“Hanoi in My Heart”: The love for Hanoi through the lens of elderly photographers

Jenna Duong

The photographers’ profound love for Hanoi is beautifully conveyed through their images of the city’s most captivating moments.

Hanoi's memorable days in 1972

Photographer Trinh Hai, 92, has dedicated nearly his entire life to capturing the beautiful moments of Hanoi. Photo: Jenna Duong

In the autumn days of early October, as Hanoi welcomed the seasonal rain, the cool weather stirred a mix of emotions in the air. Photographer Trinh Hai, former Chairman of the Hanoi Elderly Photography Club, arrived at the Temple of Literature early in the morning to attend the 19th “Hanoi in My Heart” photo exhibition, holding a collection of black-and-white documentary photos of the city. As he walked through the exhibition, he paused thoughtfully before each image, allowing memories to wash over him.

Reflecting on the black-and-white photo titled “Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and missile troops protecting the Fatherland before the 12 days and nights of Dien Bien Phu in the Air,” Trinh Hai expressed, “As we approach the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation, I feel a profound pride participating in this exhibition. This year, my contributions focus primarily on the period of resistance against the US”

Trinh Hai's photo captured of Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and missile troops

Hai was attending the photo exhibition “Hanoi In My Heart” themed “Hanoi’s Spectacular Rise,” the 19th edition of is currently being organized by the Economic and Urban Newspaper in collaboration with the Hanoi Elderly Photography Club at the Temple of Literature.

This meaningful exhibition celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation (October 10, 1954 - 2024).

Meanwhile, for other photographers and visitors, the autumn cultural rendezvous at the “Hanoi in My Heart” photo exhibition provides an opportunity to admire stunning images. These cherished works, created and preserved by artists, are showcased in a variety of captivating ways.

“During my time with the press agency, I had the chance to travel to Cambodia twice as an expert to train photojournalists and help build darkrooms. When I returned in 1988, I learned that the department head wanted to burn the film cabinet due to termites. I intervened, saving many valuable works, including the photos featured here, which remain relevant today,” Hai recalled.

Approaching the photo titled “Kham Thien Street Devastated by B-52 Bombers in 1972,” the artist remarked that this year’s exhibition theme, “Hanoi’s Spectacular Rise,” is truly meaningful. He noted that from the challenging subsidy period to the present, the living conditions of the capital's residents have significantly improved, thanks to the innovations implemented by the Party and State, as well as the efforts of the municipal authorities.

The Kham Thien Street after a US bombing in December, 1972 through the lens of Trinh Hai,

“Before the days of the U.S. bombing, I often passed by a house numbered 13 in Kham Thien Market Alley, where the door was closed but not locked, just tied up with a rope. On the corrugated iron sheet by the wall were the words: ‘Household evacuated, property scattered, hope the militia pay attention.’ I took a photo that later won an award. When I returned after the war and met the homeowner, they told me that while the roof had been blown away, the belongings inside were still intact. This reflects how, even during wartime and calamities, our society remained pure, affectionate, and civilized,” Hai recalled about the photo of Kham Thien Street.

Vietnam Reunification Day heroic moments

The works of photographer Nguyen Huu Nen left a lasting impression on the exhibition's viewers. His photos not only showcase his artistic journey but also capture significant milestones in Hanoi's history.

Photographer Nguyen Huu Nen, 87, shares insights about his works with reporters at the exhibition. Photo: Jenna Duong

Photographer Huu Nen shared that the photos he captured in 1975, while working for the Vietnam News Agency, reflect the joyous atmosphere in Hanoi during the anniversary of the South’s liberation and the country's reunification at August Revolution Square. “On that day, I had to climb a ladder to the roof of a tall building nearby to get the shot. From that point, I was able to capture the grandeur of the celebration, filled with emotion and pride,” he told The Hanoi Times.

Notable works by Huu Nen that capture these memorable moments from 1975 include “Rally to Celebrate the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country at August Revolution Square on May 1, 1975,” and “Hanoi Children Marching to Celebrate the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country on May 1, 1975,” among many others.

The photo entitled “Rally to Celebrate the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country at August Revolution Square on May 1, 1975" by Huu Nen

Later, photographer Huu Nen continued to meticulously document the story of Hanoi, capturing everything from iconic landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace to festivals and traditional craft villages. His work beautifully recreates Hanoi’s evolution over nearly 40 years of construction and renovation. As he shared, his photos may not be flashy, but they “contain the ups and downs of history,” allowing viewers to glimpse the “essence of Hanoi” in each image.

Some of the photos currently on display at the exhibition include: “Children Visiting Uncle Ho's Stilt House at the Presidential Palace in 1977,” “Nhat Tan Kumquat Garden, 1990,” and “Peaceful Countryside in Quoc Oai District, 2002,” among others.

A tranquil Hanoi in photographs

Photographer Van Phuc, 86. Photo: Thanh Hai

Van Phuc is a renowned photographer from Hanoi who has served as the president of the Hanoi Elderly Photography Club for decades. Among his notable works featured in the exhibition are “Thong Nhat Park in 1965,” “Peaceful Afternoon at Hoan Kiem Lake in 1976,” and “All for the Frontline,” which captures female workers at the March 8 textile factory in 1965.

These images recount the glorious historical days when the people of the North dedicated themselves to hard work and resourcefulness to support the war against America before 1975.

The seasoned photographer shared the inspiration that drives his creative journey: “As a child of the city, I love Hanoi—the people, the landscapes. I cherish the simple things: the tranquility of Hoan Kiem Lake on a sunny day, the rows of quaint medieval houses in the Old Quarter, and the faint scent of milk flowers. Deep within this city lies a hidden charm that makes those who have been here reluctant to leave.”

“How can I preserve the soul of my hometown?” he reflected. This question resonates with every artist, as photography offers a unique path to capture moments that define a place, contrasting with film, which chronicles scenes over a longer period.

The photo themed Hoan Kiem Lake was taken by Van Phuc in 1976.

“Hanoi In My Heart” features not only renowned photographers but also a diverse array of emerging talent. The works displayed in the exhibition faithfully reflect the significant achievements of Hanoi City following its liberation and administrative boundary expansion, showcasing advancements in economic and social development, urban management, national security and defense, and the strengthening of the City Party Committee and political system at all levels. Together, these pieces elevate Hanoi’s status and promote the development of a green, cultured, civilized, and modern capital.

The 19th “Hanoi in My Heart” photo exhibition will run until October 10 at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Afterward, the works will be showcased at Hanoi’s Cat Linh Sky Train Station, featuring a stand that introduces the Economic and Urban Newspaper ecosystem, as well as at the Hanoi Museum, helping to spread the love for Hanoi among both locals and international visitors.