Indra, an Indonesian national who settled down with his Vietnamese wife in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak about two years ago, takes pride in showcasing the beauty of Vietnam to the 28,500 followers of his Instagram account @indrawuphoto.

With a heavy focus on playing with exposure times, the 33-year-old man photographs in his spare time and has mastered the art of capturing the flow of water and light in what he describes as “the most unorthodox way and perspective.”

“Surreal! At first glance, I was immediately immersed by the terrain and the scale this UNESCO Geopark in northern Vietnam has to offer,” Indra captioned a photo of sunlight bouncing off Ha Giang Province’s Dong Van karst plateau at dawn.

“This particular region along the Ha Giang Loop indeed became one of my favorite places for such awe-inspiring vista [sic]."

Appreciative followers were no less than awe-inspired. “I need to go there as soon as possible,” one replied.

Many of Indra’s followers on Instagram live in other countries but consistently comment on their desire to visit Vietnam and experience its landscapes for themselves.  

“Absolutely beautiful! We are planning to move to Vietnam in about 18 months and honestly your page is making us even more excited! So beautiful,” one commented on a photo taken in Moc Chau District in the northern province of Son La.

“Okay I think we’re going to be obsessing over your page until we move to Vietnam. Stunning!” another follower commented on a photo taken at Da Dia Rapids, a national scenic area in south-central Phu Yen Province’s Tuy An District.

After having visited such a large portion of the country, Indra’s experience in Vietnam has made it difficult to select just one favorite destination, but when pressed, it is clear he leans toward Mu Cang Chai District in the northern province of Yen Bai.

“When I first saw the rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai during the golden harvest season while visiting the area in 2019, I was amazed and speechless,” he told Tuoi Tre News.

“Whenever I look back at that trip and the photos I took, it gives me most incredible emotions.

“Standing atop the hills at very high altitudes, I was blown away by the scale and majestic beauty of the rice terraces and scenery.

"What spectacular beauty!”

Indra’s love for Vietnam is not limited to its landscapes. He is also drawn in by the country’s diverse cultures.

“The uniqueness of the Mu Cang Chai terraces which were built by local ethnic people, as well as the way they cultivate the land and plant rice were very interesting to learn about,” he explained.

“[While visiting the area] we spoke to them, got to know their culture, and were invited to eat and drink with them. They even performed with traditional instruments.

“It was such an amazing experience. I suggest that people come to Vietnam to visit places like that, places where they can learn more about the cultures and traditions of those people.”

A wife who inspires

With a background in law, Indra had no interest in travel or photography until he met his wife, Hai Yen, a travel enthusiast, in 2014.

Since then, Yen has inspired Indra to travel with her. His first photo was taken on the camera he borrowed from Yen.

In just a few short years, Indra developed his own interest in photography and began working to perfect his skills.

“Everything came to me naturally,” he said.

Of course, he owes much of his success to his inspiring wife.

“I’m so proud that my country gets more recognition thanks to the photos my husband takes," Yen shared with Tuoi Tre News.

“A lot of people message him for advice about their future trips to Vietnam.”

According to Indra, the reason why most foreign audiences are impressed with his photos is because America and Europe have very different landscapes from Vietnam.

“Vietnam’s tropical beauty and culture are unique,” he said.

Indra also believes that aside from Vietnam’s natural beauty, the hospitality of the Vietnamese people is a major tourist draw.

“Vietnamese people are so friendly,” he said. “Before I settled down in Dak Lak, I’d traveled to many places across the country and was able to gain an understanding of the hospitality and friendliness of the Vietnamese people. It really made me feel like home.”

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