35MM DIARY - SAIGON BY NIGHT
Every time I come back to Vietnam, I fall more and more in love with the city, the people, the food, the activities, the experience, etc. During my last two nights in Saigon, I didn’t want to do anything crazy. I just wanted to spend time with friends and enjoy Saigon by night. (Yes, that was a reference to Paris By Night, haha). So here’s a photo diary shot on my Fujifilm Zoomdate 1300.
This is Lam. He’s a photographer, dancer, and all around down-to-earth person. We wandered, or “di lang tang”, around District 1, without a destination in mind. It’s those simple moments where you walk .. just to walk .. that end up being the most memorable. You really start to understand the quirks of a city when you take away the daylight and business of it. At least, that’s what I think.
The madness going on in the set above is where I like to think all the stylish kids of Saigon go to twice a month. This is The New District, which is basically a pop-up of local streetwear brands. I’ve never seen this many people packed inside a wedding/conventional hall. It literally felt as if we were sardines looking at clothing and accessories, definitely something you won’t want to miss.
Aside from hiding under the tables/booths to get away from the crowd, my friends and I decided to do an impromptu photoshoot on film. Brian owns a clothing brand called Misheard. Quynh has her own jewelry line. Thom is the owner of a film camera store. And Chi does marketing for The New District.
In case you’re wondering, my friends in Vietnam are all so talented and unique. I appreciate them so much!!! ;_;
Yet, all in all, my favorite night during this trip was my last night. After The New District and after dinner on a rooftop, we walked down the street to a “cafe bet.” Cafe Bet is not your typical cafe. We sit on pieces of cardboard on the sidewalk of a random street. Middle-aged ladies will take your order - typically teas, juices, water, and soda - and then give you another cardboard box (that’s not broken down) to act as a table. For those of you who fancy fancy places, perhaps this isn’t the place for you. But for those of you who want to enjoy your companions and really experience Saigon, why not find one to chill at? Vendors will drive by selling you anything from dried squid, quail eggs, banh mi, and desserts. It’s an experience you’ll never forget cause it’s just so light-hearted and warm. (Make sure to bring a portable speaker too!)
