Napalm Girl photographer Nick Ut donates items to Vietnam Press Museum

The Vietnamese American photojournalist Nick Ut has donated several cameras and 50 photos taken during the American War to Vietnam Press Museum.

The Vietnamese American photojournalist Nick Ut has donated several cameras and 50 photos taken during the American War to Vietnam Press Museum on June 1.

 

(Left to right) Nick Ut, Vice head of Vietnam Journalists' Association Ho Quang Hoi, and
Tran Thi Kim Hoa, director of Vietnam Journalists Association

Tran Thi Kim Hoa, director of Vietnam Journalists Association, said the Vietnam Press Museum contacted Nick Ut after it was established on July 28 last year. Nick Ut agreed to give the museum two Nikon cameras the he used in 1966 and 1970, his press card and 50 photos he took in Vietnam during and after the American War, some of them haven't been made public before.

Vice head of Vietnam Journalists' Association Ho Quang Hoi said, "I was moved when I met Nick Ut. His photos captured the marks of the sorrowful but heroic history of Vietnam. The Napalm Girl photo really showed the truth and terror of war in general and in Vietnam in particular to the world. Nick Ut and his colleagues showed bravery and professional ethics when they published this photo."

Hoi emphasised on the importance and power of the press.

Nick Ut said he wanted to donate the cameras and photos to Vietnam Press Museum even though he received many invitations from other museums because he is also a Vietnamese. "I want young people to understand more about the history and the press via my items. I'll donate more items to the Vietnam Press Museum in the future," he said.

Tran Thi Kim Hoa said international photographers had also made many contributions to the history of Vietnam, especially during the American War. The Napalm Girl photo shocked the US public at the time and helped expose the truth about the war.

"I hope more of such stories will be told at the Vietnam Press Museum," Hoa said.

Some photos by Nick Ut: