VietNamNet Bridge – On Saturday, the Friends of Vietnam Heritage will hold an excursion to Lai Xa photography village in Kim Chung Commune, about 15km west of Ha Noi.

History through the lens: The FVH excursion to Lai Xa Village will include a visit to the village’s brand new photography museum. — Photo FB BaoTangNgheAnhLaiXa

The village is the birthplace of photography in Viet Nam and the hometown of many talented photographers and scholars, including Khanh Ky, a photographer who taught the skill to President Ho Chi Minh, historian, ethnologist and culture researcher, Prof Dr Nguyen Van Huyen and Vu Dinh Hong – Ho Chi Minh’s personal photographer.  

The day will start with a meeting with the founding director of the Museum of Ethnology, Nguyen Van Huy at the museum, which displays hundreds of objects and documents on the life and career of Huy’s father Nguyen Van Huyen, who was Minister of Education from 1946-75.

The museum, spread over four compact floors, tells the story of the minister’s life and that of his family, giving a superb insight into society and its changes, the politics and history of the nation through the eyes of this family.

In the afternoon, the group will visit a new museum dedicated to photography, which will officially open on May 15.

The tour will also visit the home of one of the village’s elderly photographers, who will tell stories of his life and the art of photography, which give great insight into Viet Nam’s society and history.

Donation: VND320,000. Limit: 20 people. Contact: Stella Ciorra, [email protected] (01662 979 605). 

VNS