HÀ NỘI — French photographers are introducing Vietnamese audiences to vivid images of Việt Nam and its people across different time periods at an exhibition in Đà Lạt in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng.

The exhibition Việt Nam's Intersection has put 27 photographs by Gilbert Bertrand, Lily Franey and Daniel Roussel on display, offering audiences in Đà Lạt a glimpse of Việt Nam through their lenses in the 1970s and 1980s.

The earliest works in the exhibition are Bertrand’s black and white photos taken between 1970 and 1975, while he was working at the French Cultural Centre in Đà Lạt and Sài Gòn.

Bertrand was a passionate hobbyist, not a professional photographer. His photos were only recognised later for both their artistic value and historical significance, offering a glimpse into a distinctive chapter of Việt Nam’s history.

The only female photographer featured in the exhibition, Franey’s work offers a glimpse of a Việt Nam gradually recovering and rebuilding. Taken from 1987 during her trips with the non-profit organisation French Popular Relief, the photos capture everyday life, post-war recovery and the hopes of Vietnamese people during the period of reconstruction.

 

Photos by Roussel take viewers back to Việt Nam between 1980 and 1986. As the resident correspondent for the French daily L’Humanité, he captured scenes of daily life with an intimate and empathetic eye, reflecting his deep respect for the Vietnamese people.

The photos also convey his perspective on the country’s resilience and vitality in the early post-war years. Alongside his photography, Roussel wrote and made documentaries, leaving behind a valuable archive on Việt Nam. His perspective was not detached, but rooted in an understanding of the Vietnamese people’s struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

 

By bringing together these distinct yet closely connected works, the exhibition goes beyond a conventional visual display to offer a powerful testament to the resilience and enduring strength of the Vietnamese people, according to a representative of the exhibition organisers.

"For many people, the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to revisit a period of history that is often overlooked in contemporary narratives. The exhibition invites viewers to feel, reflect and remember.

"Each work is a piece of the historical narrative, helping viewers trace Việt Nam’s journey from war and the post-war period to reconstruction and renewal," the organiser representative said.

The event was first presented as part of the Photo Hanoi ’25 International Photography Biennale initiated by the French Institute in Việt Nam with the support of the Hà Nội People’s Committee.

It runs through October 10 at Stop and Go Art Space, 35 Lý Tự Trọng Street, Xuân Hương Ward. — VNS