The exhibition Little Hanoi, Next Generation, featuring 76 portraits of young Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic, is currently open at Hall 11 in Prague’s Holešovice Market. The project explores the dual identities of entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals who were either born in the country or arrived at an early age. The exhibition remains open to the public until July 11, 2026, with tickets available via GoOut or at the venue.
Stories of integration and identity
The project documents the experiences of the second generation of the Vietnamese community, highlighting the challenges of balancing two distinct cultures. Milan Nguyen, a catering agency co-owner and one of the featured individuals, noted in his portrait that he faced bullying specifically because he did not have a Vietnamese name, highlighting the complexities of social integration. According to the exhibition’s co-author, Vendy Mlejnská, the portraits were captured over a two-year period in the DC Space studio. The goal was to provide each subject with individual space to share their personal narrative, ranging from professional success to navigating cultural stereotypes.
Did You Know? The exhibition Little Hanoi, Next Generation was first presented in Hanoi during the 2025 Photo Hanoi Biennale to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
Expert Insight: The cultural bridge
Expert Insight: The significance of this project lies in its shift from viewing the Vietnamese community solely through a commercial or “market-based” lens toward recognizing them as a permanent, integral part of Czech society. By highlighting individual biographies, the exhibition challenges monolithic perceptions and offers a more nuanced view of how second-generation immigrants negotiate their heritage alongside local customs. This transition toward personal storytelling reflects a broader trend in European migration studies where the focus moves from collective statistics to individual agency.
Upcoming programming and future reach
A second event, titled “Story Night,” is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, at 6:00 p.m. in Hall 11. This session will feature presentations by influencer and writer Do Thu Trang, model and producer Tran Viet Chinh, and restaurateur Tomáš Ngoc. Looking ahead, the international reach of these narratives is likely to expand; Markéta Lipold Záhumenská, director of the Czech Center in Taipei, confirmed that a related exhibition titled Radost a skrýš (Joy and Hideout) is scheduled to open in Taipei this September. This suggests a growing effort to connect the Vietnamese diaspora across different continents through shared personal histories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when can I visit the exhibition?
The exhibition is held in Hall 11 of the Holešovice Market in Prague and is open until July 11, 2026. Weekday hours are 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
What is the focus of the “Story Night” event?
“Story Night” is a series of lectures and presentations given by members of the second generation of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, designed to share their personal life paths and professional experiences.
Who provided patronage for the exhibition?
The Prague exhibition received patronage from the President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Miloš Vystrčil, who also viewed the portraits during his visit to Vietnam in November.
How does seeing these individual stories change your perspective on the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic?