Chemical-bond imaging opens a window for life science and materials science by providing chemical information with minimal perturbation to molecules. Infrared and Raman microscopies are widely used, yet limited by poor spatial resolution or very slow imaging speed. Recently developed coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and stimulated Raman scattering microscopy enabled high-speed chemical imaging, whereas their performance is limited by a non-resonant background or a cross phase modulation. Vibrational excitation and subsequent relaxation efficiently generates heat, making photothermal detection a natural and sensitive means of imaging chemical bonds. This presentation will introduce a novel class of chemical microscopy termed vibrational photothermal (VIP) microscopy. Modalities include mid-infrared photothermal (MIP), simulated Raman photothermal (SRP), and short-wave infrared photothermal (SWIP) microscopy. Principle, instrumentation, and applications to life science will be discussed.