The meaning of Photo and Documentary Exhibition in the ASEAN community

The 2018 Photo and Documentary Exhibition in the ASEAN community in Vietnam was held at Provincial Convention and Exhibition Center. This was the first time Binh Duong hosted a photo exhibition on international scale. Binh Duong Newspaper interviewed Le Van Khanh, Deputy Director of Provincial Department of Information and Communications, Permanent Deputy Chief of Organizing Committee.

- Sir, how was Photo and Documentary Exhibition in the ASEAN community in Vietnam 2018 carried out in Binh Duong?

- To carry out the Government's Action Program on propaganda and promotion of the establishment and benefits brought about by the ASEAN community, Ministry of Information and Communications and Provincial People's Committee directed and assigned Press and International Communication Cooperation Center - Department of External Information - Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with of Binh Duong Provincial Department of Information and Communication to host Photo and Documentary Exhibition in the ASEAN community in Vietnam 2018 at Provincial Convention and Exhibition Center.

The exhibition introduced prize-winning works, including over 300 photos and nearly 60 documentaries and materials, of the final round of International Photo and Documentary Film Festival about nations and people in the ASEAN community in 2010; Photo and Documentary Film Festival on Environmental Protection and Climate Change in ASEAN community 2013; Photo and Documentary Film Festival on ethnic groups in ASEAN community in 2015 organized by Ministry of Information and Communications.

Preparations for opening ceremony of the exhibition. 

Works at the exhibition covered many topics such as: beauty of countries, people of ASEAN community; traditions and cultures of ASEAN countries; environmental protection, anti-climate change; ethnic groups in the ASEAN community. Each work had good artistic quality, contained much information, and manifested diverse style. Some artists employed their creativity to bring artworks with high artistic values to audiences. Especially, at the central position of the exhibition were stamps and specimens of ASEAN countries.

To make a successful exhibition and impress international and domestic visitors, right after Ministry of Information and Communications’ Official Document No 2548/BTTTT-TTDN on the exhibition organization in Binh Duong, Provincial People's Committee issued the Plan "Cooperating and organizing Photo and Documentary Film Exhibition in ASEAN community in Binh Duong province in 2018". In particular, provincial leaders assigned specific departments for the preparation for the exhibition in order to meet prescribed purposes, contents and requirements. Preparations for the exhibition were completed as planned.

In particular, the opening ceremony features art performances by Provincial Art Troupes, including performances praising ASEAN and hometown Binh Duong. During the exhibition, the Organizing Committee will take Embassy delegations of ASEAN countries and the Central guests to visit some tourist destinations to introduce the culture and characteristics of Binh Duong province.

- What is the meaning of the 2018 Photo - Documentary Exhibition in ASEAN community, sir?

- Visitors may know more about cultures, people and living environments of ASEAN countries. This event also creates opportunities for ethnic groups to move closer together because of an ASEAN culture full of identity and diversity. The exhibition also called for Vietnamese people to join hands to build the ASEAN community, a community for peace, stability, development and people; to raise awareness of the formation of ASEAN community. This is the result and cooperation effort of all member countries over more than 50 years, marked a milestone of ASEAN integration process, in which Vietnam is considered as an important factor to ensure solidarity, unification of ASEAN.

- Why Binh Duong was chosen to host the exhibition in 2018?

- Binh Duong is a province in the Southeast, in the Southern Key Economic Zone of Vietnam. The province has 29 industrial parks and 12 industrial clusters with a total area of ​​over 13,600 ha. There are exemplary industrial parks for the whole country in terms of complete, synchronous and modern infrastructure, investment attraction, production management and environmental protection... Besides dynamic economical growth, Binh Duong province has been known for its rich history, rich and diverse culture immersed in the southern tradition but still retaining its own unique features. In addition, tourists may also visit tourist attractions, ecotourism zones, and traditional craft villages of Binh Duong. Therefore, Ministry of Information and Communication chose Binh Duong province as one of the provinces to host Photo & Documentary Film Festival in ASEAN community in Vietnam in 2018.

- What is the meaning of the exhibition to Binh Duong province, sir?

- The 2018 Photo & Documentary Film Festival in ASEAN community in Vietnam helped to advertise and introduce real images about countries and people in ASEAN, helped Vietnamese people in general and Binh Duong people in particular to improve their understanding of the friendship with ASEAN countries. At the same time, the exhibition was a good occasion for Binh Duong to introduce the potential and strengths in socio-economic development of the province to international friends.

After the exhibition, all photos and films will be presented to Provincial People's Committee to serve communication and propagation works.

- Thank you Sir!

Reported by Thien Ly – Translated by Ngoc Huynh