Embracing Simplicity and Strength: A Journey to a Vietnamese Village

Alicia Rose
Jan 19
8 min read

“The art of art, the glory of expression, is simplicity. Nothing is better than simplicity, and the sunlight of letters is simplicity."

-Walt Whitman

Introduction

We arrived midday by motorbike. A crew of seventeen— a blend of drivers and passenger princesses. Yes, passenger princesses. We were on the third day of our four day loop around the Ha Giang region of Vietnam, and it was time for a detour. Winding roads with breathtaking views of the valleys and karst mountains in the distance led us from village to village. The scenic roads left us in awe of the untouched landscapes that surrounded us. A few hours into the day, we found ourselves cobbling down a small dirt road with the river peering through the trees in the distance. Coming to a stop at a small shack, we were greeted by a handful of women. Children played easily in the river while watching us through curious eyes. I yearned to learn more about the lives of the locals. Life seemed tranquil, slow, meaningful, yet also weathering and full of challenges, similar to the captured moment of “Raft Mother”.

There is power in simplicity, in focusing on what truly matters. Grandiosity has its time and place, but in life, when you scrape away the excess and the pretentiousness, what is left—that is what holds power.

The Journey to a Small Village: Embracing Adventure and Discovery

It was the first time I had travelled solo to another country. I was on the opposite side of the world from my friends and family, in a country where I knew not a single soul, navigating without a guide, and yet I was the happiest I had ever been. I had stepped into a world completely different than the one I had known. This, this feeling of curiosity, of being ‘out of one’s element’, opened my mind to the endless possibilities in life. Starting with the possibility of navigating the most dangerous road in Vietnam by motorbike.

We started the journey alongside countless others, all with the same destination in mind. Weaving through the countryside and lush greenery that encapsulated us, we would stop for coffee, for views, and of course, for meals and lodging. The accomodations were simple, the chairs plastic, the culture rich, and the people genuine. Each one offering a kind smile or a warm nod. As we continued to ride past remote villages in a flurry of sound, children would run outside to wave or try their luck at a high five from the drivers and riders alike.

The children we saw reminded us of our innocence, the pure joy that comes from being acknowledged by others. How special you feel when a stranger passing by gives you pause. They did not live a life of luxury, some did not attend school in order to sell flowers or braid the hair of tourists stopping by the coffee shack run by their parent. Their experiences in life can be seen as both similar and also vastly different from those of children in westernized countries, or even in the different ethnic groups found in the Ha Giang region.

The people living in the Ha Giang region are diverse, comprised of 19 different ethnic groups, with the H’mong being the largest. The cultural richness of the province is unmatched, with each ethnic group having its own language, clothing, and traditions. Some are mountain dwellers known for their legendary resilience and strong sense of community, others rule the valleys and are seen as agricultural masters. Being surrounded by the modest, everyday moments of the people was a beautiful experience that led to hours of reflection.

The Photograph: Capturing a Singular Moment of Grace and Strength

The slow, cool river was a much needed reprieve from the beating sun. A refreshing embrace that we welcomed with open arms. As we floated downstream on the rafts, elegant and sure footed women navigated and steered the way. Showing a balance of grace and strength, the women emanated authority. I was enamored by their quiet sense of power, the way the river would bend to their will, the trees sighing in agreement. While walking away from the river, I turned back to see the two women once again embarking on a journey while the children relaxed in the water, chins resting on their forearms as they leaned on the unused rafts, watching their mothers leading the charge. It struck me as such a simple scene, yet full of so much life and vitality. Colors so vibrant they stole the breath from your lungs. Sounds so pure they made you want to weep. The intricacies in the composition and subject matter conveyed deep emotion, from envy to serenity, euphoria to admiration.

Capturing the image with the camera on hand was not the easiest task. Due to the nature of my trip, I had not carried my equipment bag full of camera gear, but rather a small, handheld Sony6400. A camera that was capable of many things, but also could fit into my purse and easily be hidden from view. Unfortunately in times like these, I yearned for a telephoto lens, the ability to capture every detail with clarity. I placed my focus on the depth of field, where the camera would focus its attention. She was the moment, the center, the subject. To ensure that she was in focus, my aperture was low, set to f4.5. Meanwhile, ISO was 125; it had been a bright, sunny day with plenty of light, so there was no need to increase the sensitivity. In order to pause the moment, my shutter speed was 1/400s. Looking back, the settings could have been adjusted, specifically the shutter speed. I was rushing to capture the moment and ultimately had no way of knowing how sharp the image would turn out. Had I thought faster, I would have increased the shutter speed slightly to eliminate even more blur. Regardless of the settings chosen, the impact of the image and the action within is still felt.

A single image has the ability to tell complex stories, to share a glimpse, a fleeting moment in the life of someone else. To show an everyday experience, perhaps even considered mundane by some, that embodies the strength of a mother.

