Feel the Pulse of a Fast-Changing Vietnam in the 1990s via This Lively Photo Album
By the mid-1990's, Vietnam's astounding economic transformation was well underway.
Street Cred: Dauntless Antiwar Icon Nguyễn Thái Bình and His Tragic Death
If one were to see the streets of Vietnam as a tangled network of people whose names they took, every city would resemble a messy collection of historical fragments.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
[Photos] This Is What Life in Vietnam Looked Like 100 Years Ago
When photographer, Charles Peyrin, visited Vietnam in the 1920’s, he snapped dozens of candid shots that offer a rare glimpse into the daily life of locals and French colonists.
Tim Doling in Saigon
What Does The Future Hold For Petrus Ky’s Mausoleum And Memorial House?
Not yet recognised as a heritage site, the Mausoleum and Memorial House of Pétrus Ký, one of Việt Nam’s greatest intellects, has fallen into a state of disrepair.
[Video] Public Transportation In Old(er) Hanoi
While the last streetcar disappeared from Saigon’s streets in 1959, Hanoi held on to theirs until 1989. By the time service ended, the city’s light rail system was completely dilapidated aft...
Tim Doling in Saigon
Date With The Wrecking Ball: 606 Trần Hưng Đạo
The grand old villa at 606 Trần Hưng Đạo, one of Chợ Quán’s few remaining heritage buildings, is currently threatened with redevelopment.
[Video] Inside A 1972 Saigon Áo Dài Beauty Pageant
This short video was filmed at an áo dài beauty contest that took place in Saigon on November 27, 1972 to raise funds for the Vì Dân Hospital project.
16 Rare Photos That Show Life In Saigon After Japanese Surrender (1945)
These rare photos, taken by John Florea in October 1945, show what life was like in Saigon as Japanese forces laid down their arms following four years of occupation.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Date With The Wrecking Ball: Ba Son Shipyard
According to a recent article in Thanh Niên newspaper, the Ba Son Shipyard – Saigon’s oldest and most important maritime heritage site, recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1993 as...
Tim Doling in Saigon
Old Saigon Building Of The Week: 32 Hàm Nghi
Notwithstanding its 1939 makeover, the flat iron building at the corner of Hàm Nghi and Hồ Tùng Mậu street is still one of the city’s most attractive colonial relics.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Old Saigon Building of the Week: The Former Grall Hospital
One of the oldest hospitals in Asia, the Children’s Hospital 2 (Bệnh viện Nhi đồng 2) at 14 Lý Tự Trọng began life as a French military hospital.
These 25 Pictures Show What Life Was Like in 1990 Hanoi
These photos, taken just as the effects of “Đổi Mới” reforms were kicking in, show a Hanoi transitioning from an impoverished capital city into one embarking on a path towards the free market.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Old Saigon Building Of The Week: The Municipal Theatre
Built by the French at the mid-point of historic rue Catinat, the Municipal Theatre is one of Saigon's most iconic landmarks.
[Photos] Inside The Pages Of “Saigon Roundup”
Saigon Roundup was a weekly, English-language digest and advertising magazine published by International Publicity Agent during the 1960s. While its pages may not hold particularly stellar examples of...
Tim Doling in Saigon
Icons Of Old Saigon: The Canal Bonard
Though now little more than a rat-infested sewer, the former canal Bonard was once a busy waterway which made an immense contribution to the economic prosperity of Chợ Lớn. As work begins to restore t...
[Video] Rare Footage Of 1945-1954 Hanoi
This six-minute compilation of footage offers a rare view of life on the streets of Hanoi prior to 1954.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Icons Of Old Saigon: The Église Sainte-Marie-Immaculée
The Sun Wah Tower at 115 Nguyễn Huệ stands on the site of Saigon’s first Roman Catholic cathedral.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Date With the Wrecking Ball: Saigon Hospital
The Saigon Hospital at 125 Lê Lợi was originally built in the late 1930s as the Polyclinique Dejean de la Bâtie. The French named it after French doctor Théodose Déjean de la Bâtie, who devoted his li...
28 Old Pictures of Tet in Saigon
Whether street vendor or office worker in Saigon, Tết traditions, such as gathering with family, praying to the kitchen gods, giving crisp banknotes as lì xì and washing down bánh chưng with beer...
Tim Doling in Saigon
Icons Of Old Saigon: The Electricity Building
The recently-rebuilt EVN Hồ Chí Minh City Power Company building at 72 Hai Bà Trưng stands on the site of Saigon’s very first electricity station.
43 Nostalgic Old Postcards Of Vietnam
Old postcards are telling cultural artifacts that allow us to catch a glimpse of what people in the past deemed worthy of showing to friends and loved ones on their travels.
Tim Doling in Saigon
Old Saigon Building Of The Week: The Grand Hotel
One of the city’s most historic hotels, the Grand is better known as the former Saigon-Palace, one of the leading hotels of the 1930s.
