"VN75 : A Moment in Time"
Photo & NFT Collection
Vietnam, 1970-1975
by Gilbert Bertrand
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
"VN75: A Moment in Time - Vietnam, 1970–1975” is a unique collection of over 1200 photographs drawn from the original black and white negatives, captured during the final years of the Vietnam War.
This collection reflects both the act of photography and the scale of history, an expression of how both a single image and a span of years exist as a moment in time. Across three interconnected themes, Montagnards, Portrait of a People, and Saigon Parades, VN75 forms a human account of a people in transition, both record and reflection, both art and documentation.
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Montagnards presents the minority ethnic communities of the Central Highlands near Da Lat, capturing fleeting personal moments of a timeless way of life.
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Portrait of a People brings together images of daily life that remind us that even under the specter of war, there are ordinary people seeking moments of joy and simply living their lives as best they can.
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Saigon Parades documents scenes of North Vietnamese soldiers entering the city and greeted by crowds of onlookers gathered to witness this historic moment.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Gilbert Bertrand (1938–2017) was a French educator and amateur photographer whose life and work were shaped by years spent across cultures. Beginning his career as a teacher in a village in the wine region of southern France, he went on to serve in cultural and pedagogical roles with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with postings in Algeria, Vietnam, and later in New Zealand, the United States, China, and Indonesia.
It was during these years abroad that Bertrand developed his photographic practice, cultivated an interest in ethnic minorities, and formed a deep connection to Vietnam and its people. Drawn not to events, but to people, he photographed the individuals he encountered in their daily lives.
Between 1970 and 1975, this led him to create a body of work centered on portraiture and human presence across Da Nang, Da Lat, the Central Highlands, and Saigon. By circumstance of time and place, his images now stand as both personal artistic expression and a rare visual record of a defining moment.
EXHIBITION & VENUES
VN75 was first presented to the public in Hanoi in November 2025, fulfilling Gilbert's dream to exhibit his work in Việt Nam.
CURRENT TOUR
Giao Diem Viet Nam (Vietnam's Intersection)
This exhibition features the works of three French photographers, Daniel Roussel, Gilbert Bertrand, and Lily Franey, each of whom has forged deep and enduring connections with Vietnam.
Photo Hanoi'25 | Hà Nội, Việt Nam | November 1 - November 30, 2025
Đà Nẵng Museum | Đà Nẵng, Việt Nam | April 17 - May 17, 2026
Colline Dinh, Phố Bên Đồi | Đà Lạt, Việt Nam | July 27 - September 6, 2026
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts | Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam | September 11 - November 11, 2026
UPCOMING EXHIBITION
After the Monsoon: Art & war in Southeast Asis
National Gallery Singapore | Singapore | May 22 - Oct 18, 2026