An exhibition entitled ‘Life stories on Mekong River banks’ is taking place at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, 78 Le Duan Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, until April 15.

The photo of the Mekong River on display at the ‘Life stories on Mekong River banks’ exhibition by French-Vietnamese photographer Lam Duc Hien. Photo: T.V

The event features a total of 28 artistic photos depicting French-Vietnamese photographer Lam Duc Hien’s 4,200km journey along the Mekong River, together regarded as a series of visual memoirs, personal memories mixed with collective memories of people living by the river.

The collection features portraits and personal memories of people he met on the journey. The Mekong River marks as borders of Thailand and Laos and cultural links of lands and people that mix many different cultures.

Student Aon Chaisakon from the University of Foreign Language Studies under the University of Da Nang shared that he was born and raised along the Mekong River, so the river was very meaningful for him.

“In addition to farming, my parents went fishing every day on the river to raise me. Therefore, when I went to Viet Nam for studying, I deeply missed images of my hometown. When I know about the photo exhibition, I immediately arrange to go to the museum to reminisce about my childhood memories. These artworks at the exhibition not only help me reduce homesickness but also motivate me to study well to soon come back with my family" the Lao student remarked.

Similarly, as for student Khambounheuang from the University of Science and Technology under the University of Da Nang, although his childhood did not live near the Mekong River, more or less information about this river was deeply ingrained in the subconscious through lessons he learned while in Laos.

“I have known the Mekong River through movies and photos. However, the artistic photos taken by Lam Duc Hien seem to represent people and the Mekong River in a more vivid and sharp way. When I admire the context and rhythm of life through each photo, I can imagine the river in front of my eyes, as well as feel the closeness between people and the river. It seems that it is not simply a river but it is like a friend who caresses locals over the years" Khambounheuang said.

The ongoing photo exhibition draws much attention from locals, and domestic and foreign tourists.

According to photographer Lam Duc Hien, all 28 artworks on display are inkjet printed on wood-paved photo papers of people and scenes of different sizes.

The photo exhibition is not only limited in Laos, but also features images of life and people in the downstream of the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam through Cambodia, along the border of Laos and Thailand, Myanmar, China and in the Tibetan plateau, he noted.

He revealed “When I was a teenager, I lived with my grandmother along the Mekong River, so this cross-continental journey has special meaning for me to find my roots through photos”.

In addition, the exhibition also shows the current situation of the Mekong River which is being deformed by overexploitation.

Lam Duc Hien emphasised the dangers posed by hydropower projects, dams, and waves of plastic pollution that have seriously affected the Mekong River ecosystem.

According to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Trinh, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, the ‘Life stories on Mekong River banks’ exhibition, co-organised by the museum, the French Embassy in Viet Nam, and the Institute France Viet Nam in Da Nang, aims to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and the 10^th anniversary of the strategic partnership, between France and Viet Nam.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by M.DUNG