Dutch man brings photos of old Vietnam to children in Da Nang

Roby Bellemans has a deep love for Vietnamese culture and history. Upon reading about photographer Sofia Yablonska and her photos of Vietnam in a newspaper, he was inspired to contact the museum housing those photos to request permission to print and exhibit them for children in Da Nang.

Using his workshop office on Tran Duc Thong Street in Da Nang City, Roby Bellemans has displayed and introduced these collected photos of daily Vietnamese life to both local and international children.

According to Roby Bellemans, culture is the root and an essential part of human development.

For that reason, he wants to help children gain a more complete understanding of culture.

“I’ve lived in Vietnam for the past 16 years and have come to love this land. So when I saw those photographs, I immediately thought of introducing them to children.

“I want them to understand what life in Vietnam was like over 80 years ago, to learn about Vietnamese culture in the last century, and to see the differences and development of the country and its people throughout history,” shared Roby Bellemans.

To bring culture closer to children, Roby Bellemans chose to use photographs, as he believes they are an accessible medium that easily captures children's interest.

He has collected and displayed about 70 photos, depicting life, scenery, and people in Vietnam during the 1930s and 1940s.

The daily life of the people has been preserved in a way that is both engaging and emotional. The photos serve as valuable materials and tools to effectively connect children with culture.

Every Sunday, Roby Bellemans organizes free workshops such as stamp-making and painting for children.

During these interactive sessions, he introduces the photos and encourages the children to explore them and ask questions about what sparks their curiosity.

According to him, this is a way to help children retain what they learn and create lasting impressions.

“When the children see these images, they are very excited. Whether they are Vietnamese, Russian, or American kids, they’re all fascinated by them.

“Seeing their excitement and surprised expressions brings me so much joy and satisfaction,” said Roby Bellemans.

He also regularly reads books and materials about Vietnamese history and culture to be well-equipped to answer children’s questions.

Roby Bellemans plans to continue exhibiting and introducing the photos for three months, giving both foreign and Vietnamese children the opportunity to learn about and connect with Vietnamese culture.