The Visual Anthropology Initiative (VAI) is a collaborative project (2008-2010) to train Vietnamese ethnographers in visual anthropology. Institutional support and sponsorship were provided by the Vietnamese Institute of Culture and Art Studies (VICAS) in Hanoi and the Center for the Study of Vietnamese Philosophy, Culture and Society at Temple University. The project was funded by the Ford Foundation and co-directed by Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien (VICAS) and Dr. Lauren Meeker.

Selected films were screened at YUNFEST 2011 (Yunnan Multi Culture Visual Festival)

Films by VAI participants include:

  • A Child of Mother Goddesses by Nguyen Thi Hien
  • A house for Success by Phan Phuong Anh and Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung
  • Dead River by Ngyuen Thi Thu Trang
  • Night Market by Cao Trung Vinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa
  • One Day with a Person Who Collects Used Bottles by Le Tuan Hung and Tran Van Hieu
  • Xích Lô in the Old Streets by Truong Thi Thuy Ha
  • Vân Festival by Vu Tu Quyen