Ladakh's Emerald Beauty: Réhahn's Portraits Beyond Time and Space

Known as the photographer who "captures the soul in portraits," Réhahn is ranked as the second most popular French photographer on the internet. With travels to over 35 countries, his portraits of Vietnam, the heart of the Himalayas, and Cuba have gained global recognition. Some of his works have been featured in *Time* magazine and *National Geographic*. He has published photography collections including *Vietnam, Mosaic of Contrasts*, *100 Iconic Portraits*, and *Precious Heritage*.

Deeply concerned with the human condition, Réhahn promotes the "Giving Back Project", a program through which he directly supports children from impoverished communities by funding their education and encouraging local culture. Apart from that, he is a businessman who owns several galleries and museums in Vietnam, and he founded the Precious Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the "disappearing cultural heritage" of ethnic minority groups.

Before capturing an image, I always devote considerable time to building rapport with the people I photograph. I engage directly with them and hear their stories; if they were not there, my photographs would not be possible. The variety of human character is what motivates my artistic work, and I see photography as the greatest avenue for making friends. In essence, my photography is 'people-centered.' As for him, he is among a small set of photographers worldwide who use their art as a means to mitigate human suffering. His humanitarian efforts include providing financial support to Vietnamese girls.

Since 2007, I have supported the schooling of a Vietnamese girl through the NGO "Les Enfants du Vietnam." My first trip to Hoi An was to meet her, and we spent four days together. Despite language barriers, we shared meals and daily routines, and a real bond formed between us. At one point she asked if I would return to see them again, and I answered yes. Nine months later I went back and stayed with her for 15 days, and she felt as easy to be with as our own daughter. From that year onward, I have come here annually.

Hidden Smile: In 2011, my life and career changed direction when I met Bui Thi Xong. This 72-year-old boat captain had spent her entire life drifting along the rivers of Hoi An. When I asked if I could photograph her, she grinned and placed her hand over her mouth. Earlier, my wife and I had moved to Hoi An, Vietnam, in order to stay close to the children I sponsored. Around that same time, I began using my camera to explore this beautiful country.

In my view, this image captures the real Vietnam—where old age meets happiness and humility coexists with humor. That "Hidden Smile" has gone on to become the defining photograph of my career, published around the world and regarded among the most recognizable depictions of contemporary Vietnam. For me, respect has always been the foundation of a good photograph. I would never photograph someone unwilling to be photographed. When I approach people, my intention is to connect with them, not to imagine their faces on a gallery wall.

In 2014, I encountered An Phuoc, a 7-year-old Cham girl with blue eyes. Her family was initially unenthusiastic about my photography, so I set my camera aside and focused on earning their trust through conversation. We exchanged stories about our lives and discussed their culture. What began as a chance meeting grew into a close bond between me and her family. This approach to connecting with people has brought me some of my dearest friends. Blue Eyes and the Giving Back Project

As a portrait photographer, I build respectful relationships with my subjects by giving back—through time and respect, not just money. That’s how my "Giving Back Project" officially started. During our time together, I learned that Sapa, An Phuoc's older sister, wanted to become a photographer, so I bought her a camera. For her family, I also got a cow, and for the girls, bicycles. Three times a year, I visit them, and sometimes I invite them to my home in Hoi An.

Founding the Precious Heritage Museum – I never would have thought, before arriving in Vietnam, that a single nation could encompass so many languages, traditions, and unique cultural identities. It is only fair that a person whose photo brings us some benefit should receive compensation. In travel photography, however, a gentle smile or a few spoken words can usually turn the encounter into something warm and sincere.

After nearly a decade, my personal passion led me to found the “Precious Heritage Project.” Through this initiative, I have encountered firsthand the intricate diversity of local ethnic communities and their cultural heritage in crafts, fabric dyeing, music, and art. The more I learned about these tribal groups, the more I understood how quickly cultural heritage can disappear—and how vital it is to make an effort to preserve its most valuable aspects.

The Precious Heritage Museum, founded by me in 2016, covers more than 500 square meters and houses artifacts and portrait narratives from 54 ethnic groups. It stands as the world’s only cultural museum where photographs and handicrafts representing all of Vietnam’s ethnicities are exhibited. Among the photos on display, "Best Friends" features a six-year-old girl praying in front of an elephant, reflecting the harmonious bond between the M’nong tribe and animals.

Documenting Vietnam’s people over the past decade has inspired me to travel the world in search of varied human stories—from the Vietnamese highlands to Malaysian seas, from Cuba to the Himalayas’ heart. Many artisanal techniques and traditions are gradually disappearing, which is why the museum seeks to preserve their cultural heritage in a respectful way. Looking deeply into a stranger’s eyes and imagining the journeys they’ve taken has let me experience so many emotions.

Tucked between the Himalayan mountains and the Tibetan border, the Ladakh region resembles a green jewel, and I visited it in 2018. Often referred to as a modern-day Shangri-La, this mysterious land made me feel as if I had been carried to another time and space through the natural beauty of the Ladakh Drokpa tribe. The inhabitants of Ladakh have preserved a robust cultural identity, possibly because of their isolated setting. Their traditional attire is notable for its fine craftsmanship and strong uniqueness.

Much of the beauty of traditional culture, in Réhahn’s view, still endures, even though these predominantly Buddhist communities are having their peaceful way of life disrupted by the growing influx of tourism. Photographing people worldwide serves as a method of preserving these vanishing cultural heritages in the long run and guaranteeing their survival through imagery.