Photographer Nguyễn Á (second from left) introduces photos from his book Chuyện Về Biển Đảo Quê Hương (Our Homeland’s Sea and Islands) to visitors at the book introduction in HCM City last week. — VNA/VNS Photo Hương Giang

HCM CITY — Photographer Nguyễn Á has introduced two new photobooks highlighting Việt Nam’s sea and islands, and UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage elements in HCM City.

Á, who is known for pictures of Vietnamese soldiers and heritage, spent 16 years traveling and exploring sea and islands, and cultural spaces in different regions across the country.

The first book, Chuyện Về Biển Đảo Quê Hương (Our Homeland’s Sea and Islands), tells stories of naval soldiers and officers on duty at five maritime zones and DK1 Rigs, and their love for the country’s sea and islands.

The photographer said the images of the sea and islands are a profound tribute to the soldiers who overcome harsh environmental conditions to stand guard day and night, protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Văn Lâm, former commander of the DK1/20 platform, hopes that the images of life on the platform will help people, especially youngsters, better understand the life, duties, and hardships of the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the other book, Những Di Sản Văn Hóa Phi Vật Thể Được UNESCO Vinh Danh (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Việt Nam), follows the photographer’s journey of honouring and promoting Vietnamese heritage.

The publication captures unique art forms, customs, practices, and traditional crafts that have existed and passed down through generations.

The work particularly highlights 17 UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage elements, such as nhã nhạc (royal court music), space of gong culture, ca trù (ceremonial singing), Gióng festival of Phù Ðông and Sóc temples in Hà Nội, worship of Hùng Kings in Phú Thọ Province, and the craft of pottery-making of Chăm people and Đông Hồ Folk woodblock printings.

Á hopes to contribute to preserving and spreading the distinctive values of the nation’s cultural heritage, fostering pride and love for the homeland, and raising awareness to protect heritage in the community, especially among younger generations.

Cultural researcher Trần Đình Sơn said that the collection features unique cultural traits that the public rarely sees firsthand.

The photographer emphasized that, “The most difficult part is editing, avoiding duplicating what my colleagues or I have already done. I put pressure on myself to find new angles and new ways of expressing things so that viewers can see what they have never seen before.”

Following the two new publications, Á has published eight books about Việt Nam’s seas and islands and intangible cultural heritage over 16 years.

He was recognised by the Vietnam Records Organization as the photographer who released multi-volume photo books and exhibitions on Việt Nam’s sea and islands and on UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage elements.

Á, who has 30 years of experience in photography, holds the EFIAP title granted by the International Federation of Photographic Art for excellent photographers.

He has published 27 books of his photos featuring the country’s historical events and culture, and people who devoted their lives to protecting the country.

His latest works include 50 Năm Sức Mạnh Việt Nam (50 Years of Việt Nam’s Strength) and Thành Phố Hòa Bình - Thành Phố Của Chúng Ta (The City of Peace – Our City), released last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025). — VNS