Cultural Pane: Erosion and Commercialisation of Culture
Vietnam’s ethnic minorities have endured colonialism, war, and displacement. Now they face a quieter erasure, as cities expand and traditions fade.
Since August 2025, I’ve been documenting Hmong, Dao, and other Indigenous communities across northern Vietnam, where daily life balances between the old and the inevitable. These images tell of resilience and loss and of cultures adapting to survive on their own terms.
Ongoing project
The skeletons of new hotels under construction sit upon a ridge line, overlooking traditional villages, rice terraces, and farmland in the Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
Mimi, a Black Hmong woman, stirs a barrel filled with fermenting Indigo. A product used to create their traditional colours.
A Hmong Woman hangs freshly dyed indigo fabrics out to dry on bamboo racks.
Mimi, A hmong woman, kneels to speak to her young grandson. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
A damn slows the flow of the Muong Hoa River, Lao Cai, Sapa.
Local Hmong women engage in commerce, selling new indigo fabrics in preparation for New Year. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
Sitting in the soft light near a doorway, Mimi sits for her portrait. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
A Hmong woman creates patterns on her Patik. This design will be used to make traditional clothing, mats or bags. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
mist hangs low, covering the mountains peaks. Traditional villages are nestled amongst the ancient rice terraces. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
A smile breaks across a locals woman's face when complimented on her craft work. Lao Cai, Sapa
A Hmong Woman splits and twists raw material into twine, which will be dyed and woven into fabrics. Lao Cai Valley, Sapa.
A Hmong Man holds his granddaughter on his lap, in the soft light from an open door. Lao Cai, Sapa.
Mimi prepares vegetables for her family meal, in the light of her open front door. Lao Cai, Sapa.
A hmong man and women speak to their granddaughter after sharing a meal. Lao Cai, Sapa.
Harvested rice terraces trace the valley, in the distance, hotels and an ever-expanding Sapa are hugged by clouds. Lao Cai, Sapa.
A woman washes fabrics in a small basin; behind her, fields are being harvested and burned. The buildings are slowly expanding onto traditional farmlands.
Tourists' motorbikes choke the winding bends of Tham La Pass, Ha Giang.
local workers and their children operate heavy machinery to flatten roads. Ha Giang.
A Hmong man, dressed in tradtional indigo colour, sits in the door way of his shop, where he sells dried tabacco leaves. Men Vac.
Locals harvest rice, juxtaposed against an encroaching town settlement. Dong Van.
Locals lay out large tarps to dry corn. Dong Van.
Soft mist falls onto a remote village at dawn. Ma Pi Leng Pass
Locals burn residue from crop harvests, filling the encroaching town of Dong Van with smoke. Dong Van
A Hmong woman, dressed in traditional clothes, parades her cow at a livestock market. Meo Vac.
A group of Local Hmong men look toward other merchants and their cattle. Meo Vac.
A Hmong man displays emotion while bartering over cattle prices. Meo Vac.
Nam Ban sits at the feet of large karst mountains, Ha Giang.
Three young girls carry heavy loads of harvested rice along a winding mountain pass. Du Gia.
