Lifestyle
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Acquires and Exhibits Andy Soloman Photo Collection
Exclusive ‘Hanoi: Traces of Time’ showcase forms part of the hotel’s 125th anniversary celebrations
HANOI, Vietnam– As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, the landmark Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has acquired a curated set of 16 signed, limited-edition photographic prints by British photographer Andy Soloman. The works will be known as The Soloman Metropole Collection.
The exhibition “Hanoi: Traces of Time” will run at the hotel from Oct. 9 to Dec. 9 and forms part of the Metropole’s ongoing commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Hanoi by collecting and sharing significant artistic perspectives on Vietnam.
The Soloman Metropole Collection offers a distinctive visual record of everyday life in Hanoi, with photographs capturing streets, markets, schools, factories and the rhythms of daily life. Each work is printed on Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Pearl archival photographic paper, mounted, framed, signed and individually editioned, underscoring the collection’s importance within the Metropole’s permanent holdings.
Soloman will host a complimentary artist talk on Oct. 10 at the Metropole, sharing stories of his travels in Vietnam in 1992–93 and his subsequent quest to reconnect with people more than three decades later. Reservations can be made via Eventbrite.
“Vietnam has been central to my photography for many years, and the images in this collection come from encounters and moments that have stayed with me,” Soloman said. “I’m delighted that Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has acquired the collection and is exhibiting it as part of the hotel’s 125th anniversary celebrations. It’s a privilege for these works to have found a permanent home at the Metropole while being shared with guests.”
George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said: “As we mark our 125th anniversary, we are deepening our engagement with art and Hanoi’s cultural heritage. Acquiring and exhibiting the Andy Soloman collection is an important part of this journey. These photographs capture the character and rhythm of life in Hanoi with great sensitivity, and they enrich both our art collection and the experience of our guests during this milestone year and beyond.”
The collection features images such as Early Morning Exercise (1992); Mid-Autumn Festival Vendor (1997); Cyclo Drivers in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (1992); Vietnamese Heroic Mothers (1997); Dong Xuan Market (1992); and Bia Hoi Delivery by Cyclo (1997). Together they form a coherent body of work that speaks to memory, place, cultural heritage and everyday experience in Vietnam.
For more information on the hotel and its “125 Years of a Legend” programme, please contact Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at +84 24 3826 6919, email metropolehanoi.info@sofitel.com or visit https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/125th-anniversary/
For more information on the artworks and artist, please contact Andy Soloman at +44 7928 542917 (Zalo/WhatsApp), email andysoloman@gmail.com or visit https://andysoloman.com/hanoi-traces-of-time-exhibition/
Follow Andy Soloman on Instagram: @Andysoloman
Press kit (images and additional information): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PYX2UlESlDmDg-S0sf67uqZyFeB0hU54?usp=sharing
ABOUT ANDY SOLOMAN
Andy Soloman is a British photographer who first arrived in Hanoi in October 1992, aged 30, as a photojournalist from London. He travelled extensively across Vietnam, photographing everyday life, but Hanoi captured his heart. After living and working in Hanoi, he joined Reuters in 1997. Today, he divides his time between the UK and Vietnam, focusing on travel and fine-art photography. His current project, Continuum: Vietnam, revisits people he first photographed in 1992–93.
ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI
A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events and a popular rendezvous for business and leisure travellers such as playwrights, ambassadors, royalty and heads of state. Blending colonial heritage with neo-classical luxury and a dash of modernity, the hotel is the first Sofitel Legend in the world and the recipient of numerous international awards for its fine service and enchanting ambiance. This legendary landmark has contributed to the richness of local heritage.
The hotel includes 358 rooms that are divided into two wings – the Heritage Wing, dating back to 1901, and the neo-classical Opera Wing. There are three legendary suites that are named after famous residents and visitors to the hotel (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham).
With six exquisite restaurants and bars, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers a diverse array of culinary experiences: Le Club Bar treats guests to its signature Metropole brasserie and iconic high tea; Le Beaulieu presents contemporary French fine-dining at its finest; Spice Garden offers elevated Vietnamese cuisine; meanwhile, angelina – Hanoi’s bespoke bar-lounge-restaurant delivers a world-class beverage experience alongside imaginative comfort food; La Terrasse brings Parisian-inspired al fresco dining to the sidewalks of Hanoi; and the Bamboo Bar invites guests to unwind in a serene Indochine setting by the pool.
Guests can indulge in luxurious facilities featuring lush gardens, a tranquil heated outdoor pool, a well-equipped fitness centre, and full-service meeting rooms. Rejuvenating treatments await at the enchanting Le Spa du Metropole, while curated treasures can be found at the hotel’s luxury gift shop, La Boutique, and its gourmet deli and patisserie, L’Epicerie.
ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND
A pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel today embodies heartfelt and committed luxury, with a French zest. Alongside its 120 elegant and unique properties, the brand inaugurated in 2009 a collection of emblematic hotels under the Sofitel Legend banner: unrivalled luxury addresses with a legendary heritage and highly personalised service. Each stay is timeless, offering sumptuous surroundings, renowned restaurants and modern comforts for an inspiring luxury experience. Noble, rare and soulful, Sofitel Legend hotels captivate with their architectural beauty, breathtaking views and mesmerizing ambience.
Sofitel Legend now comprises 5 hotels, each more magnificent than the last, set within beautiful and culturally-rich destinations around the world: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an.
Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
