Continuum: Vietnam – A photographic journey of time and change
A moving dialogue between past and present unfolds in a photographic exhibition by British photojournalist Andy Soloman, now featured as part of the Photo Hanoi ’25 Biennale.
THE HANOI TIMES — The exhibition Continuum: Vietnam captures over three decades of Vietnam’s transformation, tracing the country’s rise from post-embargo hardship to a dynamic Southeast Asian economy.
After 30 years, Andy Soloman reunited with the Vietnamese people he first photographed, capturing their portraits once again.
The exhibition will run from November 1 to 30 at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center, No. 2 Le Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.
The exhibition features 21 new portraits of individuals or their descendants who appeared in Soloman’s 1992–1993 series, alongside 30 archival images of those he continues to search for.
Together, they form an intimate portrait of Vietnam’s evolution from the steady rhythms of rural life to the energy of modern cities. Through Soloman’s lens, transformation becomes tangible, revealing how resilience, continuity and cultural identity have defined the nation’s journey.
Photographer Soloman returned to the people and places he first captured in the early 1990s, traveling through the Central Highlands, northern mountains, Hanoi and the Red River Delta between 2022 and 2024.
With his camera and original journals, he retraced his earlier routes, seeking faces and families once preserved on black-and-white film to find something from the past or only fading negatives.
Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the British Council in Vietnam, the project highlights a shared commitment to preserving the human stories behind national progress.
It honors intergenerational learning and adaptation, the transmission of values, skills and memories that continue to shape Vietnam’s cultural identity.
From the innocence of childhood to the grace of middle age, the photographer captured the enduring story of this Vietnamese woman’s life.
For Soloman, the exhibition is both personal and poetic.
“My relationship with this country is defined by a continuous journey of friendship, discovery and shared history. Reuniting with people I photographed more than 30 years ago has been a profoundly moving experience, a testament to the enduring bonds that have shaped my life and work,” he said.
Soloman describes Continuum: Vietnam not as a photographic project but as “a journey of friendship and continuity,” where art serves as a vessel for memory and gratitude.
“Each photograph is a tribute to the Vietnamese people who welcomed me as a friend and allowed me to share their lives,” he said.
The exhibition also resonates with its partners. James Shipton, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam, commended Soloman’s dedication: “Each image tells a story that continues to unfold, reflecting our commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam through the power of art.”
A longtime Hanoi resident in the 1990s, Andy Soloman worked as a photojournalist for international publications before joining Reuters in 1997. He now divides his time between the UK and Vietnam, focusing on travel and fine art photography.
With Continuum: Vietnam, Soloman leads viewers on an emotional journey through time – one that mirrors the nation’s story of endurance, renewal and connection.
Through his lens, Vietnam’s past and present converge as a living narrative that unfolds in every face and frame.
