VietNamNet Bridge – The Friends of Vietnam Heritage will host a photo exhibition and lecture by photographic artist Colonel Tran Hong from his collection of photos taken during time spent with General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Great strategist: A file photo shows press photographer Tran Hong (left) together with General Giap. Hong will present his photos of the General at a March 25 lecture.

Giap is considered one of the greatest military strategists of the 20th century. The leader in the Viet Nam People’s Army led the Viet Minh resistance against the Japanese occupation of Viet 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 Giap that he likes most from his collection of over 1,500 photos to unveil to the public on March 25 in Ha Noi.

Born in Ha Tinh Province, artist Hong has worked as a press photographer at the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper since 1973. He is a member of the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association, the Viet 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, Hong started working at the People’s Army newspaper in 1973 until his retirement in 2010. He had an opportunity to meet General Giap several times in his travels as a press photographer.

The English-language lecture will take place from 1.30pm to 4pm at Ha Noi Library, 47 Ba Trieu Street (located on the corner of Tran Hung Dao and Ba Trieu streets). Donation: VND200,000. Limit: 40 people. Contact: John at  lefthanded2haoi@yahoo.com. 

VNS