Dr. Yersin’s photos on life in Vietnam exhibited in Switzerland

A collection of nearly 70 photos taken by Swiss physician and bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin are placed on display at an exhibition in Morges, Switzerland to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his death (1943-2018).
Geneva (VNA) – A collection of nearly 70 photos taken by Swiss physician andbacteriologist Alexandre Yersin are placed on display at an exhibition inMorges, Switzerland to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his death (1943-2018).

The exhibition isco-organised by the Association of Admirers of Alexandre Yersin and the Embassyof Vietnam in Switzerland, featuring photos taken by the doctor during his stayin Indochina from 1892-1941.

The photos wererestored from their original versions kept at Pasteur Museum in the Frenchcapital Paris, the Yersin Museum in Nha Trang in central coast of Vietnam, and aswell as those looked after by his family.

They captured hishouse and garden in Con village, Nha Trang and his memories travelling aroundthe Lang Biang Highlands, Saigon, Cambodia, and more. The photographs portrayedlocal people, and especially the fishing community, of Con village, as well asvarious ethnic minority people around Vietnam.

According to theVietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland, the event offers viewers new insight intoYersin’s life and the beauty of Vietnam’s natural landscapes and people, whilealso contributing to strengthening the relations between Vietnam andSwitzerland.

AssociationPresident Jacques-Henri Penseyres praised Yersin as an inspiring humanitarianwith a passion for science and great courage to pursue an adventurous life. Headded that the association first came up with the idea of collecting photos bydoctor Yersin two years ago.

The exhibitionwill run through until November 18.

Yersin, the Swiss doctor who became a Frenchcitizen but ultimately lived and died with Vietnam in his heart, is remembered as the co-discoverer of the bacillusresponsible for the bubonic plague, which was later named in his honour(Yersinia pestis). This discovery was one of the greatest revelationsfor humankind in history.

Dr Yersin settled down in the coastal city of Nha Trang in 1891where he lived for more than 50 years and became Director of the PasteurInstitute in Nha Trang in 1895.

He was credited for finding the site for the town of Da Lat (300kmnorthwest of what was then Saigon) in 1893. He also tried his hand atagriculture and was a pioneer in the cultivation of rubber trees in Vietnam.

Yersin's house in Nha Trang is now the YersinMuseum and the epitaph on his tombstone describes him as a benefactor andhumanist, venerated by the Vietnamese people. –VNA
VNA

See more

Cultural activities are held at the 2026 Vietnamese Language Summer Camp in Klinok village on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese language preserved across globe

In the new context, Politburo Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, dated August 2, 2026, continues to place the preservation of the Vietnamese language within the strategic vision of mobilising resources from the Vietnamese community abroad and promoting Vietnamese cultural values around the world.

Overseas Vietnamese teachers participating in the 2026 training course on Vietnamese language teaching methods (Photo published VNA)

Leveraging overseas Vietnamese resources for Vietnam-France ties

As Vietnam enters a new era of prosperous and harmonious development, top leader To Lam's official visit to France will significantly contribute to the special dynamics of bilateral relations while fostering shared commitments to international peace, security, and stability.

Ambassador Nguyen Huong Tra briefs representatives of the Vietnamese communities in Belgium and Luxembourg on the country's situation. (Photo: VNA)

Overseas Vietnamese ready to contribute to national transformation

Affirming that overseas Vietnamese are an integral part of the nation and partners in its development and creation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the European Union (EU) Nguyen Huong Tra pledged to listen to them openly and responsibly, and convey their recommendations to authorities at home.

The operation to remove the bomb is carried out cautiously and meticulously by military forces. (Photo: VNA)

Phu Tho: 200kg bomb safely relocated, detonated

According to a report by the Phu Tho Military Command, local residents spotted the bomb on August 31 in the Da River after the river water receded, exposing it beneath mud and soil on the riverbed. The bomb remained intact, including its fuse, and was located about 300m from a residential area.

Quang Ninh's seaport infrastructure, including the Ha Long International Cruise Port, is capable of serving large cruise ships. (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh 2030: Ambitious targets for a breakthrough

These objectives reflect the principle that economic development must not become detached from living standards; rather, the benefits of growth should create opportunities for all residents to share in its achievements.

A police officer guides a citizen on how to use VNeID app. (Photo: VNA)

Shift to data-driven administrative procedures needs acceleration

Under a draft decree replacing Decree 63, authorities will have to proactively pull information from databases and records for informational or technical procedures. Applicants would no longer be required to resubmit documents, and certification or information requests could not be turned into discretionary licensing through an “ask – give” mechanism.

Cuban journalist Luis Manuel Arce Isaac, author of the article published in Mexico’s Voces del Periodista magazine. (Photo: Screenshot/VNA)

Mexican journalist praises Vietnam’s profound transformation

According to the article, Vietnam’s progress over the past decades has turned President Ho Chi Minh’s aspiration for a country that would be more dignified and more beautiful into reality in ways that have far exceeded what was initially envisioned.

The Liaison Board of the Vietnamese Community in Singapore organises the annual Mid-Autumn Festival to strengthen community bonds and spread Vietnamese language and culture. (Photo: VNA)

Continued efforts made to nurture love for homeland through mother tongue

From language classrooms and community activities to digital platforms, Vietnamese is being preserved through increasingly diverse approaches. More than a means of communication, the mother tongue carries memories, culture and affection for the homeland. Ensuring that Vietnamese remains naturally present in the daily lives of overseas Vietnamese is therefore an important way to nurture their lasting bond with the Fatherland.