 |
A young woman participates in a festival, photographed by Leon Busy between 1914 and 1918. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum |
In July, several photos of women in northern Vietnam from the early 20th century by Leon Busy (1874-1951) resurfaced on archival websites. The images, taken between 1914 and 1921, are part of the Les inspirations de Claire Glorieux collection at the Albert Kahn Museum (France).
In a 1916 photo, a young woman in a white yem (traditional Vietnamese bodice) is shown preparing betel quid. The custom of chewing betel dates back to the Hung Kings era and is associated with the legend of Betel and Areca. For Vietnamese people, betel quid symbolizes the start of a conversation, fostering closeness and openness. It also plays a significant role in ceremonies such as rituals, funerals, and weddings, representing brotherly love and romantic affection.
 |
A woman from the upper class sits on a bamboo cot in her courtyard, photographed in 1915. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum |
The French photographer captured this portrait of a young woman from a wealthy family in 1915.
In 1909, Albert Kahn (1860-1940), a French banker and philanthropist, commissioned the "Archives of the Planet," a project to document 50 countries using cutting-edge color photography. He hired several photographers, including Leon Busy, who was sent to Vietnam.
 |
A familiar image of women in rural northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum |
A young woman participates in a festival, photographed by Leon Busy between 1914 and 1918. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum
 |
Women participate in a game of human chess, vividly captured by Busy's lens between 1914 and 1918. Human chess is a traditional folk game played during festivals, especially in northern Vietnam. The game follows the rules of Chinese chess, with people acting as the pieces, moving according to the players' instructions.
 |
A woman from the upper class sits on a bamboo cot in her courtyard, photographed in 1915. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum
 |
A familiar image of women in rural northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. Photo: Albert Kahn Museum
 |
Busy documented the lives of young women working in the fields, their legs covered in mud.
During his time in Vietnam, Busy also captured many images of Hanoi's landscapes. His work has been exhibited in Hanoi, notably in December 2013 and more recently in April 2023 at an exhibition titled "Hanoi - The Beginnings of a Western-style City in Southeast Asia."
Phuong Linh
Photo: Albert Kahn Museum
