New Life in Vietnam

[Comanche]

It is the rainy season in Central Việt Nam. In a countryside village in Quảng Trị Province, in a house along a muddy dirt path, a new life begins. Its an appropriate time because it is the beginning of the rice planting season – the new plants will grow as will a healthy new baby. This little two room house will now hold four generations.




Near the entrance to the house, a ten year-old watches the goings-on as friends and family come to visit his aunt’s new baby. He is a well behaved young man, and curious. He is content to wait near the family altar until called into the other room to see the newest child.



This is the mother’s first child. She is a well educated woman – a school teacher – and has looked forward to being a mother. She is allowed to rest and bond with her new baby in a corner of the kitchen area, curtained off from others. Dad is a health professional working in the local hospital. He seems to enjoy the idea of being a father.



I wish the new family well.



I used a Canon 30D with both an EF 17-40 f4 L and and an Ef-S 10-22 f 3.5 for these shots. It was very dark inside the house, so most shots were taken at ISO 1250. The only flash shot was of the mother cradling her new baby.

Sorry for the poor post-processing. My laptop monitor isn't calibrated so it was just guess work.

[bburton]

A most moving and human scene you've captured there. Thank you so much for sharing these.

[Glen_A]

Great pictures! I have never been there but have always been interested in going. I don't see any big screen Tv's or other signs of prosperity in the west but I do notice what appears to be an electric rice cooker in the third photo. That is probably a major luxury there that cost them dearly. How long did you get to visit there?

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by Glen_A

Great pictures! I have never been there but have always been interested in going. I don't see any big screen Tv's or other signs of prosperity in the west but I do notice what appears to be an electric rice cooker in the third photo. That is probably a major luxury there that cost them dearly. How long did you get to visit there?

Hi Glen - -

True enough, you won't see wide screen TVs in the countryside, but you will see lots of them in cities. I am sitting in a cafe and accessing the Internet on an 802.11G wireless network. Rice cookers are very common, and not all that expensive.

I am here finishing the second week of a three week trip. In case you are wondering, I used to live here. The new mother is a former student of another American teacher I used to work with, By the way - I have been posting other stories in the "City Life" section.

I have thought about putting together a photography tour of Vietnam if anyone is interested.

[DJ.]

Thanks for the wonderful images and touching story.

[Panther]

Howdy Doug,

What a wonderful insight into a different part of the World. The narrative and series really were very interesting and Hope the Young Couple and Son will have a long and prosperous life.

Thanks for sharing these.