Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Acquires and Exhibits Andy Soloman Photo Collection

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Acquires and Exhibits Andy Soloman Photo Collection

As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, the landmark Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has acquired a curated set of 16 signed, limited-edition photographic prints by British photographer Andy Soloman. The works will be known as The Soloman Metropole Collection. The exhibition “Hanoi: Traces of Time” will run at the hotel from Oct. 9 to Dec. 9 and forms part of the Metropole’s ongoing commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Hanoi by collecting and sharing significant artistic perspectives on Vietnam.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Andy Soloman exhibition

The Soloman Metropole Collection offers a distinctive visual record of everyday life in Hanoi, with photographs capturing streets, markets, schools, factories and the rhythms of daily life. Each work is printed on Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Pearl archival photographic paper, mounted, framed, signed and individually editioned, underscoring the collection’s importance within the Metropole’s permanent holdings.

Soloman will host a complimentary artist talk on Oct. 10 at the Metropole, sharing stories of his travels in Vietnam in 1992–93 and his subsequent quest to reconnect with people more than three decades later. Reservations can be made via Eventbrite.

“Vietnam has been central to my photography for many years, and the images in this collection come from encounters and moments that have stayed with me,” Soloman said. “I’m delighted that Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has acquired the collection and is exhibiting it as part of the hotel’s 125th anniversary celebrations. It’s a privilege for these works to have found a permanent home at the Metropole while being shared with guests.”

George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said: “As we mark our 125th anniversary, we are deepening our engagement with art and Hanoi’s cultural heritage. Acquiring and exhibiting the Andy Soloman collection is an important part of this journey. These photographs capture the character and rhythm of life in Hanoi with great sensitivity, and they enrich both our art collection and the experience of our guests during this milestone year and beyond.”

The collection features images such as Early Morning Exercise (1992); Mid-Autumn Festival Vendor (1997); Cyclo Drivers in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (1992); Vietnamese Heroic Mothers (1997); Dong Xuan Market (1992); and Bia Hoi Delivery by Cyclo (1997). Together they form a coherent body of work that speaks to memory, place, cultural heritage and everyday experience in Vietnam.

For more information on the hotel and its “125 Years of a Legend” programme, please contact Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at +84 24 3826 6919, email metropolehanoi.info@sofitel.com or visit https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/125th-anniversary/

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Thomas holds a university degree with a focus on Languages, Humanities, Culture, Literature, and Economics, earned in both the UK and Latin America. His journey in Asia began in 2005 when he worked as a publisher in Krabi. Over the past thirty years, Thomas has edited newspapers and magazines across England, Spain, and Thailand. Currently, he is involved in multiple projects both in Thailand and internationally. In addition to Thailand, Thomas has lived in Italy, England, Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, and Bali, but he spends the majority of his time in Asia. Through his diverse experiences, he has gained a deep understanding of various Asian cultures and communities. Thomas also works as a freelance writer, contributing short travel stories and articles to travel magazines. You can follow his work at www.asianitinerary.com

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