The event was hosted by the Vietnam Association for Photographic Artists to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the first victory of the Vietnam People's Navy (1964 – 2018).
The Exhibition House at 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem district, the host venue of the exhibition, was full of visitors during the five-day display. Many of them shared that as they haven’t yet had a chance to set foot on Truong Sa, the exhibition somehow helped them to cherish their aspiration.
Admiring the photos capturing the archipelago, visitors were stunned by the beautiful natural landscape there, while being made fully aware of the national sovereignty over Truong Sa, which has been safeguarded by many Vietnamese generations.
The idea for organising the exhibition was sparked by Photographic Artist, Tran Thi Thu Dong, after her first trip to the archipelago. Dong, who is Head of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, wanted to promote the love for the country’s seas and islands, and Truong Sa archipelago in particular, among the people through her advantage: photography.
Her idea was enthusiastically supported by photographers and photojournalists who are working at press agencies across the country, who are lucky enough to have visited the archipelago before.
As many as 120 photos on display were thoroughly selected from thousands of pictures taken by 12 artists during their trips to Truong Sa.
The participating artists included Vu Quoc Khanh, Tran Thi Thu Dong, Ta Hoang Nguyen, Ly Hoang Long, Le Nguyen, Nguyen My Tra, Nguyen Tat Be, Thach Cong Thinh, Le Quang Dung, Hoang Ngoc Thach, Nguyen Hoang Dieu, and Ha Huu Duc.
Photographic Artist, Tran Thi Thu Dong (centre) and other participating artists at the opening ceremony of the exhibition in Hanoi on August 3. (Photo: ape.gov.vn)
The exhibits provided visitors with a closer look on Truong Sa through ordinary and authentic moments: the rainbow after the rain over the top of a lighthouse, paper cranes conveying a great tribute to Truong Sa’s fallen soldiers, the play time of children on the island, and an malabar almond fruit weaving amid the wind.
Through the lenses of the participating artists, the archipelago was captured beautifully in full vitality and energy in spite of fierce weather conditions. The daily activities and emotions of the soldiers and people provided endless inspiration for the artists. Embracing every hardship from life, with their enthusiasm and optimistic attitude, smiles are always lightening up the faces of Truong Sa’s soldiers and islanders.
Photographic Artist Tran Thi Thu Dong said that although her trip to Truong Sa took place a long time ago, her memory about the event is still evergreen in her mind. She wanted to do something for Truong Sa. By thinking that the love for the country’s seas and islands is available in everyone’s heart, she wanted to connect and link the hearts together.
According to her, it is not extremely necessary for one to visit Truong Sa in order to gain a full love for the archipelago. The love for Truong Sa can be interpreted by helping others grasp a deeper understanding of the island and the people there, who have worked silently days and nights to safeguard the archipelago.
Ly Hoang Long, one of the participating artists, said that he has looked at many photos of Truong Sa. But once he visited the archipelago, only then could he fully absorb the resilience and determination of the people there.
“Anyone who once visited Truong Sa always wants to return someday, and I am not the exclusion,” he concluded.
