A photo exhibit by a French photographer which showcases landscapes and ethnic minority people of Vietnam’s Central Highlands back in the 1950s is running in Hanoi until January 2015.

The exhibition features 200 photos by French photographer Jean - Marie Duchange and is now taking place at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay District.

Duchange, who was not a professional photographer or an ethnologist, took the photos during his trips to the region from June 1952 to July 1955 and meetings with ethnic minority communities there.

He once shared that he was so drawn to the appeal of the landscapes, people, and customs in the region that he took the pictures.

Among his collection, 34 are of large size and were printed in France on transparent paper, allowing viewers to enjoy the photos from two sides.

The entire 200 photos are arranged into a panel, offering visitors a panorama of the region, its people, and culture.

The photos, which are also made into a video clip, feature ethnic old men, youth, and children in their traditional costumes, their daily routines – carrying cargo on elephant backs, working on the field, pounding rice and weaving fabric – special occasions, and traditional festivals including funerals and praying rituals.

The shots accentuate the region’s native culture, much of which experts believe has fallen into oblivion.

Also on exhibit are the cameras branded Rolleiflex and Semflex, which Duchange used to take the photos.

The well-preserved photos were presented to the museum by the photographer’s daughter and granddaughter.

The exhibit, which marks 40 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and France, is running until January 11, 2015, before being taken to the Central Highlands.

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