GalleryGoing through the moon gate at night along the stone-paved banks of Suzhou is the first steps one should experience to enter the landscape of the “Venice of the East”. This elements of Suzhou’s classical garden architecture marks the transition of the different spaces which should be hidden and only revealed while exploring the city with a contemplative mind.
In the age of overtourism and snapshots , the moon door (yuèliàngmén) is still acting its role as a profound intersection of functional design,
[…]
GallerySaigon, justly called the “Pearl of the Far East” is the Capital of Cochin-China. The town is built on the river which bears its name, about 90 kilometres from Cape Saint-Jacques, where the Saigon river flows into the sea. The great liners take twenty-six days to reach Saigon. The duration of the voyage between Saigon and Shanghai and Saigon and Yokohama is ten and sixteen days respectively.
The population of Saigon is 109,000,
[…]
GallerySome cities once experienced a so-called golden age. Their legends originate either from their rich history or from something uniquely special that sets them apart from others. Cholon, founded in the late 18th century, was never part of Saigon—the city now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Its name means “big market,” reflecting its role as a vibrant Chinese trading community and serving as the commercial and cultural hub for Chinese immigrants settling in Saigon.
[…]
GallerySkyscrapers in Hong Kong are among the most iconic and impressive in the world, reflecting the city’s status as a major global financial hub and urban marvel. Hong Kong boasts one of the highest concentrations of skyscrapers globally, with over 7,000 buildings exceeding 100 meters in height.
To shape its iconic skyline with a more distinctive style, several renowned architects such as I.M. Pei for the Bank of China, N. Foster for the International Commerce Centre (ICC),
[…]
GalleryThe exhibition “Seas of Silk” by research-based artist Quang deLam at Lotus Gallery features a rich and multi-layered scenography. Complementing deLam’s paintings is a curated series of statues from the Óc Eo civilization.
These statues are drawn from photographs taken during a special August 2025 exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to Vietnamese National Treasures.
This unique combination of contemporary paintings and and black and white photography provides essential contextual perspective,
[…]
GalleryThe Evolution of the “Far East” Through Travel and Art
The article traces the evolution of the concept of the “Far East” from a romanticized travel destination to a complex, multicultural identity. It begins with a personal reflection on how a vintage photo album of a French tea producer’s journey to Vietnam sparked a feeling of authentic travel, a sensation lost in modern, routine air travel. This sentiment is contrasted with the early travelogue of Goethe’s “Italian Journey,”
[…]
Gallery(updated with new postcards)
Trần Hưng Đạo Street in Cholon is a bustling commercial hub, known for its vibrant street markets, diverse shops, and numerous eateries. It stands as the longest entrance road and the primary thoroughfare of Ho Chi Minh City, traversing numerous neighborhoods and extending for approximately 6 kilometers. Its history is deeply intertwined with the city’s own evolution.
Originally, Saigon and Cholon existed as separate entities. In 1865,
[…]
GalleryPage 1
Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, is located about a hundred kilometers south of the 17th parallel. When one mentions Hue, one can’t help but think of its river and its hills enveloped in dreams and poetry, of its sumptuous palaces and its tombs.
Image – The Perfume River, a source of inspiration for poets and writers of the ancient imperial capital.
Page 2
Magnificent imperial palaces over which an eternal impression of silence,
[…]
GalleryThis exceptional series comes from the archives of the Inlen gallery. It stands out for its night shots, showcasing a brightly lit Saigon, then considered the “Pearl of Asia.” In addition to iconic landmarks like the Governor’s Palace, the Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market, the photographer also captured lively spots such as the Rex and Thanh Chung cinemas, Brodard bakery, and the Dong Khanh hotel in the bustling Cholon district. This suggests that Saigon wasn’t just about official monuments,
[…]
GalleryViet-Nam is in the Southeastern corner of Asia, with Cambodia and Laos on the west, and the China Sea on the east and south. South Viet-Nam covers a 65,000 square-mile area with approximately 12 million inhabitants.
With its sophisticated temperate-climate resorts in the Highland country, its white beaches, its ancient Imperial City, its vast hunting reserves and its numerous other attractions, Viet-Nam is rapidly becoming a << must see >> for thousands of foreign tourists.
