Linh Phạm

in Hanoi

Street Cred: Pháo Đài Láng, Home of Ông Voi and Where the War Began

More often than not, a country’s independence is won with guns. The location where the first shots were fired for Vietnam is memorialized to this day.

in Vietnam

Buôn Ma Thuột's Thriving Elephant Culture in 1957

In the not-too-distant past, elephants were an important part of highland lifestyles, including use in cultural activities, agriculture.

in Vietnam

A Collection of Scenes in 1964 Saigon, Bến Tre, Biên Hòa on Film

In 1964, Saigon’s Phù Đổng Roundabout didn’t feature the towering bronze statue of folk hero Thánh Gióng. Instead of the congestion hot spot the intersection is known as today, it was actually spacious and airy, with nary a shop or bubble tea parlor in sight.

in Vietnam

Vauban Architecture: The Foundation of Central and Northern Vietnam's Citadels

In our  previous article on Vietnam’s southern citadels , we covered a mix of ancient structures and those constructe...

in Vietnam

Unearthed: Tracing the Past Citadels of Southern Vietnam

Although the forces of modernization encourage constant progress and leaving behind the pre-modern past, the trails of yesterday never fail to leave our presence.

in Vietnam

10 Rare Illustrations Offer Glimpses Into Life in Tonkin in 1923

What’s your typical Sunday routine? If your answer includes grabbing some noodles on the street, getting your earwax removed and mustache shaved, and maybe smoking some opium to take the edge off, congratulations, you might be living in 1923 Tonkin.

Tim Doling

in Vietnam

Revisit 1990s Saigon in 'L’Amant,' the Film Adaptation of Marguerite Duras' Famous Novel

When filming the movie adaptation of Marguerite Duras’ 1984 autobiographical novel The Lover, French director Jean-Jacques Annaud made extensive use of Saigon locations. Here’s a run-down of the local landmarks to watch out for when you view the movie.

in Vietnam

Vibrant Watercolor Paintings Take Us Back to Northern Vietnam in 1890

Way before colored photography appeared, generations of our ancestors had to rely on the finesse of painters to create visuals records of their everyday routines. This collection of watercolor paintings from the 1890s is a particularly vivid example of that, depicting lively scenes of Vietnam two centuries ago that are full of humor and personality.

Back Heritage

in Vietnam

[Photos] 1970s Vietnam: Lambrettas, Spartan Fields and Renaults Galore

In the 1970s, urban Vietnam was a Lambretta paradise.

Khoi Pham

in Saigon

Street Cred: Alexandre de Rhodes and the Birth of Chữ Quốc Ngữ

Among Saigon's many streets, there are only four roads named after foreigners: Yersin, Pasteur, Calmette and Alexandre de Rhodes.

in Heritage

[Photos] A 1973 Trip to the Market

There are few experiences quite like wandering through a Saigon market.

in Vietnam

[Photos] The Calm Austerity of Vung Tau in the Late 1960s

Whether it's 2017 or the late 1960s, Vung Tau is a sleepy coastal town that exudes charm.

in Heritage

[Photos] Stroll Through 1966 Downtown Saigon

Saigon has come a long way in the last half-century. And yet, even as the city is transformed by major infrastructure projects and commercial developments, there are a few things that remain the same,...

in Asia

Japanese Emperor, Empress to Meet With Vietnamese Families of WWII Japanese Soldiers

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Vietnam this week, meeting with the Vietnamese wives and children of Japanese soldiers stationed in the country during World War II.

in Heritage

The End of Ton That Dam's Chợ Cũ

As Saigon quickly transforms into a modern metropolis, some of the city’s beloved old relics are fading away with the pressures of development.

in Heritage

The Ongoing Evolution of Quach Thi Trang Square

Over the weekend, Saigon’s iconic Quach Thi Trang Square disappeared behind a wall of blue fencing in preparation for further metro construction.

in Heritage

[Video] A Tour of Saigon in the 1900s

Saigon has always been a source of inspiration for shutterbugs and artists to craft some of their most captivating work. However, while it’s easy to come across photographs of the city's past, video c...

in Heritage

[Photos] 1960s Saigon: Fruit Vendors, Honda Cubs and Bò Bía Galore

It's as true today as it was in the 1960s: to experience Saigon life, head to the streets.

Dana Filek-Gibson

in Saigon

Street Cred: Nguyen Du, Father of Vietnamese Literature

Even if you’re in need of a refresher on Vietnamese history, chances are you know the name Nguyen Du. The 19th-century statesman and poet is often known as the father of Vietnamese literature, and his...

in Vietnam

[Photos] Serviceman’s Photos Offer a Glimpse of Sleepy 1967 Phan Thiet

As we’ve seen before, photos taken by American military personnel during the war often help to paint a picture of mid-1960s to early 1970s Vietnam. Such is the case with Bob Kelly’s album of 1967 Phan...

in Heritage

[Photos] Saigon Xua: A Touch of Hat Tuong in the Land of Cinemas

There’s no doubt that Vietnamese in the past were avid patrons of the arts.

in Asia

[Photos] From Fishing Village to Metropolis: Tracking the Evolution of Tokyo

The following images – dating from 12th century to the 1950s – show the evolution of Tokyo, which means Eastern Capital, from a provincial center to major city, particularly following Emperor Meiji’s ...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Considers Getting Rid of Wartime Loudspeakers

Hanoi residents might have to say goodbye to the city’s wartime loudspeakers, or loa phường.

in Asia

[Photos] A Glimpse Into 1950s Cambodia and Laos

Over the past month or so, we’ve come to love the stunning 1950s photography of Frenchman Raymond Cauchetier.

in Vietnam

[Photos] Take a Tour of Da Nang in 1954

A collection of pictures compiled on Flickr shows what life in Da Nang looked like way back in 1954.

in Heritage

[Photos] Saigon's Charm Through the Lens of an American Air Force Officer

Saigon has always been a muse for artists, musicians, poets and writers, inspiring some of their greatest works of art. However, the southern metropolis seems to be especially lively when seen through...

Khoi Pham

in Vietnam

Street Cred: Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh, the Yin and Yang of Vietnam's Insurgency in the 1900s

In today’s Saigon, Ben Thanh Market’s eastern and western entrances are joined by Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau Streets, respectively. While the two short, cozy roads never intersect, the fate of t...

in Vietnam

[Photos] 1950s Ha Long Bay in Black and White

It will come as a surprise to no one that Ha Long Bay was much quieter in the 1950s than it is today.