Located on the Thong Nhat (Unification) isle in the compound of Thong Nhat Park , the alloy monument is 5.4m in height and weights about 20 tonnes. It features Uncle Ho shaking the hands of Uncle Ton to congratulate the latter on his election as Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1960.

Speaking at the event, President Triet expressed his gratitude to the two beloved leaders of the Vietnamese people — President Ho Chi Minh - the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolutionary, who led the entire Party, army and people to overcome all difficulties to gain victories and Ton Duc Thang - President Ho’s best friend, who devoted all his life to work for the nation’s independence and the people’s happiness.

President Triet said “Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton are bright symbols of patriotism, evolutionary ideology, and strong will for reunifying the country and building it into a socialist-oriented rich and strong one which stands on a par with other countries around the world.”

The monument is a gift that the Ho Chi Minh City ’s Party, authorities and citizens presented to Hanoi on its 1,000 th founding anniversary.

On the occasion, the provincial Association of Photographic Artists organised a photo exhibition at the family temple, displaying 50 photos of 14 artists about the life and landscapes of Hue. The exhibition was moved to 26 Le Loi Street, Hue City, and will be open until the end of this month.

Tru established the Cam Hieu Duong photographic shop, the first of its kind in Vietnam, on March 14, 1869 in Hanoi.

The HCMC Journalists Association and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists held a commemoration ceremony for the 57th Vietnam Photographic Day (March 15, 1953) drawing over 200 photographers from HCMC and southern provinces.

The association presented insignias, certificates of merit and awards to artists who have contributed to Vietnamese photography.

The exhibition will remain open at the Temple of Literature in central Ha Noi until September 3 to express the artists’ love for the capital and celebrate its 1,000th anniversary.

The Hai Au Club, for female photographers only, sponsored trips to Ha Noi for its members to take photos of the capital.

Fifteen women established the club in 1990. Members range in age and profession but they all have the same passion for capturing beautiful moments through pictures.

During the last 20 years, they have taken hundreds of trips throughout the country and have won 290 awards at home and abroad.

The artists spent hours exploring the capital’s streets, Old Quarter, traditional craft villages and ancient pagodas to experience local life and capture some of the beautiful images that epitomise the culture of the capital city.

Their chosen sites included Bat Trang Pottery Village, Ngoc Son Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Thay Pagoda, Tram Pagoda, West Lake, One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.

The artworks reflect the sensitive souls of the artists and their love for Ha Noi, says Vu Quoc Khanh, chairman of the Viet Nam Association for Photographic Artists.

“It’s easy to feel the tenderness and precision of the female photographers through their works,” he says. “They express the lively life in Ha Noi which is both modern and traditional.”

“Ha Noi has been modernised but retains the charms of its Old Quarter, traditional craft villages and ancient pagodas,” says photographer Dao Hoa Nu, head of the club.

The members have selected the best shots to be included in a book to celebrate the club’s 20th birthday. The book was released as a gift for visitors at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

The gala, organised by the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in France, the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee, was part of oversea activities to celebrate the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi next month.

It was also held at a time when the Thang Long Royal Citadel has been recognised by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site of the world.

Addressing the function, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai spoke highly of the initiative to organise the event and stressed traditional cooperation in many areas, particularly in culture and arts, between Vietnam and France .

The selection of the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a venue for the gala shows Vietnam’s gratitude to French leaders and UNESCO for practical assistance to Hanoi ’s millennium celebrations, he said.

The gala night featured performances by Vietnamese singers and an art troupe from the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre.