Vietnamese Photography: A 50-Year Journey

The Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists recently organized a workshop, titled “Vietnamese Photography: 50 Years of Development Alongside the Nation,” which coincided with its yearly review for the 2024 planning cycle covering 2020–2025.

During the event, attendees discussed the progress made in Vietnamese photography and its role in documenting the nation’s culture and history.

Ho Sy Minh, the Deputy Chairman of the association and the Editor-in-Chief of Photography and Life magazine, remarked, “Photography has become a key element of cultural expression within our communities.”

Photographer Pham Tien Dung highlighted photography’s unique power to capture real life, evoke feelings, and inspire social progress. Nonetheless, he pointed out that this authenticity is often compromised as focus shifts to aesthetics over genuine storytelling.

Similarly, Photographer Luu Quang Pho expressed concerns that contests and exhibitions tend to favor images that are overly staged and digitally enhanced, leading to a lack of true creativity. Photographers frequently seek out beautiful landscapes, like those in the northern highlands or Mekong Delta, often using amateurs and planned scenarios to achieve idealized images.

“These creations have lost their appeal due to their over-exposure and lack of realness,” he stated. Pho emphasized that the essence of photography lies in its ability to document reality from a personal viewpoint. Yet, many pieces marketed as “realistic” are often staged, blurring the distinct line between photography and performance art.

He pointed out that Vietnamese photography has not adequately tackled pressing social concerns, noting that audiences seldom see artwork addressing poverty or injustices that could stir feelings of compassion or prompt action.

Tran Thi Thu Dong, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, praised the evolution of Vietnamese photography over the last fifty years. She underscored its essential role in enhancing the country’s artistic heritage and commemorating its significant historical moments.

“Photography has tremendous potential as a medium for genuine storytelling, fostering intergenerational trust,” Dong added. She expressed hope that, with ongoing innovation and development, Vietnamese photography will reach new heights, continuing to support the vision for a modern and thriving nation.