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LOCATION
Temple of Literature
EXHIBITION DATE
01.11 – 30.11.2025
EXHIBITION DATE
06.11.2025 – 10:00
ORGANIZERS
At Photo Hanoi’25, a series of photographs by André Salles documenting the 1897 Hương examination in Nam Định will be exhibited in a unique bamboo structure, inspired by the architecture of traditional examination grounds.
The Hương exam was a cornerstone of Vietnam’s Confucian education system. The 1897 edition unfolded as the country’s Confucian traditions were in decline, gradually giving way to the rise of the romanized Quốc ngữ script. These rare surviving photographs capture the solemn yet bustling atmosphere of these historic exams.
Firmin-André Salles (1860–1929) was a French photographer and explorer active in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1896 to 1898. Working with dry-plate photography, he produced remarkably sharp, detailed images, offering vivid glimpses of late 19th-century life, landscapes, and cultural traditions in Vietnam.
To enrich the exhibition, we’ve collaborated with local cultural experts to deepen the contextual understanding of the Hương exam and those portrayed in these images. Beyond showcasing this invaluable archive, the exhibition invites reflection on photography’s role in shaping our perception of history and offers insights into both the photographic practices and the education system of Vietnam’s feudal past.
ARTIST
Firmin – André Salles
ADVISORS
TS Đỗ Thị Hương Thảo, Mai Nguyên Anh, Phạm Thanh Hương
SCENOGRAPHY
Nguyễn Mạnh Tuấn, Mai Nguyên Anh
