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“Smiles are free” – Thien Minh's most expensive exhibition
The exhibition brings together 80 portraits – more than 80 pieces of a simple but never old concept called happiness.Too Happy To Tellexploiting the enduring beauty of smiles – the purest expression of everyday happiness. From street vendors, knife sharpeners, fishermen to farmers… each character steps into the center of the frame, so that the everyday happiness of ordinary yet extraordinary working people shines through.
Photographer Vuong Thien Minh
The exhibition brings together 80 portraits – more than 80 pieces of a simple but never old concept called happiness.
Through the original frames, viewers are invited to contemplate existence and realize: happiness has countless forms, sometimes just a smile is enough to become an invisible bridge connecting people together. Photographer Thien Minh has collected priceless smiles to depict an emotional Vietnamese life, while quietly preserving a humane and lasting visual heritage.
The works were selected from more than 180 completed photos. The male photographer plans to continue capturing the moments of thousands of other smiles to one day compile into his own photo book. With a minimalist and contemporary spirit,Too Happy To TellBringing viewers closer to the emotions, where positivity shines from ordinary yet extraordinary people.
From knife sharpeners, fishermen, farmers to street vendors, every character becomes the center of photographer Thien Minh's lens.
Thien Minh not only captures a moment, but also preserves the humanistic beauty of life - where happiness is sometimes just wrapped up in a bright smile.
For more than a decade, Thien Minh has been present in many roles: fashion photographer, creative director, visual artist. Recently, he has become more widely known to the public when participating in the program Anh Trai Vuot Ngan Chong Gai. Although he has been successful in many different directions, for him, photography is still the root. The camera has always been the most steadfast support, where he devotes all his heart to portraying portraits filled with both character and humanity.
After the debut exhibition Hoa Mat (2023),Too Happy To Tellcontinues to be a new milestone, affirming his concept: "When dedicated to work and enthusiastic with optimism, anyone can become their own hero."
More than photography: An inner dialogue
Too Happy To Tellnot only a portrait exhibition but also an inner dialogue, where Thien Minh wants to emphasize that happiness does not come from luxury but from simple, everyday moments. And the true meaning lies in each step, not in the destination.
Travellive had a short conversation with photographer Vuong Thien Minh:
PV: When entering the exhibition, there is a smile and at the end of the last room is the question: "If you are happy, smile". Why did you choose a smile as the starting point and the ending point? What does a smile mean to you?
NAG Vuong Thien Minh:I think smiles are a catalyst, as well as a consistent material that people can see from the beginning of the exhibition until the end. For me, happiness is priceless, even priceless. Everyone has their own concept of happiness, everyone has something to share with those around them: friends, relatives and this life.
A smile is a very precious thing to me, but it costs nothing. So why don’t we smile first, make ourselves happy, and then spread it to everyone around us? That is the most positive thing we can give every day.
Too Happy To Tell is not just a portrait exhibition but also an inner dialogue
Maybe for many people, happiness is something simple, it does not need too many reasons or conditions. And everyone has a reason to be happy. If you are still looking for that, try coming to this exhibition, looking at the very ordinary but extraordinary moments in life.Too Happy To Tell...Who knows, you might see yourself in it.
PV: Many visitors were moved to tears when looking at the works. What do you think touched their emotions in the photos?
NAG Vuong Thien Minh:There are moments in life that we rush through. But when we slow down, we will realize that there are things that connect us, open up empathy and urge us to share more. Each of us has a value in this life. It can be with others, or simply with ourselves. Every day we wake up is another opportunity to live, choose how to live and find a reason to be happy.
I created this exhibition first and foremost for myself – the first audience and the one who is most inspired. I believe that there is a “seed” in everyone and when watered with faith and love, it will blossom into something beautiful.
PV: During the project implementation, what image or moment do you remember most?
NAG Vuong Thien Minh:Honestly, behind each character, each photo has a very special story. So I will not choose which story is the best, because each person leaves me valuable lessons from the simplest things.
I would like to thank all the people, without needing to be named, who are present in this exhibition. Just one smile from someone, one fleeting moment of happiness, is already very valuable to me. Because your happiness cannot be compared to mine. My smile is not more or less beautiful than anyone else's... When you are truly happy, only you can feel it completely.
I am lucky to be an artist, a photographer, so I am more sensitive to emotions. I just hope to be able to collect the happiness of people around me and from there create an exhibition. Somewhere, in each photo, I also see myself. Some people have looked at the photos and said they saw their own journey of growing up and maturing. There are some beautiful memories that are recalled and that is what makes me feel like I am doing the right thing.
PV: After 4 years of pursuing this project, what keeps you motivated?
NAG Vuong Thien Minh:I think the creator of this exhibition - that is me - should also thank myself. Because the journey was not short and not easy. I am grateful to myself for persevering to the end, keeping the belief that this project will spread something, not only to those who care about me, about the exhibition...
To make others happy, you must first be happy yourself. I hope that those who come to the exhibition, even if it is just for a moment, will bring back a little joy, a little peace and then who knows, they will continue to spread that to those around them.
You have come to the end of the journey
But in reality, no trip ever really ends.
Hopefully some small joy has found its way to you, as gently as it was given...
Within the framework of the exhibitionToo Happy To Tell, Art Talk & Photo Tour sessions led by photographer Thien Minh, limited number of participants. This is an opportunity to discover the story behind each photo and the concept of simple happiness through smiles. All participation fees are donated to the Vietnam Fatherland Front to support people affected by storms and floods.
Too Happy To Tellby photographer Thien Minh takes place through October 4, 2025 at City Exhibition Hall, 92 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
You've come to the end of your journey But in reality, no journey ever really ends...
