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| One of the photos taken by Bạch Nam Hải in Sa Pa Town, the northern mountain province of Lào Cai. Photo courtesy of the artist |
HCM CITY — Photographer Bạch Nam Hải charts years of changes to Sa Pa in his first solo exhibition at the central Vin Gallery.
The exhibition Trên Đỉnh Đổi Thay (Mountains of Change) features 68 works drawn from the documentary photo series of the same name, captured in the northern mountain province of Lào Cai’s Sa Pa Town from 2017 to 2024.
This is an important milestone in Hải’s career, showcasing his effort to move beyond the influence of renowned photographers and popular aesthetic trends, to boldly express his own narrative.
Although Sa Pa is familiar theme in Vietnamese photography, the aesthetics and content of the series by Hải embrace a simple and rustic approach, minimising visual effects to honour the story of life.
Hải arrived in Sa Pa in 2017 with a clear goal and plan, aiming to complete the photo shoot for his project in ten days.
However, after three weeks of wandering through the misty mountains, he realised that a larger story was calling out to be told. He returned to the city, filled with unnamed emotions and mixed thoughts, compelling him to revisit Sa Pa to continue this photo series and seek answers within himself.
“During my journey, I had the opportunity to immerse himself in the simplicity and beauty of the local people’s lives,” said Hải.
“At the same time, I observed how visitors from various places interact with nature and the community. This experience sparked many questions within me about philosophy, worldview and human values.
“After eight years of contemplation, working to compile everything into a cohesive body of work, I finally completed Mountains of Change last year.”
The documentary photo series depicts Sa Pa town from 2017 to 2024. In 2024, the area welcomed about 4.4 million tourists and is expected to see even larger numbers due to tourism promotion.
This polarisation – between traditional local lifestyles and large-scale tourism expansion – raises important questions about cultural exchange and sustainable development.
“Through the language of photography, I aim to share my observations and reflections, hoping to engage viewers and contribute to building a beautiful, sustainable future for Sa Pa as well as other regions in my homeland.”
At the exhibition viewers are treated to images of reality, captured in a neat and concise manner, akin to simple prose yet rich with emotional depth. It aims to evoke the viewers’ connection with the land, nature, people and culture of Sa Pa.
This connection seeks to inspire a deeper awareness of the events shaping surroundings issues that have a lasting and profound impact on people and everyday life. In an era of information overload, these vital matters can sometimes be overshadowed or forgotten amid the constant barrage of trends and distractions, said the gallery.
The exhibition will run until April 28 at 35/8 Nguyễn Văn Đậu, Bình Thạnh District, HCM City from 10am to 5pm. — VNS
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