This is more than just a photographic project; it is also a journey of love, intellect, and professional ethics that conveys a humanistic message about the preservation of nature and biodiversity.

Photographer Nguyen Truong Sinh introducing his photo book “Sarus Crane – Awaiting the Day of Return” to cultural researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu

The event was attended by Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tu, a 105-year-old cultural and historical researcher who has witnessed generations of Vietnamese culture, conservation and ecology scientists, leaders of the International Crane Foundation, Tram Chim National Park, and the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings), photographers, and art enthusiasts.

Photographer Nguyen Truong Sinh sharing his journey with the sarus cranes

Nguyen Truong Sinh said, "My journey with cranes began more than ten years ago, on a misty morning in Tram Chim. I stood on the dike with a long lens, photographing a crane family feeding in Zone A5-far enough away that even when zoomed in, I couldn't see their feathers. At the time, I never anticipated I'd write a book."

“I have taken over 100,000 photographs throughout this journey-and deleted many as well-because I believe nature photography isn’t about showing off technique but about touching the quiet truth of life. After nearly ten years, the photo book ‘The Sarus Crane  – Awaiting the Day of Return’ was born as a tribute to nature.”

The photo book, published by Vietnam News Agency Publishing House (Thong Tan Publishing), has 372 large-format pages and includes a selection of images from over 100,000 photographs taken over ten years, from Tram Chim (Dong Thap Province) to Cambodia, Myanmar, India, and Australia. It is the first photographic work in Vietnam to fully depict the lives, behavior, and habitats of the sarus crane-a global symbol of fidelity and peace-while also providing a profound message about nature conservation and biodiversity.

At the inauguration, the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) gave photographer Nguyen Truong Sinh with a National Record Certificate, honoring him as the first person in Vietnam to gather, produce, and distribute a comprehensive photo book on sarus crane subspecies worldwide.

Author Nguyen Truong Sinh receiving a certificate confirming the national record

During this event, the author also contributed books and monies to promote environmental education projects for children in Tram Chim, Dong Thap province.

Simultaneously, the same-named picture exhibition debuted at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street for five days (until October 26). The show features 56 large-format pictures titled "56 breaths of Vietnam's nature," each of which provides a striking insight into the grandeur of the wild and a deep yearning for the cranes' return to Tram Chim.

Nature Lovers Gathering to Admire the Crane Photographs

Reported by Nguyet Anh

Translated by Gia Vi