What is it about the cracking paint, the crumbling brick and the ominous silence of deserted buildings that intrigues us so? They become more complex and interesting as the natural processes of decay take over and as layered debris tells more and more stories as the years go by. Different kinds of structures are forsaken … Read more
John Gardner, GM of the Caravelle Hotel, reflects on the allure of Saigon in the 1960s and the price of a luxury escape… Think of the great places that are verboten when it comes to travel these days: Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, all lands of great, exotic appeal, and all off-limits to people who put a … Read more
We find out how local demand for luxury brands is turning Vietnam into a powerhouse market Named by Goldman Sachs as one of the 11 countries having the highest potential of becoming the world’s largest economies in the 21st century, Vietnam is quickly outgrowing its “Tiny Dragon of Asia” moniker. Experts predict that Vietnam’s economic … Read more
Marriage, like people, comes in all shapes and forms. From a colorful Cham ceremony to the traditional white dress, these couples graciously allowed us to capture their intimate moments and share them with you.
For the Vietnamese , there’s much more to life than what’s inside the four walls they call home.
A CAREFUL LISTENER: Mr Thanh likes to sit outside his house and hear his birds sing, a welcome respite from his wife’s nagging from within
A workman not shy about airing out his dirty laundry
Foghorn Leghorn sussing out the competition
AIR: After finding a hole in his tire, Cuong heads to the nearest mechanic for a quick fix
We didn’t have
the heart to wake him up to ask for his nam
In contrast to the often sterile and deserted neighborhoods of the West where life is lived almost exclusively behind closed doors, Vietnam’s cramped city dwellings and a powerful sense of community means life here seamlessly spills out onto the streets. Wander along any of the city’s many avenues and back alleys and you’ll discover people on the pavement animatedly huddled around a game of Chinese chess, getting their hair cut (and ears cleaned), washing vegetables and clothes or simply and unabashedly sprawled out for a midday nap.
Ong Hai surveys the night’s inventory
While closed for business, the structure and shelves of this motorbike shop remains for the night doubling up as makeshift beds for wanderers
HAIR: Khanh helps his mother look younger and prettier by pulling out her gray hairs
Little Thuy and her brother play taxi driver and lottery seller near their house in D8
In Ho Chi Minh City, all kinds of work that we, as Westerners, would expect to find “inside” workshops and garages take place “outside” right on the sidewalk – motorcycle and bicycle fixing, welding, carpentry and shoe repair. Needless to say, the Vietnamese are not self-conscious; they are very relaxed about putting their life on display. They just do whatever they need to do, whenever they need to do it and wherever they need to do it. And these were the candid moments our photographers captured.
Ms Oanh selects the best fish cakes for her
lunch in an alley in Phu Nhuan
Co Tam pours out the
remains of her soup sewage
Almost eight decades old, Ba Nguyen says the key to a long life is to rely on others’ kindness
Mr Tuan samples the live stock to replenish his fish tank at home
Businesswoman Ms Loan with her jars of coffee beans and tea leaves waiting for customers
Beautiful in its vibrancy, honesty and at times grittiness, street life is alive and well and remains an intrinsic thread to the fabric of the city.
