“Hanoi in my heart”: A captivating glimpse through international eyes
From vivid parades to quiet moments of cultural pride, international tourists share their heartfelt impressions of Hanoi through a powerful photo exhibition celebrating the spirit and beauty of the city.
THE HANOI TIMES — "Hanoi in My Heart" invites visitors to rediscover the soul of Vietnam’s capital through vivid photographs capturing the city’s charm, culture and enduring spirit at the Temple of Literature on an autumn morning.
International visitors at the "Hanoi in my heart" photo exhibition held in the Temple of Literature on October 8. Photo: Thanh Hai/ The Hanoi Times
The exhibition co-organized by the Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban) Newspaper and the Hanoi Elderly Photographers Club marks its 20th edition under the theme “Hanoi in the Era of Rising.”
Featuring over 80 photographs, it captures the city’s evolution in architecture, culture and economic vitality. From quiet alleys rich in tradition to dynamic urban scenes, the images portray Hanoi as a city where old and new coexist in harmony, in addition to milestones in the capital’s development.
As Vietnam advances in an era of transformation and integration, Hanoi leads, inspires and connects past and future.
The exhibition “Hanoi in My Heart”, which will run until October 12, offers residents and visitors a visual journey through one of Asia’s most storied capitals.
The Hanoi Times captured the impressions of visitors who walked through the exhibition nestled within this cultural relic.
Shachi, Harish and Sachin from Karnataka, India
“This is our first time here, and we will stay in Hanoi for three days before moving on to Danang city. Looking at the photos here, I feel very impressed. Through the photos themed around Vietnam’s recent National Day, I can see that you have done very well, showing neatness, patriotism, and the grandeur of the military equipment.
I’m particularly impressed with the photo of a group of planes flying over the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. They fly in perfect formation. The red of the Vietnamese flag stands out beautifully against the blue sky. It's very striking!”
“Is this Long Bien Bridge? I’ve heard about this bridge but haven’t had the chance to visit it yet. I think this is a beautiful photo in terms of composition and color. The bright yellow of the flowers contrasts vividly with the aged brown of the bridge! I was surprised to learn that this historic bridge was built during the French colonial period. Having endured two wars, the bridge still stands strong, not only as a cultural landmark but also as an important traffic route in the daily lives of local people.”
The trio from Karnataka, India shared that this is their first time here, and they will stay in Hanoi for three days before heading to Danang.
"The photos are impressive. The images themed around Vietnam’s National Day show great precision, patriotism and the grandeur of the military parade. I’m especially struck by the photo of planes flying over the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum."
Additionally the formation is perfect and the red of the Vietnamese flag stands out against the blue sky. "It's truly striking,” the men exclaimed.
“Is this Long Bien Bridge? I’ve heard of it but haven’t had the chance to visit. This photo is beautiful in both composition and color. The bright yellow of the flowers contrasts vividly with the aged brown of the bridge. I was surprised to learn it was built during the French colonial period. Having endured two wars, the bridge still stands strong as both a cultural symbol and an essential route in Hanoians’ daily lives,” said one of them.
Ann Nicholl from London, United Kingdom
Reporters from The Hanoi Times provide Ann Nicholl (right) and Catherine Carley (left) with an explanation about a photo displayed at the exhibition. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times
“This is my second day in Hanoi. We’re a group of retirees who came to Vietnam to travel together. Everything here is so new and fascinating, from the culture and people to the customs and landscapes. Hanoi has so much to explore, especially the cuisine. I’m passionate about the delicious street food here!
Regarding the exhibition, I feel extremely excited because it gives me the opportunity to learn so much about Hanoi in one place, from its culture and people to the remarkable development of the capital in both economic and political terms.”
Catherine Carley, London, United Kingdom
“I found the atmosphere of the exhibition very lively, especially with the folk band playing traditional music. I was particularly impressed by the photo of women carrying flower baskets during a street festival in Hanoi, they looked so lovely! In the UK, we also have similar flower festivals. Both Hanoi and London, as capital cities, are doing well in maintaining their own traditional cultural features.”
Sarthak Nikam, Mumbai, India
“I'm deeply impressed by the photo of Vietnam’s 80th National Day parade. It powerfully captures the spirit of unity and pride, with joy and excitement shining in everyone’s eyes. In India, our festivals are lively, but Vietnam’s patriotism feels different: solemn yet warm. I sense that Vietnamese people are united, respectful of their history and optimistic about the future.”
Thomas Drescher, Berlin, Germany
Visitors from Germany: Thomas Drescher (right) and Desiree Drescher (center). Photo: Minh Phuong/The Hanoi Times
“The photo of children exploring the Doctor’s Steles at the Temple of Literature impressed me most. Their innocent curiosity and wide-eyed wonder are beautifully captured. It shows how deeply Vietnamese people value education. Discovering this spiritual and historic space has been a truly memorable experience.”
Desiree Drescher, Berlin, Germany
“I love how the photographers tell Hanoi’s story through light and emotion. Each photo reflects pride, love for the homeland and respect for learning. I’m especially drawn to the images of Hanoi’s autumn streets and the simplicity of daily life. They capture the city’s unique charm that I first felt when visiting two years ago.
This time, I brought my parents to see a historic city that is anything but ordinary. We plan to visit Danang, Ninh Binh and Sapa, but Hanoi is the most place I want to return to.”
Nigel and Sarah Hudson, Cornwall County, United Kingdom
“This is our first time in Hanoi and in Vietnam. I’d heard your country was beautiful, a blend of the ancient and the modern, but I was still amazed when I arrived. I especially love the photo showing Hanoi draped in a sea of flags.
As I understand, it was taken during the recent 80th National Day celebration. The image is vivid and full of life, capturing the city’s festive spirit. The Old Quarter, glowing in red and yellow from the national flags, is truly breathtaking.
I also like the photo of the female volunteer at the parade. It's striking. Your city is beautiful, and what impresses me most, especially at the Temple of Literature where the exhibition is held, is its deep historical connection. It reminds me of Europe’s 17th-century traditions during the early development of formal education.”
Gary Anderson, the United Kingdom
Gary Anderson (right) talks with The Hanoi Times' reporter about his impressions of Hanoi and his experience at the "Hanoi in My Heart" exhibition. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times
“This is an interesting exhibition with colorful photos depicting life. My strongest impression of Hanoi is the people. They are so cheerful and friendly. In addition, the food is delicious and the culture is rich. I’ll be here for another 11 days and I am looking forward to discovering even more of what your capital city has to offer.”
