VietNamNet Bridge - Among thousands of portraits and landscapes shot in Vietnam, the favorite photo of French photographer Rehahn Croquevielle is a portrait of Bui Thi Xong, a boat rower in the historic town of Hoi An.

The portrait of Mrs. Xong by Rehahn.

Croquevielle, 36, from Normandy has become a familiar name in Vietnam. He is one of a few foreign photographers whose successful career is very close to Vietnam.

Thanks to the sincere love for the land and the people of Vietnam, photos about Vietnam by Rehahn have their own identity. 

In summer 2001, Rehahn traveled to Hoi An and met the old boat rower on the Hoai River. This accidental meeting changed the life of the 74-year old woman and the French photographer.

According to Rehahn, Xong was a poor and timid woman. When he raised his camera, Xong covered her face by her hands for shyness. That natural moment makes the picture especially appealing. Viewers pay attention to the hands and face with the timestamp of austerity and time, but the eyes still light up a smile.

Rehahn said he liked this photo the best among more than 50,000 pictures he took in Vietnam because it shows the joy and the confidence in life, even though the character’s life is surrounded by old age and poverty. 

The photo was used for the cover of Rehahn photo book “Hidden Smile". Rehahn said that this was "the most beautiful woman the world."

The French photographer promised that if the photo book was a success, he would buy a new boat for Xong. Only six months after the book was published, the “oldest photo model" in Hoi An appeared five times on television and was known by many people around the world. 

She has also become "a model" for many Vietnamese and foreign photographers but her portrait shot by Rehahn is still the most inspired work.

This picture has appeared in many travel publications in many countries.

Rehahn and Mrs. Xong

T. Van

Photo: Dan Tri