Innocent Land

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Friday, August 6, 2010 | 5 photos

I was born in Hanoi and I have been living in this city since then. Many times I wonder if I still love this city. Whenever I am in doubt like that I know I should travel somewhere far. Ha Giang is my favorite place where life still has the beauty and freshness of innocence. The province is about 400 kilometers north of Hanoi. These photos I took few months ago in my last trip to Ha Giang. It is hard to choose 5 photos out of more than 3000 photos. I asked my wife to help me but I gave up since she seems to like all of them. I decided to close my eyes in darkness and let my mind quite. These 5 photos appear in my mind: The image 9-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl walking one kilometer to get water hurts me since they are about the age of my children; the three kids standing on an empty, faraway road in front of the mountain and corn field gave me goosebumps and tear in my eyes as I took the photo. They are so lonely! Are they waiting for someone? A small house next to an empty, fogy road is sad. A minority girl, probably about 18, I guess since we don't share language, is walking alone on a long road that seems to lead to eternity...I was charmed by her natural beauty. A little boy is behind his mom on a bicycle, I wonder if the bamboo basket bothers him? Yes, I am a photographer, I have to be honest. I know that you don't select photographer for this scholarship but I never have photography workshop before and I long for an opportunity to learn. I don't know if I am the best candidate for your program or not. Only thing I know for sure is if you accept me, you will have a student who will work with all his heart and his mind will be wide opened to learn. Please give me a chance, I will not disappoint you!