Telling stories of Hoi An from photos

Hoi An through the lens of Quinn Ryan Mattingly.

The land of photography

Zoe Angelis, 25, a web designer, production assistant, photographer, and filmmaker from Germany, has visited Hoi An and fallen in love with this culturally rich place.

Zoe says that Hoi An's old town attracts both Vietnamese and foreigners – each bringing their own unique craft. And the fact that so many artisans gather in one place makes the city a fantastic subject for cultural photography.

At the same time, travel photographers can capture many different scenes in and around Hoi An, from the historic old town to the beaches, mountains, and even a nearby modern Da Nang.

Hoi An through the lens of Quinn Ryan Mattingly.

However, Zoe doesn't like crowds. So, when she first arrived in the old town and saw the large number of tourists, she felt a little overwhelmed. The most meaningful moment for her was enjoying dinner by the beach and watching a group of locals play soccer while a few families were swimming.

It was a peaceful and authentic scene, reminding Zoe that a city isn't just beautiful because of its famous landmarks, but because of the people who bring it to life.

Therefore, Zoe's photography often focuses on people rather than architecture or landscapes. The first people she wanted to photograph were elderly people selling lanterns to tourists.

This reminded her of a familiar yet deeply human similarity: the elderly lottery ticket vendors in Saigon, where she had lived and worked for five years.

For Alyona Kuznetsova, a Russian photographer, the highlight of her trip to Hoi An was the Ba Mu Pagoda. She described it as love at first sight!

The architecture, the surrounding scenery... all combined to create a breathtaking spectacle. She spent hours there, simply enjoying it and trying to capture its beauty.

Another moment that impressed Alyona was when she photographed children playing behind the wall of a temple, near a school. It was a genuine, unscripted moment, showing the carefree nature of the local children.

In 2022, Alyona had the opportunity to attend a music festival in Hoi An in June. This event sparked her interest in capturing the vibrant atmosphere of Hoi An. The combination of music, culture, and scenery became a strong attraction for her.

Hoi An through the lens of Quinn Ryan Mattingly.

Alyona shared that, for her, photography is about telling a story, and Hoi An has a rich story to tell: “Through my photographs, I try to capture the unique blend of influences from Vietnam, China, and Japan that make up the culture of this place.”

“I also wanted to showcase the strong community bonds that exist in the old town, where locals still live and work. By documenting daily life and traditions, I hope to give people a glimpse into authentic Hoi An,” said Alyona.

At that time, Hoi An was a breath of fresh air for Alyona. Because there weren't many tourists around, she felt like Hoi An was all hers. She could wander around and truly feel the atmosphere.

Quinn Ryan Mattingly and his daughter.

New discoveries

"What do you think about how the perspectives of foreign photographers could bring a fresh atmosphere to Hoi An?" I asked.

Zoe replied, "As a foreigner, you're more likely to get lost. The classic photos of Hoi An's lanterns are beautiful, but the city has so much more to offer."

When a foreign photographer dares to explore beyond the tourist areas, discover hidden alleyways, or capture daily life on local beaches (yes, Hoi An has such beaches), they reveal a more authentic side of the city that might be overlooked by locals.”

Agreeing with Zoe, Alyona also stated, “There are some amazing villages just outside Hoi An, like Cam Thanh and Tra Que. They are hidden gems! You can see traditional farming methods and rural life, which gives you a completely different perspective on the local culture. The rural landscape is also stunning – lush green fields and peaceful scenery…it’s a photographer’s dream!”

Quinn Ryan Mattingly recalls his first visit to Hoi An in 2008: “I met a guy in the old town, then followed him to a village far from the center. His wife treated us to a delicious meal, and we had the opportunity to explore the areas around his house together. I took some photos that I really liked, and since then, Hoi An has always held a special place in my mind.”

A few years ago, Quinn's family decided to move to Hoi An so that their young daughter could freely explore nature. Sharing more about why they chose Hoi An as their home, Quinn said: "Hoi An and Central Vietnam are truly a wonderful playground for photographers because there are so many interesting things to see and photograph."

From coastal areas, rural villages, fishing villages and shipyards, to images of farmers working in the fields, each season and time of year brings something special to discover and capture in unique photographs.

I am passionate about photographing people, and, as everywhere in Vietnam, the people I met were very friendly and open to our visits, observations, and photography.

I had to practice a bit to get used to the Quang Nam accent, but when they understood me, I understood them, or even just made them laugh and smile while trying to talk, those were always memorable moments in front of the camera.”

Indeed, for foreign photographers, Hoi An appears as a wondrous, distinctly Eastern wonder. They often view this city with eyes full of wonder and a desire to explore. The ancient houses, the vibrant lanterns, the gentle river, the deserted beaches, the colors, and the people… all offer them a sense of novelty and wonder.

This perspective leads them to focus on symbolic elements. These differences in perception and expression not only enrich the view of the city but also affirm that each photograph is a crystallization of personal feeling and cultural insight. Hoi An, with its multifaceted nature, always has the ability to tell stories and touch the hearts of everyone, regardless of their origin.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/ke-chuyen-hoi-an-tu-anh-3157183.html