Photographer and entrepreneur Viết Anh Mạnh, the founder of Vùng Cao Phototour, believes that "beauty isn’t always about external glamour…" This unique form of tourism, which combines travel and photography, not only creates a community for enthusiasts of both but also helps promote Vietnam’s boundless beauty through inspiring imagery.
A passion fueled by photography
Contrary to the rugged and edgy image often associated with photographers, Viết Anh Mạnh is known for his modest and reserved demeanor. Yet, whenever he speaks about photography, his profound passion clearly shines through.
He discovered his love for photography early on, though it wasn’t until four years after graduating from the Faculty of Graphic Design at the University of Industrial Fine Arts that he purchased his first professional camera, a Canon 30D - one of the most powerful models available in 2006.
Photographer and entrepreneur Viet Anh Manh
For nearly 20 years, Mạnh has built a reputation as a skilled photographer, earning both domestic and international recognition. His accolades include:
- 2nd Prize, Tuổi trẻ Newspaper Photography Contest (2015)
- 2nd Prize, Hanoi Street Photography Contest (2017)
- 2nd Prize, Lào Cai Beautiful Photo Contest (2017)
- Merit Award, International "Proud of Hanoi" Photo Contest (2019)
- 3rd Prize, Lâm Bình Photo Contest (Na Hang, Tuyên Quang, 2020)
- Bronze Medal, International Environmental Photography Contest (France, 2018)
- Silver Medal, International Photo Contest by Gia Định Photography Club (2019), supported by FIAP, PSA, and ISF.
To ensure a steady source of editorial photos, Mạnh pitched an idea to create a self-sustaining photo library. With approval granted, he began roaming the outskirts of Hanoi and neighboring provinces to capture images for publishing purposes, an effort that excited his creative motivations.
Capturing the soul of Vietnam
Mạnh’s photography carries the viewer through challenging mountain paths to breathtaking natural canvases - a reflection of mountain landscapes mirrored on water, golden fields of ripe rice, a solitary house perched on a slope, or a lone tree amidst cascading terraced fields. Those serene, rustic moments of highland life capture a genuine emotional resonance.
He is also recognized by peers as a "living encyclopedia" of Vietnam’s highlands, particularly Hà Giang and Tuyên Quang - understanding each locale's distinct features, seasonal blooms, and cultural festivals. As he says:
“The highlands are beautiful year-round: spring brings peach and plum blossoms; summer reveals terraces filled with water; autumn turns the fields into golden carpets; year-end shows wild buckwheat's fascinating modest hues. The true essence of the highlands isn't in flashy appearances, but in their rustic simplicity…”
Spreading Vietnam’s beauty through phototours
Beyond creating evocative visual art, Mạnh strives to share Vietnam’s landscapes and heritage widely. His Vùng Cao Phototour (operating under Nhật Anh Media) provides a fresh creative platform for photography and travel enthusiasts. In a short time, it has drawn participants from Ho Chi Minh City, Cần Thơ, Gia Lai, and beyond, exploring regions from the East and Northwest to Sơn La, Lào Cai, Cao Bằng, and into central areas like Nghệ An and Thanh Hóa.
With his expertise, the phototour offers more than just destinations - it includes insights into local culture, cuisine, traditions, logistics, accommodation, and even styling support. Participants not only capture beautiful images but grow their photography skills and storytelling abilities.
Photo by Viet Anh Manh
According to Mạnh, achieving a perfect shot is no casual feat; it requires patience, preparation, and weather. Take the cloud sea of Y Tý, for example: you must book a nearby homestay and set off at 3 a.m. to reach an optimal vantage point. He emphasizes that without deep passion, enduring early-morning frost and heavy mist under such conditions would be nearly impossible.
Even urban scenes present challenges: capturing the right composition, lighting, and atmosphere in a simple village by dividing moments into “golden hour” and human activity demands substantial local immersion and patience.
“Pressing the shutter is an unspoken art - every photo carries its own emotion. That moment of release makes your heart soar. It's a joy that only artists truly understand. Achieving that single frame can involve hardship, exhaustion, and risk,” Mạnh reflects.
A vision for Vietnamese tourism and cultural sharing
Viết Anh Mạnh sees his work contributing to Vietnam’s tourism growth - and proudly so. Through his photography, he helps share Vietnam's cultural and scenic depth with international audiences. “Vùng Cao Phototour” commits to further amplifying these images across global travel platforms.
