Local dry coconut fiber in Ben Tre Province, now part of Vinh Long Province, in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Photo: Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa
The photos in the series titled 'Ben Tre - Nguoi va Dat (Ben Tre - People and Land)' were taken in late June during Khoa’s two-day stay in Ben Tre Province, now merged to be part of the new Vinh Long Province, after he finished his business trip in the Mekong Delta region.
Khoa spent time visiting several well-known local destinations and coconut-processing villages to document life in the locality, which is shaped by three large islets: Minh, Bao, and An Hoa.
Despite it being his first visit to Ben Tre, Khoa managed to capture a wide range of moments that reflect the region’s charm and the warmth of its people.
Each photo acts as a cultural snapshot, highlighting the unique traits of the Mekong Delta and Ben Tre in particular.
They capture everything from joyful elderly locals with grandchildren, carefree children playing in vegetable fields, to people trading coconuts, drying coconut fibers, and collecting straw after harvest.
The Thom River flows heavily with silt, nourishing the land it passes through. Photo: Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa
His lens also frames the endless coconut groves surrounding villages, as well as the rivers carrying silt-laden waters.
For people from other parts of Vietnam, Ben Tre appears serene, peaceful, and picturesque in Khoa’s photos.
For locals living far from home, these images bring back memories and offer a comforting look at familiar places and faces through his creative lens, gently easing their longing for their hometown.
Kids’ innocent smiles bring life to the rustic surroundings. Photo: Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa
An elderly woman smiles with joy.
The photo series received heartfelt praise on social media, with viewers expressing deep affection for Ben Tre and gratitude for how the images captured its beauty, warmth, and lasting memories.
“The people of Ben Tre always wear a smile, even with hands roughened by years of sun and labor,” Khoa shared.
“Life is unhurried here.
“People are quiet but resilient like the coconut trees that bend with the storm but stay sweet through long, dry days.
“I stayed for only two days, but Ben Tre’s warmth never fades.”
Below are photos capturing Ben Tre through the lens of Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa:
A local dries coconut fiber in Ben Tre Province, now part of Vinh Long Province, in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.
Coir thread production in progress
An aerial view reveals the winding beauty of the Thom River.
A quiet corner of the countryside offers a glimpse into the peaceful rural life of Ben Tre.
Kitchen smoke rises gently over the coconut land, evoking a sense of home.
Local farmers carefully tend to lush green garlic chives fields.
A scene of straw being transported at a riverside dock
A scene of straw being transported at a riverside dock
A farmer smiles with satisfaction after a fruitful harvest season.
A workshop produces boat propellers.
Finished boat propellers are lined up, ready to power the next journey.
Coconuts are traded at a busy riverside dock.
Coconuts are peeled for processing.
A familiar riverside view brings back cherished childhood memories.
An aerial view shows endless coconut groves spreading across the land.
Ben Tre, the hometown that lives in the hearts of its people no matter where they go
Hoai Phuong - Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/picturesque-photo-series-of-ben-tre-by-ho-chi-minh-city-photographer-103250707143824529.htm