From VEN Land: Inspired by Vietnam
Bringing you closer to Vietnam’s wild heart and the people protecting it
"A day in a Life of a Langur"
Courtney's photo series captures the daily rhythms of the langurs in Son Tra who call this peninsula home — from early morning movements through the trees to moments of rest, care, and connection. Through her lens, we are invited to witness intimate moments that define their daily rhythm. Each image reveals small but meaningful details: how they eat, how they watch, how they move together through the forest. These are the routines that shape their lives, grounded in a landscape they depend on. Let Courtney invite you to slow down and observe. Her work reminds us that understanding wildlife begins with paying attention — and that even the quietest moments matter.
"The Invisible Line"
We all know the feeling when someone gets too close. When our personal space is ignored, we instinctively want to step back. But do we offer wildlife the same respect? Hili's photo series "The Invisible Line" explores how human behavior can sometimes cross a line for animals. We understand that every person has a space they feel comfortable in, yet when we encounter wild animals, we sometimes forget that they have this invisible line too. A camera, a curious visitor, or simply getting too close can turn a peaceful encounter into an uncomfortable one, even if it might be unintentionally. These animals may not be able to tell us where their boundaries lie, but their behaviour often does. Respecting wildlife means allowing animals to remain wild — free to move, behave, and live without being approached, touched, fed, or disturbed for our entertainment. Giving them space helps protect their natural behaviour and allows us to appreciate them as they truly are, rather than expecting them to perform for us. Let Hili invite you to take a closer look at the invisible lines between us and wildlife. Her series reminds us that respecting nature also means respecting the space of the animals we come to see — even when they cannot ask us to step back. Sometimes, the most meaningful way to connect with wildlife is simply to let them be.
"Leave no trace"
People come to Son Tra seeking quiet moments, fresh air, and the chance to experience wildlife in its natural home. Khanh's photo series "Leave No Trace" captures a contrast that exists within these shared spaces: moments of connection with nature alongside the traces we leave behind. Through images of langurs living among discarded waste, the series asks us to reflect on the impact of our presence. We visit places like Son Tra to experience their beauty and the life they hold, yet those same places depend on our care and responsibility. Let Khanh invite you to look closer and reflect. This series reminds us that sharing spaces with wildlife also means respecting them — leaving nature as we found it, so that the places we visit remain homes for the species that live there.
Vanishing Eden
Vanishing Eden: Global Warming’s Grip on Son Tra takes viewers into the heart of the Sơn Trà Peninsula, a fragile refuge for diverse wildlife. Through Max’s powerful images, the film reveals how increasingly extreme weather driven by global warming disrupts the lives of the animals that depend on this habitat. His work reminds us that every shift in climate affects not only us, but the natural world we share.
Meet Max
Max, a 22-year-old traveler and photographer from Australia, is the creative eye behind Vanishing Eden. Currently exploring Southeast Asia, he uses his journey to document the fragile relationship between nature and climate. With a deep love for wildlife, hiking, and visual storytelling, Max captures the hidden stories of the Sơn Trà Peninsula and its endangered inhabitants. His passion for connecting with nature give his work a grounded, authentic perspective revealing the beauty of the wild and the urgency of protecting it.
Through the eyes of the langurs
Nestled in the heart of Son Tra Peninsula, a rare and beautiful species lives quietly among the lush green hills — the red-shanked douc langurs. This film invites you to see the world through their eyes: from peaceful treetop mornings to the distant hum of the growing city. But beyond the canopy lies a harsher truth. As Son Tra's breathtaking landscape meets the encroaching noise, waste, and pollution of urban life, the fragile balance of this ecosystem is at risk. Join us on a journey of wonder and reflection — to witness not only the beauty of nature, but also the urgent need to protect it.
Meet Alina
Currently studying interior architecture after graduating from high school with a Matura diploma, she has a growing interest in creativity, design, and exploring different cultures.
Having traveled to various places with family and friends, she enjoys discovering new environments, meeting people, and gaining new perspectives. Her experience working in a kindergarten and in retail has also helped her develop communication and teamwork skills.
Through volunteering at a nursing home and supporting homeless people in Vienna, she has gained valuable experience in helping others. She brings creativity, compassion, and an open mind, along with a desire to keep learning, exploring, and making meaningful connections with people around the world.
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Unity: a deep dive into the Trảu Xanh Nhỏ"
Join Catherine (Kate), one of our talented volunteer in the photography program, as she takes you on a visual journey into the vibrant world of the bee eater bird — all captured in the breathtaking landscape of Son Tra Peninsula, Vietnam. Through her lens, Kate reveals the daily life, unique behaviors, and striking beauty of these colorful birds, while encouraging us to reflect on how their fragile ecosystem is linked to global habits like recycling and consumption. This visual story is both a celebration of wonder and a call for responsibility. With each image, Kate invites you to pause, observe, and consider our shared role in protecting wildlife and the delicate environments they inhabit. Let her story awaken awe — and inspire renewed care for the planet we call home.
Meet Kate
With a Master’s degree in Public Health from Boston University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin, she brings a strong interest in science, people, and the natural world.
Having traveled to countries such as Spain, Peru, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Kenya, she has developed a curiosity for different cultures, environments, and the stories that connect them.
With an interest in photography and storytelling, she hopes to capture meaningful moments and share new perspectives through her experiences. She brings curiosity, an open mind, and a desire to keep learning and exploring the world around her.
“Any Differences?” Film & Photo Series
Any Differences? is a short film based on Lenka’s photographic series. It explores the relationship between humans and animals by placing them side by side, revealing quiet similarities in presence and emotion.
Through still images and moving film, the project invites viewers to reflect on how we see other species and to question the boundaries we draw between ourselves and them.
Meet Lenka
Lenka is a 21-year-old traveler and visual storyteller from the Czech Republic.
With a background in photography, video making, and volunteering, Lenka combines her love for animals and cultural exchange with visual storytelling. Having traveled across Europe, North America, and beyond, she brings curiosity, empathy, and a strong sense of connection to her work.
BEHIND THE SCENCES LENKA
Between Trees and Roads
“Between Trees and Roads” is a documentary photography project by Andrea Peñafiel Romero, capturing the natural ecosystems of Đà Nẵng with a focus on wildlife—particularly langurs and monkeys. The project not only celebrates the beauty of these animals in their natural habitat but also examines the impact of human activity on their behavior and environment.
Meet Andrea
Andrea Peñafiel Romero, a 27-year-old veterinarian from Madrid, has always been driven by a deep love for animals, travel, and personal growth. After several years working in veterinary hospitals across Spain—specializing in emergency and hospitalization care—she made a bold decision in late 2024 to leave her job and embark on an extended journey through Southeast Asia.
Her goal is to travel not only to explore new cultures and landscapes, but also to grow as a person and give back through meaningful volunteer work. Her background in animal care, combined with a growing interest in wildlife conservation and photography, has inspired her to engage more deeply with environmental and social issues. Andrea sees travel as both a privilege and a responsibility, believing that tourism must be practiced with awareness and respect for local communities and ecosystems.
Her motivation for this project stems from her realization: “Wildlife is a treasure we have. Humans have caused significant harm to nature, and now we have the duty to protect it and there is still a long way to go.” She hopes this project will highlight the ecological richness of Son Tra while raising awareness about the impacts of tourism and how humans should interact with wildlife to avoid having a negative impact on their most vulnerable species.
