Kyril Whittaker, a British researcher, celebrates the 70th anniversary of Vietnam Pictorial by sharing his insights into the magazine's role in revealing the country's rich tapestry to the world.
"Vietnam Pictorial presents a wide audience with various aspects of Vietnamese life which are often not found anywhere else in the English language. Because of Vietnam Pictorial, I have been able to learn much more about Vietnam, for example about Vietnamese art, and how through fashion, ornaments, and restorative repair work, Vietnam is ensuring the protection of ancient methods and art styles, whilst presenting them to a modern audience in modern ways. It also gives in depth looks at the lives and work of notable people in Vietnam such as Olympian Nguyen Thi Oanh who won 12 gold medals in athletics, artist Dang Ai Viet who travels the country on her motorbike painting Vietnamese heroic mothers or Dr. Tran Tan Van who has prepared dossiers on Vietnamese historical sites for UNESCO recognition", shared Kyril Whittaker, a British researcher of Vietnamese politics and history, member of the Communist of Britain.
"Each issue of Vietnam Pictorial also highlights attractive tourist spots, by looking at historic sites and their preservation as well as their development, from the ancient landmarks of Ninh Bình imprinted with the histories of the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties festivals are conducted, and tourists flock to see the preserved histories of over 1000 years. In Hue the Five Phoenix Pavilion is host to a magnificent projected light show, which was widely shared on social media such as TikTok. It also showcases the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture by shining a light on the customs and practices of Vietnam’s many ethnic minorities, and showing little known but beautiful and iconic festivals, such as the Buon Don Elephant festival whereby the beauty of the local elephants and the traditional cultures of the ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands are showcased through buffet parties for elephants, and elephant parades, or the Nang Hai Festival in Cao Bang whereby the care of essential crops by the mother moon and fairies is celebrated through colourful costumes, dancing with fans and the preparation of various food including Nang Hai sticky rice cakes. To emphasise the natural beauty of Vietnam, the vibrancy of its culture and the colourfulness of its cuisine, each article is accompanied by large full-page pictures which detail the stories within, giving the reader a sense of experiencing these historic events, wonderful foods and beautiful places themselves".
"Vietnam Pictorial is to me, and many others, a monthly insight into Vietnam and follows the proud tradition of previous foreign language publications in giving foreign readers news, history, cultural insight and pure joy in learning about the fascinating country of Vietnam".
