Rare photos of Audrey Hepburn’s Vietnam visit

An icon of Hollywood’s golden age, Audrey Hepburn visited Vietnam in October 1990 as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Let’s look back at the precious memories captured on film during her Vietnam visit nearly 30 years ago.

Audrey Hepburn became UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1988 and was assigned to visit Vietnam in 1990. Photos: Tienphong

Audrey Hepburn visited ethnic minority children in the hill tribe region of Northern Vietnam in 1990.

The visit was organised within the framework of the rural water and environment sanitation program funded by the UNICEF.

The simple, friendly, and cheerful manner of the late British actress attracted the local women and children.

Hepburn said she would like her visit to present a much more accessible, human picture of Vietnam than just the Vietnam war.

She wore a brocade outfit which she was gifted by a Tay ethnic minority woman.

Hundreds of women and children from different hamlets followed the 61-year old foreigner during her meaningful fact-finding tour.

Hepburn received the United States' highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in December 1992 for her contributions as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. One month later in 1993, she died at her home in Switzerland at the age of 63./.

VNF/VOV