The Photo Exhibition Vietnam in 1980s is a special event which is held by Michel Blanchard, a French freelance journalist. Blanchard was born on December 31st, 1949 in Angouleme, France.In his career, he worked as the Representative of Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Hanoi (managed the Indochina region including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) in 1981 – 1983 period. He was also the AFP’s Curator of tourism category of international and diplomatic issue in the Asia – Pacific area from 1976 to 2006, as well as the French special envoy in Lebanon.
In the weekend and on holidays during the time in Hanoi, Michel usually strolled on the Hanoi ancient streets by bicycle and took lively photos of them. Those times, the current affairs or agent information were no longer his first priorities, but the rustic daily life, the voyeuristic leisure, and the empathy between people. Thus, he truly got into the rustic but beautiful life of Vietnam and had a deep understanding of the charming country.
Michel Blanchard always brought a camera along on his inspections in Vietnam to memorize every interesting moment. He also had opportunities to travel to most of the country’s lands, from Lang Son in the North to Ho Chi Minh City in the South before Vietnam implemented the open-door policy for boosting its tourism. Although finished his prorogue of correspondent, Michel still had a special love for the S-shaped country. Thus, he continued come to Vietnam several times for collecting details of his tourist books. These books were about the stories of Vietnam after the war, in which he told about his expressions of a mysterious Vietnam, an immaculate Vietnam, and a daily-changing Vietnam. This amazing is the major message that Michel Blanchard would like to show to the world in his coming photo exhibition. The event is also the gratefulness to Vietnam, which is the astonishing inspiration of his work.
Not only the photos, the lively witnesses for an important transitional period of the country, but also the masterpieces in the exhibition will amaze the visitors because it is the fascinating chance to date back to the past of Vietnam, and to enjoy the brilliant felling of strolling on Hanoi ancient streets over 30 years ago.
The event will take place at L’Espace – 24 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District from 08/04 - 30/04/2016 (in Hanoi) and 11/04 - 30/04/2016 (in Ho Chi Minh City) with the support of Alliance Maison Vietnam.
