Vietnam a 'muse' to French photographer
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 20:38 GMT+7
On his final day in Phu Yen Province in early July, French national Benjamin Tortorelli woke up at 3:30 am to make his way down to Mui Dien Cape to catch the sunrise from Vietnam’s easternmost point.
From the cape’s Dai Lanh lighthouse, Tortorelli launched a drone to capture, as he called it, “the kaleidoscope of colors that painted the heaven above.”
“Time stood still as I gazed at the live feed from my drone, the scene unfolding before my eyes like a dream,” Tortorelli captioned a photo of the sunrise for the 9,000 followers on his Instagram page @with.b3n.
“In that peaceful moment, gratitude filled my heart for the privilege of being present in that awe-inspiring morning."
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| A photo taken by Benjamin Tortorelli of Mui Dien lighthouse in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam. |
That July sunrise was not the first photograph Tortorelli had taken in Phu Yen.
In fact, the 35-year-old photographer’s Instagram is filled with photos of Phu Yen favorites he has taken during his seven trips to the province, including snapshots of the Tuyet Diem salt fields and O Loan Lagoon.
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| A bird's-eye view taken by Benjamin Tortorelli of farmers working on a salt field in Tuyet Diem salt village, Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam. |
A new journey
Tortorelli made his first visit to Vietnam 12 years ago as part of an internship program connected to his master’s degree in international business.
“During my search [for an internship], two enticing options emerged – one in the U.S. and another in Vietnam,” he recounted.
“Although my heart leaned toward the U.S., I realized that going to Vietnam would offer me a chance to experience the wonders of Asia.”
While Tortorelli knew spending time in Vietnam would be exciting, he did not realize it would have such a profound effect on him that he would wind up accepting a full-time offer for a marketing manager position in Vietnam following his internship.
“I was drawn to the vibrant energy of Vietnam, its incredible culture, and the warmth of its people. Without a second thought, I embraced this new chapter and decided to call Vietnam my home,” he said.
“Since then, Vietnam has become more than just a place of work, it's a place I hold dear to my heart. It’s where I found my sense of belonging.”
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| A supplied photo of Benjamin Tortorelli |
Vietnam from above
When he is not working, Tortorelli is busy honing his photography skills, particularly drone photography – a hobby he picked up just a few years back.
The photographer said that flying a drone allowed him “to see Vietnam's landscapes from extraordinary vantage points that would have been inaccessible otherwise.”
“Vietnam has become my ultimate muse, and capturing the beauty of this remarkable country has been an incredibly fulfilling experience,” he admitted.
“Each frame tells a story of the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm-hearted people that make Vietnam so special to me.”
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| A bird's-eye photo taken by Benjamin Tortorelli of Con Dao Island, southern Vietnam. |
Tortorelli’s love for Vietnam is so apparent in his photos that it even shines through on his Instagram page, with dozens of Vietnamese commenting on each photo how special it is to see their country’s beauty from the perspective of a Westerner.
“It's an honor to be able to share the genuine beauty of Vietnam in such a way that resonates in the hearts of those who call it home,” Tortorelli said.
Even commenters from outside Vietnam have shared that his photos have inspired them to discover hidden gems during their own travels.
For some, Tortorelli’s photos serve as a virtual portal to Vietnam which allows his followers to explore and connect with a land they may not be intimately familiar with.
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| A photo by Benjamin Tortorelli capturing Tan Dinh Church in Ho Chi Minh City at night |
During his travels, Tortorelli has visited cities across Vietnam, snapping hundreds of photos along the way.
Some of his most memorable experiences have been visiting northern Vietnam’s Cao Bang Province, being ‘stuck’ in central Vietnam for six months during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the daily hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.
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| A photo of Trung Khanh District in Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam by Benjamin Tortorelli |
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| A photo by Benjamin Tortorelli capturing Nhon Hai Village in Quy Nhon City under Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam |
His favorite region of Vietnam, however, is the central part.
“There's something magical about the central region that resonates with me deeply,” he said.
“It offers a perfect blend of serenity and picturesque landscapes, making it a dream for any photographer.
“The warmth and kindness of the locals have left an everlasting impression, and I consider Phu Yen my second home.”
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| A bird's-eye view taken by Benjamin Tortorelli of farmers catching fish in Yen Islet, Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam |
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| A photo by Benjamin Tortorelli of Vuc Hom waterfall in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam |
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| A bird's-eye photo taken by Benjamin Tortorelli of farmers drying chilies in Quy Nhon City under Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam |
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