Benjamin's Vietnamese muse

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•03/09/2023

On the day he left Phu Yen to return to Ho Chi Minh City in early July 2023, Benjamin Tortorelli set his alarm for 3:30 a.m. and headed towards Mui Dien, the place that welcomes the first sunrise on the mainland of Vietnam.

Tung chài bắt cá (Hòn Yến, Phú Yên) — *Casting a net to catch fish (Hon Yen Island, Phu Yen Province)*

Arriving at Dai Lanh Lighthouse, he prepared his equipment and then flew his drone to capture the moment when the first rays of sunlight touched Vietnamese soil, casting brilliant , kaleidoscope- like light across the sky.

Vietnam has become my beautiful "muse," and capturing the beauty of this country has truly been an incredibly fulfilling experience.

BENJAMIN TORTORELLI

Experience the wonders of Asia.

"In this peaceful moment, my heart is filled with gratitude for the 'privilege' of witnessing that magnificent morning," Benjamin wrote alongside a series of photos he took of the Mui Dien lighthouse in the early morning on Instagram. Of course, these aren't the only photos Benjamin has taken in Phu Yen. His more than 8,000 Instagram followers @with.b3n have often been able to " travel through photos" with Benjamin to this land of "golden flowers and green grass," visiting the Tuyet Diem salt fields, watching fishermen pull nets at Hon Yen, and weaving mats at O Loan lagoon...

Benjamin is fascinated by Phu Yen; he has visited Phu Yen a total of 7 times in just 2 years. Benjamin Tortorelli, 35 years old, is French and currently lives in Ho Chi Minh City. In 2011, Benjamin turned down the opportunity to go to the United States – a country he had always dreamed of – to choose Vietnam simply because of his "instinct." At that time, Benjamin was studying for a master's degree in international business in Toulouse (France), and the program required him to complete an internship abroad. Benjamin said his dream was to work and live in the United States, partly because he liked American movies and television programs . However, his research led him to another option: Vietnam. "Although my heart was drawn to the United States, I felt that Vietnam would give me the opportunity to experience the wonders of Asia. So I followed my instincts and decided to embark on this new adventure," Benjamin recalled. The 23-year-old graduate student had no idea how much that intuitive choice would change his life. Benjamin believed fate had already planned it for him when, after completing his internship, he was offered a marketing management position. The vibrant energy of Vietnam, its unique culture, and the warmth of its people made him embrace this new chapter in his life without hesitation. Thus, a Frenchman named Benjamin Tortorelli called Vietnam home. "Vietnam is not just a place to work, but a place I cherish in my heart, a place where I feel a sense of belonging," the young Frenchman confessed.

Nhà thờ Tân Định (TP.HCM) — *Tan Dinh Church (Ho Chi Minh City)*

Vietnam in the air

In Vietnam, besides his work, Benjamin also found inspiration in photography – a hobby he's only pursued in the last few years. Benjamin specializes in landscape photography using drones, adding images of hardworking people and urban life intertwined with modern structures to the stunning scenery. Benjamin's photos attract attention from many people, both domestically and internationally. Among the comments on Benjamin's photos on his personal page, there are countless exclamations of admiration from Vietnamese people seeing their homeland beautiful through the lens of a "Western" photographer, and inquiries from abroad expressing a desire to see the Vietnamese landmarks he has photographed firsthand. Having lived in Vietnam for over a decade, Benjamin has had the opportunity to travel from North to South, taking many beautiful photos of the S-shaped country that he loves so much. If Cao Bang in the North captivated Benjamin, and the bustling city life of Ho Chi Minh City in the South provided him with endless inspiration, then Central Vietnam was something special that fate had once again arranged for him: "Central Vietnam has something magical that I feel deeply connected to. It has a perfect blend of tranquility and picturesque scenery, a dream for any photographer . And the warmth and kindness of the local people have left a lasting impression, making me consider Phu Yen my second home," Benjamin shared. Some of Benjamin's photos: