“In 2015, I set a goal to turn my stock portfolio into a source of income. Although I was told that it was almost impossible to achieve in six months, I decided to try it out. The first stock images that brought me real profit were photos that documented a scientific experiment. I researched forest fires and methods of fighting them,” Dima Gilitukha told us about his first steps in stock photography.
Dima spent 210 winter days in Asia, including one month in Vietnam. His path ran from southern to northern Vietnam.
The photographer did not attempt to capture his travels in a particular genre. Here's what he has to say about his creative method: “My content is closer to travel photography, but I don't usually focus on the rules of a particular photography genre. I just capture the life around me, so I equally love shooting landscapes, portraits, and architectural details.”
During several months of work at one of Kyiv’s universities, the photographer realized that he needed to add more creativity to his life, so he planned a trip to Asia. After covering more than 7 thousand kilometers by plane, he realized this was exactly what he needed.
“Imagine a courtyard with a wooden house, a teak alley, and a garden with bananas, coconuts, and cardamom. That’s where we stayed on the very first days of our trip. The room was similar to old-fashioned movies: a big fan on the ceiling and colorful walls. So, here we were, in the middle of Asia, at a place where you could expand your consciousness,” Dima said.
The photographer admits that he didn’t choose the best time to visit Vietnam. In the wintertime, world-famous rice fields in the rocky north look lifeless. Even Cat Ba Island in Ha Long Bay, which is one of the natural wonders protected by UNESCO, was a little ominous. But the bay was framed by high, picturesque rocks, and the water was absolutely clear.
However, unfavorable weather conditions did not prevent Dima from falling in love with Vietnam: “Vietnam is a magnificent country. Anyone will find something to enjoy: the world’s largest caves, the beautiful Ha Long Bay, tiny colorful villages, Vietnamese coffee, mountains, or the sea.”
Dima looked for opportunities to observe modern Vietnamese life, and he often found them. In the Mekong Delta, he visited unique floating settlements and interacted with locals. They spend most of their life on the water and swim daily, regardless of the season.
Photos taken at the world-famous Cai Rang market are among Dima’s favorites: “These images convey certain values. They argue that the joy of life is not always about material things.”
The residents of Vietnam’s capital made the best impression on the photographer. Every morning, he watched them start their day with group morning exercises. Street food and coffee with condensed milk are also an integral part of the modern Vietnamese lifestyle.
This is how Dima describes people on the streets of a typical Vietnamese city: “A non la (palm-leaf cone hat) is a mandatory item of clothing for saleswomen. In Vietnam, they do not like tanning and often hide their faces under their hats. In 30-degree heat, some people on the streets wear knitted sweaters, long pants, and even gloves!”
Dima managed to establish the warmest relationships in northern Vietnam. According to him, the local population speaks English better and is more inclined to communicate with foreigners.
Eventually, the photographer spent several days in the mountain village of Sapa: “I got to experience living in a traditional hut. We had no artificial lighting and cooked our meals on bonfires. I once asked a local woman who hosted us what happiness meant to her. She said that happiness was lush rice fields and healthy children.”
In northern Vietnam, the photographer was impressed by the beauty of local landscapes and the ethnic diversity of the region. Dima managed to visit a unique market called Can Cau, where all mountain tribes from China and Vietnam gather once a month, on Saturdays.
“People from Black Hmong and Red Dzao tribes speak different languages, but live in neighboring highland villages where they build similar huts without windows. Local women are mainly engaged in handcrafts, and the men grow rice”, Dima told us.
Another must-visit for photographers is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. There are hundreds of caves in this area, and it’s home to the world's largest cave, Hang Son Doong. Dima couldn’t contain his emotion when he talked about the national park: “About ten large caves were open to visitors. They resemble incredible underground tunnels.”
For Dima, a month in Vietnam became the beginning of his travel photography journey: “Vietnam is an authentic communist country, but there are many facilities for tourists. For example, they have an advanced transport system. The country also offers many great places to stop at, and you can find unique and inexpensive street food. Vietnam has developed technology, but at the same time, locals respect traditions, wear traditional clothing, and dedicate their lives to traditional crafts. Vietnam is worth visiting if you enjoy exploring cultures and landscapes.”