[…]
GalleryVIETNAM
With its sophisticated cool resorts in highland country, its white beaches, ancient imperial city, vast hunting reserves and numerous other unusual attractions, Vietnam is rapidly becoming a « must see » for thousands of Pacific travelers. Now that jetliners are slicing flying time to the Orient approximately in half, Saigon is a new centrally-located travel target, especially for tourists seeking a different setting and atmosphere. With China on the North, the South China Sea on the East and South,
[…]
GalleryThis album of photos, recently acquired by the gallery, offers a glimpse of previously unknown pictures, never before displayed. This is especially significant because it is a personal album, likely belonging to a professional photographer from North Vietnam, providing a unique perspective from the “other side.”
Prisoners of War and iconic photo “Burst of Joy”
The album shows an rare photo of a pilot captured and his jet destroyed in September 1965. Our research is on going to identify this pilot.
[…]
GalleryAbout the Inlen gallery’s archives photos
This captivating series, preserved within the gallery’s archives, offers a fascinating glimpse into the pomp and circumstance surrounding the inauguration of Ngô Đình Diệm’s second term as President of South Vietnam on April 29, 1961. The impressive military parade unfolded along what was then Reunification Boulevard (now Le Duan Boulevard). Alongside the military personnel and imposing tanks, traditional costumes paraded, with even the presence of elephants adding a unique dimension to the spectacle.
[…]
GalleryTết Mậu Thân in Huế was a brutal and pivotal moment in the Vietnam War. Starting January 31, 1968, the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC) forces surprised everyone by seizing much of the city, including the Citadel. What followed was a grueling 26-day battle with US Marines and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) to retake it, marked by intense urban combat and heavy casualties on both sides.
[…]
GalleryTravel Journal: From Hue to the DMZ by photographer Quang Lam
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, I decided to venture to the DMZ, located approximately 100 km from the former imperial city of Huế. It wasn’t my first time in this region, but a psychological barrier had certainly been holding back my curiosity to take this road heading north, without really encountering more cultural or seaside tourist spots.
[…]
GalleryThis never published series of photos are taken from the album “”Respectful homage of the house Huong Ky Photo to Mr. The Minister of National Education in memory of the trip of H.M BAO DAI in Tonkin”.
Gallery Inlen Photo is proud to be the first to show them publically in collaboration with the French galerie Vincent Joly dedicated to Indochina arts for the the centenary of the founding of Indochina School of Fine Arts (1924-2024) now the University of Fine Arts of Hanoi.
[…]
GalleryGardens hold a significant place in various mythologies around the world, often symbolizing paradise, creation, and the divine. More then now then ever gardens provide a direct connection to nature, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
In Japanese mythology and Zen Buddhism, gardens are seen as places of meditation and reflection. They often symbolize the natural world in its most essential and abstract form. Early gardens were influenced by Chinese garden philosophy,
[…]
Gallery“I’m contemplating the mountains crossed by the stripes in geometric pattern similar to the locals clothing fabrics. These people have found refuge here, among the heights that scare both Hans and Kinh people from the lowlands. To grow rice, they patiently engraved the land into embroideries of laces that are stretched as far my eyes can see. These strata are marks of time like the concentric circles of a tree.
After this stop, my guide Nam and I get back on our bike to reach Dong Van before nightfall.
[…]
GalleryThis series intricately depicts selected nodes of the different threads woven throughout the last century of Vietnamese history, employing narrative elements reminiscent of a compelling tale.
According to ancient Vietnamese mythology, the people of Vietnam are believed to be descendants of a dragon and an Immortal. The prominent myth of the origins of the Vietnamese people involves Lạc Long Quân, a dragon lord, and Âu Cơ, a fairy, who had 100 children from 100 eggs.
[…]
GalleryPhotographer Quang Lam delves into the profound context behind his latest series.
“It all began with my exploration of my family’s ancestral tombs in Bac Lieu. According to family records, our ancestral vault is situated in the tranquil village of Hoa Binh, in the sub-prefecture of Vinh Loi, Bac Lieu province. My father was born in this village, which is home to around 2,000 residents and lies just 5 kilometers from the coast.
[…]
GalleryThis series discusses the interplay between documentary and fiction in storytelling, drawing on quotes from Jean Luc Godard, a key figure in the French New Wave :
“All great fiction films tend toward documentary, just as all great documentaries tend toward fiction . . . One who opts for one necessarily finds the other at the end of his journey.” “A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end… but not necessarily in that order.”
