Hanoi Through Time: A British Photographer's Journey Capturing Life Over 30 Years Ago
	Memories of Traditional Tet through the Lens of British Photographer

His exhibition “Continuum: Vietnam”, opening at Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City from March 10 to April 10, 2026, presents a remarkable visual dialogue between past and present, tracing Vietnam’s transformation through the faces and stories of ordinary people.

Continuum: Vietnam is a long-term and ongoing photographic project by Andy Soloman exploring the intersection of memory, identity and societal transformation in Vietnam through intimate portraits and archival juxtaposition. (Photo: Andy Soloman)

A journey that began in the early 1990s

Soloman first travelled through Vietnam in 1992-1993, during a period when the country was still emerging from decades of war and economic isolation. Carrying little more than film rolls and handwritten journals, he documented daily life in villages, towns, and remote regions.

Three decades later, between 2022 and 2025, he retraced those journeys across the Central Highlands, the northern highlands, Hanoi, and the Red River Delta. His goal was ambitious: to find the people he once photographed, or their descendants, and capture their lives again.

The result is Continuum: Vietnam, a long-term documentary project that reflects both Vietnam’s rapid transformation and the continuity of its cultural identity. The exhibition features 21 black-and-white portraits of individuals or their descendants first photographed in 1992-1993. Alongside them are 27 archival photographs of people Soloman is still searching for today.

Together, these images reveal the profound social, environmental and cultural changes that have taken place over the past three decades. From traditional rural communities to increasingly modern lifestyles, the photographs highlight both transformation and resilience.

More than a simple visual comparison, the project invites viewers to reflect on how personal histories intertwine with national development.

Emotional reunions and lasting friendships

For Soloman, the exhibition is as much about relationships as it is about photography.

“I have been overwhelmed by the emotional reaction of people seeing these photos,” he said. “The exhibition reflects my deep 34-year connection with Vietnam. My relationship with this country is defined by a continuous journey of friendship, discovery and shared history.”

Reuniting with people he photographed more than three decades ago, he added, has been “profoundly moving.” “Vietnam’s journey over the past three decades is reflected in the faces and stories of these people. Through my photographs and reunions, I hope to show how the past and present are intimately connected, not just by history, but by relationships built on trust, respect and genuine affection.”

The exhibition features 21 black & white portraits of people (or their descendants) first photographed in 1992/93, alongside 27 archival images of those Soloman continues to seek. (Photo: Andy Soloman)

He describes the project not merely as a documentary effort but as a personal journey of continuity and friendship. “For me, this is not simply a photographic project. It is a journey of friendship and continuity. To retrace my steps and find some of these people again has been humbling, emotional and often incredible.”

The exhibition first attracted wide attention when it was presented during Photo Hanoi ’25, where it received enthusiastic coverage across print, broadcast and online media in Vietnam. After being shown in Phu Quoc, the project now arrives in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing its powerful visual narrative to a new audience.

According to Albert Lafuente, General Manager of Sedona Suites, hosting the exhibition aligns with Sedona Suites’ commitment to cultural engagement. “Andy’s photos capture intimate and unfiltered perspectives of Vietnam, rendered with depth and quiet emotional resonance,” he said. “This exhibition helps tell important stories about the incredible development of Vietnam over the past 30 years.”

For Soloman, the exhibition ultimately serves as a tribute to the people who welcomed him decades ago. “This exhibition is my tribute to the Vietnamese people who all those years ago welcomed me as a friend and allowed me to share in their lives,” he said. “It is also a celebration of the country’s extraordinary evolution, seen through the lens of personal connection and long-term engagement.”

By documenting these stories across such a long span of time, Continuum: Vietnam offers a rare perspective: a nation’s transformation told not through statistics or policy, but through the enduring faces of its people.

Photographer Andy Soloman. Andy Soloman is a widely published photographer who spends his time between the UK and Vietnam, with frequent trips to other parts of the world. While living in Hanoi from 1992-1999, he worked for a variety of newspapers and news agencies before joining Reuters in 1997. These days, he focuses on travel and fine art photography. Exhibition details: Continuum: Vietnam by Andy Soloman, 10 March - 10 April 2025. Sedona Suites, 67 Le Loi Boulevard, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Hotel Entrance is located along Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street).