Photo exhibition showcases Vietnam’s UNESCO Heritage
DNO - A photography exhibition featuring 100 works depicting 30 UNESCO-recognized heritage sites in Vietnam opened at 29 Hang Bai Exhibition House in the capital city of Ha Noi on October 26, ahead of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23) and Vietnam Culture Day (November 24).
The exhibition is directed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition. Building on a previous showcase, it also updates the collection with images of Vietnamese heritage recognized by UNESCO.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong highlighted Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage, shaped by thousands of years of history.
Heritage assets preserve the nation’s history, identity and creativity, serving as invaluable national treasures and part of humanity’s common heritage.
The 100 photographs cover six categories, namely World Cultural Heritage, World Natural Heritage, Mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage, Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and documentary heritage.
The exhibition also features oral and intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO. The works offer vivid perspectives on Vietnam’s landscapes, people and cultural depth.
Featured sites include the Complex of Hue Monuments, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Trang An Landscape Complex, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Ho Citadel and the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes.
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The exhibition also showcases intangible cultural heritage representing the diversity of Vietnam’s artistic traditions, spiritual life and community practices.
These include Hue royal court music, the Central Highlands’ gong cultural space, Bac Ninh’s Quan Ho folk singing, Phu Tho’s Xoan singing, Southern Vietnamese amateur music (Don ca tai tu), Central Vietnam’s Bai Choi performing arts, Then practices and the art of Xoe Thai dance.
Particular attention is given to intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, including Ca tru ceremonial singing, the art of Cham pottery-making and Dong Ho folk painting.
Documentary heritage on display includes the Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks, the Nguyen Dynasty imperial archives, the doctoral stelae at the Temple of Literature in Ha Noi, and the collection of musician Hoang Van.
Through images of landscapes, communities and cultural practices, the photographs tell stories of history, collective memory, customs and the relationship between people and nature.
The event’s organizers seek to highlight the shared responsibility of preserving and promoting heritage, raise public awareness and foster greater appreciation of the cultural and natural treasures Vietnam contributes to the world.
The event also honors photographers, researchers, artists and others directly involved in heritage conservation and promotion. It aims to strengthen links between heritage preservation, cultural development and the cultural industries.