Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists Tran Thi Thu Dong emphasized that more than three decades of participation in the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) stand as clear evidence of the maturity of Vietnamese photography.

On April 22 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) held a seminar and exchange with Riccardo Busi, President of FIAP, marking 35 years since Vietnam officially became a member of the organization.

Speaking at the event, Thu Dong highlighted that Vietnam has consistently ranked among countries with a high number of artists receiving FIAP distinctions. At the same time, many international competitions under FIAP patronage have become familiar meeting points for photographers worldwide.

“These achievements show that Vietnamese photography has established and continues to strengthen its position on the global art map,” she said.

One of the key topics discussed at the seminar was the impact of artificial intelligence on photography.

According to the VAPA chairwoman, AI is opening up significant opportunities for artistic creativity but also poses challenges, particularly in terms of authenticity, copyright and professional ethics. The boundary between real-life moments and machine-generated images is becoming increasingly blurred.

In this context, she called for a balanced approach - leveraging technological advancements to enhance aesthetic value while preserving the authenticity and emotional depth that remain the core of photography, elements that no algorithm can fully replace.

At the event, VAPA outlined five key directions for future cooperation with FIAP. These include elevating international photography competitions, organizing specialized workshops on AI, and notably proposing the establishment of a FIAP Exhibition Center (FEC) in Ho Chi Minh City.

The most significant ambition is to host the FIAP World Congress in 2030. According to Thu Dong, with its experience in successfully organizing the 30th FIAP Congress in 2010 and the strong growth of its domestic photography community, Vietnam is well positioned to host such a major event.

Riccardo Busi praised the remarkable development of Vietnamese photography, noting its evolution from a documentary tool in the past to a powerful form of artistic expression in contemporary life.

He described photography as a “global language” capable of transcending cultural and political barriers to connect people.

In response to the rise of AI, the FIAP president affirmed that the organization will continue to serve as a platform for protecting the core values and integrity of photography.

He also welcomed Vietnam’s cooperation proposals and encouraged Vietnamese artists to actively participate in international exhibitions, world championships for photography clubs, and training programs offered by the FIAP Academy.

In particular, he emphasized the importance of younger generations, viewing the discovery and nurturing of young talent as a shared mission for both organizations.

Following the Hanoi event, Riccardo Busi is scheduled to continue a photography project documenting traditional craft villages in Vietnam, including Quang Phu Cau, Thu Sy and Duong Lam.

Tinh Le