Simplicity over Grandiosity: Lessons from the Bamboo Raft

Have you ever paused, or stood frozen, in the middle of the day, stuck with the disbelief at the profoundness of life? How absolutely incredible it is that we are standing here, alive, doing whatever it is we may be doing, as the Earth turns and the planets rotate, stars explode, people leave the world and new ones enter. At times we may feel like the center of the universe, but on the other side of the globe, women are nursing their infants, children are walking to school, bulls are led down the street, parents cook breakfast for their families. Humble moments can embody resilience. When looking at the image of “Raft Mother”, the unembellished elements show one of these simple moments, while displaying elegance and influence at the same time.

There is a wondrous contrast between the grandeur often sought in travel and the brilliance in the ordinary. How mesmerized we can become with the everyday happenings of another place, enthralled in the actions that occur repeatedly, simply because of where we are. We wonder at the different ways of living, and the simple, seemingly ordinary experiences that occur on a daily basis. We are focusing on authentic human experience, on the raw realities of others, and what an honest thing this is. We create idealistic fantasies of what our travels will look like, but recognizing the beauty that coincides with slowing down and appreciating the grandeur in life itself is where the allure lies.

Personal Growth and Perspectives Gained Through the Experience

Life can be plain. It can be clean cut, organized, separated into tasks and endless to-do lists, and marked as complete. It can be free from unnecessary challenges, we can surround ourselves with people and media that benefit our beliefs, we can stay comfortable. What is to be gained from such comforts? Is it the feeling of safety? Perhaps it is to avoid experiencing the Dunning-Kruger effect and the “Valley of Despair”. The despair that comes with humbling realizations and learning life may not be the square we try to make it. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to rich stories, wild experiences, and self-awareness. It adds depth to the box we may be stuck in, creates little cracks in the untouched surface of perfection, challenges our views, our beliefs, our normal. By learning to be wrong, by confronting the differences we avoid seeing in life, we learn respect. Respect for cultures, people, traditions. Respect for the trials and tribulations faced by others. Respect for the sacrifices made and the stories gathered.

When we respect others, when we give them our presence and our focus, we learn the value of patience and connection. Hearing the tales of life from people that you meet along the way fosters an exchange of energy that can be felt at a distance. The meaningfulness of storytelling is that it offers a glimpse into the unknown and into lived experiences of complete strangers, enabling new connections and altered life paths. The butterfly effect.

I can say with certainty that the people I met along the way have shaped my life in one way or another. Some in big ways and others in tiny, almost unfelt ways. Regardless of the depth of the impact, my perspective is constantly shifting, flowing and sloshing around, hitting the walls like moving water in a glass. Seeking the simple, yet powerful, moments in your own travels is all the advice I can give. Allow yourself the freedom to run into obstacles, to embrace challenges and hiccups, and to learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible.

Encouragement to Embrace Simplicity in Photography and Life

How can I achieve that? How can I find that sense of wonder or the experiences you allude to? Well, one of the easiest ways is by closing your mouth and opening your eyes and ears, respectfully. Focus on listening and learning, meeting and connecting, or sitting quietly and absorbing your surroundings. When we quiet our own mind, our own voice, we can find the beauty around us and in small, ordinary scenes.

Prioritize emotional impact over spectacle, both in life and in photography. In creative pursuits, practice mindfulness and intentionality. Be aware of the lives around you, and of the influence your actions have. Replace your ideas of simplicity being weak and bare with thoughts of it being significant and influential. Recognize the simplicity in your own life and share its virtue and wonder with others, through personal stories, images, and actions.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of a Quiet Moment on a Bamboo Raft

Sitting peacefully, floating down the river, surrounded by vibrant colors and a jungle full of life, touching the bamboo separating myself from the water below, I recognized my privilege. I felt the tranquility of the moment, the excitement of the adventure, the allure of the freedom. I was enthralled by my environment, the people around me, the stories they shared as day turned to night and pretenses descended along with the sun. I learned the joys of mundane life, the healing power of a smile, and the love that can be felt through actions. Actions such as the woman standing on the bamboo raft, using her strength to push it along the river, while the children watch her and her steadfastness to the role of provider. The photograph encapsulates the strength of motherhood, the quiet dedication to a practice and way of living, and the eternal sense of play.

Say yes to opportunities, to moments of peace, to exciting adventures, to conversations with a stranger, to experiences that may create a detour on your otherwise direct path of life. Traveling can be a luxurious, over-the-top affair, with one seeking marvellous sights, sounds, and sensations. Traveling can also be a reminder to slow down, connect, absorb, and take notice of the minute details that may be often overlooked. Simplicity over grandiosity, that is the framework.

-Alicia Rose