With an extensive collection documenting ordinary life within his homeland, Son Nguyen has made it his mission to document the people, places and local traditions of Vietnam. Son manages to capture those all-important authentic moments in villages and rural areas that can often go unnoticed by travellers.
Documentary photography appeals to me because it allows me to preserve authentic moments and tell stories about real people and their way of life.
Son Nguyen
Join us to discover why Vietnam is inspiring to Son, what he hopes to achieve through his documentary photography and how he highlights the beauty of life in Vietnam.
CG: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became a documentary photographer?
SN: I am a photographer based in Vietnam. Photography has been my passion for more than 40 years. What started as a hobby gradually became a lifelong journey of documenting people, places and traditions.
Over the decades, I have travelled extensively throughout Vietnam, photographing daily life, traditional crafts, fishing communities, cultural festivals and local customs. Documentary photography appeals to me because it allows me to preserve authentic moments and tell stories about real people and their way of life.
CG: Can you tell us about how your location influences your work and your favourite place to photograph?
SN: Vietnam has a remarkable diversity of landscapes, cultures and traditions, which constantly inspires my work. Living here gives me the opportunity to explore both well-known destinations and remote communities.
Rather than having one favourite location, I enjoy photographing all regions of Vietnam. I am especially attracted to traditional craft villages, fishing ports, rural markets and coastal communities, where everyday life and cultural heritage can still be seen in their most authentic form.
CG: Your images capture the spirit of Vietnamese life; is there a story you’re trying to tell with your images?
SN: My goal is to document and celebrate the lives of ordinary Vietnamese people. Many of my photographs focus on traditional occupations, skilled craftsmen, fishermen and local communities whose knowledge and traditions have been passed down through generations.
Through these images, I hope to preserve a visual record of Vietnam’s cultural heritage and show the dignity, hard work and resilience of the people who keep these traditions alive.
CG: What is your favourite image within your Alamy collection?
SN: It is difficult to choose a single favourite image. However, I am particularly proud of my photographs documenting traditional craft villages and fishing communities. These images often involve spending time with local people and observing their daily activities, resulting in authentic moments that reflect Vietnam’s cultural identity.
CG: Tell us about the next event, location or communities you plan to capture.
SN: I plan to continue travelling throughout Vietnam to photograph traditional crafts, fishing communities, local markets and cultural festivals. I am especially interested in documenting communities that preserve long-established traditions and ways of life, helping to create a lasting visual archive for future generations.
We hope you take away inspiration from Son’s interview and if you want to check out his latest uploads you can check out the rest of his Alamy Collection. You can also follow him on his Instagram. Come back next month to see who will be in the spotlight!
