“Continuum: Vietnam” - Andy Soloman’s Three-Decade Journey Through Time

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Drawing from his journals and photographs taken between 1992 and 1993, Andy Soloman returned to Vietnam during 2022–2024 to revisit those who once appeared in his early works. The exhibition features 21 newly taken black-and-white portraits of these individuals, or their descendants, alongside 30 archival images of others whom the photographer is still searching for.

The exhibition “Continuum: Viet Nam” by British photographer Andy Soloman presents 51 black-and-white photographs capturing his more than three-decade-long connection with Vietnam. (Photo: Thu Phuong)

Andy Soloman first came to Vietnam in 1992, intending to stay only a month, but ended up remaining for seven years. During that time, he traveled across the country from north to south, meeting people from the highlands, coastal areas, and river deltas - kind, hospitable individuals who left a lasting impression on him.

In 2022, Andy Soloman returned to Vietnam, retracing his old notes to find the villages, places, and faces he had once photographed. The reunions were deeply emotional: for some people, the photographs he brought back were the only remaining keepsakes of their youth or departed loved ones. Nearly three decades later, Vietnam appeared before Andy Soloman’s lens in a new light - the Central Highlands covered with coffee, pepper, and rubber plantations; wind turbines turning high above; and roads, schools, and clinics brightly illuminated and well-built.

“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. 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 over such a long period, I hope to offer a unique perspective on Vietnam’s transformation,” said Andy Soloman.

The exhibition features archival images taken by Andy Soloman in Vietnam between 1992 and 1993. (Photo: Thu Phuong)

The exhibition is supported by the British Council in Vietnam and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), reflecting their shared commitment to promoting cultural exchange and fostering understanding between communities through art.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, said: “Our lived experiences shape who we are and how we see the world. The powerful images in this exhibition highlight the spirit of the Vietnamese people: their strength, resilience and happiness. Here we see the power of intergenerational learning: the exchange of knowledge, skills and customs from one generation to the next; how we continuously innovate and create; and how we can learn from engaging with younger generations. This exhibition underlines that as we age, and as our society ages, we remember that every generation plays a vital role in building inclusive communities and ensuring a future that is sustainable and equitable for everyone.”

Portrait of Y Trinh. (Photo: Andy Soloman) In an interview with VietnamTimes Magazine, photographer Andy Soloman shared that the most memorable photograph and story for him is that of Y Trinh, a girl from Kon Tum (now part of Quang Ngai Province). When the first photo was taken, Y Trinh was 10 years old; when he met her again, she was 40. Upon receiving her old photograph, she broke into tears, recalling the dress and hair accessory her mother had bought for her despite their difficult financial situation. The memory brought back the simplicity and innocence of childhood, when everything seemed pure and effortless, before adulthood brought its own challenges. For Andy Soloman, it was a deeply personal and emotional story, not only because of the photograph itself but also for the memories it evoked in its subject.

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