A changing Vietnam through the lens of photographer Catherine Karnow
WVR - Renowned for her photo essays for National Geographic magazine across numerous countries over the past three decades, photographer Catherine Karnow offers an intimate and profound perspective on Vietnam through the lens of an insider.
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The international photography festival Photo Hanoi '25 presents a special exhibition titled “Vietnam – A Country in Transition 1990–2015” featuring works by photographer Catherine Karnow.
The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-U.S. diplomatic relations, showcasing a poignant visual chronicle of Vietnam's extraordinary transformation from 1990 to 2015.
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| Photographer Catherine Karnow. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
A Country in transition
Catherine Karnow first visited Vietnam in 1990, embarking on a fateful journey and has since returned frequently to document the country through her lens.
Her work reflects the early 1990s period of opening up, the Doi Moi (Renewal) years with economic reforms and liberalization, the war legacy depicted through stories of Amerasian children and Agent Orange victims, and the emergence of a dynamic, confident, and integrated "new Vietnam".
Each phase carries its own distinct mark, seen through the keen eye and sensitive perception of an artist deeply attuned to the unique atmosphere of each era.
Catherine Karnow's photo essays also include rare portraits of significant historical figures in Vietnam: Pham Xuan An, the legendary double agent; Diep Minh Chau, the personal sculptor of President Ho Chi Minh; and the last surviving relatives of Emperor Bao Dai.
Notably, she had exclusive access to General Vo Nguyen Giap, from her trip to Dien Bien Phu in 1994 to photographing his funeral in 2013, adding a special historical depth to her works.
"Vietnam - A Country in Transition 1990–2015" not only portrays a nation in transformation but also tells the story of the deepening relationship between the photographer and the country that has become profoundly meaningful to her.
Behind each photo are stories of friendship and connection, what the Vietnamese call "meeting fate".
The 2015 retrospective exhibition at Art Vietnam Gallery in Hanoi first captured this journey in its entirety.
A decade later, this expanded exhibition within Photo Hanoi '25 will connect with Catherine Karnow's iconic body of work, bridging preserved memories with contemporary dialogues for domestic, expatriate, and international audiences.
A deep connection with Vietnam
Born and raised in Hong Kong (China) and currently residing in San Francisco (USA), Catherine Karnow is an international photographer whose work has been featured in leading magazines such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, GEO (France and Germany), National Geographic Traveler, and many other publications.
One of the focal projects of her life is documenting Vietnam for over 30 years. Her passion was sparked by her father, the renowned journalist Stanley Karnow, author of the book and Emmy-winning documentary Vietnam: A History.
However, Catherine Karnow has independently built a profound relationship with Vietnam, intertwined with the country's dramatic history and promising future.
From her first trip in 1990, she has developed a photographic legacy that is both personal and historically rich.
Her long-term project on families affected by Agent Orange led to the award-winning film A Terrible Legacy, contributing to positive change for the victims.
Alongside her journalism career, Catherine Karnow is a passionate photography instructor, conducting intensive workshops in Italy, Romania, Vietnam, Cambodia, India..., helping students access people and places rarely open to outsiders.
Her teaching style combines discipline, joy, connection, and exploration for everyone, from professional photographers to smartphone shooters.
Catherine Karnow shares, “Vietnam reveals itself to me through small moments, gestures of kindness and resilience that have shaped how I see the world. Over the years, this bond has only deepened.”
| Taking place from November 21 to December 5, the exhibition, along with activities led by Catherine Karnow, includes two photography presentations, a photography workshop, and personal photo consultations at 45 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. |
Some notable photos in Catherine Karnow's exhibition:
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| Woman on a train, 1990. |
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| Coca Cola arrives in Vietnam, 1994. |
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| Businessman on a cyclo, 1995. |
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| Fishing boat in Ha Long Bay, 1995. |
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| Nguyen Thi Ly, a girl affected by Agent Orange, 2010. |
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| Girl in the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, 2013. |
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| Hieu and the rooster in Hanoi's Old Quarter, 2017. |
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