
"Dissonance" is a personal project about Vietnam War vets. As a Vietnamese photojournalist studying in the U.S, I find personal connections with them, who also left their home to go across the world at the age of 20. This project will not dig into the much-discussed, controversial side of the war. I inteded to get to know these veterans as who they are and who they were in connection with the war.

This is a spread design of the book, the final product of this project. Words are written by me.

This is a spread design of the book, the final product of this project. Words are written by me.
The picture on the right is a collage I made by putting the veteran's photos during the war against my own film pictures taken in Vietnam.
The picture on the right is a collage I made by putting the veteran's photos during the war against my own film pictures taken in Vietnam.

This is a spread design of the book, the final product of this project.
The picture on the right is a collage I made by putting the veteran's photos during the war against my own film pictures taken in Vietnam.
The picture on the right is a collage I made by putting the veteran's photos during the war against my own film pictures taken in Vietnam.


A veteran, Jim, lent me some of his personal photos and objects from the war. Photos like these reflect the historical side of the project.

A veteran, Jim, lent me some of his personal photos and objects from the war. Photos like these reflect the historical side of the project.

A portrait of Jon Ryan who used to serve as a pilot for the army.

Jon (pictured before) has a collection of over 200 photographs he made to remember his time in Vietnam. This one showed his friends all pointing at the bullet holes on his helicopter.

Jon also enjoyed taking pictures of the kids who hung around his base. This girl was on her way to school. When asked to write a letter to anyone from back then, Jon chose to write to this girl. The letter is the next photo.


A helmet from the Vietnam War-era was donated to the Syracuse Vet Center. The word on the helmet said "short-timer," refering to a soldier nearing the end of their service.

This is a spread design of the book, the final product of this project.
Three pictures of a bombing on the left was taken by Jim Koehler when he was in Danang. On the right, my picture was taken at a park.
Three pictures of a bombing on the left was taken by Jim Koehler when he was in Danang. On the right, my picture was taken at a park.

A portrait of Gordie Lane, who went to Vietnam at the age of 19. He lost his best friend, "Sweet Pea," to the war.

