The exhibition introduces to the public more than 80 vivid photos that capture the authentic viewpoint of photographers and journalists on Hanoi’s memorable milestone: 15 years since the extension of its administrative boundaries. The exhibition marks the 69th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2023).

A remarkable milestone

The opening ceremony of “Hanoi in My Heart” took place on 5 October at Temple of Literature, Hanoi

According to Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief  of Economic & Urban Newspaper, 15 years of administrative boundary expansion is a short, but extremely important period in the development history of the thousand-year-old capital city.

“These photos, taken by elderly photographers, are very valuable as they show a Hanoi that is gradually changing for the better. Today’s Hanoi is not only a green, modern city with newly built bridges and synchronized road traffic, but also a creative, civilized city, a city for peace," Loi said.

Attending the opening ceremony of the event, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai said that he was especially impressed by the photo exhibition “Hanoi in My Heart”.

“Hanoi through the eyes of veteran photographers brings special emotions to viewers and helps them to better understand Hanoi’s transformation after 15 years of expanding its administrative boundaries,” he stated.

“I hope that the beauty of the capital city of Hanoi will not only be shown through this exhibition, but will also be shared with local and international visitors through other events,” he added.

The photo exhibition “Hanoi in My Heart” is an annual event held by Economic & Urban Newspaper every autumn. Photo: Nga Chu

Themed ‘Hanoi - 15 Years After Administrative Boundary Extension’, the 2023’s Hanoi in My Heart consists of three thematic areas: ‘Hanoi’s Spectacular Rise’, ‘New-Style Rural Areas in Hanoi’, and ‘Cultural Identity of the Capital’.

‘Hanoi’s Spectacular Rise’ includes images of Hanoi City’s outstanding socio-economic achievements 15 years after its administrative boundary extension, the process of urbanization, urban area projects, key transportation projects (including Ring Road 4-Capital Region, Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station metro lines, upgraded National Highway 6 ), commercial centers and industrial parks, Hanoi's hosting of major international events such as the 2019 North Korea–United States Summit or the 31st SEA Games.

Notable works include those depicting the practical  leadership and management of the city's leaders at all levels, such as ‘Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Dinh Tien Dung Checks the Progress of the Ring Road 4-Capital Region Project’ by photographer Thanh Hai, or ‘Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Tran Sy Thanh Inspects a Transportation Project in Thanh Xuan District’ by Nhat Nam.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Ha Minh Hai (central), Editor-in-chief of Economic & Urban Newspaper Nguyen Thanh Loi (second from right) and guests to the exhibition. Photo: Thanh Hai

Thanks to the leadership, the capital’s cityscape has become increasingly spacious, modern and civilized, as shown in Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa’s ‘Hanoi’s Transport System becomes Increasingly Complete and Uniform’, Quang Minh’s ‘Urban Railway Will Become the Backbone of the Capital’s Mass Transit Network’ and ‘Thang Long Industrial Park, Dong Anh District’, or Tran Nhu’s ‘Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park’.

In the second part of the exhibition, entitled ‘New-Style Rural Areas in Hanoi’, comprises works that show changes in Hanoi’s countryside in terms of infrastructure and housing, novel perspectives on hi-tech agricultural models, rural life, industrial zones and clusters, rural craft villages, ancient houses and laterite houses, and especially changes in mountainous ethnic minority areas and Hoa Binh Province’s former districts 15 years after they were incorporated into Hanoi.

The thematic area ‘Cultural Identity of the Capital’ shows the unique features of the Thang Long - Hanoi culture blended with Doai (Western Thang Long) culture, as well as a variety of historical and cultural relics that make Hanoi a major cultural center of the country. Typical photos are ‘Unique King’s Procession Ritual on Festival Days’ by Le Phu, ‘Culinary Space on a Familiar Street’ by Duy Khanh, and ‘Millennial Cake Procession Ritual’ by Nguyen Trong Nghi.

In addition, there are also vivid images of the Creative City, Hanoi’s developed and integrated cultural identity, cultural industries, creative and cultural spaces, pedestrianized spaces (including Hoan Kiem Lake, Trinh Cong Son and Tran Nhan Tong walking streets, or Son Tay Ancient Citadel), famous tourist attractions and landscapes in both the inner city and the suburbs, traffic culture, and the preservation of ancient buildings.

