A glimpse into the past: Visitors admire photographs showcasing Vietnam’s history from 1966 to 1976, with a focus on the war-torn city of Hue and the resilience of its people.

Paris, the city of lights, plays host to a poignant exhibition at the Guimet Asian Art Museum. On display are over 50 black-and-white photographs captured by French photographer Marc Riboud, offering a unique perspective on Vietnam’s turbulent past from 1966 to 1976. The exhibition, organized by Les amis de Marc Riboud, commemorates Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

Riboud’s lens captures the devastation of war, but also the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. While his photographs document the destruction, they also showcase the resilience of a nation. From bustling markets amidst rubble-strewn streets to intimate moments of couples dating beside bomb shelters, Riboud’s work reveals a civilian life that persists and endures.

A powerful message: Riboud’s world-famous photograph of a US anti-war protester holding flowers before armed soldiers outside the Pentagon, a symbol of peace and resistance.

Among the exhibits is Riboud’s iconic photograph of a US anti-war protester holding flowers before armed soldiers outside the Pentagon. This powerful image has become an international symbol of peace and resistance. Lorène Durret, from Les amis de Marc Riboud, provides context to the photographs, offering visitors a deeper understanding of this critical historical period. Durret hopes to bring the exhibition to Vietnam, fulfilling Riboud’s own wish to share his work with the country he admired.

Courage and admiration: Catherine Riboud, the photographer’s widow, speaks of her husband’s deep connection to Vietnam and his respect for the courage of its people.

Catherine Riboud, the photographer’s widow, shared her husband’s special connection to Vietnam. She revealed his deep admiration for the courage of the Vietnamese people, which compelled him to return to the country regularly over a decade. Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang praised the exhibition for capturing not only the brutality of war but also the determination of a nation fighting for independence.

Marc Riboud, a legendary photographer who passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, left behind a vast collection of over 50,000 photographs, including these powerful images of Vietnam’s history.