Vietnam Moment

This photo essay collection presents the beauty and wisdom of the Vietnamese nation and people. The photos break from the war-torn image of Vietnam to allow readers to feel the human beauty of a people maintaining their ancient traditions amidst natural splendor, their patience and determination developed over a winding history, and the affirmation and bravery of a people who have never given up hope.

The 113 photos in “Vietnam Moment,” taken by Korean-American writer and photojournalist Brenda Paik Sunoo during her stay in Vietnam from 2002 to 2008, perfectly convey her knowledge of and affection for the Vietnamese people. Accompanying the photos are folk poems, sayings, and proverbs collected by Paik Sunoo and Vietnam National University English lecturer Ton Thi Thu Nguyet.

In order to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation between Korea, Vietnam and the United States, which share an intertwined history, the photo essay collection is printed in three languages—Korean, Vietnamese and English.