Wartime children through German lens

World renowned German photographer Thomas Billhardt has highlighted the desperate plight of Vietnamese children during the devastating war decades ago, through a collection of photos.

Born in 1937, Billhardt had travelled to many countries in the world, including Vietnam, and his main subject and inspiration are children. (These photos are published by courtesy of VNExpress.net)

This photo portrays a Vietnamese girl carrying a younger brother on her back in the 60-70s.

Each Billhardt’s photo is a reminder of the devastating consequences of war. In this photo, a Vietnamese boy was hiding in a trench shelter.

These children were frightened of war. They were familiar with jumping into roadside shelters before a bomb raid.

This girl did not dare to go far from the shelter for fears of sudden bombardments.

This militiawoman spent short peace time with her baby

These children were crying for their mothers.

This photo was taken at the National Songs and Dance Theatre. The girl was frightened to see a foreigner for the first time. The photo was used by many magazines around the world.

This photo was taken in 1969 in northern Vietnam.

Since 1987, Billhardt has actively engaged in United Nations activities to protect children. In the photo, a Vietnamese boy was solving a maths problem on a buffalo’s back.

P11 A buffalo boy was playing the flute. The photo was taken in 1969.

Billhardt had travelled to Vietnam 12 times between 1962 and 1985 alone. This photo was recorded in northern Vietnam in 1979.

A buffalo boy was running away from rain

During wartime, children aged 6 or 7 had to help their family earn a living.

P15 Many of his works have been published on world’s leading magazines. This photo was taken in 1972.

He organised an exhibition in Hanoi in 1999 and another one in 2003.

He helped introduce Vietnam’s images to the world.

(Source:VOV)