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Uy Dinh wearing a gold traditional Vietnamese áo dài stands on a wooden pavilion overlooking a reflective pond at the Hayward Japanese Garden, surrounded by manicured trees and calm water.

Still Water, Flowing Tradition — Vietnamese Elegance in a Japanese Garden

Hayward Japanese Garden, Hayward, California • Janurary 31, 2026

Reflection (English)

A quiet morning at the Hayward Japanese Garden, where still water and carefully shaped trees created a timeless backdrop for tradition.

Uy Dinh, dressed in a golden Vietnamese áo dài, and Trung Bui, wearing a deep blue áo dài, stood calmly within the landscape, holding folding fans that echoed an older rhythm of grace and ceremony.

The contrast felt meaningful—Vietnamese traditional attire set within a Japanese garden. Different histories sharing the same space without tension. In the silence of the pond and the balance of the garden, tradition felt not distant or ceremonial but present, grounded, and quietly confident.

沉思 (中文)

在海沃德日本庭园的一个宁静早晨，静止的池水与精心修剪的树木构成了一个超越时间的场景。

身穿金色越南传统服饰（奥黛）的 Uy Dinh，以及身穿深蓝色奥黛的 Trung Bui，手持折扇，静静地融入园景之中，展现出克制而优雅的仪式感。

越南传统服装与日本庭园并置，不同文化在同一空间里自然共存。在这片宁静之中，传统并未显得遥远，而是鲜活而安定。

Reflexión (Español)

Una mañana tranquila en el Jardín Japonés de Hayward, donde el agua inmóvil y los árboles cuidadosamente formados crearon un escenario fuera del tiempo.

Uy Dinh, con un áo dài vietnamita dorado, y Trung Bui, con un áo dài azul profundo, sostienen abanicos plegables que evocan una elegancia clásica y contenida.

El contraste fue significativo: vestimenta tradicional vietnamita dentro de un jardín japonés. Culturas distintas compartiendo un mismo espacio en armonía. En la quietud del estanque, la tradición se sintió viva y presente.

Uy Dinh wearing a gold áo dài stands on a wooden pavilion overlooking a reflective pond at the Hayward Japanese Garden, surrounded by manicured trees and still water.
Uy Dinh — golden áo dài on wooden pavilion overlooking reflective pond, framed by manicured trees.
24mm · f/11 · ISO 100 · 1/100s (handheld)
Trung Bui in a blue áo dài stands by a pond in the Hayward Japanese Garden, surrounded by sculpted trees, rocks, and reflections in still water.
Trung Bui — deep blue áo dài beside garden pond, framed by sculpted trees and soft reflections.
24mm · f/11 · ISO 100 · 1/100s (handheld)
Uy Dinh in a golden Vietnamese áo dài embroidered with plum blossoms, seated on wooden steps at the Hayward Japanese Garden teahouse, calm expression and centered posture.
Uy Dinh (Close) — golden áo dài with plum blossom embroidery on teahouse steps. Calm expression echoes patience.
ISO 100 · f/4 · 1/80s (handheld at stairs)
Trung Bui in a deep blue Vietnamese áo dài with golden dragon embroidery, holding a fan inscribed with 清风 meaning 'pure wind,' photographed near the pond surrounded by layered greens and waterfall.
Trung Bui (Close) — deep blue áo dài with golden dragon embroidery, holding fan reading 清风 (“pure wind”). Serenity framed by layered greens.
ISO 100 · f/4 · 1/160s (handheld in garden)
Uy Dinh in royal blue áo dài with gold dragon motif holds an ornate fan as Trung Bui in bright yellow áo dài lifts an LCD light panel to illuminate her, beneath a textured tree in lush Hayward Japanese Garden greenery.
Simple Lighting Setup — handheld LCD panel (held by Trung Bui) provides soft fill on Uy Dinh beneath textured tree canopy. Minimal gear, maximum texture.
ISO 160 · f/4 · 1/80s (handheld, ambient + LCD)

Technical

  • Camera: Canon R5 Mark II
  • Lens: Canon EF 24–105mm
  • Wide shots: 24mm, f/11, ISO 100, 1/100s (handheld)
  • Close portraits: f/4, ISO 100, 1/80s–1/160s (handheld + LCD fill)
  • Lighting: Natural daylight + small handheld LCD panel

Process Notes

  • What I Like: Balanced depth at f/11, strong áo dài vs. green contrast, space conveying calm
  • What I’d Improve: Lower angles for stronger water reflections, tighter fabric texture series

Tags: Hayward Japanese Garden, Vietnamese Culture, Áo Dài, Canon R5 Mark II, Environmental Portrait, Cultural Harmony, Stillness, Handheld Lighting