Pagodas and temples showcased in new book
Vietnamese pagodas and temples in the northern, central and southern region captured through the lens of Nicolas Cornet tell the story of beautiful architecture and Vietnam’s worshiping culture.
The book “Vietnam Pagodas” by Nicolas Cornet (Photo: tinhte.vn)
In English and French, the 250-page “Vietnam Pagodas” is the outcome of the passionate trips he took to nearly 100 pagodas and temples over the last three years. He captured some 20,000 images of old pagodas and religious activities and festivals and displays them in five chapters.
The inspiration for the book came after visiting a restored pagoda in Phan Thiet in south-central Binh Thuan province. He realized that after each restoration the pagodas gradually lose their primary beauty. Since then, with his lens, he has travelled to many places in Vietnam to capture images of Vietnamese pagodas and temples as a way of preserving their historical and cultural values.
He also captured daily life in those sacred places to complete a photographic narration and demonstrate his attachment to the people and culture of Vietnam after more than 30 years of living in the country.
To coincide with its release he organized a photo exhibition entitled “Vietnam Pagodas - Legacy of Faith” at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, displaying 50 photos from the book. The exhibition runs until June 10.
“Vietnam Pagodas” is available at Nam Phong Book Shop, Tri Books, and Art Book in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 and will be released in Hanoi later this month.
Nicolas has worked for newspapers and magazines such as L’esporesso, Mare, Le Monde, D-La Repubblica, and Siette Leguas as well as on film crews and TV documentary teams. He has published six photo books on Vietnam and Southeast Asia and plans to release a new book on Vietnamese cuisine next year.
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