If he had more time, Nicolas Cornet, a French photo-journalist wouldhave talked more about Hanoi both in French and Vietnamese. However,he prefers to use his photos to tell his stories.

Cornet said he has closely followed the changes in people and Hanoithrough his own photo journalism. That is why when visiting anexhibition showcasing Cornet’s photos of Hanoi at the French CultureCentre L’Espace in late 2010, many people who were born and grew up inthe city suddenly recognised scenes they had taken for granted for along time.

Hanoi in his photos is not merely areminiscence, but is always moving. Viewers can see the city throughphotos portraying people’s daily lives, high-rise buildings or ancient,moss covered pagodas.

“His photos are unexpectedlylively,” a common comment made by many visitors. For them, Cornet’sphotos are beautiful, not only in terms of lay-out and colour, but alsoof containing the city’s flavours such as steamed glutinous rice andgreen tea that are served on the city’s pavement kiosks.

After three years of collecting images and ideas, Cornet has publisheda pictorial book about Hanoi to celebrate the city’s 1,000 thanniversary.

Since 1987, Nicolas Cornet has spent acouple of months each year returning to Vietnam and feels it is his“home country”.

Besides working for many of Europe’s well-known daily newspapers and magazines such as L’Espresso, Mare,Le Republica, Figaro Magazine, Le Monde, Ulysse, Geo, Grands Reportagesand Nouvel Observateur, Cornet has given lectures on photography andpress photography. He has already hosted a series of personalexhibitions in France , Germany , Switzerland and Vietnam. /.