Photo Hanoi ’25 Biennale: A multicolored visual feast

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is set to transform into a vast open-air gallery this November as the Photo Hanoi ’25 Biennale -  Hanoi International Photography Festival  returns to the capital. Through a citywide network of exhibitions, workshops and artistic encounters, the biennale celebrates photography as a living conversation between culture, creativity and community.

A lively stage for photography

Running from November 1 to 30, this year’s edition will feature more than 170 photographers, visual artists and curators from 21 countries. The program includes 22 solo and group exhibitions and 29 side events, from film screenings and art tours to book launches and photography workshops.

According to Bach Lien Huong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the 2025 biennale builds upon the success of earlier editions in 2021 and 2023, representing a significant step forward “larger in scale, richer in artistic content, and more prestigious in scope.”

According to Bach Lien Huong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, Photo Hanoi ’25 Biennale builds upon the success of photography projects previously organized in 2021 and 2023. This year’s biennale, she noted, represents a step forward - “larger in scale, richer in artistic content, and more prestigious in scope.”

“This event is not only a showcase of beautiful images but also an invitation for the public and visitors to experience art more intimately to see Hanoi as well as the wider world through diverse creative lenses,” said Huong.

She added that Photo Hanoi ’25 is part of the city’s ongoing effort to foster cultural growth and connect Vietnamese and international artists, while emphasizing photography’s evolving social role.

“It highlights how the creative industry contributes to Hanoi’s socio-economic and cultural development,” she noted.

Huong also stressed that the biennale underscores Hanoi’s commitment to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, through which the city has pledged to nurture artistic diversity and expand global cooperation.

The event, she said, not only enriches the cultural calendar but also strengthens Hanoi’s image as a hub for creative dialogue and innovation.

The Photo Hanoi' 25 Biennale was jointly organized by Hanoi People’s Committee and the French Embassy in Vietnam, on October 22. The event is carried out by Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the French Institute in Hanoi (L’Espace) and the UNESCO Office, amining to reinforce Hanoi’s growing reputation as a creative hub for photography in Asia.

Sharing the same vision, Éric Soulier, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, described the event as “a result of years of dialogue, cooperation and mutual trust between France and Vietnam and of the shared vision of artists who continue to bridge cultures through creativity.”

Unlike traditional exhibitions confined to galleries, Photo Hanoi ’25 Biennale extends photography into the city’s everyday landscape.

The artworks will appear not only in cultural institutions and art spaces but also in open-air and public settings such as Dien Hong Flower Garden, the scenic promenades around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and even the facade of the French Embassy.

This citywide approach turns Hanoi into a living exhibition, where photography blends seamlessly with urban rhythms, inviting anyone strolling through the Old Quarter or resting by the lake to encounter visual stories of memory, identity and change.

A journey through lenses and lives

Beyond the exhibitions, Photo Hanoi ’25 offers a dynamic lineup of interactive programs designed for both professionals and the public.

Participants can explore manual photography, vintage cameras and historical processes like the 19th-century wet plate and lumen printing. Other activities include photo bookmaking sessions and portfolio reviews with leading photographers and curators.

Curator Nguyen The Son described the 2025 edition as carrying “a renewed spirit that brings contemporary photography into centuries-old heritage spaces.”

He said that impressive photographic works will be displayed on the ancient walls of heritage sites such as the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (No.40 Lan Ong Street) and the Quang Dong Assembly Hall (No.22 Hang Buom Street), offering visitors an unforgettable artistic experience in the heart of Hanoi.

These hands-on programs help nurture young Vietnamese photographers, encouraging them to develop their artistic voice, build confidence and engage with the global photography community.

According to Nguyen The Son, this year’s biennale has attracted an unusually large number of international artists. “This reflects the growing interest of the global art community in Hanoi specifically, and Vietnam in general.”

The biennale’s exhibitions span a wide range of themes, from echoes of historical memory and the rhythm of urban transformation to pressing global issues such as climate change, migration, and the human connection with nature. Each photograph opens a window to a different world, inviting audiences to pause, reflect, and rediscover the beauty and complexity of life.

By blending heritage and innovation, Photo Hanoi ’25 invites residents and visitors alike to experience the city through an artistic lens, revealing how photography captures not just images, but emotions, ideas, and shared cultural values. The organizers aim to establish the event as a truly international photography festival and a standout cultural and tourism highlight for Hanoi.