These are all excellent photos! We share a similar style. I enjoyed reading as well. When I was in school I did a research paper on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and its post-war sociological costs. I remember feeling particularly upset about it...of course, I could go on but I won't :). Great post!
This photo with the girls by the river feels almost unreal, so calm when you think about the pace and energy of the city centre.
When I was there, I found myself lingering around the old villas in the Old Quarter, looking at their balconies and wondering how long they’ll remain untouched. Will they be restored, absorbed, turned into hotels, or simply disappear into something more efficient?
I left Hanoi with the same feeling as you - that what we’re seeing now may soon belong to the past.
I was there last year. I did document it, but not in a straightforward travel way. I wrote a short piece around Hanoi that looks at the city through everyday scenes - cafés, street vendors, small routines - and how people adapt as systems, technology, and efficiency slowly reshape daily life. AI and digitalisation are there, but mostly in the background, part of a quiet transition rather than the headline. Hanoi felt like a place where the old and the “next” coexist very closely, and that tension stayed with me. It is here: https://edgecanvas.ai/p/part-3-hanoi-effort-and-survival-f48
Lovely read! I was in Hanoi 2weeks ago, walked around the lake, admired all of it.. my fav picture has to be the old man stretching 🙂 i took a couple of pics of flowers and the water and even stopped at a cafe to enjoy some coffee while people watching 🫶🏾
Oh great that you were there, too! I loved the coffee culture there (forgot to mention it), I tried so many different recipes (coconut coffee, egg coffee, salt coffe, etc)! Did you post your photos somewhere, or do you keep them private?
It’s great that you have shown us two sides of a city. This is so important, as you say, it will disappear. I have not been to this part of the world, but I felt that in Tokyo and Hong Kong, going ‘off the beaten track’. Sadly I wasn’t into street photography at that time. I like all the photos, but the people by the river and the ducks, woman with head in her hands, are probably my favourites.
Great read, thanks for sharing. Yeah, Asia would be definitely worth travelling for shooting. I was in various countries in the Far East, but that was before my photo-life. Wonderful shots, the one with the pink ladies is really strong!
Lovely, I can agree with your assessment from my 2024 experience.
Glad we are on the same page :) Cheers, Léa
I resonated with this so much. I was in Hanoi mid Jan, and inloved the culture, the people and the everything about it.
Super happy it resonated :) I hope you enjoyed your trip and that the weather was good
These are all excellent photos! We share a similar style. I enjoyed reading as well. When I was in school I did a research paper on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and its post-war sociological costs. I remember feeling particularly upset about it...of course, I could go on but I won't :). Great post!
Oh that sounds super interesting, now I’m curious, do you have an insta account so I can follow you ?
Hi there, my old street photography is on my business Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/casadresden?igsh=MWtqdTFxbnkwZHY5cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr but I don’t contribute to that profile with street anymore. I started my personal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/juliette_mansour?igsh=MWltYWFxOXUzdTBvdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr but I rarely post there. All my work now is on Substack.
Ok, thanks, Substack then it is :)
This photo with the girls by the river feels almost unreal, so calm when you think about the pace and energy of the city centre.
When I was there, I found myself lingering around the old villas in the Old Quarter, looking at their balconies and wondering how long they’ll remain untouched. Will they be restored, absorbed, turned into hotels, or simply disappear into something more efficient?
I left Hanoi with the same feeling as you - that what we’re seeing now may soon belong to the past.
Thanks Beata for your testimony, when did you go? Did you document the city?
I was there last year. I did document it, but not in a straightforward travel way. I wrote a short piece around Hanoi that looks at the city through everyday scenes - cafés, street vendors, small routines - and how people adapt as systems, technology, and efficiency slowly reshape daily life. AI and digitalisation are there, but mostly in the background, part of a quiet transition rather than the headline. Hanoi felt like a place where the old and the “next” coexist very closely, and that tension stayed with me. It is here: https://edgecanvas.ai/p/part-3-hanoi-effort-and-survival-f48
The lead picture barely. I like each one.
Many thanks Frank, that's so nice 🙂
You make me want to travel
I really hope you get to do it soon 🙏🏻
Wonderful. Hanoi is one of my most favorite cities.
Oh wow! Next time I come, I'll ask you for recommendations then :)
Lovely read! I was in Hanoi 2weeks ago, walked around the lake, admired all of it.. my fav picture has to be the old man stretching 🙂 i took a couple of pics of flowers and the water and even stopped at a cafe to enjoy some coffee while people watching 🫶🏾
Oh great that you were there, too! I loved the coffee culture there (forgot to mention it), I tried so many different recipes (coconut coffee, egg coffee, salt coffe, etc)! Did you post your photos somewhere, or do you keep them private?
J’adore la photo avec le tuyau argenté ! Bravo ☀️
Merci beaucoup Axel! 🙌🏻
It’s great that you have shown us two sides of a city. This is so important, as you say, it will disappear. I have not been to this part of the world, but I felt that in Tokyo and Hong Kong, going ‘off the beaten track’. Sadly I wasn’t into street photography at that time. I like all the photos, but the people by the river and the ducks, woman with head in her hands, are probably my favourites.
I've never been to Hong Kong, I wish I could go there someday. Thanks for the feedback Pat 😘
Nice piece! My favorites are the first one and the one above the ducks.
Oh the first one is my personal favourite, too! Even though I know it's not the most obvious one. Glad you like it 😊
great photos, thanks !
Thank YOU for reading 😊
Great read, thanks for sharing. Yeah, Asia would be definitely worth travelling for shooting. I was in various countries in the Far East, but that was before my photo-life. Wonderful shots, the one with the pink ladies is really strong!
Thanks! Yes, southeast Asia is definitely a street photo paradise, if you have the opportunity to come back, you should :)
The pink ladies is my favourite
Yes, I loved the alignment on this one!
Amazing, the approach of Hanoi, Bravo!
Merci 😊
Léa... that duck picture.
Core street to me 😂