Telling stories of Hoi An from photos

Hoi An through the lens of Quinn Ryan Mattingly.

The wonderful land of photography

Zoe Angelis, 25 years old - a web designer, production assistant and photographer and filmmaker from Germany - once visited Hoi An and fell in love with this land rich in identity.

Zoe says Hoi An’s ancient town attracts both Vietnamese and foreigners – each bringing their own unique craft. And having so many artisans in one place makes the city a great 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 modern Da Nang nearby.

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

It's 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.

As a result, Zoe's photography often focuses on people rather than architecture or landscapes. The first people she wanted to capture through her lens were the old men who sold lanterns to customers.

This reminded her of a familiar and very human similarity: the old people selling lottery tickets in Saigon - where she has lived and worked for 5 years.

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

The architecture, the surroundings... together they created a beautiful sight. She spent hours there, just enjoying and trying to capture that beauty.

Another moment that struck Alyona was when she photographed children playing behind the walls of a temple, near a school. It was an unscripted, candid moment that showed the innocence of 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 landscape became a strong attraction for her.

Alyona shares that, for her, photography is about telling a story, and Hoi An has a rich story to tell: “Through my photos, I try to capture the unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences that make up the culture of this place.

I also wanted to showcase the strong community ties 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 of the 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 really feel the atmosphere there.

New discoveries

“What do you think about the perspective of foreign photographers bringing a new atmosphere to Hoi An?” I asked.

Zoe replied: “As a foreigner, you are more likely to get lost. The classic lantern photos of Hoi An are beautiful, but there is so much more to the city.

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

Agreeing with Zoe, Alyona also said that “there are 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 countryside is also stunning – lush green fields and peaceful landscapes… 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 explored the area around his house. I took some photos that I really like, and since then, Hoi An has 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 the reason for choosing Hoi An as a place to live, Quinn said: “Hoi An and Central Vietnam are truly a great playground for photographers because there are so many interesting things to see and capture.

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 explore and capture in unique photos.

I am a passionate portrait photographer, and like everywhere in Vietnam, the people I met were very friendly and open to us visiting, observing and photographing.

I had to practice to adapt to the Quang Nam accent a bit, but when they understand me, I understand them, or even simply make them laugh and smile when trying to talk, those are always memorable moments in front of the camera.”

Indeed, for foreign photographers, Hoi An appears as an oriental wonder. They often look at this city with eyes full of surprise and desire to explore. The ancient houses, the colorful lanterns, the gentle river, the quiet beach, the colors and the people… all bring them newness and strangeness.

It is this perspective that makes them focus on iconic elements. The differences in perception and expression not only enrich the perspective of this city but also affirm that each photo is the crystallization of personal feelings and cultural views. Hoi An, with its multidimensionality, always has the ability to tell stories and touch the hearts of people, regardless of where they come from.

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