“They have lived in that way” is the name of a special photo exhibition by Nguyen A, which opened at the Cultural House for Youth on November 12.

Nguyen A cries when he speaks at the opening ceremony.

Ninety sets of photos, with 6-10 photos in each, include 90 stories of brave people who have beaten adversity to live good and useful lives.

Among people featured in Nguyen A’s photos are disabled “IT Knight” Nguyen Cong Hung, blind athlete Ho Pham Uyen Phuong and young girl named Le Thanh Thuy who died following a battle with cancer.

Stories about brave lives are told through each photo, which capture each emotional moment.

Despite the hardships there are still smiles: the optimistic smile of IT knight Nguyen Cong Hung, the bright smile of happiness of blind couple Nguyen Van Phong and Ha Thi Thuy, the warm smile of disabled lacquer artisan Le Van Trinh as he plays with his grandchild.

Nguyen A and two characters in his photos.

Each set of photos follow the photographer’s effort to tell a story. Each character appears in different times: at work, relaxing, with their families, moments of triumph.

In one photo is Vang Thi Su, a deaf and mute H’Mong girl in Lao Cai province, leading two buffaloes cross a stream. Grazing buffaloes, planting rice and knitting cloth are daily tasks for Su.

In another photo, Nguyen Cuu Long from Lam Dong province, who suffers from cerebral-palsy still works on the field. Nguyen Thi Ai, an old woman in An Giang province, still climb to pluck coconuts though she’s lost both legs.

Viewers of different ages visit the exhibition on the first day.

The opening ceremony included around around 60 disabled people who featured in the photos. The audience had a chance to meet and talk with these brave people.

“These are wonderful photos and the characters are extraordinary people,” said Hoai Phuong from the HCM City Club for Vocational Training for the Disable.

The idea to take photos showing the energy of disabled people came to Nguyen A in early 2008. Since November 2009, he traveled from the north to the south to seek and live with his characters to learn about their lives.

“At the beginning, I planned to take only one photo of each character but when I understood their story and their will, I know that only a set of photos would be enough to share their stories,” Nguyen A said.

Disabled swimmer Nguyen Thi Minh Ly’s family at the exhibition.

With 15 years working as a photographers and four years with artistic photography, Nguyen A has around 60 photos winning local and international awards. He wishes to have a personal exhibition annually.

The exhibition will open until November 20, 2009 at 4 Pham Ngoc Thach, District 1, HCM City.

Disabled swimmer Nguyen Van Chung (Hanoi). This photo is in the photo set entitled “Live and work for my beloved mother”.

The photo of IT Knight Nguyen Cong Hung and his younger sister Thao Van.

A photo in “Two flying fingers” set by Nguyen A.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre