Portraits of Vietnam

Thirty years ago in Vietnam, I began what would become my first photo essay, where I told a cohesive story through a series of images. Up until then, I had done stills on TV shows and movies and various editorial, advertising, and PR shoots.

- By Mark Edward Harris

The experience redirected both my career path and the way I approach photography. My love of travel and study of history were coalescing. I have a Master's degree in Pictorial/ Documentary History, a special major I created at California State University, Los Angeles, with my thesis on how the city of Boston interpreted its historical sites. This study taught me more profound research techniques and helped me put pen to paper in support of my photo-driven series.

When the last American helicopter ascended into the skies over Saigon on April 30, 1975, ending America's military involvement in Vietnam, I was a high school student and a not very politically involved one. But growing up watching the first televised war, I could not help but be drawn in by both the horrors I witnessed and the natural beauty of the divided country itself.

Over the years, an intense desire to go to Vietnam began building inside me. I was so moved by the musical Miss Saigon in London in 1991 while on assignment there that I knew it was time to lock in plans for what would become the first of many trips to Vietnam.

So when it was announced that my Thai Airways flight was on its final approach to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport in 1992, I could barely stay in my seat. I had to, of course, with seat belts fastened. But next stop, Vietnam with two lead-lined bags filled with Tri-X and a couple of roles of Kodachrome and Agfachrome, two Nikon camera bodies, and Nikkor 28mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses.