Sharing Vietnam Through My Lens

Once upon a time (okay maybe just last year), I was in a coffee shop admiring all the artwork. I remember thinking to myself, One day I’ll have my photos on display and for sale.

I didn’t think that “one day” would only be a year later, at another AAPI-owned coffee shop, debuting my prints at our Now You See Us dinner.

These photos are especially important to me because they were taken during my trip to Vietnam. While I can’t say the trip itself went particularly how I expected it to, I will say that I made the most of my art. In the little pockets of exploration that I had to myself, I tried to capture Vietnam’s people. I hesitate to say “my people” because on this trip, I felt more disconnected to Vietnam than I have before (again, will share that another day). I will say that the people I’ve encountered all hold stories that I tried to capture in my photographs.

Whether I’ve personally conversed with them or captured them in passing, each of these portraits portray people who have stories to tell through their eyes that I’ll never really know about them. But their mystery is the allure, the curiosity, and the legacy. And my photography is the voice that will continue sharing their stories, and my culture.

These photos are taken through a combination of 35mm point-and-shoot film camera and my iPhone 14 Pro. I didn’t bring my digital camera because I hadn’t planned on taking photos like this, other than for personal catalog, but I’m glad I made the most of what I had!

Anyways, this is a long-winded and discombobulated way of announcing that I am selling my FIRST. PHOTO PRINTS. EVER.

Thank you to everyone who has purchased, so far! I am so grateful to share a piece of my heart with you all in your own homes.

All photos taken by Weng Cheong