Consul General to Perth Le Viet Duyen (R) introduces the exhibition to Mike Nahan

The photos on show were taken by Michael Vander Zanden, Director of the Classic Studio Company during his trip to the Dong Van Stone Plateau in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang in late 2013.

On display are also documentary photos on China’s illegal placement of its oil rig in Viet Nam’s waters and Chinese ships’ firing of water cannons at Viet Nam’s law enforcement vessels and sinking of a fishing boat owned by Da Nang fishermen.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General to Perth Le Viet Duyen highlighted Viet Nam’s time-honoured culture and history, friendly people and beautiful natural landscapes.

Viet Nam boasts seven world natural and cultural heritage sites together with a global geo-park recognised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), he said.

Many Vietnamese landscapes have become familiar to international tourists, including Ha Long, Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Sapa, he said, adding that they symbolise a beautiful country of Viet Nam with its friendly, hospitable and peace-loving people.

However, Duyen noted that the peaceful life in Viet Nam might be threatened if the environment of peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region is not maintained.

He stressed that the current tension in the East Sea after China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf threatens not only peace, security and stability in the region but also security and safety for the world’s most important marine route in the East Sea. Duyen added that more than half of Australia’s export goods are transported using this route.

Mike Nahan, Treasurer of Western Australia and Minister for Energy, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, said he is really impressed by the culture and history of Viet Nam as well as its hospitable people after his visits to the country.

He expressed his hope that relations between Viet Nam and Australia in general and the State of Western Australia in particular will further develop in the future.

The exhibition will run until July 11.