Photo "Vinh past and present"

During the second war of destruction of the North by the American empire, Vinh City was a key target of destruction and became a ruinous, desolate place. In 1973, the German Democratic Republic helped our people rebuild Vinh City. Quang Trung area was started to be built, the construction site was bustling day and night, urgent with many cranes reaching up to the sky.

German experts and Vietnamese workers, regardless of the sun and wind, worked enthusiastically with friendly feelings. Many high-rise buildings were built, gradually erasing the traces of war. When Quang Trung C area was about to be completed, the houses were painted white, and every day, going back and forth to work on the construction site, my heart was filled with thoughts.

This time is suitable for taking pictures, I chose the location of Diec Pagoda on the west side of Quang Trung Street and the newly completed high-rise building on the east side into the camera frame. After noon, I cycled to the predetermined location, chose the highest place, below were still pockmarked with bomb craters, the mossy gate of Diec Pagoda against the dark sunlight, the sunlight shining through the entrance door created an ancient shape. Behind were two towering high-rise buildings, transport cars and workers moving on the construction site. I persevered until 2 pm, choosing the angle, the light of the landscape, the objects with the construction pace to create a photo showing the past and present, old and new, bringing contrasting comparisons in the work.

In 1985, the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists organized the 13th photo contest after the country's reunification with the theme "10 years of building and defending the Fatherland". This work was submitted to the contest and won the prize. The People's Army Newspaper reported the award results with the comment: "The photo "Vinh Xua Va Nay" is like a propaganda painting". Later, the photo was printed by the City Party Committee and People's Committee in books commemorating the development of the heroic historical city.

Today, Quang Trung high-rise buildings have been and will be replaced by larger, more beautiful and modern buildings, but the image that was once a symbol of a Red City striving to rebuild and build a new life after the war will forever remain in the hearts of those who love their homeland, through the artist's photos.

Bui Xuan Luong