Suppressed by authority, Vietnamese take to graffiti to express themselves

For many the spray can is a tool of rebellion -- illicit spray-painting is a way of defying restrictions in an authoritarian country.

This picture taken on February 19, 2017 shows Dan Nguyen, a California-born Vietnamese artist who moved to Ho Chi Minh City about five years ago, working on his graffiti. (Photo | AFP) 

This picture taken on March 13, 2017 shows people walking along a wall filled with graffiti near a raillway station in downtown Hanoi. (Photo | AFP)

For many the spray can is a tool of rebellion -- illicit spray-painting is a way of defying restrictions in an authoritarian country. (Photo | AFP)

A graffiti artist and vendor of spray cans, checking his stock of spray cans at his home workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo | AFP)

A graffiti artist and vendor of spray cans, posing in front of a portrait of US rapper Ice Cube at his home workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo | AFP)

This picture taken on February 20, 2017 shows men drinking coffee in an alley filled with graffiti in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo | AFP)

This picture taken on February 19, 2017 shows a motorcyclist riding past a work of graffiti at '3A Station', a graffiti hub and street art area in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo | AFP)