The Success Story Behind Réhahn And His 75-Year-Old Vietnamese Model
It is during the summer of 2011 in Hoi An that it all began. Réhahn, the photographer, who was at the time a tourist with great interest for Vietnam, met Bui Thi Xong, a Vietnamese woman aged 74 years old at the time of their encounter.
This is the incredible story of an elder Vietnamese lady that has become an iconic figure of Vietnam after posing for the French photographer.
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Little did this 75-year-old boat-rower know that this soon-to-be iconic photo would change her life
She was a shy and poor lady not used to seeing herself in photos, so she hid her face by reflex
Réhahn used her portrait as his book cover because for him it represented the joy of life despite old age and poverty
The photographer promised the lady that if his book becomes successful, he would buy her a new boat because the old one she had would scare off the tourists
After 6 months, the world recognized the hidden beauty behind the photo – Mrs Xong appeared on TV broadcast 5 times, became the most famous woman in Vietnam and, with a new boat, her tourism business is thriving as never
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Share on FacebookOn behalf of my family who still lives in VietNam, thank you so much for showing people the beauty of our country through your photos.
When I first saw her picture a while ago, I thought she was a magnificently beautiful and precious woman. She looked like an angel to me. I'm so happy that this photo has changed her life. SO MANY THANKS TO Réhahn for recognizing beauty where others might not.
I'm smiling ear to ear. What a beautiful heart warming story. This is how we all should be living - giving and paying it forward.
it is so simply wonderful when goodness and a smile go all the way 'around' and end up back at the source... enriching us all and the subject as well.. only as it should be..
Wonderful, true, feel good story!!!! Thank you for following through and keeping your word in buying the boat...very heart warming and lovely to see.
A Blessing on this photographer for giving back to his model. So few of these types do. They simply capture an image, and make money--and the original person from some village in Asia, Africa, ME, etc, never benefits from it--even if the photographer's career is advanced, etc. So I am very happy to hear about the high moral standards of this young man. I hope he sets an example for the rest of the industry.
I am fortunate to have acquired a limited edition of Mrs. Xong from Réhahn himself whilst travelling. Not long after receiving the portrait, my family and I met Mrs. Xong and travelled with her in her new boat down the river. We got the most beautiful photographs of her and our children. Truly a moment and a portrait we will treasure forever. Réhahn is truely an amazing and talented individual!
There is a strange urge within me to give this woman a bear hug.
On behalf of my family who still lives in VietNam, thank you so much for showing people the beauty of our country through your photos.
When I first saw her picture a while ago, I thought she was a magnificently beautiful and precious woman. She looked like an angel to me. I'm so happy that this photo has changed her life. SO MANY THANKS TO Réhahn for recognizing beauty where others might not.
I'm smiling ear to ear. What a beautiful heart warming story. This is how we all should be living - giving and paying it forward.
it is so simply wonderful when goodness and a smile go all the way 'around' and end up back at the source... enriching us all and the subject as well.. only as it should be..
Wonderful, true, feel good story!!!! Thank you for following through and keeping your word in buying the boat...very heart warming and lovely to see.
A Blessing on this photographer for giving back to his model. So few of these types do. They simply capture an image, and make money--and the original person from some village in Asia, Africa, ME, etc, never benefits from it--even if the photographer's career is advanced, etc. So I am very happy to hear about the high moral standards of this young man. I hope he sets an example for the rest of the industry.
I am fortunate to have acquired a limited edition of Mrs. Xong from Réhahn himself whilst travelling. Not long after receiving the portrait, my family and I met Mrs. Xong and travelled with her in her new boat down the river. We got the most beautiful photographs of her and our children. Truly a moment and a portrait we will treasure forever. Réhahn is truely an amazing and talented individual!
There is a strange urge within me to give this woman a bear hug.
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