Vietnam

When I visited Vietnam the first time in 2018, I had already developed a liking for street photography. But it took me a while before I became comfortable doing that in Vietnam. I walked around with a 50mm lens attached to Canon 1300D camera, trying to capture the essence of street life in the country. For some reason, I was inclined towards shooting a lot in portrait mode.

I visited Ho Chi Minh city, Da Lat, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi. It was Hoi An where I became more comfortable with people in the streets thanks to tourist-friendly locals. Sipping cups of Vietnamese coffee, which was love at first sip, I walked around observing. Although language was a barrier, a smile worked just fine in most cases. Conversations also took place with locals speaking with me in Vietnamese and I speaking English. Probably we didn’t understand each other’s words but I do believe we understood what we meant.

When I left, I did not know when I will return to Vietnam. But I didn’t have to wait long. I visited Vietnam once again in late 2019. This time I visited places like Da Nang, Phong NHA, and Ninh Bình in addition to other cities I had visited before. During this visit, I gave my camera mostly a rest and gave a smartphone a try.

Both visits to Vietnam were wonderful experiences and through this album, I have tried to showcase the country through an enthusiast’s lens.

Years: 2018-2019

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A tailor working in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A tailor working in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A man grooming himself photographed from a cafe in Ho Chi Minh City.
A street food vendor in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A street food vendor in Hoi An, Vietnam.
July 2018, Hoi An, Vietnam: Fish vendors arranging fish stock on a scooter
Fish vendors organising their stock to carry it on a motorbike. Hoi An.
Fish vendors organising their stock to carry it on a motorbike. Hoi An.
Fish vendors organising their stock to carry it on a motorbike. Hoi An.
Fish vendors organising their stock to carry it on a motorbike. Hoi An.
Fish vendors break ice with a wooden hammer. Hoi An.
Fish vendors break ice with a wooden hammer. Hoi An.
Fish vendors break ice with a wooden hammer. Hoi An.
Fish vendors break ice with a wooden hammer. Hoi An.
A fish seller inspects fish stock in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A fish seller inspects fish stock in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A fish vendor observes other fish vendors as they crowd to receive fresh fish.
A fish vendor observes other fish vendors as they crowd to receive fresh fish.
A fish vendor observes other fish vendors as they crowd to receive fresh fish.
A fish vendor observes other fish vendors as they crowd to receive fresh fish.
Portrait of a girl at a village in Da Lat, Vietnam.
Portrait of a girl at a village in Da Lat, Vietnam.
July 2018, Hoi An, Vietnam: A floating candle seller’s face lit up by candle light
A girl photographed at a restaurant in Hue, Vietnam.
A girl photographed at a restaurant in Hue, Vietnam.
A diary vendor smiles at camera after a successful sale. Hoi An, Vietnam.
A diary vendor smiles at camera after a successful sale. Hoi An, Vietnam.
A girl wants to be photographed sitting on a motorbike in Da Lat.
A girl wants to be photographed sitting on a motorbike in Da Lat.
A woman poses for a picture in front of the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A woman poses for a picture in front of the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Friends visiting Hoi An pose for a picture.
Friends visiting Hoi An pose for a picture.
Girls from China dressed in Ao Dai. Hoi An, Vietnam.
Girls from China dressed in Ao Dai. Hoi An, Vietnam.
Girls wearing Ao Dai costume pose for a picture in Hoi An.
Girls wearing Ao Dai costume pose for a picture in Hoi An.
A boat woman photographed from a bridge as she smokes sitting on her boat.
A boat woman photographed from a bridge as she smokes sitting on her boat.
A boat woman smiles as she notices the camera.
A boat woman smiles as she notices the camera.
Elderly women photographed in Hue, Vietnam.
Elderly women photographed in Hue, Vietnam.
An elderly boat woman in Hoi An smiles as she is pictured during a boat ride.
An elderly boat woman in Hoi An smiles as she is pictured during a boat ride.
A woman buys street food in Hoi An.
A woman buys street food in Hoi An.
A woman in Hoi An, Vietnam smiles after she notices the camera.
A woman in Hoi An, Vietnam smiles after she notices the camera.
A fruit vendor poses for a picture in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A fruit vendor poses for a picture in Hoi An, Vietnam.
A vendor in Hoi An looks at the camera.
A vendor in Hoi An looks at the camera.
A woman making lamp at a shop in Hoi An.
A woman making lamp at a shop in Hoi An.
A street vendor trying to fix a broken binocular.
A street vendor trying to fix a broken binocular.
A street vendor poses for a picture after her broken binocular is somewhat fixed by the photographer.
A street vendor poses for a picture after her broken binocular is somewhat fixed by the photographer.
An elderly vendor counts money sitting on the side of the road in Hoi An.
An elderly vendor counts money sitting on the side of the road in Hoi An.
A 102-year-old woman photographed in Hoi An – 2018.
A 102-year-old woman photographed in Hoi An - 2018.
A woman with red llips from chewing betel leaves pictured in Hoi An.
A woman with red llips from chewing betel leaves pictured in Hoi An.
A tourist covers her face with a hand held fan at a restaurant in Hoi An.
A tourist covers her face with a hand held fan at a restaurant in Hoi An.
A boy lit by candle light photographed in Hoi An.
A boy lit by candle light photographed in Hoi An.
A fisherman in Hoi An looks at the camera as he stops for a smoke.
A fisherman in Hoi An looks at the camera as he stops for a smoke.
A boat woman sitting on her boat with boats of other women around her.
A boat woman sitting on her boat with boats of other women around her.
A woman pictured sitting on her boat in Hoi An.
A woman pictured sitting on her boat in Hoi An.
A boat woman photographed as she lights incense sticks.
A boat woman photographed as she lights incense sticks.
A girl washing vegetables as chickens surround her. Da Lat, Vietnam.
A girl washing vegetables as chickens surround her. Da Lat, Vietnam.
Inside Hue Ancient City
Inside Hue Ancient City
July 2018, Hoi An, Vietnam: A woman making floating candles that she will sell in the evening
July 2018, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City building
July 2018, Hoi An, Vietnam: A man washes his boat in river
December 2019, Da Lat, Vietnam: Idol at a Buddhist temple
Da Lat, Vietnam: Idol at a Buddhist temple
July 2018, Da Lat, Vietnam: A Laughing Buddha statue
December 2019, Da Lat, Vietnam: The Laughing Buddha painted white
A commercial complex in Ho Chi Minh City
A commercial complex in Ho Chi Minh City
July 2018, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Huyen Si Church
December 2019, Hoi An, Vietnam: Inside Martyrs’ Cemetery
December 2019, Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Driving through the countryside – II
December 2019, Hue, Vietnam: Visitors at Thien Mu Pagoda get their picture taken
December 2019, Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Driving through the countryside – I
December 2019, Da Nang, Vietnam: Inside Hoa Nghiem cave
December 2019, Phong Nha, Vietnam: Inside a cave
December 2019, Phong Nha, Vietnam: A cave entrance
December 2019, Hue, Vietnam: At the Imperial City
December 2019, Hue, Vietnam: An abandoned building