A glimpse into modern Vietnam through the lens of two French photographers.

The two authors chose a unique and unconventional display format by placing the photographs in wooden boxes, each depicting images of Vietnamese villages, rivers, architecture, and people.

The exhibition's symbol is the stars, the stars illuminating the shared sky, representing a unified Vietnam on the national flag. These are the stars in the mind of the wandering dreamer and appear in the eyes of children when they hear stories. The stars are where people entrust their wishes and always watch over us...

"This photo exhibition speaks of hopes, dreams, and inspiration; it's an opportunity for us to pause, escape from reality, and reflect on the poetry of everyday life," the two photographers shared.

The exhibition is taking place within the framework of the Photo Hanoi '21 program initiated by the French Institute in Hanoi - L'Espace, aiming to connect the public with diverse aspects of photography.

They shared that their inspiration came from their perception of the people in Asian countries like Vietnam, who always possess a special vitality stemming from the strong transformation in their lifestyles and mindsets.

Instead of using iconic images of East Asia, the design duo Punk Dragon blended the energy of the region into their creative process. Through a combination of photography, design, and local craftsmanship, each piece tells its own story, cleverly pieced together and arranged within wooden boxes, evoking wonder in the simplest things.

The photographs were taken by Punk Dragon in Vietnam over 28 years. Although they couldn't travel to Vietnam this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the exhibition didn't have an opening ceremony, the duo of photographers hope their perspective on the developing country will be shared with many people.

Here are some photos from the exhibition:

The exhibition runs until May 29th at Matca Photography Space, 48 Ngoc Ha, Hanoi.

Huyen Chau