Bringing international friends a comprehensive artistic perspective on Vietnam

Lao Dong Newspaper had a conversation with the "pink ball" of the Vietnamese photography playground about her journey to bring her beautiful photos to bring nature and Vietnamese people closer to friends around the world.

Khanh Phan worked as a bank manager for many years before coming to photography. Can you share about the decision and time of resignation to switch to full-time photography?

- When I quit my job at a restaurant bank, I had no direction in what I would do in photography. But when you truly love, passion will guide you. Although the work of a freelance photographer is not fixed, it is lucky that after quitting my job, I get to do what I love, take photos and travel many places.

At first, I was very hesitant to quit my job because 15 years in a banking job was too long. I'm used to being strict about time. Later, pursuing photography made things easier. There is no fixed time but sometimes we have to work twice as hard as usual. I think pursuing a career in photography requires a lot of health and determination.

How did Khanh Phan's journey to bring his photographic works to the world begin?

- I participate in photo contests and write articles, posting photos in world magazines. Each published photo is a story to tell. I think there is no need to be too fussy, express love naturally and express it through the language of photography, viewers will feel your love and that spirit.

How do you feel when Khanh Phan received an international award for the first time and stepped out into the world as a Vietnamese female photographer?

- The first time standing in Siena, Italy in 2019 to receive the Golden Globe Award for the photo Flower on the water, I thought: I can do it and that is also my fate with photography.

What topics do you often take to promote the image of Vietnam and why?

- I take pictures of tourism, landscapes and cultures of regions. For me, Vietnam is a special country, with a long history and unique culture, simple and hospitable people. I am proud to be born and raised with a passionate patriotic heart and to be able to express that love through photography to promote my homeland to the world.

Can Khanh Phan share about some of his photographic works that are most noticed by international friends?

- "Vay Hoa" is one of the photos that received valuable compliments from judges and international friends playing photography. It has created a trend and inspired international friends to come to Long An, Vietnam to take photos of guns. The work "Sky Pixel 2023" helped me win the Grand Prize in the world's largest aerial photography competition.

Or most recently, photos of the Central Highlands of Gia Lai have brought many international friends to Vietnam. For me, the culture, scenery, and people of Vietnam are so unique and attractive.

Through his photographic works, what kind of image does Khanh Phan hope to bring about Vietnam to international tourists?

- Nowadays, international friends are coming to Vietnam more and more, they come to experience the culture and take photos. I want to bring international friends beautiful and artistic perspectives of Vietnam - a beautiful and unique country.

For you, how does travel play a role in your photography journey?

- Discovering new lands is a miracle to me. When I traveled more, understood more, met more people, encountered moments that I had seen for the first time in my life... all fostered in me a soul passionate about nature and culture. One of those moments was when I saw children in Gia Lai dancing with gongs under the sunset. Their passion and proficiency really surprised me. The children carry the blood of a vibrant, strong and unique land. That day I had a lot of emotions to turn on the phone.

Having traveled to many regions of Vietnam to travel and create photography, which places left the most impression on Khanh Phan?

- Long An is the land where I have the most affection and passion. I love everything there, from the women of the Southwest with their gentleness, facility and friendliness to simple gunflowers. The concept of harvesting gunflowers is also a colorful and aesthetic setting. This is my favorite photo location.

How can Khanh Phan always keep his freshness when returning many times to compose photography in those lands?

- Emotion is a prerequisite for every push-up. Each person's perspective and emotions are different and for me, intimacy always gives special emotions. I am always meticulous and aesthetic in each frame and express my passion in each photo I make.

In 2025, Khanh Phan may reveal to readers of Lao Dong Newspaper, what new activities and trips are planned in the near future?

- I will go to Africa and take a photo shoot with another genre of photography that I want to try. However, my whole heart is still focused on Vietnam and there are many projects I am cherishing to implement. May it be revealed in the future!