A Day in the Life of Phùng Hưng, a D5 Street With Two Personalities
Nestled in the historic Chợ Lớn section of District 5, Phùng Hưng Street runs from the canal along Võ Văn Kiệt through to Hồng Bàng. Within its length, the street has two distinct personalities.
At Huyen Trang Pagoda, Spirituality, Charity Campaigns and a Home for Stray Kittens
Huynh Tan Phat, spanning many kilometers paralleling the river in District 7, is typical of many bustling streets, filled with the cacophonous rhythms of Saigon. However, cross the bridge at Pham...
The Quotidian Hẻm Life Along the Railway Track in District 3
I have made multiple trips up and down the hẻm along the railway from Le Van Sy to capture the moods both during the week and on weekends. As the hẻm serves both pedestrians and ...
With No Foreign Visitors, Vietnam's Travel Sector Courts Domestic Tourists, but Is It Enough?
As the country slowly opens for tourism, are companies and people adequately prepared?
Tracing the Reincarnation of Plastic Waste in Saigon's Informal Recycling Workshops
The text message said to be ready at 4:30am at my street corner, where I would be picked up for the drive to the plastics recycling center. I had been wanting to visit the site for this article and th...
Inside Saigon's Grassroots Carton and Aluminum Recycling Plants
With plastics claiming many of the headlines worldwide and constituting a major issue in Vietnam, scant attention is being paid to other recyclable materials, namely cardboard and aluminum.
[Photos] Inside the Non-Stop Action of a Muay Thai Fight Night in Saigon
I arrived with eager anticipation on Sunday, December 29 at the Tao Dan Sports Center for the start of the club matches.
In a D5 Gym, a Soft-Spoken Muay Thai Legend Trains Future Fighters
I first encountered Muay Thai on a photo assignment in Bangkok a number of years ago, and this graceful, devastatingly lethal martial art has piqued my curiosity ever since. After returning to the Uni...
An Opera Lover’s Introduction to Cải Lương
“How would you like to see a performance of cải lương — traditional Vietnamese folk opera?” my local friend asked. “Great opportunity for photos, and I think we can go backstage.” Knowing my love...
