THE MEKONG RIVER JOURNEY STARTED In 1988 Juan Foyth Shirt , the French photographer Lam Duc Hien got his way back to Laos, where he was grown up. He was petrified at the time he got on the Mekong River Cruise, where he had swam across to get a Thai refugee camp 13 years ago. His childhood memory, like a heavy and warm shower in the summer, suddenly invaded his mind.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
鈥淭he Mekong: Stories of Man鈥?is the name of his photo album which took the photographer 15 years to finish. Lam Duc Hien traveled 4200km, from Vietnam to the source of the mighty river Dele Alli Shirt , Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia. Mekong River is one of the longest rivers of the world. From the Tibetan Plateau the river runs through China鈥檚 Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia Mousa Dembele Shirt , and Vietnam.
According to Dr. C. Hart Schaaf 鈥?Former member of Mekong Committee, Mekong River is a sleeping giant, containing in its the enormous potentiality of hydroelectric power as well as flood and storm control and prevention. Here are some photos taken from the album 鈥淭he Mekong: Stories of Man鈥?which was displayed at the Ankor Exhibition from November 29th to December 6th, 2014 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Laos: With his intense patriotism, the photographer spent almost of the time to discover the daily life and religious habits of Lao people. The picture was taken in Tad Khuang Si. As you can see Fernando Llorente Shirt , children expressed their excitement on soaking themselves in the clear and cool water.
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Life along the mighty Mekong River
Almost of Laos people earn their living by catching fish. However, over exploitation makes impacts on the biodiversity there. In addition, factories were mushrooming, polluting the environment. For that reason Moussa Sissoko Shirt , the amount of fish is swindling year by year.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Every year, Laos people celebrate Lantern Festival on the 15th of November, when the moon reaches its fullest shape. On this occasion, people go to rivers and lakes to float colorful lanterns to the water. While floating, they pray luck, health and happiness for both their family and relatives. This is one of the most interesting traditional festival in Laos.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
In Tad Khuang Si Eric Dier Shirt , monks worship pure water or 鈥渉oly water鈥?as a Buddha ceremony. During the ceremony, they do bath in this kind of water to celebrate the coming new year.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
The most closest friends of Lao people are elephants. After the ceremony in Wat Phu, these elephants will be transferred by ferry, getting through Mekong River and turning back Boloven plateau. At present, there is only 500 elephants which are going wild in the jungle, the rest has been brought into intensive care in parks.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Blackening teeth is one of traditions of Laos women. Jet-black teeth and red lips are among elements to evaluate a beautiful woman.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Angkor Wat Cambodia is considered to be the summit of art and Khmer architecture in 13th century. However Michel Vorm Shirt , this is the country of draught and poverty. In order to address these issues, the government built a hydroelectric system to ensure water supply & drainage.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Like Laos people, the Cambodian also take advantages of the Mekong river to exploit its enormous amount of fish. Giant carp in Mekong is considered to be the biggest freshwater fish of the world.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
In small villages of China, growing rice is the most popular job. Chinese government is operating a big program on building damp for water and electric security.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
These people are going on a pilgrimage to the peak of the world, Mongolia. In the end of every harvesting season, more than 20.000 Mongolians start their pilgrimage to different countries in the world.
Life along the mighty Mekong River
Mekong River flows into the Southern Vietnam Victor Wanyama Shirt , creating a wide area of delta. People use the water and fertile of the river to grow rice. That鈥檚 the reason why Vietnam ranks 2nd on producing rice all over the world.