Held from February 3 to 13, the exhibition presents more than 50 photographs by My Dung, a member of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and the Da Nang Literature and Arts Association.

The works lead viewers into the beauty of the East Sea, not only vast and rich in resources, but also deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual life of coastal communities.

Through understated yet evocative frames, everyday working life is portrayed with clarity and restraint, from offshore fishing and seafood trading along the shore to simple bamboo boats closely tied to fishing villages. Together, these scenes form a cohesive visual narrative highlighting the diligence, creativity and perseverance of Vietnamese people in their long-standing livelihoods at sea.

Gilbert Térèze, President of the AAFV chapter in Eure-et-Loir, said the association has consistently organised cultural exhibitions at Châteaudun City Hall over the past four years. He said the current exhibition celebrates the beauty of the sea and affirms the East Sea as an inseparable part of Vietnam’s territory.

In a global context of ongoing conflicts and competing interests, the organisers aim to convey messages on safeguarding territorial integrity, preserving nature, strengthening environmental protection, advocating peace and promoting multilateralism.

From a people-to-people diplomacy perspective, Gilbert said the exhibition reflects the close bonds and enduring friendship that French friends have for Vietnam. Cultural initiatives such as “The Sea Within Us”, he added, are practical efforts that help enhance mutual understanding and further deepen ties between the peoples of the two countries.

Sharing her assessment of the exhibition’s artistic value and message, Tran Thu Dung, President of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Lovers Club in France, said the photographs clearly portray Vietnamese people as hardworking and resilient, while conveying a persistent aspiration to master the sea.

She stressed that going to sea is a livelihood linked to protecting the homeland and safeguarding national sovereignty. In that sense, the exhibition honours labour and love for the sea and contributes to awareness of maritime sovereignty.

From the local authorities’ perspective, Gérald Machurez, Deputy Mayor in charge of culture, said the images are vividly composed and offer a direct reflection of daily life and working passion in Vietnam’s coastal communities. He emphasised that hosting the exhibition in Châteaudun plays a practical role in introducing diverse cultures to local residents, while reaffirming the city’s commitment to promoting cultural and artistic diversity.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, AAFV representatives met with local officials to exchange views and propose directions for future cooperation. These include maintaining Vietnam cultural days, organising performances and introductions of traditional water puppetry, strengthening regular exchanges in Châteaudun and expanding cooperation with other associations, with the aim of continuing to nurture understanding and friendship between the two nations’ people.

Exhibition highlights Vietnamese sovereignty over seas and islands

VOV.VN - An exhibition displaying maps and documentaries that assert Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened on October 24 in Nui Thanh district of the central province of Quang Nam.