More than 70% of the earth's surface is covered by oceans. But humans have discovered only a very small part of what is hidden deep in the sea. 

For Thien, the ocean always appears full of mystery. Every trip on the ocean always is an exciting adventure, full of new surprises but equally suspenseful and risky.

Thien recently won the National Award Winner of the world's largest and most prestigious photo contest Sony World Photography Awards 2023, titled "Turtle Dream".

“I was inspired by The Blue Planet – a British documentary series about the ocean world and marine life led by naturalist Sir David Attenborough. Since then, I have had the desire to record the diverse beauty of the world in the ocean, find a new inspiration for myself and bring a new breath of life to the Vietnamese photography community with this difficult genre of photography,” Thien said.

After five years of pursuing underwater photography and having the opportunity to dive in many seas in Vietnam as well as the world, Thien has taken thousands of photos of the underwater world. 

One of Thien's favorite marine species is the sea turtle, considered "living fossils of the ocean" as their ancestors were present on earth hundreds of millions of years ago.

For wild, large sea creatures, it is difficult to take pictures in the marine environment of Vietnam because they are shy and swim very fast. Meanwhile, in foreign waters, which are well-preserved, marine species are bold and can be accessed more easily.

To take photos of sea creatures, Thien needs a lot of knowledge, planning, skills, equipment and luck as the weather and wildlife are unpredictable, and uncontrollable factors can change at any time. 

In addition to heavy diving equipment and breathing apparatus, Thien has to carry recording equipment weighing more than 10kg. 

Ancient To Vo Gate in Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai is one of the wonders under the sea. Located at a depth of about 15 -17m, this is where cold water flows below, which is dangerous for divers.

For Thien, photography helps him convey to the community the message of a sustainable lifestyle with nature. 

“I hope my photos can help attract more people's attention, and at the same time, raise awareness about a lifestyle that is in balance with nature in a symbiotic relationship without harming the ecosystem of the earth, especially marine ecosystems,” he said.

The next goal of Thien is to dive and film one of the most mysterious and magnificent sharks in the ocean - the Thresher shark in the waters of Malapascua, Philippines and the Humpback whale in the waters of French Polynesia in the South Pacific.

Thuy Chi