Vietnam Near and Far

The exhibition Vietnam Near and Far at the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures on Prague's Bethlehem Square explores traditional Vietnamese culture and the country's long history, as well as contemporary modern Vietnam. It also presents the story of the sizeable Vietnamese community living in the Czech Republic, the mutual relations between both cultures, and the issues of living together. The exhibition is divided into three parts. The first part, titled Vietnam Far, introduces visitors to Vietnamese history and culture through period photographs and infographics with maps – emphasizing the contrast between traditional and modern Vietnam, recalling the succession of dynasties, periods of colonization, the eternal struggle for independence, and the complex 20th century including the prolonged conflict. The second part, Czechs and Vietnam, focuses on relations between the two countries and Czech exploration of the Vietnam and Indochina region. The third part, Vietnam Near, offers a perspective on the Vietnamese minority living in the Czech Republic and includes an extensive multimedia section. Among the exhibits are jewelry, clothing, eating utensils, musical instruments, toys, and figurines with religious motifs. A unique exhibit is the declaration of the establishment of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, loaned by the National Archives of the Czech Republic and handed to the Czechoslovak government in the 1960s. The exhibition is visually based on the appearance of Vietnamese streets – labels are trilingual (Czech, English, and Vietnamese). The exhibition was created by Ondřej Crhák, Barbora Nováková, and Marta Lopatková.