Making a good impression on travelers

Foreign visitors to the exhibition. Photo: Thanh Hai

The 18th season of ‘Hanoi in My Heart’ continues to be held at the same old venue - the Temple of Literature, drawing many domestic and foreign tourists to the famous historical site.

As a tourist from Bac Giang province, Pham Thanh Son said he was very impressed by the photo entitled “Hoa Binh Park - A Symbol of Peace in the Capital” by photographer Cong Pham.

“Only when from a bird's eye view can one fully discover the beauty of the capital. I’ve been there before, but I didn’t expect the park to be so beautiful. The photographer’s camera angle brings viewers closer to the scene from a more comprehensive, detailed perspective that is difficult to perceive with the naked eye,” he said.

Betty, a tourist from the Netherlands told The Hanoi Times that she was most impressed by the photo entitled “Xu Doai” or ‘The Land of Doai’ by author Tu Van Chi.

“From the whole scenery, to the purpose and layout of the photo, everything is perfect. In the photo, two women are winnowing rice under the magical ray of sunlight. These women are very focused on their work. The Vietnamese rural scene is also very beautiful and peaceful. In particular, the photographer skillfully captured the moment of oblique rays of sunlight coming down from above,” she said.

“Hanoi is the first destination on our 10-day travel itinerary in Vietnam. I find it to be a modern yet nostalgic and poetic city. Vietnam is also a beautiful country. We will be back to explore more of it,” Betty stated.

The photo titled "The Colors of Quang Phu Cau" by photographer Van Phuc

David Porterfield, a tourist from the United States, said he was most interested in the photo “The Colors of Quang Phu Cau” by photographer Van Phuc’.

“As you can see, this photo of incense making profession in the suburbs of Hanoi has a striking composition and colors, showing that the photographer has an artistic eye. Overall, the photos displayed in this exhibition are very beautiful and depict the highlights of Hanoi - Vietnam, a beautiful country.”

“Regarding the qualifications of the photographers, I found that they are all very professional and have sharp eyes. The photos are of good quality and show a variety of subjects. The exhibition also offers foreign visitors like me a glimpse of Vietnamese culture,” he said.

The meaningful annual cultural event

Now in its 18th year, ‘Hanoi in My Heart’ photo exhibition has become a prestigious  annual event of Economic & Urban Newspaper - the voice of the municipal People’s Committee.

After nearly two decades, the scale of the event has grown and it has attracted public interest. Feedback on the photos shows that they depict events that matter to people.

Many of the photos displayed at the exhibition have been featured in the photo column ‘Hanoi in My Heart’ in Economic & Urban Newspaper’s weekend editions, or the  photo column ‘Elegant and Civilized Hanoi’ in Economic & Urban Newspaper’s online version.

The photo entitled “Xu Doai” or ‘The Land of Doai’ by Tu Van Chi

The exhibition is a gathering place for best and highest-quality works by members of the Hanoi Veteran Photographers’ Club as well as reporters and close collaborators of Economic & Urban Newspaper, which captures the city’s remarkable achievements since its administrative boundaries were broadened in 2008.

The photos show Hanoi’s achievements in all fields of socio-economic development: construction, urban management, consolidation of national defense and security, strengthening cooperation, integration and development, the building of Party committees and political systems at all levels, among others.

At the same time, they portray a city that is developing dynamically and creatively, while ensuring social security, urban environment and new rural construction. In doing so, Hanoi’s position and prestige as a cultured, civilized and modern capital has been strengthened, continuous development enhanced and its image promoted to domestic and international visitors.

The exhibition runs for seven days, from October 5 to 11, at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, Hanoi. After that, all the photos will be displayed at Cat Linh skytrain Station from October 12 to 15 and at Hanoi Museum from October 16 to 30.

The countryside village of Doan Nu, My Duc Commune, Hanoi. Photo: Dao Minh Xuyen

"The Colour of Hanoi’s UrbanArea" by Hoang Thi Hoan

Flower Season of Hanoi. Photo: Giang Nam

"Hoa Binh Park - A Symbol of Peace in the Capital" by Cong Pham