Some beautiful images of Vietnam and its people have been taken by Chinese photographer Don Hong-Oai.

Don Hong-Oai, born in 1929 in Guangdong Province, moved to Vietnam when he was seven years old.

When he was young, he lived in former Saigon and worked at a photography studio. He used to travel across Vietnam taking photos. He experienced the wars against the French and US and moved to California in the US in 1979. Don has returned to China and Vietnam to take new photographs.

Don used a very special technique that appears to combine Western photography and Oriental water-colour painting art in his photos. His photos are black and white and include Chinese painting details such as birds, boats and mountains.

Don Hong-Oai had won many photographic competitions in Asia, including those held by Kodak and Nikon. He is considered among some of the most famous artists in this special photography genre.

His works have been displayed in several countries. Don passed away in June 2004.

Water-colour originated from China, and involved Chinese ink used for drawing on paper or silk. This art developed along with Chinese calligraphy. The major topics of the paintings are trees, flowers and people.

Some of his photos about Vietnam:

A small boat

On the river

On the way to the market

 
A fisherman and his net

 Sand and wind

Upstream

After praying

Fields

Birds

Herdsmen

Grazing buffalo

A little ferry boat

Storks