For photography enthusiasts, the three days of Tet and the seven days of the spring festival seem even more beautiful, as it is the time when nature adorns itself with its most vibrant attire. Each tender bud reaches out in the sunlight, each flower bursts with life, and the gentle sunlight is like a soft silk embracing every frame. This is also a time when emotions soar, when street corners, roads, riverbanks, or fields all become materials for creating photographs that capture the breath of spring.

Photographer Bui Thanh Lang during a cherry blossom photography trip in Mang Den town in January 2025. Photo: NVCC.

1. For photographer Bui Thanh Lang, spring begins when the cherry blossoms bloom vibrantly in Mang Den town, Kon Plong district (Kon Tum province) when Tet comes. For over 10 years, as spring approaches, he habitually travels alone on his motorbike, loaded with equipment, straight to Mang Den. For him, spring here is not only the delicate pink of the cherry blossom branches but also the crisp early mornings on pine hills, the thin mist lingering around the rooftops, and the sound of the stream mingling with the birdsong at the start of the day.

This spring, to capture the moment of cherry blossom petals falling gently in the golden sunlight, he woke up before dawn, following the small path leading up the hillside where the cherry trees were in full bloom. The early morning highland chill permeated his skin, but as soon as the sun rose, the entire space suddenly brightened in a gentle pink hue. He patiently waited, adjusting the camera angle with the desire to capture the moment the petals fell softly, like a gentle greeting from spring to the earth and sky.

As spring arrives, Mang Den attracts flocks of Chestnut-eared Laughingthrushes, Black-hooded Starlings, Yellow-billed Starlings, White-winged Starlings, and more. Across the deep green forests, wings spread wide, tilting in the early sunlight, blending into the vibrant symphony of nature. The calls of birds echo through the air and their wingbeats harmonizing with the cool spring breeze create a vivid and peaceful scene. Photographer Bui Thanh Lang has often waited for hours by the edge of the forest, just to capture the moment when these birds swoop down to the lake or flutter to sip nectar from the cherry blossoms. He says that moment brings a very special feeling, both majestic and fragile, like the highland spring itself, arriving and departing after leaving behind unforgettable memories in the hearts of travelers.

"Through each photo, I want to preserve the beauty of the Central Highlands landscape during the transitional season, when the lingering chill of late winter still lingers and the spring sunlight has crept through each leaf. On each trip, I not only seek out unique photographic angles but also take the time to talk to the locals, listen to their stories about the harvest and their Tet customs," shared Mr. Lang.

2. The picturesque spring mornings also evoke a special feeling in photographer Van Quy Duc. Despite his busy work schedule, he seizes every opportunity to capture the beauty of nature and life. For him, spring appears through the brilliant colors of flowers, through the verdant branches, and even in the rosy sunrise that paints the corners of Thanh Binh and My Khe beaches.

The days of Tet At Ty 2025 in Da Nang passed with warm, sunny weather, and the sea had a unique beauty—not as bustling as in the summer, nor as turbulent as during the rainy and stormy days at the end of the year. The water was clear blue, and the waves lapped gently. He said the most beautiful moment was when the sun began to rise above the horizon, painting the entire expanse of clouds and water in pink. At this time, people took the opportunity to go to the beach to exercise, jog, or simply sit quietly and watch the sunrise. Duc wanted to capture that tranquility with his lens because he knew that each morning has its own unique and unrepeatable beauty. 

A few days before Tet, he often rides his motorbike to the flower villages on the outskirts of the city to take photos. From the brilliant yellow chrysanthemum gardens in the middle of the fields to the rows of dahlias and gladioli showing off their colors beneath the morning mist, Duc says that what he's most fascinated by, besides the scenery, is the diligence of the farmers in each flower season. For that reason, he doesn't choose the dazzling flower streets but rather chooses to capture the beautiful moments of buyers and sellers in the flower market area or traditional market. "I like simple frames, like photographing the woman selling flowers or the man selling brooms, both busy with their work, or the image of a child following his mother to shop for Tet, excited by the bright red lucky money envelopes... All of these are wonderful materials for emotionally rich photos," Duc added.

It can be said that spring, in the eyes of photography enthusiasts like Bui Thanh Lang or Van Quy Duc, is an emotionally rich journey. It's the emotion of planning, exploring, waiting, and enjoying each moment of pressing the shutter. For them, a beautiful photograph is not just about perfect lighting or composition, but also about the story of nature and people in the rhythm of the changing season.

3. Da Nang has many active photography organizations and clubs, such as Da Nang branch of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Da Nang Association of Artistic Photography, Song Han Photography Club, and Da Nang Photography Club, attracting hundreds of professional and amateur members. Their works mainly focus on themes such as landscapes, nature, tourism, scenic spots, traditional craft villages, and festivals.

For many photographers, spring is always the ideal time for creativity. Some like to wander the country roads to seek simple scenes, while others are fascinated by the bustling atmosphere of the city and capturing the brilliant colours of spring. Photographer Nguyen Van Minh, who is part of a group of young photography enthusiasts, says that spring is the time he looks forward to most each year, not only for artistic creation but also for socializing and connecting with like-minded people.

During this time, his group often organizes early spring photography trips, from familiar locations like Dragon Bridge, Han River, and the spring flower market, to peaceful suburban areas such as Duong Son flower village, Tuy Loan rice paper making village, or the green fields along Cu De River. "The Tet atmosphere makes everything come alive, from the radiant smile of the old woman selling banh chung at Han Market and the eager eyes of children at the to he stand to the moment new buds sprout on the branches," said Minh.

Besides capturing artistic photographs, Da Nang photographers also record everyday, authentic images of people's lives on the first days of the new year. For them, photography is not only a hobby but also a way to preserve the beautiful moments of spring, of a city that is developing but still retains its traditional values. This is also an opportunity for Bùi Thanh Lang to unleash his creativity by frequently visiting coastal villages or rural areas on the first day of the year to capture the rustic and peaceful scenery.

Each of his photos always carries something very personal, harmoniously combining elements of nature, people, and culture to create an emotionally rich perspective on spring in Da Nang. According to him, the best photograph is not one that is technically perfect, but the one that evokes emotions in the viewer, so that they can also feel what the photographer felt when pressing the shutter.

Spring is the season of renewal, hope, and dreams, so every photographer hopes that their photos will bring viewers a little joy and a little peace on the first days of the new year. That remains the "destination" of every photographer, and that journey requires not only investment in equipment but also investment in time, passion, and love for the art of photography.

Reporting by TIEU YEN – Translating by HONG VAN