It highlights that effective narratives often combine elements of both genres,
[…]
Gallery“The bridge was built in 1899–1902 by the architects Daydé & Pillé of Paris, and opened in 1903. Before North Vietnam’s independence in 1954, it was called Paul-Doumer Bridge, named after Paul Doumer – the governor-general of French Indochina and then French president. At 2.4 kilometres in length,it was, at that time, one of the longest bridges in Asia.
Some parts of the original structure remain intact, while large sections have been built later to repair the holes.
[…]
GalleryBefore the bridges were built to span the various arms of the Mekong river, traveling through the Delta meant to wait for the ferries. The most famous one was replaced by the Cần Thơ Bridge, constructed over an arm of the Mekong, the Bassac (or Hau Giang), near the city of Cần Thơ.
“It’s the crossing of a ferry on the Mekong. The elegant man has stepped out of the limousine. He smokes an English cigarette.
[…]
GalleryBy Prof. Steve Bisson, Paris College of Art
Chief editor Urbanautica Institute
THE WEIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE AND TIME SCLEROSIS
“Strips of land emerging from the sea of amnesia, that\’s memory. Sooner or later, they will sink. So, sailing in time to explore their internal geography may be fruitful.”
“[…]Quang Lam’s work offers an excellent visual viaduct to its understanding by depicting the iconic history of the so-called Independence Palace of Vietnam.
[…]
Gallery“This show will explore the dynamic interaction between XEM’s artworks, innovative installation concepts, and viewer engagement, creating a lively and evolving environment. Be part of it to experience the energy and creativity that XEM brings to the forefront of contemporary photography, as they continue to redefine the medium’s role in both archival truth and fictional creation.” Text by Vin Gallery
Visual artist Quang Lam explores the relationship between maps and territory. It is encapsulated in the famous expression “the map is not the territory,” coined by Polish-American philosopher Alfred Korzybski.
[…]
GalleryStatement by the visual artist Quang Lam
“The Autograph Collection Hotels, in collaboration with Vinpearl Landmark 81, has launched the visionary project “Gallery in the Sky.” I would like to cultivate the values of international connections and exchanges, leveraging the unique setting of Vinpearl Landmark 81. My vision for “Gallery in the Sky” involves capturing captivating photographs of airplanes arriving from all corners of the globe, visible from the hotel. But invisible, they are like “Air Flows”.
[…]
GalleryThis series captures the raw sequence by the photographer Quang Lam of events from October 5th to 12th, 2014. Organized in the style of black and white contact sheets, this presentation immerses viewers in the days when Hong Kong’s youth sought to take control of their future. Led by the 18-year-old Joshua Wong (visible in contact sheet number #5), the students occupied for two months the heart of Hong Kong in the Admiralty zone, where government buildings are located.
[…]
GalleryINTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS – PERIOD 1951 – 1962
Vietnam Airlines used part of its commercial rights to develop international routes to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, Hong Kong and Singapore, which Air France has reestablished from 1946 to 1949.
In 1952, by DC-3, there was a daily flight to Saigon-Phnom Penh, a weekly flight to Saigon-Bangkok, then a seat added to Siem Reap around 1956, two flights to Saigon-Seno-Vientiane; By DC-4, there were two weekly flights to Saigon-Hanoi-Hong Kong and Saigon-Haiphong-Hong Kong,
[…]
GalleryIn cartography, terra incognita refers to regions that have not been mapped or documented. The expression is believed to have first appeared in Ptolemy’s Geography around 150 CE1. It denotes unexplored or unfamiliar territories. Interestingly, the phrase has also been used metaphorically to describe any uncharted subject or field of research
This series captures the in-situ construction of a Terra Incognita that unfolded over several months. In an exposed ruin, buffeted by rain and wind,
[…]
GalleryThe inspiration for this series is drawn from “The Tale of Từ Thức Marrying a Goddess,” a story that delves into the life of Từ Thức during the Trần dynasty. He encounters and weds a goddess in the divine realm, only to later depart from his celestial spouse to revisit his hometown. Unbeknownst to him, countless ages have transpired in the mortal world during his absence.
