Located in the Southwest region, An Giang is not only attractive for its poetic natural scenery but also for its simple and gentle people. For Duong Viet Anh - a son of this land, An Giang is not only his hometown, but also an endless source of inspiration in the photos he takes. Through his lens, he tells the story of the nature, people and culture here in a vivid and emotional way.
The simple yet captivating beauty of the land where the gentle river embraces the immense rice fields
Love for homeland
Born and raised in An Giang, Duong Viet Anh is currently the Deputy Head of the Tourism Service Team of the Cam Mountain Tourist Area Management Board. Not only is he attached to his work at one of the most famous destinations in the West, he also has a special passion for landscape photography. "An Giang is not only my hometown, but also an endless source of inspiration. Every time I lift my camera, I want to capture the unique beauty of this land - from the vast rice fields, the gentle river to the majestic mountains," he shared.
Fields hazy in the mist
For him, each photo is not just a beautiful moment but also a way for him to preserve and tell the story of his birthplace. Sharing with Travellive reporter, Viet Anh said: "I always look for genuine and emotional moments... things that make An Giang very unique in my eyes. It could be the dawn dyeing the fields pink, the misty mist embracing the mountains, or the image of farmers busy in the rice fields."
When the sun gradually sets behind the cajuput trees, the water surface is dyed a brilliant orange-yellow color, captivating many travelers.
Memorable moments on top of Thien Cam Son
One of the photos that left the deepest impression in Viet Anh's photography journey is "Thien Cam Son - Western Fairyland". It was a morning in November 2019, when he was present at the center of Cam Mountain. At that time, the fog was so thick that people walking next to each other could not see each other's faces clearly. Viet Anh decided to use a flycam to observe from above, and when the device flew up about 200m, a spectacular scene appeared before his eyes: the entire center seemed to float in the middle of a sea of clouds, the gentle sunlight filtered through the thick fog creating a magical natural picture.
"In just a few short minutes, the scene appeared clearly before my eyes, so beautiful that I could only stand there admiring it. When I pressed the shutter, I understood that I had just captured a rare moment of nature," he recounted.
The calm lake surface reflects the sky and ancient temple roofs, creating a peaceful space on Cam Mountain.
An Giang - what is the most beautiful season?
When asked about the best time to explore An Giang, Viet Anh did not hesitate to share that the period from May to October is the most ideal. "May - June has the festival of Lady Chua Xu Nui Sam, attracting a large number of pilgrims. From June to August, the fruit gardens are ripe, a great time to explore the rich gardens of the West. In particular, September - October is the season of ripe rice, when the golden fields are interspersed with rows of green palm trees, which is also the time when the Seven Mountains bull racing festival of the Khmer people takes place," he said.
Besides, for those who love trekking and cloud hunting, the rainy season from June to August is the ideal time to climb Cam Mountain, where visitors can admire the sea of floating clouds every early morning.
The fields were covered with clouds and morning mist.
Unmissable experiences
According to Viet Anh, it would be a pity to come to An Giang without exploring the palmyra palm fields in the ripe rice season or trekking Cam Mountain to hunt for clouds. He described: "The rows of palmyra palm trees reflecting on the golden rice fields in Tri Ton and Tinh Bien create a picturesque scene. Standing on the top of Cam Mountain in the early morning, you will feel like you are lost in a fairyland, when clouds float under your feet and the dawn dyes the sky pink."
The towering palm trees are reflected against the deep blue sky, creating a unique mark of An Giang.
In addition, Viet Anh believes that one of the most valuable experiences is discovering the unique culture of the people here. "An Giang people are simple, gentle but also very open and hospitable. Whether Kinh, Khmer, Cham or Chinese, they all live together in harmony, creating a rich cultural identity that few places have. Their harmonious and open lifestyle always makes visitors feel close and want to come back," he shared.
Sell face to the ground, sell back to the sky...
Whether Khmer, Cham, Kinh or Chinese, the people here are all simple, gentle and hospitable.
Preserving the beauty of the homeland through the lens
For Viet Anh, taking photos of his hometown is not only a passion but also a way of telling stories. "Every photo I take carries a separate message, helping me share the beauty of An Giang with more people. It is also a way for me to express my love for my hometown, so that no matter how time passes, the landscapes, people and culture here will always be preserved and cherished," he confided.
And if anyone asks Viet Anh where he would take a friend who is visiting An Giang for the first time, his answer is always Cam Mountain. Not only is it the highest mountain in the West, it also has spectacular scenery, fresh air and impressive shooting angles.
Childhood is associated with rivers and fields
From May to October is the ideal time to explore An Giang
From the top of the mountain, visitors can take in a panoramic view of a large area, especially at dawn or dusk - when the light dyes the landscape golden, creating incredibly beautiful photos. In addition, Cam Mountain also has many interesting attractions such as Thuy Liem Lake, Van Linh Pagoda, giant Maitreya Buddha statue... bringing both natural and spiritual experiences typical of An Giang.
With its diverse natural beauty and the simple, peaceful lifestyle of its people, An Giang is an attractive destination for those who want to find a familiar yet exciting West.
Through his photos, Viet Anh has brought viewers a poetic perspective of An Giang. Not just a tourist destination, An Giang through his lens appears as a lyrical land, where nature and people blend together, creating a beautiful picture that everyone wants to visit at least once.
