Ending My Southeast Asia Travel Photography Trip In Hanoi, Vietnam

I have been hanging around in Southeast Asia for the past 9 months and it is time to stop and sort through the thousands of photos I took in a calmer environment. In other words I am out of money.

The last stop is Hanoi where I will be flying home from. Although the colorful communist capital can offer photographic subject matter that would take a lifetime to capture I was not producing anything spectacular during my last few days.

Severed Goat Head For Lunch In Bac Ha, Vietnam

Do not look for scrumptious and mouthwatering food photography of perfectly rolled sushi or smooth Tiramisu from the rugged mountains of Northwest Vietnam, home of the Hmong hill tribe minorities.

Goat head is what’s for lunch!

Nearing towards the end of my eventually 9 month long Southeast Asia photography trip I decided to spend my 41st birthday away from the exhausting intensity of tourist traps and returned to the peaceful and picturesque Bac Ha.

Kids And Travel Photography At Its Best In Chau Doc, Vietnam

I can always depend on Chau Doc for kids and travel photography so this is the 3rd time I stopped by on my way to the Cambodian border.

My days spent here have been memorable every time mostly because of the Cham people who live by the riverside across town; they provided me with the warmest welcome and some very nice photos.

The little girl above has been ill and I was told this special haircut has healing powers to help her get better.

Mekong River Deja Vu in Can Tho, Vietnam

I have already spent one day in Can Tho before, the highly touristy and biggest town of the Mekong Delta. I stopped by again mostly because it was on my way from Tra Vinh to Chau Doc and the Cambodian border.

Last time I was in Can Tho I only did a Mekong River boat tour and left after one night.

This time I was not planning to do another tour but after getting a chance to go with someone else therefore splitting the $25 price in half I agreed.

Battling An Acute Rambutan Addiction In Tra Vinh, Vietnam

Tra Vinh, Vietnam is a tucked away town in the Mekong Delta casually mentioned but not even listed as an off the beaten track stop by the popular travel guide.

I was looking forward to visiting this secluded area which is too far from Saigon for the hordes of daytripping package tourists to reach.

The area of Tra Vinh used to belong to Cambodia and is home of Khmer minorities who are unfortunately second class citizens in Vietnam. There also 140 some Khmer pagodas throughout the province.

Seeing What The Buddha Sees In Ninh Binh, Vietnam

This funny warning sign displayed in the garden of the Bich Dong pagoda outside Ninh Binh is the most appropriate photo I can use to illustrate a post about tourists not showing respect to a foreign country with different customs and religion namely Buddhism.

Wearing a suit and tie in 100 degree heat hopefully is only symbolic but it makes an important point.

Either because of pure laziness to read a couple of paragraphs in any travel book or due to lack of common sense or decency, some tourist are completely oblivious to their behavior.

Flower Hmong Minority Travel Photography in Bac Ha, Northwest Vietnam

While visiting the stunning mountainous region of Northwest Vietnam I had a chance to take a break from searching for Vietnam’s Next Top Model and photograph some naturally beautiful, talented both hesitant and some quite willing locals like the buffalo above.

The pose is bold but not vulgar, notice how the curves of the model are in harmony with the shapes of the mountain top in the background, the picture perfect Paris Hilton signature look back over the shoulder executed flawlessly, the quiet confidence and the innocence in the eyes!

Daytrip Of Reflection To Kenh Ga, Vietnam

Kenh Ga is a popular day trip choice 20 some kilometers from the perfect travel destination of Ninh Binh.
The waterways of the village which are surrounded by picturesque karst mountains can be explored by taking a boat tour.

I had a motor bike driver take me from Ninh Binh to Kenh Ga through a maze of roads which was a tour in itself.

I can watch banana trees, rice fields, karst mountains and boys riding on water buffalos for hours.

Perfect Travel Destination Of Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Just like the scene on the photo below, Ninh Binh offered quiet simplicity with old time charm and something interesting to photograph around every corner and down every alley during my extended three weeks stay.

Beside the funny incident of getting yelled at by the bus station toilet attendant upon arrival because I did not comply immediately with a small sign written in Vietnamese to pay 15 cents for the use of the facilities things were pretty peaceful afterwords.

Ninh Binh is a highly recommended stop about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi for its spectacular surroundings namely picturesque limestone mountains.

Spilled Carrots Photographer In Haiphong, Vietnam

Haiphong is said to be a less touristy version of Vietnam’s capital, LonelyPlanet refers to it as Hanoi 10 years ago.

Far away cultures offer interesting experiences around every corner. All that’s needed are open eyes and an open mind.

The sign below is quite bizarre: from 5AM to 9PM it is prohibited to transport a seal on a bicycle in Haiphong! Go figure!

Candid Communist Street Photographer in Hanoi, Vietnam

Notice something on the photo below I took of marching Communist Vietnamese soldiers across from Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum: those two faces on the left side of the picture were giving me icy glares!

Because I have had a … let’s just say hectic Communist past in Hungary … seeing the soldiers’ looks sent chills down my spine and made me pack up and get out of there ASAP.