Set in Hue, amidst the tranquil lagoon of Tam Gian,
[…]
GalleryMigration and the Geneva Accords
After the 1954 Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into North and South, there was a 300-day period (ending on May 18, 1955) during which Vietnamese people could freely choose their place of residence.
A massive migration occurred, with approximately 1 million people moving from the north to the south and around 50,000 people moving from the south to the north.
The unexpected migration prompted the North Vietnamese government to block roads,
[…]
GalleryOn May 7th of this year 2024, we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the battle of Dien Bien Phu. This article highlights the military events and the Geneva conference that opens at the same time as the final days of a battle taking place thousands of kilometers away, the outcome of which is eagerly followed by the French media.
The Geneva Conference of 1954 was a conference that took place in Geneva, Switzerland,
[…]
GalleryThe portraits in this collection were given by students to their professor at the end of their instruction in the 50s. The written words on the back primarily serve as a formal farewell and provide information about their names and the dates, allowing us to identify the individuals. Fortunately, within one specific portrait, the student also included the name of the Nguyen Van Khue School.
Professor Huỳnh Công Ân says : “From its inception in 1940, Nguyen Van Khue School stood as one of the largest private schools in Cochinchina during the French colonization period.
[…]
GalleryThe historical aftermath of the Qing Dynasty’s overthrow of the Ming Dynasty in 17th-century China led to Ming loyalists seeking refuge in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, these Chinese immigrants played a pioneering role during the “March to the South.” They settled in Bien Hoa. By the late 18th century, to escape the massacres perpetrated by Tay-son troops, the community regrouped in the present-day location of Cholon, situated 11 kilometers away from the center of Saigon,
[…]
GalleryFernand Nadal, born in Algeria, arrived in Saigon in the 1920s. His first advertisement in the magazine Indochine française (1922) described his activities as follows: “Art Photographie—Photography for business” and “Publishing: postcards, photo albums, and documentaries on Cochinchina, Cambodia, and Annam.”
Unlike other studios that focused primarily on portraits, Nadal’s work provided a documentary perspective of that era. He published over 2000 photos, with notable albums including:
- Ruines d’Angkor: A collection of photographs showcasing the ancient temples of Angkor.
[…]
GalleryFor the Indochina period, historian François Drémeaux reveals an intriguing fact: Hong Kong served as the first harbor of French Indochina. This choice was influenced by several factors, with one of the primary attractions being the city’s favorable taxes and free port system.
The Vietnamese Administration of the Nguyen Dynasty also recognized this advantage. In 1865, they dispatched Dr. Dang Huy Tru on a Chinese mission to explore Hong Kong’s current development. At that time,
[…]
GalleryThe name of Huong Ky Photo is more associated to the history of cinema in Vietnam than to Photography.
Located in Hang Trong Street (Rue des tambours), Hanoi, the studio photo was established in 1905 by Mr. Nguyen Lan Huong (1887 – 1949).
This street is famous for the production of a specific woodcut paintings. The craftsman only prints the black outlines of the image, then will finish the details by hand.
[…]
GalleryThe Independence Palace, completed in 1966 by the architect Ngô Viết Thụ, winner of the Prix de Rome, was never inhabited by President Ngo Dinh Diem who requested its construction but by the next President who made him assassinated. It has become a museum since April 30, 1975 when tanks have crashed through its gates.
Renamed as Reunification Palace, It is now the gathering place for all the city’s major festivities and commemorations.
[…]
GalleryText from the article
THE VISIT OF THE EMPEROR OF ANNAM TO TONKIN
We mentioned, in our last issue, the visit that the Emperor of Annam Bao Daï made to Tonkin during the first half of December. We have since received some new photographs which illustrate with a picturesque commentary this study trip of the young sovereign, the impact of which was considerable in all the cities and regions he traveled.
[…]
GalleryKhanh Ky’s real name is Nguyen Dinh Khanh (1874-1946), opened a photography studio in 1892 on Hang Da street. The business being successful he opened many studios in Hanoi, Haiphong, Saigon (1907, 1924) even in China at Guangzhou (1924).Unlike other photographers, he attached particular importance to train his operators who mainly came from Lai Xa village, in Ha Dong province who is considered as considered the cradle of Vietnamese photography.
