An Gi Chua? – A Photobook About Food & Care Among Vietnamese

An Gi Chua? – A Photobook About Food, Care & Belonging Among Vietnamese In The UK

About the Project

An Gi Chua? (“Have you eaten yet?”) is a phrase every Vietnamese person knows. It’s how we show care. We may not say “I love you” often — instead, we ask if you’ve eaten, if you’re warm, if you’ve had enough water.

This photobook is my attempt to capture that quiet, familiar language of love through food. It’s a photographic exploration of home, nourishment, and care among Vietnamese families living in the UK — told through the meals we share, the gestures we make, and the stories that unfold around the dining table.

Why This Project Matters

When I moved to the UK seven years ago, first as a student and now as someone building a life here, food became my bridge. Cooking together, sharing a meal, or simply talking about dishes has always been how I connect — to friends, to my culture, and to a sense of home.

In An Gi Chua?, I’ll visit Vietnamese families across the UK, not just as a photographer, but as a guest — sharing their meals, listening to their stories, and documenting the warmth and care that food brings to our everyday lives abroad.

This book is both a love letter and a document — a way to hold onto the small, beautiful rituals that keep us connected even far from home.

Initial Goal: £450

At this first stage, I’m aiming to raise £450 to help cover my initial expenses for travel and shared meals with Vietnamese families across the UK — the very heart of this project. These visits are where the real stories begin: sitting down together, listening, eating, and connecting.

How You Can Support

Donate – any amount helps, truly.

Share the campaign with friends, family, or anyone who might connect with the story.

Follow along – I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments and updates on Instagram @collagewise

When the book is complete, supporters will be the first to receive updates — and I hope to offer signed copies and small prints as tokens of gratitude for those who make this project possible.

Thank You

This project is deeply personal to me. It’s about memory, care, and the simple, universal act of sharing a meal. I believe stories like these — of quiet love, of family, of finding home far away from home — deserve to be seen and remembered.

Thank you, sincerely, for helping me tell it.