But first things first: why the heck am I writing from Ha Noi, Vietnam anyways?

New Travel Photography Album From The Roads Of Vietnam

People, cultural and travel photography in Vietnam is the theme of a new photo album (No 5) that has been added to this website.
These are literally travel photos because they were taken though windows of minibuses and a Mekong River tour boat.

These pictures are not meant to be “masterpieces” (it is easy to argue that none of my photos are) I took them mostly to keep myself entertained during trips between Vietnamese towns and during my border crossing into Cambodia.

But I believe the photos are somewhat educational, informative and interesting proving that even when others put away their cameras, true shutterbugs can still find a chance and excuse to snap away.

Colorful Life On The Mekong River In Chau Doc, Vietnam

The reason I returned to Chau Doc, Vietnam was to take a boat ride to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

I could have crossed the Cambodian border at Ha Tien as well but I have taken many bus trips already (and many more are waiting for me) also I had a great time touring the Mekong River on a motorboat while staying in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Due to some gloomy days black and white photos were more appropriate for my last post from Chau Doc but this time the weather was more sunny so this set of pictures can be shown in color.

Random Travel Photography In Ha Tien, Vietnam

To finish circling Vietnam’s Mekong Delta I have returned to do more photography in Ha Tien, one of my favorite places.

Ha Tien is not very touristy, the people are very friendly and it felt good to come back to a place where the hotel staff greeted my with a big smile and was happy to see me again.

The following photos were taken during a few hours of aimless wondering.
I walked more or less along one long road which eventually left the town going through the countryside.

One Hour Travel Photography In Bac Lieu, Vietnam

The photos posted here are from Bac Lieu where I made My Two Donations To The Make A Wish Foundation Of Vietnam; meaning I got pick pocketed by a 14 year old Vietnamese girl and extorted by the Police within 24 hours.

These are some of the pictures I took in the first hour of walking around (and only time I did photography) even though it was immediately obvious that this place had probably as much potential as the fantastic Soc Trang, Vietnam.

Happily The Only Tourist And Photographer In Soc Trang, Vietnam

I was excited to arrive to Soc Trang which is not mentioned in Vietnam guide books or on the internet to great extent therefore I could not research anything about it.

But at this time all I really was looking for was an authentic Vietnamese town without being hassled by motorbike drivers (too much) and seeing as few tourists as possible.

My wishes were granted, after just a few minutes of walking around there was no sign of foreigners and the town had so much to offer photography wise.

Boat Tour On The Mekong River In Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho, Vietnam is an even busier tourist spot (mostly package Mekong River trips originating from Saigon) than Chau Doc but it had to be on my list of stops for a brief two nights.

By making these frequent stops I only have to ride the minibus for a few short hours between towns.
The Vietnamese public transportation system and road conditions are actually is not too bad.

Cambodia might be a different story, Laos will definitely be a very different story.

True Mekong Delta Experience In Chau Doc, Vietnam

As seen on the photo below Chau Doc is alongside the fantastic Mekong River, it is a popular border crossing town to Cambodia and a recommended stop in Vietnam.

I get weary of any place which is highly popular with tourists, yes it might have scenic reasons but usually some annoyances are also associated with these must see spots.

The photo below was taken off of a modern high bridge. There weren’t too many vivid colors in and around town and it was an overcast day so I think black and white photos work best for this post.

Relaxed Travel Photography In Ha Tien, Vietnam

I am glad to say I arrived vomit free to Ha Tien from Phu Quoc Island via Rac Gia after a two-hour eventful bus ride.

Appropriately as a Hungarian I stayed at the Du Hung Hotel which was recommended by an excellent free online Vietnam guidebook website.

As the photo below shows I got no respect in Ha Tien, well actually I did and I must say I really enjoyed this most Westerly Vietnamese town.

Street And Kids Photography On Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Some people plan more than others when traveling or in life in general and some plan only a few days ahead (yours truly).

Not ahving plans has its obvious advantages and drawbacks. Most drawbacks work themselves out so this short term planning shall remain the way of this trip for now.

I have met someone who had all her 6 weeks of Vietnamese vacation planned out every step of the way to the minute. That would be too much work, too much stress and not enough freedom for me.

Motorbikes, Traffic And Air Pollution Pictures From Saigon, Vietnam

Travel books already warn you plenty about air pollution and insane traffic conditions namely motorbikes in Saigon, Vietnam. Crossing the street must be done with caution and with confidence.

Step 1 is to master the ability to give up the will to live and walk into life speeding traffic. The rest is easy.

When (if) a reasonable gap occurs in the flow of traffic precede as far as possible, stop if necessary, precede again. In case no gap occurs do the same as above.

Literally walking into fast, noisy, honking traffic goes against basic human survival instinct but it is the only way to cross the road.

Saigon, Vietnam: Definitely NOT A National Geographic Photographer

My first official photography session in Vietnam was educational on many levels:

1. spite the poverty the Vietnamese people are full of smiles and kindness

2. I don’t have the right at this point to dream about ever becoming a National Geographic Photographer — summary critique of the photos below.