Orange and red coloured leaves, blue and green branches and purple flowers. Viet Ha Tran transforms the natural world into a dreamlike scene. Her artistic vision unfolds through a delicate interplay of aesthetics and emotion, blending surreal visuals with cultural and emotional resonance. Her work reflects an affinity for the luminous softness and atmospheric quality often found in Impressionist painting, where light and colour serve not only a visual but also an emotional function. Her connection to the natural world mirrors a shift from the internal to the external, from the personal to the planetary. Through painterly technique, vibrant colours, and symbolism rooted in both Eastern and Western traditions, Tran invites viewers into a contemplative visual journey which combines the natural world with memory and identity.

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Her creative path has been one of continuous transformation, shaped by personal reflection and a profound connection to the world around her. Her work blends photography, painting textures, and digital techniques to create layered compositions that feel both intimate and universal. "By transforming nature photographs into colourful pieces of art, I aim to highlight the balance of our ecosystems and inspire a deeper appreciation for the environment and beauty of our planet," she explains.

"My focus on serene and impressionistic visions of nature reflects my profound connection to the natural world and underscores themes of sustainability and environmental awareness." 

Her series, including Ecosystem, Wall of Nature, Nature and Seasons, and Colors of the Rain, speak not only to beauty but also to its fragility. "With natural disasters becoming more frequent, I felt compelled to communicate this pressing message. My art has become a means of conveying the critical need to protect nature, not just for ourselves, but for younger and future generations."

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Inspiration Carried by Place

Tran's stories are guided by locations with personal significance—whether Madrid, her home since 2008, or Vietnam, her country of origin. "For me, storytelling is at the core of photography. Each image is more than just a composition—it carries a narrative, a moment, or an emotion that I want to share with the world, shaped by my personal experiences and the places that have touched my soul," she explains. 

Tran's compositions are also shaped by her extensive travels, personal memories, and deep emotional connections to place. "I've had the privilege of visiting over 50 countries, and each place has shaped how I see the world." 

Many cultures and spiritual traditions have influenced her visual language. "Vietnam, Nepal, India, Morocco, Iran, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, and beyond, each destination has left an indelible mark on my creative process."

Her personal experiences and global inspirations combine to create photographs that speak to universal themes—beauty, transience, and the interconnectedness of all things. "My work is deeply influenced by spirituality, philosophy, world music, classic literature, and Persian mystic poetry—all of which weave a rich emotional and cultural tapestry into my art. I often feel like I'm painting my photographs with the colours of the world."

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‍Painterly Technique and Digital Alchemy

Her artistic process is a fusion of photography, painting textures, and digital techniques, allowing her to create layered artworks that go beyond traditional photography. "I'm inspired by the painterly qualities of the Old Masters like Rembrandt and Rubens, as well as the dreamlike light and colours of Impressionists like Monet. My goal is to capture that same ethereal atmosphere in my work, inviting viewers to step beyond reality and into a world shaped by emotion and imagination. Everything begins with my camera—I seek out locations and take images that resonate with me on a deeply emotional and aesthetic level. From there, I transform them through careful editing, playing with light, composition, and colour. I love strong and vibrant colours." Her artistic process often includes incorporating painting textures from her own abstract works. 

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 Vibrant Rainy Season as Transformation

Her work in Vietnam draws from her roots, allowing the emotional memory of landscapes to inform the tone and structure of her imagery. For her series Colors of the Rain, she travelled to Sa Pa in Vietnam to capture the rainy season as vibrant painterly landscapes. "Colors of the Rain captures the romantic beauty of the rainy season in Sa Pa, Vietnam. Nestled in the extreme north of the country at an altitude of 1,500 meters near the border with China, Sa Pa is one of Vietnam's most beloved travel destinations," she shares. "The region's subtropical climate brings cool summers, mild winters, and frequent mist, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. During the monsoon season from May to September, heavy rains transform the landscape, turning rice terraces into lush, vibrant green fields."

She visited Sa Pa during the rainy days of August, where each photograph in her series reflects the interplay between rain and the landscape. "Whether capturing raindrops against the window or the shimmering landscape after a downpour, the images blend reality with my imagination. The rain alters the colours and textures of the scenery, creating a visual symphony of hues that evoke both serenity and renewal."

"Strong, vivid colours permeate the series, symbolising nature's constant transformation. The rain becomes a metaphor for cycles of renewal and growth, mirroring the ecological and cultural rhythms of Vietnam. Through this series, I invite viewers to experience the quiet, introspective beauty of my homeland during the monsoon season—a time when nature's fleeting moments offer profound inspiration and a sense of tranquillity." 

‍Symbolism and Sensibility

Viet Ha Tran uses symbolism to add an emotional and cultural dimension to her work, often drawing from Eastern traditions. "The lotus flower, cherished in Vietnamese Buddhist culture, becomes a metaphor for purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth," she explains. "It’s journey—from murky waters to a stunning bloom—mirrors the human experience of overcoming adversity. Cherry blossoms represent the fleeting nature of life, reminding us of the beauty and impermanence inherent in our existence. Their presence allows me to create artwork that resonates with human nature and universal themes of growth and transformation."

Every image is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider our impact on our environment.

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Invitation to Reconnect

Her ongoing series—including Colors of the Rain and Wall of Nature—is designed as aesthetic experiences and meditations on the environment. "Every image is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider our impact on our environment. By fostering a deeper connection between people and nature, I hope to inspire a collective sense of responsibility, encouraging sustainable practices and a more harmonious relationship with the world around us."

At its essence, her work is an invitation to reconnect. "Through my art, I want to inspire people to appreciate, protect, and reconnect with the landscapes that shape our lives and identities." She aspires for her images to encourage viewers to enter a tranquil state of reflection—a serene space for reconnecting with beauty and awareness. 

"My primary goal is to instil a sense of inner peace and tranquillity," Tran notes. "When individuals are focused and relaxed, they are more open to the messages conveyed through art." She continues, "Unfiltered emotions such as grief, love, longing and forgiveness are universal. I try to translate these into visual signs in an engaging way, while also leaving space for interpretation." This approach makes her work not only aesthetically engaging but also emotionally resonant, encouraging contemplation on both personal and universal themes.

About

Viet Ha Tran is a Vietnam-born fine art photographer and contemporary artist whose unique art has earned her commissions from globally renowned entities such as Amazon, Louis Vuitton and Samsung. Her work has appeared in over a hundred newspapers and magazines worldwide, including prestigious publications like Spanish national news Expansión, El Economista and El Adelantado, Vogue Italy, Vanity Fair France, The Times of India and Vietnam News. She is a Board Member at The Royal Photographic Society of Spain, becoming the first foreigner ever to occupy such a position in the Society's 125 years of history.

www.viethatran.com