VietNamNet Bridge – Photos of the anti-American war by the late photojournalist Lam Tan Tai, first general chairman of the Viet Nam Photographers Association, are on display at the HCM City Photography Museum.

A photo captured by the late journalist Lam Tan Tai, first general chairman of the Viet Nam Photographers Association, is displayed at HCM City Photography Association to mark the 73rd National Day on September 2. — Photo courtesy of the organizer

Fifty-five black-and-white works feature Vietnamese soldiers in battles during the Mau Than Offensive in 1968 and in victory in the spring of 1975.

Tai’s lively photos impressed viewers who attended the event’s opening ceremony on Sunday.

One of his featured photos portrays American airforce commander David Odell, the last US millitary presonnel who left Tan Son Nhat Airport on March 29, 1973.   

“Our exhibition is part of the city’s cultural activities to celebrate 73rd National Day, September 2,” said Le Xuan Thang, deputy chairman of Viet Nam Photographers’ Association.

“Works by photojournalist Tai are invaluable,” he said.

Tài, a native of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, joined the revolution in 1947 when he was 12 years old. He moved to the north and was later sent to study arts and photography at Lomonosov Moscow State University in the then Soviet Union. 

In 1966, he worked for the Liberation News Agency and the Vietnam News Agency. He was sent to battle and captured thousands of photos of the Mau Than Offensive in Spring 1968 and other battles in 1974. 

Tai was seriously injured while shooting photos during the war. An injury caused him to lose sight in one eye.

Tai was honoured with the State Awards in literature and art in 2017.

The exhibition is at 122 Suong Nguyet Anh Street, District 1, and closes on August 28.

Source: VNS