Veterans

The historical day 30.4.1975 when the country was absolutely united, I was only 4 years old and had no notetion of war, although my parents still remembered exactly evacuated days when American empire raided Ha Noi Capital – Vietnam in December 1972. Grown up, I took notice that every occasion of memory the great national holidays I was met again legendary generals through books, newspapers, TV, listened them telling again their battle reminicences . And I’m curious to discover about their life at time of peace. How is general’s retirement life ? How are their relationships with family, friends and former teammates? Aftershocks war affect their current life like? They are concerned about the hot issues of the country does not? Project of photography “War commander at peacetime” is come out by that ideas. Choice is very difficult because how to choose the typical war commanders who contributed great in battle , and represented for many different arms . Next, to persuade generals so that they agreed to take a photo is very difficult because they wouldn’t like to appear in front of public in normal life , avoiding unnecessary “criticism”. And the more exposure to the war commanders, the more I want to go deeper into their inner life, the secrets they keep ... How do they face to their disease, with death imminent.? Are there similarities between the image of a hero on the battlefield and 80- year-old old man is lying to face a wall in the storm sick? My series “Veterans” is a part of “War commander at peace time” with images of five generals: Nguyễn Quốc Thước, Nguyễn Văn Tình, Nguyễn Hồng Nhị, Nguyễn Đức Huy, Đỗ Văn Phúc.

Cultural Bachelor degree in 1996. Trained by famous photographer as James Natchwey, Gary Knight, Tim Page, Steve Northup, Gaby Sommer…in workshop of IMMF (Indochinal Memory Media Found). Currenly work as special reporter for Lao Động newspaper (one of the biggest newspapers in Viet Nam). 10 solo exhibions and over 30 group exhibitions (USA, UK, France, Italia, Grecee,Spain, Urugoay, Argentina, Singapore, Rumania,Thailand…), 6 books released. Refrence at: http://actuphoto.com/27309-le-photographe-viet-van-tran-raconte-son-art-au-vietnam.html