Pink Project - a series about Vietnamese same-sex couples

Maika Elan is a 25 year old photographer from Hanoi, Vietnam. Her latest project focuses on same-sex couples, whom she photographs during very personal moments in their lives, when the love connection between them becomes almost physically palpable. The project is called "Pink Choice", it is dedicated to same-sex couples who have not yet been accepted by the rest of Vietnamese society. Maika met with hundreds of couples, but only 72 agreed to work with her. She spent a lot of time with each couple, came to visit them, talked.

Vietnam's communist government is just getting ready to recognize same-sex unions, and now the country's gay community is becoming more visible. Maika's photographs are a kind of political and cultural "voice" in a country that is on the verge of change.

(Total 23 photos)

1. Doan Hu Dieu (1986, worker, left) and Ngayen Trong Hieu (1962, businessman) have just woken up in their home in Hanoi. They have been together for three years.

2. Hai (1976) and Yen (1960) have been smuggling drugs for 20 years. They have been living together for 10 years, dating for 13 years.

3. Ngan (1990, student) does his homework with her boyfriend Kuan (1990, student). They have been dating for one year.

4. Lu Mann Than (1985, driver, left) and Pham Phuong Dong (1989, soldier) eat breakfast while watching TV. They have been living together for over two years in Hanoi.

5. Ngayen Ti Chin (left, working) and Tran Ti Lan (chef) listen to music on the radio in a rented communal apartment in Hanoi. Dating for over a year.

6. Phan Ngoc Khai Lee (entrepreneur) gives a pedicure to his beloved Pham Tao Huven (graphic designer). They have been living together in Ho Chi Minh City for almost five years.

7. Chao Hoang Phuong (architect, left) and Ha Min Tri (student) look at Ho Chi Minh City from the window of their apartment. They have been together for one year.

8. Hieu (1953, entrepreneur) in the shower with her boyfriend Thang (1949, social worker). Together 8 years.

9. Phan Ngoc Khai Lee (entrepreneur) dries one of the cats after bathing while Pham Tao Huven (graphic designer) tries out new commercials. Together for almost five years.

10. Phan Ti Tuy Vi (1992, student, left) and Dang Ti Beach Bay (1992, student) watch TV after school. Together for one year. They live in Da Nang.

11. Phat (1991, photographer) and his boyfriend Min (1991, student) bathe dogs. Together for one year.

12. Phong (1989, student) and Hoang (1988, student) are splashing in the Red River not far from home. Together for one year.

13. Hung (1987, office worker) chooses tracks on the computer to relax with her boyfriend Ngan (1989, office worker) after a hard day at work. Together 6 years.

14. Hai (1976) and Yen (1960) have been living together for over 10 years. Together 13 years.

15. Ngayen Mann Tuan (worker) and Ngayen Van Than (businessman) watch the news in their apartment in Hanoi. They have been together for 2 years.

16. Ngayen Ti Kim Ngan (1991, worker) and Dam Ngoc Hoang (1994, seamstress) watch a horror movie after dinner. They have been together for over 4 years.

17. Bean (1972, worker, right) and Bach (1975, bricklayer) are resting at home. Together 4 years.

18. Phat (1991, photographer) photographs her boyfriend Min (1991, student) with soft toys in honor of the first anniversary of their life together.

19. Khan (1987, prostitute) after having sex with her boyfriend Khai (1964, taxi driver). Together for one year.

20. Tran Van Chuk (1990, worker, in the foreground) and Ngayen Van Dang (1967, civil servant) in Hanoi. Together for over a year.

21. Hung (1943, inspector) and his boyfriend Hung (1972, social worker). Together 2 years.

22. Ngayen Ti Kim Ngan (1991, worker, left) and Dam Ngoc Hoang (1994, seamstress) watch a horror movie. Together for over 4 years.

23. Khan (1987, prostitute) has sex with her boyfriend Khai (1964, taxi driver). Together 1 year.