Photographer Réhahn, renowned for his portraits of Vietnam, Cuba and India, has opened a new gallery in Ho Chi Minh City to showcase his favorite artworks from the last five years.

The Couleurs d'Asie (Colors of Asia) - Saigon exhibition space on Dong Khoi Street, District 1 is the French photographer’s second gallery in Vietnam, adding to his first gallery in the country, Couleurs d'Asie (Colors of Asia) - Hoi An, located in the central city of Hoi An.

More than 1,500 people, both local and international, visited the Couleurs d'Asie gallery during the inauguration on Saturday, with Réhahn busily sharing stories behind his photos, signing postcards and taking selfies with the visitors.

Couleurs d'Asie - Saigon showcases the 38-year old's most-loved pictures taken across Vietnam over the last five years, in addition to some favorite shots he has taken in Cuba, India and Malaysia.

Réhahn has dedicated a section of his gallery to showcasing limited editions of his photos, printed on premium metallic paper, in France.

Visitors told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that they were mesmerized by the exquisite photos on display, saying that the French artist had successfully captured the ‘Vietnamese spirit’ in his photos, especially the portraits of local children and the elderly.

Réhahn (C) talks to visitors. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

“Every photo by Réhahn has a soul which I can see in the eyes of the person being portrayed,” Pham Van Trang, a 63-year-old visitor from the neighboring province of Binh Duong, told Tuoi Tre.

Among visitors on the opening day were members of the local photography community.

“All the photos here are exquisite, as they are full of emotion,” Vo Nhat Truong, a senior student and three-year amateur photographer, said.

Another local photographer Nguyen Ba Han hailed Réhahn for using a ‘sensitive heart’ whenever he snapped the shutter, meaning “every one of his photos has a soul.”

One foreign visitor, American national Lissa La Londe, said that Réhahn’s photos are reminiscent of her own trips to several parts of Vietnam.

“I feel like I’m able to revisit those places just by looking at those photos,” she said.

La Londe bought two postcards featuring an elderly Vietnamese couple, hoping that “[she] and [her husband] would be just as happy when [they] grow old.”

Below are some of Réhahn's photos on display at his gallery in Ho Chi Minh City:

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