More than 30 pagodas across the nation are featured in a new photo book titled "Vietnam Pagodas” by French photographer and reporter Nicolas Cornet, which was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on June 1.


A photo on the book capturing the Thien Mu pagoda in Hue (Source: "Vietnam Pagodas” by Nicolas Cornet)

The architecture of Vietnamese pagodas in the northern, central and southern regions, which is not popular among Vietnamese and foreign friends, is nudged closer to readers through the 250-page book, which is available in both English and French editions.

Over five chapters, the author offers a broad and varied vision of traditional pagoda architecture. He also captures daily life in the sacred places to complete the photographic narration and demonstrate his attachment to the people and culture of Vietnam.

Cornet has worked for newspapers and magazines such as L’esporesso, Mare, Le Monde, D-La Repubblica, and Siette Leguas.

He has travelled to Vietnam over the past 30 years and become interested in Vietnam’s culture, history and architecture.

Regarding his upcoming projects, he said that he wants to discover Vietnamese cuisine and hopes to complete a photo book documenting Vietnam’s typical dishes.

On the occasion, he organised a photo exhibition "Vietnam Pagodas - Legacy of Faith” at the Fine Arts Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors to the event will be able to enjoy 50 photos of stunning Vietnamese pagodas.

The exhibition runs until June 10.

 

                      Source: NDO

Related Topics


Hoa Binh - The land of epics and legends

As a land deeply intertwined with human history and Vietnam’s millennia-long journey of nation-building and defence, Hoa Binh is often revered for its epic tales and legends. Residents of Hoa Binh boast a rich cultural identity, reflected in their unique language, traditional attire, customs, and folk melodies – described as "sweet as honey, clear as a mountain stream.”

Truong Kha temple festival 2025

Lac Son district’s Vu ban town held the 2025 Truong Kha temple festival on April 12–13 (the 15th–16th days of the third lunar month). Since its revival in 2019, the festival has been organised every three years, preserving valuable intangible heritage while meeting the community’s cultural and spiritual needs.

Women's clothing of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh

The clothing of women reflects the culture of the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong ethnic groups in the northern province of Hoa Binh.

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.

Preserving, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.