Through the lens of photographer Nguyen An, the three-day exhibition showcases over 100 photos highlighting 11 Vietnamese heritages honoured by UNESCO, including Vietnamese people’s belief in the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms, Hung King worshipping rituals and Xoan (Spring) singing in Phu Tho, Vi and Giam folk songs of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, the Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples, Tug-Of-War rituals and games, Nha Nhac (Vietnamese royal court music), Gong culture in the Central Highlands, Quan Ho (love duets) in Bac Ninh, Don Ca Tai Tu singing in southern Vietnam, and Ca Tru (ceremonial singing).
The photos on display are part of Nguyen Anh’s photography book, which was first introduced to the public at the opening ceremony.
The book, which includes some 400 photographs, resulted from Anh’s passion and appreciation for Vietnamese traditional culture and his numerous trips to the villages home the 11 cultural heritages in order to capture the charm of the practices as well as the artists and scientists who have contributed to safeguarding and promoting the heritages.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, photographer Nguyen Anh said he hoped that the exhibition and the book would contribute to advertising Vietnamese cultural treasures to visitors at home and abroad, thus calling on public awareness for and action to preserve and uphold Vietnamese arts and culture.
