In early December, UNIS Hanoi welcomed back Andy Soloman, photojournalist and former UNIS Hanoi parent (2001–2002), for an evening that brought together photography, reflection, and service. On Friday, 5 December, Andy hosted a talk at UNIS in support of the School’s Service Learning programme, alongside the opening of his photographic exhibition, Continuum: Vietnam, displayed on campus until 11 January 2026. He is also donating 15 percent of every photograph sold to support Service Learning at our school.
A Lifelong Relationship with Vietnam
Andy first arrived in Vietnam from the UK in 1992 on what was meant to be a one-month assignment, and wound up staying for seven years. As a freelance photojournalist he travelled thousands of kilometres across the country, documenting Vietnam at a pivotal moment that was still marked by the scars of war, yet rich in resilience, humour, and humanity.
More than thirty years later, Andy returned to many of the same places and, in some cases, the same people. Guided by detailed journals and decades-old photographs, he set out to find those he had photographed in the early 1990s. These reunions, often deeply emotional, form the heart of Continuum: Vietnam, an exhibition that places images from the past alongside contemporary portraits and invites viewers to reflect on continuity and change across time.
An Evening of Storytelling and Reflection at UNIS Hanoi
During his talk at UNIS Hanoi, Andy shared stories from his journey, from remote highland villages to industrial towns, and from moments of hardship to extraordinary generosity. A central theme of the evening was connection across generations, across cultures, and across time. Andy reflected on how people he met decades ago, despite dramatic changes in their surroundings, continue to express the same hopes, emotions, and values. He noted that, despite differences in background or circumstance, people everywhere share fundamental hopes for happiness, security, and connection. He spoke about what it means to tell stories with dignity, and to photograph people not as subjects, but as fellow human beings.
His message resonated deeply with students involved in Service Learning, many of whom asked questions about long-term partnership, ethical storytelling, and sustainable impact. Andy emphasised that meaningful change is not about one-off acts of charity, but about enabling communities, building trust, and staying connected over time.
Photography in Service of Learning and Impact
Proceeds from the exhibition, including a 15 percent donation from each artwork sold while Continuum: Vietnam is on campus, will support the UNIS Hanoi Service Learning programme.
Grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Service Learning at UNIS empowers students to partner with organisations across Vietnam, particularly in regions affected by flooding, typhoons, and landslides.
Through Service Learning Impact Grants, students research community needs, design responses, manage budgets, and lead projects that provide both immediate relief and long-term support. Funds raised through the exhibition will help sustain this work by supporting partnerships with organisations such as Hue Help, Blue Dragon, Khau Pha, and others working to protect vulnerable children, strengthen community resilience, and respond to crises on the ground.
For Andy, contributing to this work aligns closely with his long-standing connection to Vietnam. During the talk, he spoke about the importance of giving back and about trusting young people to take ownership in creating positive change.
An Invitation to Alumni
Continuum: Vietnam is more than an exhibition. It is an invitation to pause, to look closely, and to walk alongside stories that span generations. For the UNIS Hanoi community, it also serves as a reminder of the School’s enduring values of empathy, responsibility, and action rooted in understanding.
The exhibition will remain open on campus until 11 January 2026, and alumni visiting UNIS Hanoi during this period are warmly invited to view the collection.
- Alumni News