Recalling memories of Hanoi in the 70s, photographer Trinh Hai, former photojournalist of Nhan Dan newspaper, always feels lucky to have captured priceless moments of the capital’s people’s resistance war against the US. At the age of 92, the artist still clearly remembers the circumstances when he took the black and white photos introduced at the photo exhibition “Hanoi in Me”.

“This is the Nhan Dan newspaper printing house, which used to be a French printing house. After we liberated the capital, that printing house became the Nhan Dan newspaper printing house, with 5 floors. This battlefield is on the 5th floor, I climbed up to take a picture, behind me was the Hanoi Opera House, and this is the Nhan Dan newspaper printing house's self-defense force, the combat unit to participate in low-altitude missiles to shoot down American planes, all of them are workers,” said Mr. Trinh Hai.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Lan, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter, the exhibition "Hanoi in me" takes place in the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake to introduce to people and tourists to Hanoi about the development process of the capital, to promote and educate the younger generations to be more proud of being born and raised in a land that holds so many values.

“With the theme of Hanoi in me. This is a photo series that I hope to bring to the public, to the audience, a better understanding of a Hanoi with a long history of the past 70 years. Through these photo series, people will learn about historical values, learn about the subsidy period as well as the period of economic integration, so that in the future, Hanoi will be a city for peace. In the 70 photos of the authors, I see that the black and white photo series gives me emotions and reminds me of images of the subsidy period, the old days - the difficult period of the capital, for us to have the peace today, that is the hard effort of the people and public of Hanoi in particular as well as the whole country joining hands for Hanoi" - Ms. Lan said.

The works were carefully composed by the photographer, choosing typical moments when capturing Uncle Ho, Party and State leaders interacting with the people of the Capital. Following the flow of history, the authors recorded the events of Hanoi in the process of building and defending the Fatherland, from the subsidy period to renovation to international integration. Towards a rich, civilized, modern Capital, worthy of being a large, representative political, economic and cultural center of the whole country. NSNA, journalists Tran Hong and Nguyen Quy Hoai said: “I was surprised because it was so beautiful, one is the very beautiful location, the weather is very beautiful. Most of the photos are of Hanoi, for example, here I have a photo, named "Ba ve", a black and white photo, during the subsidy period. At that time, I had just graduated, in 1973, on the 3rd floor of house number 8 Ly Nam De. Every afternoon when I go out to look at the pictures, I always find them very beautiful. When my grandma comes home from the market, my grandchild runs out to greet her. The pictures are black and white and backlit, really beautiful. I still love them to this day.”

“I am very touched! This photo is "The Quintessence of a Thousand Years of Thang Long - Hanoi" is a photo I took on an evening during the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi, taking to the streets with all the people of Hanoi, during the festival of flags, flowers and torches, at that time I took a series of photos, of which I chose some like this one. That moment was very sacred, the festival of lights was magical, there were many people coming and the light was wonderful. The wish of everyone, if we can do something, we can contribute to building a beautiful capital.”

Highly appreciating the image quality and content conveyed by the photographers through each work, Ms. Tran Thi Quynh Nhu, Photography Art Critic, member of the Hanoi Press Photography Association (Hanoi Art Photography Association) said: “This is a very high-quality exhibition, the photographers have selected dedicated works that talk about the 70-year history of Hanoi, which has gone through all the battles, the economic, cultural and social aspects of the people of Hanoi, through the language of photography, conveying their feelings. The photo series is very valuable, especially the photos showing the innovation of Hanoi, we are very proud that the capital is becoming more and more beautiful, the material and spiritual life of Hanoi people is improving. We are still proud that this is a political, economic and cultural center of the whole country”.

“Hanoi in me” is the heart of artists - journalists living in Hanoi taking photos of Hanoi throughout its 70-year history. The photo series is a tribute to express love for Hanoi on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the capital's takeover. The exhibition “Hanoi in me” takes place from now until October 29, 2024, at the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake (opposite the statue of King Le Thai To).