Art & Culture

On Thursday evening, 17 July 2025, on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Viet Nam - Israel diplomatic relations (12 July 1993 - 12 July 2025) and 80 years of Viet Nam diplomacy (28 August 1945 - 28 August 2025),  H.E. Mr. Ly Duc Trung Ambassador of Viet Nam to the State of Israel hosted a photographic exhibition entitled "Echoes of a People" in the chancery of the new premises of the Embassy of Viet Nam in Tel Aviv.

 

Photographers who participated in the exhibition included the curator,  Prof. Benjamin Peretz, Professor Emeritus of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Tel Aviv and a specialist of medical hypnosis. This exhibition was his seventh, his previous exhibition was in Georgia in 2015. He was asked by the Ambassador to participate in this auspicious event celebrating 80 years of Vietnamese independence and 50 years of Vietnamese unification. 

 

The other two participants were Mr. Le Vu Hoi, Chief of Viet Nam News Agency's Bureau in Israel and Mr. Le Thai Hoa, the Embassy's Commercial Counsellor. 

 

Most photographs taken by Mr. Le Voi Hoi capture street scenes and people during his reporting assignments in various cities across Israel. His work often focuses on the contrasts between life and contemplation, between human contemplation and the glitz of modern life. His photographs seize fleeting moments portraying the beauty of people and life in Israel.

 

Mr. Le Thai Hoa is in charge of the Embassy's Trade office, responsible for promoting economic, trade, investment, industrial and energy cooperation between Viet Nam and Israel. One of his hobbies is photography, capturing the beauty of everyday life. He often goes on picnics and takes photos of people, landscapes and social life in Israel..

 

The Ambassador spoke and introduced Tomer Barkay, an Israeli apprentice at the Embassy and student of political science at Tel Aviv University. He mentioned that it is the first time an exhibition is being hosted at the Embassy's new premises. He said that diplomacy provides a platform for people to meet, relationships to flourish and the possibility of establishing contacts.

Photography is a common language between people and after having met Prof. Peretz the Ambassador decided to host this exhibition in conjunction with two Vietnamese photographers. Thirty two photographs represent thirty two years of bi lateral relations between Viet Nam and Israel. Last year there was 3 billion of trade between Viet Nam and Israel.   

 

The exhibition's curator, Prof. Peretz spoke, saying that the exhibition was entitled "Echoes of a People" and that the photos were all taken in Israel. A few weeks ago he attended a seminar at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem and one of the photos included a family returning from a funeral reflecting the time we live in. As a photographer I watch from the margins and afterwards participate. Sometimes I shoot from a distance and other times not. My photography tells a story rooting every character in an everyday setting. Hope, Mystery and pain are captivated in my work.   

 

Vietnamese coffee was served as well as Vietnamese lychees now grown in Israel and the Ambassador mentioned that when he eats one he feels that he is back home in Viet Nam.. A selection of fresh fruit, sandwiches, vegetable crudites and soft drinks were available as well as scrumptious fish rolled in a cabbage leaf prepared by the Ambassador's wife Mrs. Trang Pham.

 

The Ambassador presented a certificate to Ms. Daphne Hassan who won second prize in a photographic exhibition of photographs taken by Israelis visiting Viet Nam. This exhibition was sponsored by the Embassy. Ms. Hassan spent a memorable month touring Viet Nam after completing her military service.

 

Among the many interesting guests were Mr. Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michael Ronen, a retired Israeli diplomat who worked in the Foreign Ministry's Asian division, Mr. Mickey Levy, a former Speaker of the Knesset, Chief of Police in Jerusalem and Israel's Police Attache to the U.S.A and Canada, Mr. Ron Doron, Vice President of the Israel - Asia Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Angela Scharf, Foreign Relations Coordinator of Women Wage Peace, Mr. Nitzan Horowitz, former Minister of Health and former Mayor of Raanana , Mr.Yoram Ray Naor Honorary Consul General, Mr. Eyal Buvilski PhD President Israel - Viet Nam friendship Association, Mrs.Anat Sar-Israel, fashion designer of women clothes and the founder of the brand "KIKI DRESS TO DRESS", in collaboration with ambassador of Vietnam. Anat has set fashion productions for different events., Mr. Ariel Goldshtein Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister's Office, and last but certainly not least Mr. Gershon Gelman  the Histradut's Chairman of the International Relations Division (General Federation of Labour in Israel).

 

Diplomacy.co.il warmly congratulates H.E. Mr Ly Duc Trung on the auspicious anniversary of 32 years of Viet Nam - Israel diplomatic relations and for a memorable evening of photographic art.