The front of the State Bank of Vietnam through Soloman’s lens.
This photograph is part of the exhibition “Hanoi: Traces of Time”, now on display at the Metropole Hotel from Oct. 9 to Dec. 9.
The exhibition features 16 photographs that capture street scenes and daily life in the Vietnamese capital in 1992.
A snapshot of Dong Xuan Market 34 years ago. Soloman says that the area around the market was always bustling, with many friendly vendors welcoming him.
At the time, bicycles were still the main means of transportation, and there were few tourists.
A man exercises in the morning at Lenin Park.
Soloman used to be fascinated by the lively atmosphere there, and people’s individual ways to stay healthy, such as playing badminton or walking.
Students of Nguyen Du Primary School gather in the morning.
He first visited Hanoi as a tourist on Oct. 21, 1992. Before that, he was a photographer, journalist, and music manager in London.
He says he was captivated by the Vietnamese capital from the moment he first arrived.
"People were still poor but full of optimism. I admired the resilience and resourcefulness of those I met. Wherever I went, I received a warm welcome," Soloman shares.
Women workers at the Chien Thang Garment Factory smile brightly before Soloman’s lens.
He states that despite the degraded equipment and workers’ modest pay, the factory still carried a joyful atmosphere.
A man delivering bia hoi (draft beer) by rickshaw on Tang Bat Ho Street.
Soloman thinks bia hoi brought people closer and enabled them to have cheerful conversations.
Audience members watch a show on a Sunday morning at the Central Circus Theater.
"Vietnam has held a special place in my photography journey over the years. The photos in this collection come from the encounters and moments that have stayed in my memory," Soloman writes in his introduction.
A group of men fix a car together.
Soloman says he feel honored that his works are being exhibited in a 125-year-old hotel. After more than three decades, he notes that Hanoi has, as indeed Vietnam, changed dramatically. However, what remains intact is the charm, sincerity, and warmth of its people.
A wall that displays Soloman's photos.
Alongside the exhibition, he hosted an exchange session on the morning of Oct. 10, where he shared stories from his travels in Vietnam between 1992 and 1993.
Soloman at the “Hanoi: Traces of Time” exhibition.
Andy Soloman, 64, has traveled through many regions of Vietnam, but Hanoi is the place that has left the deepest impression on him.
He lived in Hanoi for seven years until 1999, working for various newspapers, magazines, and news agencies, including Reuters.
He married a Vietnamese woman and has two sons. Currently, he works between the U.K. and Vietnam, focusing on travel and fine art photography.
In recent years, he has held numerous exhibitions featuring landscapes and portraits of Vietnamese people, such as “Hanoi: A Time to Remember”, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the capital's liberation, and “Continuum: Vietnam”, revisiting subjects he photographed over 30 years ago.
