Pictures say it all: A page devoted to the late xam singer Ha Thi Cau. — Photo nguyenaphoto.com

HA NOI (VNS)— Photographer Nguyen A has presented his new 800-page photo book featuring the images and life stories of 400 Vietnamese people who have made great contributions to society.

The 30cmx30cm hard cover book, titled Tam va Tai, Ho La Ai? (‘Kindhearted and Talented People: Who are they?') gathers together portraits of figures admired by the public for their kind hearts, dedication and talent.

Among the individuals celebrated are national hero La Van Cau, General Vo Van Giap, mathematician and Professor Ngo Bao Chau and the musicians Van Cao and Duc Tuan.

A hopes that the book can help many people learn more about these distinguished Vietnamese citizens.

To complete the book, A met and personally photographed as many of the featured personalities as possible. However, there were a few of his heroes who he never got the chance to meet.

"I think like many people there will always be a part of my heart devoted to late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and late musician Trinh Cong Son. I wished to meet them, but never got the chance. I also think it is too late for me to photograph one particular hero of mine, the 103-year-old General Vo Nguyen Giap. I have had to portrait these figures indirectly."

Last May, A organised a photo exhibition in HCM City featuring 4,500 photos of 300 of Viet Nam's best-known personalities. The exhibition later moved to Ha Noi. Many of the pictures now make up the new book release.

According to renowned Professor Tran Van Khe, there is one person who has been unfairly left out of the book's list.

"One person who deserves to be in this book is its author, the great photographer Nguyen A," he said.

Historian Nguyen Khac Thuan is in agreement.

"In this life, arrogance and indifference often mean we don't acknowledge the beauty and talent of other people. But A is different. He showed his respect and admiration by taking thousands of pictures. He has truly demonstrated both kindness and talent."

Anh plans to continue photographing worthy figures for a second volume of the book.

Born in 1968 in southern Binh Duong Province, A has been a photographer for 20 years. He has organised three solo exhibitions: Thanh Nien Tinh Nguyen Mua He Xanh (Volunteers of the Green Summer Campaign) in 2008, Ho Da Song Nhu The (‘hey lived like that) in 2009 and Tam va Tai, Ho La Ai? (Kindhearted and Talented People: Who Are They?) in 2012. — VNS