Idyll of the outskirts of Saigon; saying this with irony and admiration at the same time:
I mean, that's definitely a tiny resort island below umbrellas, and no matter what's around it.
That was on June 23, 2024, I was strolling in a random direction in the middle of nowhere. Well, more precisely, I was walking to one of the places where a railway crosses a street which I had found on Google.Maps... to see if the place is cool. I'd say quite an ephemeral travel attraction. 😀
On my way, someone called me from a tiny workshop and asked me to photograph him. I readily agreed. I only needed to find where to stand with the photo camera since all the space, as it happens in Vietnam, was densely filled with parked motorbikes, plastic chairs, garbage, etc, etc.
And that was my initiative:
I liked this durian shop and wanted to take an image of it with the seller. The man stood up immediately (although I didn't ask it) and placed himself next to the shelf, and, in passing, removed a large piece of cardboard from durians which actually helped to take a better image.
Then, I notice this person:
I liked the elegant gait of this man and his hat and, when he came closer, I asked him if I could take an image of him. He didn't mind and presented me his charming smile:
About Vietnam, I am happy how people readily agree to be photographed. The condition is only one for the photographer: don't drain people's time. You often have only several seconds before they start getting bored. Better to photograph their very first reaction because they shine the most at that moment.
I loved this banyan tree's roots on the wall as well as people sitting at "classical" red plastic tables... But there were so many motorbikes in the place where I wanted to stand.... and I was in plain sight so no secret photo was possible... And too many people to ask consent...
Ok, if I am there again, I'll try to find a better opportunity... Some sunlight ☀️ would be nice too to have in the frame.
At last the intersection I chose to see:
Not bad. But no epic shots with a train:
Trains are rare there so I couldn't re-try and I left.
I found this church on Google.Maps and wanted to see what was there.
The facade was decorated with the Buddhist flavor. Lit with intense late afternoon sun rays, it looks fantastic, and I immediately felt sorry I didn't take 24mm with me this time.
A lady was passing and, when she saw me, she showed me the v-sign as a joke, obviously. But I used that as an excuse to ask the consent. She was happy with that.
Frantic photo-taking can be annoying at such events as a mass, especially when you look like a tourist.
So I took a few shots only. I was mostly observing and soaking up the atmosphere.
On the left in the image above, by the way, you can see a frame with a drum. They played not only large bells as it happens in Europe but also drums. Exotic. Also, Vietnamese Catholics often (sometimes? always?) use incense sticks instead of candles. They burn a stick and raise it over the head.
Amazing wood carving, isn't it?
At last, I had a look at what was happening inside.
The church was full. Looks like 300 people or so. There were more outside.
I described the exotic elements - the drum and sticks - but this part of the ritual looks familiar:
Eucharistic bread:
And communion wine:
I decided to leave the mass before the liturgy of the eucharist to find a new adventure... And I found one:
That was a Sunday evening, many Vietnamese people drink beer with friends in such settings right in the street. The guys called me and offered beer.
To show respect I accepted a can and, with pleasure, quickly finished it.
My new friends didn't speak English but we managed to discuss some topics, like, politics (Putin sucks, we all agreed). After a small photo shoot, they asked me to sit and join the meal. But I decided to refuse and politely left the scene.
More stories from Southeast Asia are ahead! Check out my previous posts on my personal Travelfeed or Worldmappin map.
I took these images with a Nikkor 50mm on a full-frame DSLR Nikon D750 on June 23, 2024, in Bui Phat Church (Nhà Thờ Giáo Xứ Bùi Phát) and other places of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.