From November 2 to 21, the photo exhibition “Little Hanoi: Next Generation” is taking place in Hanoi, showcasing 65 portraits of young Vietnamese who grew up in the Czech Republic. Interspersed among the portraits are landscape photographs capturing scenes from Northern Vietnam – the homeland of many Vietnamese families living in this European country.
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Through the lens of photography, the exhibition retraces the journey to adulthood of a generation raised between two cultures – Vietnamese and Czech. Each image conveys a deep attachment to their roots while reflecting the process of adaptation and integration into the society where they live. Accompanying the photos are personal reflections and narratives from young Vietnamese about their homeland, memories, and sense of identity.
The exhibition presents 65 portraits of young Vietnamese who grew up in the Czech Republic, along with the personal stories they share. (Photo: Hanoi Grapevine)
Organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vietnam, the exhibition features the works of Czech photographers Štěpánka Stein and Salim Issa. It serves as a continuation of the “Little Hanoi” series launched in 2008, a project that once drew attention for its portrayal of the Vietnamese community’s life in Prague.
At the press conference preceding the exhibition, Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Hynek Kmoníček emphasized that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is among the largest Vietnamese communities in Europe. “The second generation always has it harder than the first. They didn’t choose their life. They were born into it, and now they have to deal with it. And how well they manage – you’ll see at this exhibition,” said the Ambassador.
Photographer Štěpánka Stein (second from right) shares information about the exhibition.
Photographer Štěpánka Stein shared that photography is a means of observing and recording what lies beyond words, ordinary people with extraordinary inner strength.
“Photography is, for me, a way to capture what words often cannot – the (extra)ordinary people, the spirit of the times. It is a bridge that connects generations, cultures, and memories. The project Little Hanoi, Next Generation was born from a deep need to understand and preserve what seems invisible. I believe that, over time, it will gain even greater meaning. It will become a memory that speaks gently, yet clearly. And perhaps even a bridge toward understanding,” said she.
The exhibition “Little Hanoi: Next Generation” is part of the international photography biennale Photo Hanoi ’25. After its run in Hanoi, the project will be presented in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026, before traveling to Prague (Czech Republic) in June 2026.
Source : Vietnamtimes
