Even today, some parts of Saigon’s road system still leave much to be desired. However, judging by this set of old photos from 1964-1968, at that time most of the metropolis’ thoroughfares didn’t even have asphalt reinforcement.
This collection of film snapshots – taken by former American soldier Dennis Jax – is different from others due to the shots’ square frame. Thus, when put together neatly in rows, these under-saturated, gritty photos form a mosaic of Saigon scenes. Apart from landmarks such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, which was built decades before these were taken, most of the city’s modern icons didn’t exist.
Take a tour of Saigon and Vung Tau in 1964-1968 through the photos below:
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/4cb0vKAb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/gZV83E7b.jpg)
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![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/AfOnS8gb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/scMLpAJb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/3PbuWc3b.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/ALHkhKtb.jpg)
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![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/xuUqMwRb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/8vunss0b.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/tDS2Fiub.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/C6Gsdvnb.jpg)
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![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/5yELrqGb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/SixzcBVb.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/z1GwW44b.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/aV8Ux7Ub.jpg)
![](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/0ST5dFHb.jpg)
[Photos via Flickr user manhhai]