A visual documentary photo exhibition on the lives and loves of gay and lesbian people in Vietnam will be held for the first time at the Goethe Institute Hanoi.

The exhibition entitled “The Pink Choice” will display 45 photos by artist Maika from November 15 to December 2.

The photos provide an insight into the lives of lesbians and gay couples in Vietnam.

Maika focuses on living space, affectionate touches, and more importantly, the synchronised rhythm of lovers sharing their lives together.

The photographer will also meet gallery visitors at 6.30pm on November 17.

Photographer Nguyen Thanh Hai known as Maika Elan was born in 1986 in Hanoi.

She graduated from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi in 2008, and has worked as a freelance photographer since.

She has attended photography workshops and festivals in Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Bangladesh and won several prizes. In September her pictures were shown at the World Event Young Artist Festival in the British city of Nottingham.