Photojournalism

Muong Girls on Long Coc Tea Hill 2024.

In early September, I set aside the busy pace of work to embark on a journey with colleagues to Long Coc, a serene region in Tan Son district, Phu Tho province, Vietnam. A friend, experienced in photography tours, had described the tea hills here as a breathtaking landscape, reminiscent of a fairyland—often compared to the “Ha Long Bay of the midlands.” Inspired by this, I led a photography group from Kuching, Malaysia, departing at 2 a.m. to capture the beauty of the region in perfect weather conditions.What a memorable experience! The day before, I had carefully planned for our group…

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The unique hairstyles of Flower H’Mong women are truly captivating.

When encountering Flower H' Mong women, their colorful embroidered dresses are not the only eye-catching feature. Of particular note is the large, heavy hair bun atop their heads. 遇见孟化族妇女,她们色彩鲜艳的绣花衣裙并不是唯一引人注目的特色,尤其引人注目的是她们头顶上那又大又重的发髻。 For centuries, the H'mong people have been migrating to the high mountainous regions of Ma Thi Ho - Muong Cha - Dien Bien to establish their villages, with approximately 80 households currently residing there. Despite the impermanence of change, the cultural consciousness of the H'mong community in this area remains steadfast. A prime example of this is their traditional attire, characterized by black hemp fabric tunics with a V-neckline embellished with…

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“Ná Nhèm – A festival dedicated to the male genitalia procession in Vietnam.

Several countries around the world such as Japan, Greece, and even Vietnam continue to uphold the tradition of "ceremonial procession" during special occasions with various symbolic meanings. Time: Takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year.Location: Mỏ village communal house (Trấn Yên commune, Bắc Sơn district, Lạng Sơn province). Historical background of the festival. The procession of the male genitalia symbol is one of the unique rituals to pray for luck and peace during the spring festival of Ná Nhèm (Trấn Yên commune, Bắc Sơn district, Lạng Sơn province). Significance: According to the local people,…

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Hà Giang is a place where flowers blossom from the rocky mountains.

The region of Ha Giang is renowned for its rugged beauty and unique landscapes that captivate the hearts of photography enthusiasts. Each visit to this northernmost part of Vietnam fills me with a sense of renewed wonder and excitement, as if experiencing it for the very first time. Ha Giang, with its harsh summer heat and chilly winters occasionally blanketed in snow, offers a pristine environment and a landscape that is unforgettable. This land is aptly named the "land of blooming rocks," showcasing raw and untouched beauty that leaves a lasting impression. Nature has gifted this region with vibrant seasons…

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Experience the magic of old Vietnam in breathtaking color photos preserved by Albert Kahn.

Over 100 years ago, there are color photos of Vietnam in the "planet repository" of Albert Kahn. In 1909, Albert Kahn, a millionaire banker - also a famous French philanthropist, began a ambitious project: to build a repository of color photos of all the different cultures around the world using the most advanced color photography technique at the time invented by the Lumière brothers in 1907. 一百多年前,阿尔伯特·卡恩的“星球宝库”里就收藏着越南的彩色照片。1909年,百万富翁银行家、法国著名慈善家阿尔伯特·卡恩开始了一项雄心勃勃的项目:利用卢米埃尔兄弟1907年发明的当时最先进的彩色摄影技术,建立一个收藏世界各地不同文化的彩色照片的宝库。 This process used the autochrome color photo technique, making it easy to capture photos with accurate colors. As an idealist and internationalist, Albert Kahn believed he could use his vast wealth to create…

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Tim Page – A close confidant of Vietnamese photography

Hailing from a humble background in England and Australia, at the age of 17, Tim Page had to leave home and travel to the Middle East, India, and Nepal to make a living. Carrying a Nikon 3x4 camera on his shoulder, he arrived in Laos to work for the American news agency UPI, capturing the events of the coup in Laos in 1965 before moving on to Vietnam to work as a war correspondent. He was a renowned freelance photojournalist known for his work in Vietnam and Indochina, selling many photos to leading news agencies and publications such as UPI,…

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Honoring Ancestral Roots: The Timeless Ritual of Le Cap Sac Among the Dao People.

Perhaps there are no words that can fully capture the beauty of the 12-lantern ritual ceremony of the Red Dao people in Lao Cai. If we were to use one word to describe this most significant ritual, we should see it through the lens of "heart", a heart that originates from the "spiritual heart" in rituals and also stems from the "wholeheartedness" in the desire to demonstrate the maturity of Red Dao men in fulfilling their responsibilities to themselves, their community, and their nation. The event commenced with a ceremony welcoming the guest of honor to preside over the official…

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H’MONG WOMEN – AND THE LINEN CLOTH…2024

"👩🏻‍🎨H’MONG WOMEN - AND THE LINEN CLOTH… ✍️For a long time, the Mông people on the rocky plateau have been known for their unique and exquisite cultural heritage. Among them are some famous traditional crafts such as embroidery, weaving, indigo dyeing; silver carving, plow casting or making musical instruments… Drawing patterns on linen cloth with beeswax is also one of the long-standing traditional crafts of the people here. Despite being a traditional craft for generations, there are very few artisans who can draw beeswax patterns and they are all elderly people over 60 years old; the art of drawing is…

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The Ha Nhi’s Tet.

The Ha Nhi ethnic group in Muong Te, Lai Chau celebrates Tet earlier than the national Lunar New Year. Their festivities are lively and vibrant. Everyone eagerly welcomes the new year, hoping for good fortune. Families celebrate Tet by slaughtering pigs, wrapping sticky rice cakes, and making floating cakes, following unique customs and traditions rich in national cultural identity. Each year, village elders and chiefs set the Tet date based on factors like weather, climate, harvests, and economic conditions. The Ha Nhi people typically celebrate their traditional Tet, known as Co Nhi Cha, in November of the solar calendar, a…

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