Vietnam (North and South), 2008/10

These photos were taken mostly around Ho Chi Minh city and outskirt, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa Valley

Mother and child - My mood was quite despondent when I saw the mother tending to the fields with a toddler in tow, shifting about the umbrella to shield the little one. To my surprise, she gave me a warm smile when she saw me photographing them. I like especially the rich colours but not so much about the "scene" The scenario reinforced me that the strongest magnet for a photographer is not just the final image but also the discovery about human being's determination in life and the will to strive for survival.
Rice planting - It is calculated that in order to cultivate a kilo of rice around 3,000 to 10,000 litres of water are needed. The spectacular mountainous rice fields of North Vietnam, ingenious fruit of integration of people together with its surrounding nature, were engraved by generations using ancient methods.