Bac (uncle) Ho as he was affectionately known, or Ho Chi Minh, was a Vietnamese revolutionary and the President of Communist North Vietnam from 1945 to 1969 when he died. He did not see the victory of the North over the South and the then unification of his country, but in his honour the name Saigon was changed to Ho Chi Minh City. Here his statue stands in front of the French colonial City Hall building in the center of the city. Canon 6D Mk1, Canon 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM lens @ F7.1, 1/250s, ISO100, 22mm Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, whatever you choose to call this Vietnamese city, has a vibrant and pulsating vibe that personifies South East Asia, maybe more so than any other city in the region. It’s modern and traditional, chaotic yet somehow organised and believe me, a visit here will have you longing to return time and again. Luckily, I am now based here for at least the next two years. If you’ve been following my articles, you’ll know I have been based in Istanbul for the past twelve months, but now I’ve made the jump halfway around the world to settle in this great Asian city for an extended period. Now that the pandemic seems to finally be on the wane and those of you who were locked down can once again travel, I can honestly say that there’s no better region to break the shackles than here. Asia, particularly South East Asia, has everything the photographer and traveler could want - lots of smiling faces, alluring culture, intoxicating smells and tastes. Best of all, a trip here won’t startle your bank manager! When you touch down in this city of nine million, some scarred by the war, but ready to forgive and somehow forget, you’ll be greeted by many welcomes. Reply with an equally warm smile of your own whilst saying ‘xin chao,’ meaning ‘hello’ and the good-natured Vietnamese will have you forgetting your work life and the stresses of home in no time at all. DISTRICT ONE District One is the downtown area, and it’s likely this is where you’ll book your accommodation. It’s a great place to get your bearings, with lots to see and photograph, in particular the French colonial buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Post Office and the City Hall, all of which are within easy walking distance. If you want to splash out on accommodation, the 5-star Caravelle Hotel on Lam Son Square is in the centre of downtown, right next to the Opera House, within a stone’s throw of everything District One has to offer and was where the International war correspondents stayed and reported the Vietnam War. From the hotel’s scenic rooftop, you can even see the iconic spot where the last American helicopter made its final evacuation as they pulled out of the country. Insider Tip: If staying at the Caravelle might break your budget, be sure to visit for happy hour and have a drink on the deck while shooting the city from above; there’s a great leading line view straight down Dong Khoi Road to Notre Dame Cathedral.
Top: Saigon Central Post Office, completed by the French in 1891 and still functioning today. Canon 6D Mk1, Canon 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM lens @ F11, 1/500s, ISO100, 16mm Bottom: From atop the Caravelle Hotel looking down Dong Khoi Street to Notre dame Cathedral. Canon 6D Mk1, Canon 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM lens @ F2.8, 1/125s, ISO100, 23mm
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ISSUE 59, September 2022 ESCAPING S
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CAROLE, REMIND US WHO YOU ARE... I
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Protors Beach Canon 5DMKIV, 24-70mm
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Misty Morning Canon 5DMKIV, 70-300m
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Awaroa Bay Canon 5DMKIV, 70-200mm l
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