In 1910, Khanh Ky went to France to study photography.
[…]
GalleryWritten by Dr Bridget Tracy Tan
Director, Institute of Southeast Asia Arts – Art Galleries
Academic Advisor (Southeast Asian Arts)
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
“Quang Lam’s style is unquestioningly about play, but also about accountability. He wants the viewer to know how we experience what we experience, through what we enact and the thoughts we think, the ways in which we move. His contribution to the exhibition is a series of installations demonstratng the state of the world.
[…]
GalleryBy Prof. Steve Bisson, Paris College of Art
Chief editor Urbanautica Institute
The living conditions of the masses have not always coincided with an earthly Eden. Even today, this is the case if we observe urbanism and, in particular, the state of the suburbs or the metropolitan densities that leave little space for green dreams. A terrace is already a privilege. In its progressive urbanization, the human species has distanced itself from nature,
[…]
The Art Project – Air Skylen is participating the Biennale The Wrong 6th Edition, within the Pavilion ANIMA “Directory”, curated by Tam Nguyen, with advisories from Mai Huyen Chi & Xuan Ha and support from Duyen Le and Lien Nguyen
Review of the Art Project Air Skylen
This text has been written by the curator Tam Nguyen for the catalog of the pavilion ANIMA “Directory”
“Air Skylen (2022) embodies Quang Lam’s long-term research into the development of the Vietnamese airline industry.
[…]
GalleryMost of the countries in the Far East have coastlines. These territories will be affected by the sea level rising such as the megacities of Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, as it is written in the new study of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of La Rochelle in France and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the United States (NCAR).
By 2100, nearly 50 million people will face this higher than expected rise in sea levels.
[…]
GalleryThe main idea of the Quang Lam’s work in this exhibition is to explore the concept of the Far-East Asia in which Saigon and Singapore were essential nodes for its representation.
From wikipedia about:
“The term first came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 15th century, particularly the British, denoting the Far East as the “farthest” of the three “Easts”, beyond the Near East and the Middle East.[..] Significantly,
[…]
This series has been displayed at Sa Sa Art Projects in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) with the XEM collective
Excerpt for the presentation text by curator Lyno Vuth
“In the exhibition, physical works by each of the five artists take forms extending from their presentation in the magazine. The works presented here by XEM deal with not only what separates us but also what bonds and unites us. The very same things can produce multiple complex effects.
[…]
GalleryBETWEEN THE CAVE AND THE SUN
by Steve Bisson
«True rebellion is what calls into question the preconstituted order, not that it neglects it in favor of a permanently anarchic or hedonistic immaturity.»
In Quang Lam’s recent series ‘Hong Kong 2047’ the photographer alternates some vertical portraits of grotesque skyscrapers, depicted almost as if they were totems, with close-up images of remote control and surveillance systems. The cold linear,
[…]
GalleryThe texte has been written by Blanche CARDONER (Ecole du Louvre)
in her study – Contemporary photography Vietnamese and memory, Selection of works by contemporary Vietnamese artists or the diaspora working on their History
Manifestations and reminiscences of History: Quang Lam, R Like (2012 – 2015)
Quang Lam, on the contrary, is interested in a space highly representative of Vietnamese history in R Like… (2012 – 2015). The series may also be titled Reunification’s Reminiscence.
[…]
GalleryTo fly is one of the deepest dream of humans. The myth of Icarus has always inspired our imagination. The Futurism art movement in the early 20th century emphasized dynamism, speed, technology, youth, through the flying machines.
Quang Lam is interested to study the modernity (of Vietnam) by its industrial and technology’s development through this universal desire. This point of view has rarely used to understand the art history of the country.
Project Air SkyLen
The project is to build a virtual airline company named Air SkyLen
Airlines are the symbols of the technology’s level of a country.
[…]
GalleryThe steamliner began his career on September 22, 1912 on the Far East line. In 1914, it was, with its 13,000 gross tonnage, the largest and most luxurious of the Company’s liners, the only one able to offer “luxury” cabins, equivalent to the North Atlantic lines.
Some excerpts of the travel story on Jeanne Marie Méchin aboard the Paul Lecat in November 1923 between Marseille and Saigon. These letters take a month to reach France till the France-Indochina air mail link reduced the time to one week.
[…]
