In June, during his 37th visit to the country, the photojournalist sought to capture the mood of the country since China illegally placed its Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone.

After arriving in HCM City and Hanoi in mid-June, he visited Da Nang to talk with Hoang Sa (Paracel) fishermen about their daily lives and the stress they were experiencing offshore and on the mainland.

"During this time, I saw that the Vietnamese people have a spirit of solidarity that continues to be as strong as ever. I met several fishermen whose life is poor but they work hard," he said.

Yasufumi borrowed VND200 million (US$9,500) from his relatives to realise his wish of visiting Vietnam this time. He also spent his own money to set up the upcoming exhibition.

Yasufumi said that while planning his exhibition, his friend, a student at the Radio and Television Broadcasting College II in HCM City, introduced him to the school's principal.

Kim Ngoc Anh, principal of the college, said that the students, most of whom will work as journalists, could learn photographic techniques from Yasufumi.

The Japanese photographer also has plans to board Vietnamese Coast Guard boats operating in the sea near the Paracel Islands. Other local and international reporters are already reporting from the area.

"I want Japanese and the world to know about the illegal action of China in Vietnam," said.

The exhibition will be held from July 20-27 at the Radio and Television Broadcasting College II in HCM City's District 5 at 70 Tran Nhan Ton Street.

The Japanese freelancer first visited Vietnam in 1998, when he toured Japanese photojournalist Bunyo Ishikawa's photo exhibition at the War Remnants Museum.