World Press Photo Exhibition 2019 opens in Hanoi

The 2019 World Press Photo Exhibition, organised by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam, opened in Hanoi on December 6 presenting stories with different perspective through more than 100 photos on display.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (L) and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman (R) at the exhibition.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (L) and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman (R) at the exhibition.

In his address, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung affirmed that the exhibition not only offers an opportunity for Vietnamese artists and photographers, as well as local people, to visit and feel the diverse and honest perspectives of many activities around the world, but is also a highlight in the celebration programme for the 46th anniversary of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties.

Following the success of 2018, the prestigious exhibition continues to connect the public in Vietnam and Hanoi with countries worldwide with messages and desires for peace, prosperity and happiness, the official said.

Chung expressed his thanks to Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman, who came up with the initiative to organise the 2019 World Press Photo Exhibition in Hanoi, voicing his wish that the Dutch Embassy would continue to hold more press, photography and cultural events, to help the Hanoi residents get a better insight into the land and people of the Netherlands and to inspire creativity from globally famous photographers’ art and press works.

For her part, Dutch Ambassador Akkerman said that was the third time that the World Press Photo Exhibition was organised in Vietnam, but the first time it was held outdoors.

With the photos being exhibited on the side of Hoan Kiem Lake, local people and visitors can easily access, admire and explore the meaningful stories from all over the world, which are captured in photos by talented photographers, she said.

The exhibition also shows how willing Hanoi is to connect with other cities in the region and around the world, the diplomat added.

The World Press Photo Exhibition will last nine days in Hanoi before travelling to 145 other nations.