HÀ NỘI — The Friends of Vietnam Heritage will host a photo exhibition and lecture by photographic artist Colonel Trần Hồng from his collection of photos taken during time spent with General Võ Nguyên Giáp.

Giáp is considered one of the greatest military strategists of the 20th century. The leader in the Việt Nam People’s Army led the Việt Minh resistance against the Japanese occupation of Việt Nam. He was then a commander in two wars: the First Indochina War (1946–54) and the American War (1960–75).

The artist has selected 20 photos of Giáp that he likes most from his collection of over 1,500 photos to unveil to the public on March 25 in Hà Nội.

Born in Hà Tinh Province, artist Hồng has worked as a press photographer at the Quân Đội Nhân Dân (People’s Army) newspaper since 1973. He is a member of the Việt Nam Journalists’ Association, the Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists, and the International Federation of International Artistic Photography.

Among the very first graduates of the Press University, majoring in photography,  Hồng started working at the People’s Army newspaper in 1973 until his retirement in 2010. He had an opportunity to meet General Giáp several times in his travels as a press  photographer.

The English-language lecture will take place from 1.30pm to 4pm at Hà Nội Library, 47 Bà Triệu Street (located on the corner of Trần Hưng Đạo and Bà Triệu streets). Donation: VNĐ200,000. Limit: 40 people. Contact: John at  lefthanded2haoi@yahoo.com.  — VNS