendship between Vietnam and France.

According to the organizers, the exhibition introduces 30 color photos taken on glass by Léon Busy during the period from 1915 to 1921, which are the first color photos of Hanoi. Before the advent of color film (released to the market by Kodak in 1935), this photography technique showed the appearance of a modern Hanoi, and Vietnam transformed itself towards the twentieth century. All were captured by the brilliant French photographer.

View of the exhibition. Photo: Nam Nguyen.

In addition to the major public works that have long been involved in the process of changing the form and urbanity of Hanoi, there are many details appearing on these frames that show the spread of Western culture both in the Old Quarter and the living space of Hanoians.

There are about 30 works with unique views of Hanoi in terms of landscape and architecture, such as the image inside Quan Thanh Temple, a large chandelier of glass or crystal imported directly from France; images of beautiful Vietnamese girls with macaron hair and large buckle shoes - popularized in French fashion magazines in the 1910s; and more wonderful photos displayed here.

International visitors visit the exhibition. Photo: Nam Nguyen.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan was impressed by the exihbition's location.

"This is the first French villa project restored and embellished by Hanoi with the technical support of the Ile Region- de France. In the coming time, Hanoi city and the Ile-de-France region will continue to collect, display and introduce the process of recreating the past images of Hanoi, influences, and cultural interference between France and Vietnam during the first half of the twentieth century.”

He also hopes that the Ile-de-France Regional Council will continue to pay attention and provide resources to support the Hoan Kiem district in the project of Villa 49, Tran Hung Dao.

The first color photos were taken of Hanoi at the exhibition. Photo: Nam Nguyen.

Réhahn's Stunning Vietnam Photography Displayed at French Hometown These portraits of Vietnam's diverse people are the pièce de résistance for Réhahn, a world-class French photographer.

Vietnam Attends Latin America's Largest Defense Show in Brazil LAAD Defence & Security 2023 brings together more than 500 brands to present the most modern equipment, services and technologies from 20 segments of the ...

Exhibition of US Veteran Highlights Notorious Effects of Agent Orange The exhibition showcases selected graphic works from the series of C. David Thomas during his struggle with Parkinson’s syndrome in recent years, which has been ...