From aspiration for independence to the aspiration for creativity
Following the Government’s approval of the project, the Steering Committee and Organising Committee were established under the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism served as the standing agency, working closely with ministries, sectors and localities to ensure consistent implementation, timely progress and overall quality.
Preparations were carried out in a prompt and methodical manner, from high-level directives to technical arrangements on site. Within this framework, the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition assumed the role of the standing unit, directly advising on and implementing specialised tasks: drafting the project plan, designing the overall layout, arranging exhibition spaces, overseeing ceremonial decoration, and coordinating the opening, closing ceremonies and overall schedule.
Director of the Department Ma The Anh noted: “This is both a responsibility and an honour for us. With that spirit, the Department has maximised its professional expertise while closely cooperating with ministries, sectors and localities to deliver an exhibition of stature, worthy of the 80th anniversary of the nation’s founding, and one that fully embodies the country’s aspirations for progress.”
To ensure artistic depth, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism established an Art Council to select works. It brought together leading experts in fine arts, photography and exhibition; heads of management bodies and professional associations; representatives from training institutions; as well as many respected researchers and artists.
This body played a pivotal role in evaluating and ensuring artistic standards, aesthetic value and the diversity of content on display.
Artist Luong Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association and Chairman of the Art Council, observed: “The exhibition testifies to the unceasing creativity and continuity of generations of artists. Its themes are richly varied, from depictions of soldiers, borderlands and islands to everyday life.
Although national treasures and works of past masters could not be displayed due to preservation conditions, overall, the exhibition vividly reflects the 80-year development journey of Việt Nam’s fine arts and photography.”
Through several rounds of selection, the Council chose 250 works, including 100 photographs and 150 fine art pieces, to present at the exhibition.
A convergence of historical memory and artistic essence
The exhibition’s success is owed to the passion and talent of artists nationwide. Each work tells a story, a fragment of the nation’s journey of construction and development.
Sculptor Ta Quang Bao, recipient of the 2016 Ho Chi Minh Award for Literature and Art, remarked: “This is an opportunity for the public to retrace the nation’s journey through the language of art, and for artists to convey their dedication and responsibility towards the country. I hope the exhibition will inspire new creativity, foster exchanges between generations of artists, and spread a love of art to the wider public.”
Alongside fine arts, photography also left a profound impression. Journalist and photographer Tran Van Tuan, a former Viet Nam News Agency reporter who spent over 35 years closely following General Vo Nguyen Giap, contributed precious works capturing the legendary General in authentic and emotive moments.
I hope this exhibition will help the public, especially the younger generation, perceive historical values through images, and better understand the sacrifices, struggles and achievements of the nation. This is not only an occasion to pay tribute to the past but also an opportunity to promote Viet Nam’s image to the world
Journalist and photographer Tran Van Tuan
A notable innovation at the exhibition is the inclusion of an art auction, conducted by Chon Auction House, alongside an interactive space for lacquer painting.
These activities not only enhance public engagement and bring art closer to audiences, but also affirm the economic value of Vietnamese fine arts, helping viewers appreciate and respect the creative process of artists.
The Organising Committee hopes that through this event, the love of art will spread more widely, contributing to the promotion of Vietnamese culture both at home and abroad, while furthering the reach of Vietnamese fine arts and photography and enhancing the country’s image on the international stage.
