The 13th Hanoi Regional Art Photo Festival: New perspectives on the Capital’s heritage

The event was organized by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists in collaboration with the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts and the Hanoi Artistic Photography Association. This is an annual activity, creating opportunities for photographic artists to introduce their creative achievements, while contributing to bringing images rich in cultural value of Hanoi closer to the public. With the theme “Hanoi – Heritage Mark”, this year’s Festival attracted more than 700 participating works. After the selection and judging process, the Arts Council selected 65 works to display and 11 works to award prizes.

According to Artist Tran Thi Thu Dong, President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, the selection of 65 works from a large number of entries shows that the selection process is serious and rigorous.

From the perspective of photography, Hanoi’s heritage is not only recognized through familiar landmarks and works such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hoi Giong, Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam or the art of ca tru. Heritage is also present in the communal houses, streets, trees, rivers, ao dai, markets, festivals, artisans and even the everyday moments of the capital’s people.

It is this open approach that has helped many works at the Festival go beyond simply recording traditional values. The artists focus on exploiting the connection between heritage and current lifestyle, thereby creating an image of a Hanoi that is both familiar, ancient, dynamic and constantly changing.

Artist Tran Thi Thu Dong commented that the notable point of this year’s Festival is that many authors have sought the vitality of heritage in contemporary life. Heritage can appear in ancient architectural works, but can also be felt through the eyes, smiles, and daily activities of people. Notably, the participation of many young authors has brought new approaches and camera angles to Hanoi.

At the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee awarded 11 awards, including 1 Gold Medal, 2 Silver Medals, 3 Bronze Medals and 5 Consolation prizes. The Gold Medal belongs to the work “Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple” by author Le Ngoc Tu. Two Silver Medals were awarded to “Flying over the heritage area” by author Le Duc Kim and “Confucius Sacrifice Ceremony at the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s First University” by author Duong Thi Ngoc Chien. The three Bronze Medals went to the works “Banh Te of the Son Tay people” by author Hoang Thi Hoan, “Hanoi – Imprints left by time” by author Tran Thu Ha and “Chem communal house festival” by author Viet Nga. Five consolation prizes were awarded to the works “Panorama of the Military History Museum” by author Nguyen Thi Kim Dung; “Long Bien rendezvous (International tourists capture moments on Long Bien bridge at sunset)” by author Tran Thu Ha; “Women with traditional craft villages” by author Vu Thi Thuy Ha; “Sai Temple on That Dieu Son peak” by author Nguyen Binh Quang and “Heart of the Capital” by author Le Ngoc Tu. Sharing about the award, author Le Ngoc Tu said he felt happy and proud when the photo series “Phu Dong Temple Giong Festival” was awarded the Gold Medal. The photo series was taken in 2025 and 2026, with many times working in unfavorable weather conditions. To capture the unique moments of the festival, the author combined the use of a camera and flycam, returning to the scene many times to look for general frames but still retaining the unique moments of the festival. Le Ngoc Tu said he chose Hoi Giong because he was impressed with a festival that has been preserved and passed down by the community for thousands of years. Through a system of rituals, ceremonies and folk performances, the festival recreates the legend of Saint Giong, while also expressing the values ​​associated with patriotism, the spirit of solidarity and the nation’s strength to fight against foreign invaders. For the author, this award is a source of encouragement to continue pursuing photography, and at the same time explore more unique ways of expressing Hanoi’s heritage and culture. Not only stopping at honoring excellent works, the 13th Hanoi Regional Art Photo Festival also shows how heritage is being viewed from many aspects in today’s life. Through 65 selected works, Hanoi appears with many layers of space, time and different stories, in which traditional cultural values ​​continue to be preserved, connected and told through the language of contemporary photography. According to Artist Tran Thi Thu Dong, behind each frame introduced at the exhibition is the artist’s persistent labor process: from moving, searching for locations, waiting for light to choosing the right time to capture the right moment. In parallel with the exhibition, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists also created a digital photo book, gathering the exhibited and award-winning works. This is a form of archiving, introducing and spreading works about Hanoi to the public. The exhibition “Hanoi – Heritage Imprints” is held at the Center for Culture – Information and Sports of Hoan Kiem ward, Hang Trong flower garden area, 42 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi and lasts until October 5, 2026. Photo: Hanoi People Electronic Magazine