Photo Hanoi 2025: The return of the international photography biennale in the heart of the capital
Photo Hanoi 2025 – the International Photography Biennale, initiated and coordinated by the French Institute in Vietnam under the patronage of the Hanoi People’s Committee, will take place for one month starting from November 1, 2025. Held biennially, this is the 3rd time the event has been organized in Hanoi, with the participation of hundreds of visual artists, photographers, curators, and experts from many countries around the world and Vietnam.
In 2021, under special circumstances, the capital city of Hanoi implemented social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation of a large number of planned activities; however, Photo Hanoi ’21 was still successfully launched with works from 23 artists and photographers at 5 different exhibition venues, including: L’Espace – The French Institute; Matca Photography Space; The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam; and 2 exhibition spaces of VCCA – Vincom Center for Contemporary Art. As a pilot version of an international photography biennale, Photo Hanoi ’21 was well-received by the community, along with numerous press agencies, as well as culture and art experts.
Recognizing the potential to develop fundamental elements for photographic art in Vietnam, and with public interest, two years later, Photo Hanoi officially organized the first season of the International Photography Biennale, lasting for over a month, from April 21 to June 3, 2023.
Photo Hanoi ’23 made its mark with the participation of over 100 visual artists and photographers in more than 40 group and solo exhibitions, held in over 20 different creative spaces across Hanoi, such as: 22 Hang Buom Cultural and Art Center; the walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake; Vietnam Fine Arts Museum; National Library of Vietnam, French Embassy, The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, and others.
Artworks displayed at the “Fashion Photography” exhibition of Photo Hanoi’23. Source: Photo Hanoi
Exhibitions at the Photo Hanoi ’23 Biennale such as: “Hanoi – A City in Photography” or “Hanoi 1985-2015: Forgotten Years” helped audiences turn the pages of different eras, where Hanoi’s streets were portrayed in ways that were both strange and familiar through the lens of the artists. Photographer Nguyen Huu Bao once shared: “Although they all talk about Hanoi, the Hanois are not identical, because each artist has their own unique thoughts. Therefore, when audiences come to the exhibition, they might find a Hanoi that is strangely familiar, intimate yet surprising…”
Exhibition space “Hanoi – A City in Photography” at the 22 Hang Buom Cultural and Art Center. Source: Photo Hanoi
Besides bringing colorful photography exhibitions, Photo Hanoi ’23 also featured many specialized seminars such as: “Art Photography in Higher Education” and art tours. This was an opportunity to reflect on and discuss issues in contemporary photography, the landscape of the photography industry in Vietnam, and the perspectives of both domestic and international photographers.
Art tour “In Search of Lost Time, Time in Search” at Mo Art Space, 136 Hang Trong. Source: Photo Hanoi
The event saw over 200 articles and reports published, attracted more than 170,000 attendees, and content posted on social media garnered over 5 million views and more than 5,100 posts tagged with the hashtag #PhotoHanoi, according to the French Ambassador to Vietnam, Nicolas Warnery.
Photo taken at the “Teatros” exhibition by photographer Bert Danckaert. Source: Photo Hanoi
It can be said that Photo Hanoi ’23 – the International Photography Biennale brought the public a fascinating view of contemporary photographic art in Vietnam and the world; at the same time, it contributed to introducing and promoting the image of the Capital’s land and people through the lens of photography, opening up collaborative activities within Hanoi’s cultural industries, and boosting creative activities in the cultural sector.
Following the success of Photo Hanoi ’23, Photo Hanoi ’25 promises the emergence of many new initiatives and ideas. And most importantly, Photo Hanoi ’25 is a bright spot that contributes to opening up development opportunities for photographic art in Vietnam.
Please update information about Photo Hanoi ’25 on the website: https://photohanoi.com/ or the event’s official fan page: https://www.facebook.com/hello.photohanoi.
Information source
https://photohanoi.com/photo-hanoi23-gop-phan-lam-phong-phu-khong-gian-sang-tao-cua-thu-do/
https://photohanoi.com/ha-noi-mot-thanh-pho-trong-nhiep-anh-2/
https://photohanoi.com/nhung-cot-moc-dang-nho-trong-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-nghe-thuat-cua-photo-hanoi23/
https://photohanoi.com/hon-100-nghe-si-thi-giac-nhiep-anh-tham-gia-photo-hanoi23/