The Power of Maternal Love: A Photographic Tribute to Vietnam’s Legendary Mothers

Fifty captivating photographs, carefully curated from a collection of approximately 2,000 images, showcase the lives of Vietnamese mothers from across the nation. These powerful photos were captured by soldier and journalist Tran Hong between 1976 and 2020, offering a unique perspective on resilience, strength, and devotion.

Tran Hong, a former soldier of Battalion 2, Group 559 Truong Son, later took on the role of head of the Photo Department for the People’s Army Newspaper. Even at 78, with his health and eyesight fading, he passionately shares the stories and emotions encapsulated in each photograph.

The photo collection, previously exhibited in several thematic shows, retains its artistic and documentary value. Tran Hong’s lens captures the resilient and indomitable spirit of Vietnamese women, with each image narrating their loyalty and capabilities. The photo captions, written by the author himself, convey sincere and passionate emotions in both Vietnamese and English, ensuring that international visitors can also understand these powerful stories.

The exhibition, themed “Mothers – Deeply engraved with memories,” evokes a range of emotions. The portraits and busts of old, lonely women, gazing longingly into the void, reflect the sadness and admiration for those who lost their loved ones to war. The confessional tone of Mother Nguyen Thi Ut in Hai Duong, and many others, resonates: “I don’t want to be a Heroic Vietnamese Mother because no mother wants to sacrifice her children to become heroes. I just miss my children terribly.”

The author’s recording of Mother Thao in Hanoi’s relentless 40-year search for her husband, a soldier who died on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield in 1954, also tugs at heartstrings. Similarly, the famous photograph, “Waiting for my child,” by Tran Hong, captures the solitude of Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Thu from Quang Nam, who lost her husband and nine children, all martyrs.

The exhibition conveys the immense pain caused by war and invites viewers to appreciate the silent sacrifices made by mothers. It serves as a reminder that the independence and freedom of our country today are owed to these mothers, who sent their loved ones to the battlefield and devoted the youth of the nation to its defense. They are immortal symbols of maternal love and patriotism, often unspoken yet intensely felt.

The event, “Memories and Legends,” was organized by the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board in coordination with the Photography-Press Association (Hanoi Art Photography Association). It stands as a meaningful response to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, offering a unique perspective on the nation’s history and paying tribute to its mothers.

While the exhibition reflects on the pain and loss endured by mothers during the war, it also conveys a message of positivity and inspiration for a brighter future. The additional themes, “Mothers — everyday moments” and “Pride of Vietnamese Mothers,” celebrate the achievements of Vietnamese mothers who are leaders and scientists contributing to the country’s development and honor the noble mission of wives and mothers in everyday life.

Notable portraits include Female General Nguyen Thi Dinh, Associate Professor Dang Bich Ha (the devoted wife of General Vo Nguyen Giap), Mother Dinh Thi Giam (mother of eight PhD holders), and Mother Pgo Xu (the first Ha Nhi ethnic person to be admitted to the University of Journalism). These powerful images remind us of the value of peace and our responsibility to preserve and build upon the achievements of our ancestors.