Vietnam through The Lens of Art

Art is a great tool to reflect the core of society. Sometimes, people can have a better vision of one country through pictures. These photos are contenders for the Siena International Photo Award. Each of them is the perfect combination of colors and objects. Through these photos, people can release their stress and nourish their minds with playful colors and artistic features. Moreover, they can have a better vision of Vietnam. My Nguyen, a student of Vietnamese Culture at Dai Nam University, always says, “Every simple moment in life is art. It is obvious in Vietnam.”

1) Season of Anchovy Fishery by Thien Nguyen

The period from May to July is the best season of anchovy fishery in the central provinces of Vietnam, and many local fishing families along the coastline of Phú Yên province will follow the near-shore currents to catch the anchovies. Their fishing nets float on the sea surface, illuminated by sunlight, and they create an incredible scene from above. Fishing is the everyday job of people in the Phú Yên province. They spend their life on the sea with the hope that their family will have enough food to eat and that their children might have a chance to finish school.

The photo honors the beauty of the fishermen. There is a beautiful contrast in the photo. As it can be seen, there are two small fishing boats and two incredibly big fishing nets. This contrast is crucial. The Phú Yên province is known as a poor province in Vietnam. For that reason, they cannot afford big boats like other countries, so people in that area likely participate in a battle against poverty and the severity of nature. The small fishing boats represent the difficulty in their life while the colossal fishing net represents the strength they have to get over adversity. Even though they do not have modern equipment, they are not prevented from catching enormous amounts of fish, which is their reward after the battle. Thanks to the traditional skills they got from their ancestors, these fishermen are able to work as well as other fishermen.

2) Cave Fishing by Natnattcha Chauturapitamorn

Another photo taken by Thai photographer, Natnattcha Chauturapitamorn, depicts a Vietnamese father and son catching fish in a cave in the south of Vietnam during the monsoon. This photo reveals an interesting fact about Vietnamese children, especially those who come from the countryside or the fishing village. Vietnamese children, who live near aquatic areas, have to learn how to swim and catch fish when they are small. During the monsoon, there might be floods due to the heavy rain, so these children have to know how to swim to save their domestic fowls and other household items. Second, by being acquainted to water early, they can help their fathers catch fish, which they can sell in the fish market. The fish market is also a way for children to learn how to make money and become independent at a very young age. “I started my first fishing lesson when I was 5,” said Hieu Duong, a senior at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, “Thanks to those lessons, I never had to ask my parents for money to buy candies or notebooks. I feel lucky because they taught me how to respect the value of money.”

3) Nipa Palm Forest by Khanh Phan

This photo is a picture of the Nipa Palm Forest in Quảng Ngãi, Vietnam. The Nipa Palm is known for its rich ecosystems. The only hole in the Nipa Palm Forest is a bomb crater from the Vietnam War. The man is fishing in an area that serves as a green lung for the eastern portion of Quảng Ngãi City. The Nipa Palm Forest is an ideal place for ecotourism and a place where local people can catch a variety of seafood. From the central to the south of Vietnam, there are different coastal mangrove forests. Those coastal mangrove forests provide are a viable food source for people in Quảng Ngãi. Whenever people want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, they will visit Quảng Ngãi to enjoy the fresh air. Tourists are welcome to join the locals to catch fish and experience their local foods.

4) Waterlilies Harvesting Season by Huy Trung Pham

A group of farmers are washing and packing waterlilies before sending them to the market in the early morning in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Besides lotus, waterlily is one of the most famous flowers in Vietnam. Waterlilies are planted in the flooding field from August to November, which is when the high tide annually flows downstream from the Mekong River. Waterlily is also widely used for traditional decoration, foods, and even medicine. The flower is also the symbol of loyalty in the Eastern Asian culture because it is believed that their aroma can purify souls when they bloom at night. Also, waterlilies can live up to 2000 years, so they are considered as an additional symbol of energy and strength.

Through these great photos, people will experience new aspects of natural beauty and the lives of Vietnamese people. These photos are good options for viewers to set as computer or mobile phone wallpapers in order to help them nourish their love of nature as well as their creativity and inner peace.