Beyond Time and Space: The Emerald Ladakh ▎ French Photographer at the Precious Heritage Museum

29 de janeiro de 2026

Réhahn
French Photographer

Réhahn is ranked as the second most popular French photographer on the internet, known as the photographer who "captures the soul in portraits." He has traveled to over 35 countries, and 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 such as *Vietnam, Mosaic of Contrasts*, *100 Iconic Portraits*, and *Precious Heritage*.

Réhahn is also a businessman who owns several galleries and museums in Vietnam. He is the founder of the Precious Heritage Museum, which aims to preserve the "disappearing cultural heritage" of ethnic minorities. Deeply concerned with the human condition, he is a promoter of the "Giving Back Project" (a program through which Réhahn directly supports children from impoverished communities by funding their education and promoting local culture). He is one of the very few photographers in the world who uses art as a medium to alleviate human suffering.

References: rehahnphotographer.com
adventure.com/rehahn-travel-photography
citypassguide.com/travel/vietnam
/blog/rehahn-photographer
Photography: Réhahn
Edited and Compiled by: Wang Cong

Journey to Ladakh
Photographed by Réhahn

Humanitarianism, funding Vietnamese girls

Réhahn was born in Bayeux, Normandy, France. As an avid traveler, he has journeyed through more than 35 countries with his camera. He uniquely blends fine art and documentary photography styles, creating images that both convey stories and captivate viewers, capturing the daily lives and heartfelt smiles of local people.

A Woman Smoking a Cigar
Cuba

A Practitioner
Varanasi

My photography is primarily "people-centered." Before taking photos, I always spend a lot of time building connections with the people in the pictures. I actively engage with them and listen to their stories—without them, there would be no photographs. I am inspired by the diversity of human nature in my work, and photography is the best way to meet friends.

Réhahn with Vietnamese Ethnic Minorities
Hoi An, Vietnam

In 2007, I supported a Vietnamese girl's education through the NGO "Les Enfants du Vietnam." I first traveled to Hoi An to meet her and spent four days with her. Although we had some language barriers, we shared meals and daily life, and I began to feel a genuine connection with the girl. She once asked me if I would come back to see them again, and I said yes.

Nine months later, I returned and spent 15 days with her. We got along as comfortably as if she were our own daughter. Every year after that, I would come here. To stay connected with the children I sponsored, my wife and I decided to move to Hoi An, Vietnam. At the same time, I began to explore this beautiful country with my camera.

Réhahn with Vietnamese Children

Hidden Smile

In 2011, I met the elderly Bui Thi Xong, a person who changed the course of my life and career. The 72-year-old boat captain had spent her entire life drifting along the rivers of Hoi An. When I asked if I could take her photo, she smiled and covered her mouth with her hand.

To me, this photograph represents the authentic Vietnam—it blends humility and humor, old age and happiness. This "Hidden Smile" became the most important photo of my career. It has been published globally and stands as one of the most iconic images of modern Vietnam.

Hidden Smile
Vietnam

I have always believed that the key to a successful photograph is respect. I never take photos of people who do not want to be photographed. I approach others with the hope of getting to know them better, not with thoughts of how their face might look on a gallery wall. Through this way of connecting with people, I have met some of my closest friends!

Prayer
Vietnam

Blue Eyes and the Giving Back Project

In 2014, I met a blue-eyed 7-year-old Cham girl named An Phuoc. Initially, her family was not enthusiastic about me taking photos. I put away my camera and spent time building trust with them. We talked about their culture and shared stories of their lives. This chance encounter led to a deep friendship between me and this family.

Blue-eyed An Phuoc
Vietnam

During our time together, I discovered that An Phuoc’s older sister, Sapa, wanted to become a photographer. So, I bought her a camera. I also purchased a cow for her family and bicycles for the girls. I visit them three times a year and sometimes invite them to my home in Hoi An.

This officially launched my "Giving Back Project." Giving back isn’t just about money—it can also be about offering time and respect. For a portrait photographer, this is a way to build a respectful relationship with the subjects so they don’t feel like objects. If we benefit from a photo, it’s only natural for the subject to be compensated. But in travel photography, a smile or a few words are often enough to make the moment warm and sincere.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Founding the Precious Heritage Museum

Before coming to Vietnam, I could never have imagined that a single country could contain so many languages, traditions, and distinct cultural identities. The more I learned about these tribal groups, the more I realized how fleeting cultural heritage can be and how crucial it is to strive to preserve some of its precious aspects.

For nearly a decade now, driven by personal passion, I have launched the "Precious Heritage Project." Through it, I have personally experienced the intricate diversity of local ethnic communities and their cultural heritage in crafts, fabric dyeing, music, and art. Among the photos, "Best Friends" depicts a six-year-old girl standing in front of an elephant in prayer, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between the M’nong tribe and animals.

Best Friends
Vietnam

In 2016, I founded the Precious Heritage Museum. Spanning over 500 square meters, the museum displays artifacts and portrait stories of 54 ethnic groups. It is the only cultural museum in the world that showcases photographs and handicrafts representing all of Vietnam’s ethnicities. The museum aims to preserve their cultural heritage in a respectful manner, as many artisanal techniques and traditions are gradually fading away.

Exterior of the Precious Heritage Museum

Documenting the people of Vietnam over the past decade has inspired me to travel around the world in search of diverse human stories—from the highlands of Vietnam to the seas of Malaysia, from Cuba to the heart of the Himalayas. Taking the time to look deeply into a stranger’s eyes and imagine the paths they’ve walked has allowed me to experience so many emotions.

Eyes of the World
Varanasi

Emerald Ladakh, Out of Time

In 2018, I visited the Ladakh region, a place like a green jewel nestled between the Himalayan mountains and the Tibetan border. This mysterious land is often described as a modern-day Shangri-La.

The natural beauty of the Ladakh Drokpa tribe made me feel as though I had been placed in another time and space. Perhaps due to its remote location, the people of Ladakh have maintained a strong cultural identity. Their traditional clothing is exquisitely crafted and highly distinctive. However, the influx of tourism is impacting these predominantly Buddhist communities, disrupting their peaceful way of life.

In Réhahn’s view, much of the beauty of traditional culture still remains. Documenting people from around the world through photography is a way to preserve these disappearing cultural heritages for the long term and ensure their continuation through imagery.