The many faces of Vietnam – photo essay

The many faces of Vietnam – photo essay

How can you even describe a country as diverse as Vietnam? Do you begin with golden sunsets cast over secluded fishing villages or possibly the bustling Mekong Delta floating markets? Not to mention the cities brimming with history and cultural heritage.

Located in the southeast of Indochinese Peninsula, Vietnam is truly a sensory overload with its rich biodiversity, varied architecture, distinct regional cuisines, and ancient traditions.

However, what makes Vietnam truly special are its people. Observing the locals gives you a true taste of the country. Influenced by Confucian principles the Vietnamese revolve their life around family, community, tradition, agriculture, and religious rituals.

Being friendly, extremely hospitable, and always quick to laugh, the people of Vietnam give all travellers a warm welcome. They often invite visitors into their homes to share in their lives, history and culture.  

A man reading a newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam
A man reads a morning newspaper on the porch of his house in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.

The shared kitchen in a residential building in Ho Chi Minh city used mainly for brewing Vietnamese coffee.
This shared kitchen in a residential building in Ho Chi Minh City is used mainly for brewing Vietnamese coffee. Coffee is a major part of the Vietnamese lifestyle, and it is enjoyed at any time of the day.
Metalworkers at work in a workshop in Ho Chi Minh city, Southeast Vietnam
Metalworkers at work in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam
A man takes a break from work in front of a steel workshop in the Cho Lon district of Ho Chi Minh city, Southeast Vietnam.
A man takes a break from work in front of a steel workshop in the Cho Lon district of Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.

Men play Xiangqi, also called Chinese Chess or elephant chess, in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
Men play Xiangqi, also called Chinese Chess or elephant chess, in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A family rides a motorcycle through a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A family rides a motorcycle through a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A man with a child ride a motorbike through a local market in Ho Chi Minh city, Southeast Vietnam.
A man with a child ride a motorbike through a local market in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A woman takes a rest in a hammock in the communal space of a condominium in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A woman takes a rest in a hammock in the communal space of a condominium in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
A communal area of a condominium in Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam
An artisan cuts freshly made coconut candies in a small factory in a village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
An artisan cuts freshly made coconut candies in a small factory in a village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A woman and her daughter sell fish at the local market in a coastal fishing village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
  A woman sells seafood in a coastal fishing village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
     A woman sells seafood in a coastal fishing village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A portrait of a girl I met in a coastal fishing village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A portrait of a girl from a coastal fishing village near Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A woman carries fish to a local market, Hoi An area, Central Vietnam.
A woman carries fish to a local market, Hoi An area, Central Vietnam.
A man cuts pineapples for sale at the Phong Dien floating market, Can Tho, Southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.
Worshippers attend a Caodaism ceremony in Cao Dai Temple, northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
Worshippers attend a Caodaism ceremony in Cao Dai Temple, northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Vietnam.
Theravada Buddhist monks pray in a Khmer temple in Tra Vinh province, Southern Vietnam.
Theravada Buddhist monks pray in a Khmer temple in Tra Vinh province, Southern Vietnam.
A monk looks after the plants in one of many Buddhist temples in Tra Vinh Province, Southern Vietnam.
A monk looks after the plants in one of many Buddhist temples in Tra Vinh Province, Southern Vietnam.
A woman rests on the porch of her house in Duong Lam ancient village near Hanoi.
A woman rests on the porch of her house in Duong Lam ancient village near Hanoi.

A shopper completes a purchase transaction with local vendors in Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A shopper completes a purchase transaction with local vendors in Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A cattle farmer takes a break from work in a village on the outskirts of Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
A cattle farmer takes a break from work in a village on the outskirts of Hoi An, Central Vietnam.
 Vietnamese guide takes tourists on a boat tour in Ninh Binh province, Red River Delta region, Northern Vietnam.
A Vietnamese guide takes tourists on a boat tour in Ninh Binh province, Red River Delta region, Northern Vietnam.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *