27 rare photographs of Vietnam from half a century ago comes to Hue

HNN.VN - Vietnam in the post-war years, the old streets of Hanoi and Saigon in the early 1970s, and the simple rhythms of life during the country's early years of economic reform are vividly brought to life through 27 remarkable photographic works by three French artists at the exhibition “Vietnam Crossroads”, which opened on the afternoon of June 13th.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the exhibition

The exhibition is being held at the University of Education, Hue University (32 - 36 Le Loi Street), attracting a large number of visitors and photography enthusiasts.

This event is jointly organized by the French Embassy in Vietnam, the French Institute in Vietnam, and the University of Education as part of Hue Festival 2026.

Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and Standing Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of Hue Festival 2026; representatives of Hue University and the University of Education; and Mr. Franck Bolgiani, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Vietnam and Deputy Director of the French Institute in Vietnam.

The exhibition showcases 27 works by three French photographers: Daniel Roussel, Gilbert Bertrand, and Lily Franey. Created between the 1970s and the early 1990s, the photographs capture authentic moments of Vietnamese life, people, and the country's transformation through different historical periods.

Among them, Daniel Roussel's collection offers a rare perspective on Vietnam from 1980 to 1986. As a correspondent for the French daily newspaper L’Humanité, he spent many years in Vietnam, documenting the country's post-war reconstruction with empathy and understanding. His photographs are not only artistic works but also valuable historical records of a challenging yet vibrant period.

Meanwhile, Gilbert Bertrand's black-and-white photographs, taken between 1970 and 1975 in Da Lat and Saigon, provide unique insights into social life during a turbulent chapter of history. Although not a professional photographer, the moments he captured remain striking for their authenticity and documentary value. Notably, most of these photographs had never been publicly exhibited for decades.

Completing the visual journey are the works of Lily Franey, created from 1987 onward during humanitarian missions to Vietnam with the French People's Relief Association. Through her lens, a Vietnam recovering from war emerges in bright and hopeful colors. Her images of everyday life reflect the optimism, resilience, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people during the country's renewal period.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Franck Bolgiani said that Vietnam Crossroads is not merely a photography exhibition but also a dialogue between perspectives, eras, and memories. Displayed together, the works create a shared memory between France and Vietnam, reflecting the friendship, mutual respect, and understanding between the two nations.

Following its debut at Photo Hanoi ’25 and Da Nang Museum, the exhibition is now being presented to the people of Hue as an international cultural highlight of Hue Festival 2026. “Vietnam Crossroads” also offers a journey through history, memory, and human values preserved in every frame.

The exhibition is open through July 15^th, 2026.

Some images from the opening of the “Vietnam Crossroads” exhibition:

The 27 works of French photographers Daniel Roussel, Gilbert Bertrand, and Lily Franey

The photographs were captured through the deeply emotional perspectives of international friends who hold great affection for Vietnam

Photograph by Daniel Roussel: “A box mounted on a wall in the Old Quarter bears the slogan ‘Keeping the streets clean is a hallmark of a civilized way of life.’ Books hanging from it invite passersby to stop and browse”