Photos of Saigon – Urban Contrasts and Frenzied Streets in Ho Chi Minh City
Buzzing, overwhelming, fascinating — Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is a city of contrasts where ancient pagodas, colonial buildings and chaotic streets collide. A dreamlike environment for photographers seeking to capture fleeting moments amid urban intensity.
Southern Vietnam’s dynamic capital, Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City), both fascinates and disorients. Here is a personal visual journey, between incense, scooters, and urban energy.
Renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the Vietnamese reunification in 1975, Saigon is the country’s largest metropolis. It’s a city where modern skyscrapers stand beside scooter-choked streets, and where the cultural divide between the North and South becomes tangible.
Our visit left a mixed impression. The humid heat, constant traffic, and relentless noise make the first contact intense. The ceaseless ballet of motorcycles — often helmet-free — requires constant attention. While traffic lights are better respected here than in northern Vietnam, crossing the street still feels like an acrobatic act.
A Different Atmosphere from the Rest of Vietnam
Unlike Hanoi, Hoi An or the Mekong Delta, the welcome in Saigon felt more distant. Interactions with shopkeepers, restaurateurs and hotel staff were polite but rarely warm. Fatigue from overtourism? Or just a big-city trait? This change in vibe reminded us of the usual comments foreign tourists make about Paris.
And yet, the city is far from uninteresting. It brims with colonial landmarks, ancient temples, bustling markets, and energetic neighborhoods — but it takes time to adapt to its raw energy.
Thien Hau Pagoda – A Jewel of Intimacy
The place that left the strongest impression was without doubt the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the goddess protector of sailors. Located in the Chinese district of Cholon, it emanates a timeless atmosphere. Incense spirals rise toward the roof, light filters through open spaces, and the focused expressions of worshippers offer moments of peace amid urban chaos.
Photographing Saigon – Between Chaos and Detail
Photographing Ho Chi Minh City means seeking visual breath in a city that never stops. Compelling compositions often emerge from contrasts: a colonial façade tangled in power lines, a quiet temple surrounded by street noise, a fleeting reflection in a glass window.
These contrasts are what I sought out, wandering the streets early in the morning when the light was soft and the city slowly woke up. Old architecture, street markets, and ordinary daily life provided countless stories to frame.
For a more spiritual visual story, see also our photo essay on the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda.
A Gateway to Southern Vietnam
Saigon is also a strategic hub for exploring southern Vietnam. From here, you can easily reach the Mekong Delta, the southern islands, or fly to the central or northern regions.
Though not our favorite stop on the journey, Saigon remains a vital piece of Vietnam’s diverse mosaic. Between imperial cities like Hue, dramatic landscapes in Ninh Binh and the serenity of Hoi An, each traveler can build their own story.
About the Author
Sebastien Desnoulez is a fine art photographer capturing architecture, urban rhythm and quiet moments of travel. His work reveals contrasts and atmospheres from across the world. See his complete photo series on architecture and travel.
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All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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