“Hanoi in My Heart” 2025: Enduring love for the capital through each frame

THE HANOI TIMES — Visitors to the Temple of Literature are greeted by a striking photo exhibition that captures Hanoi’s most captivating everyday scenes and the city’s dynamic transformation.

The annual photography exhibition “Hanoi in My Heart” co-organized by Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban) Newspaper and the Hanoi Elderly Photographers Club turns to the 20th edition this year.

Love for Hanoi through the lens of elderly photographers

At the opening on October 8, artist Nguyen Van Phuc, Chairman of the Hanoi Senior Citizens Photographers Club, said the photographers sought to capture Hanoi’s essence and daily transformation through their deep love for the city.

Each photo, covering old streets, modern skylines, familiar faces,urban rhythms, reflects the confident rise of the capital in a new era.

Launched in 2004 by the Hanoi Elderly Photographers Club, the exhibition gained prominence after the Economic & Urban Newspaper joined as co-organizer, becoming a major cultural highlight each October. 

This year’s theme, “Hanoi in the Era of Rising,” challenged photographers to capture the capital’s renewal through everyday life. “We visited Party and government offices to reflect Hanoi’s progress,” said Phuc.

Among the standout works is Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong’s photo of senior Party members updating their cards, an ordinary yet symbolic scene of ongoing administrative reform.

Amid Hanoi’s rapid transformation, senior photographers continue to innovate. For example, Hoang Bich Van’s aerial shot above the Vinh Tuy Bridge roundabout captures the harmony of modern infrastructure and green spaces, glowing like a living painting. 

Taken with a drone by a woman over 60, the image’s motion and warmth reflect her dedication. “I returned three times in one day to find the perfect light and angle,” she said, showing her passion for Hanoi and photography.

For her, each day is a new journey through alleys to capture moments that tightens her bond with the city.

Over the years, the exhibition has reflected Hanoi’s changing spirit through themes such as “Architectural Heritage,” “Rhythm of Life,” “Craft Villages,” “Creative Hanoi” and “Breakthrough,” portraying a city that honors its roots while embracing modernity.

Each edition reveals a fresh perspective on a capital steadfast in preserving its identity amid transformation.

20 years of a cultural brand mark

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee, said the event marks an important milestone as Hanoi embarks on a new phase of development. The 71st anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation is a time to honor history and renew pride, with the exhibition portraying Hanoi as a pioneering, inspiring city in this era of growth.

Featuring 80 selected photos, the showcase presents a vivid portrait of Hanoi’s recent progress, especially five years into implementing the 17th Party Congress Resolution (2020-2025 term).

More than documentation, the photos capture Hanoi’s vitality across politics, economy, culture and society, reflecting its constant drive for innovation and global integration.

The exhibition features two interconnected sections, including “Hanoi operates smoothly and effectively under the two-level local government” that highlights the July 2025 administrative reform, when 126 new communes and wards began functioning under the new two-tier system. The images of government offices, upgraded infrastructure and public service centers illustrate Hanoi’s push for more efficient governance.

The second section “The 18th Hanoi Party Congress, Term 2025–2030: A Milestone in the New Era” showcases achievements in Party building, economic growth, cultural preservation and urban planning, in addition to the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day capturing Hanoi’s patriotic spirit and festive pride.

The 20th “Hanoi in My Heart” exhibition runs on October 8–12 at the Temple of Literature and October 12–21 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Over two decades, it has grown into a tribute to Hanoi, a thousand-year-old city whose enduring charm and progress are vividly reflected in every frame.