Non UK Vietnam - Who's been?

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I am off to Vietnam in the near future for three weeks and wondered if anyone has been and has any interesting tips on the country, ways of life, people, etc. I am not too interested in an in depth gear discussion, although I know folks love that :) And as it happens, I haven't fully decided which two camera bodies I will be taking yet but it will be fairly light and fit in a small bag.

We are flying into Ho Chi Minh City and out of Hanoi and have decided to sacrifice time in the South to be able to do a trip to Sapa AND Ha Long Bay as our original plans left time for only one of those but Sapa looks beautiful.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
"You wouldn't unnerstand, man - you weren't there!"

Sorry, Gareth, had to be done!

M? and a Nikon F?
 
"You wouldn't unnerstand, man - you weren't there!"

Sorry, Gareth, had to be done!

M? and a Nikon F?

Hello, Nod.

No need to apologise. :D Hmmmm, maybe, although I feel like I should something bigger than 35mm. The M will definitely be coming, it's just what to accompany it with. I have considered 2 x 35mm bodies, one with colour and one with B&W film.
 
THIS was my reason for the F suggestion. Relatively small and light, especially compared to a Hassy or similar.
 
THIS was my reason for the F suggestion. Relatively small and light, especially compared to a Hassy or similar.

Small, brilliant and seemingly indestructible is definitely worth a consideration. It's small compared to a hassy, but then so is the film. But film size doesn't equate to a good photo!
 
But Sod's law dictates that the unmissable happens just after the last frame is taken! At normal print sizes (up to A4), it's hard to see much difference unless you're really looking for it.
 
But Sod's law dictates that the unmissable happens just after the last frame is taken! At normal print sizes (up to A4), it's hard to see much difference unless you're really looking for it.

It will only be one at a time. I reckon 35m for general walking around, trees, cities, etc. MF will be for landscape type stuff or if I manage to do any portraits along the way. :)
 
What kind of subjects are you into shooting? Nam has it all. I don't think you could pack enough lens types if you tried as there is just so much. We went trekking and spent the night in the world's 3rd largest cave. For this, you would need an extremely well weatherproofed setup, which is UWA - and with a massive aperture. For the cities I guess a 35mm ought to do well. Be prepared to be terrified when crossing roads in Hanoi... Put the camera down for this... The floating market in Can Tho is a photographer's dream - but you have to get up at 5am to do it. We bribed an independent boat owner to take us, rather than take a tourist boat. Hoi An and Hue (the fortress) are worth checking out. Markets are a great spot to visit in Vietnam. Phu Quoc has some great ones.
 
What kind of subjects are you into shooting? Nam has it all. I don't think you could pack enough lens types if you tried as there is just so much. We went trekking and spent the night in the world's 3rd largest cave. For this, you would need an extremely well weatherproofed setup, which is UWA - and with a massive aperture. For the cities I guess a 35mm ought to do well. Be prepared to be terrified when crossing roads in Hanoi... Put the camera down for this... The floating market in Can Tho is a photographer's dream - but you have to get up at 5am to do it. We bribed an independent boat owner to take us, rather than take a tourist boat. Hoi An and Hue (the fortress) are worth checking out. Markets are a great spot to visit in Vietnam. Phu Quoc has some great ones.

I am all about the people, really. General life, travel, some portraits is I can manage. I have looked at going on a photo based tour to access places that would be difficult as a tourist without local help. Haven't booked anything yet.

Definitely going to Hoi An and Hue (motorbike between the two). I definitely don't have an 'extremely well weatherproofed setup' with wide angle unfortunately. I will be using a single lens, so either 35mm or 50mm. Probably the 35mm to be honest.

Thanks for the tips, the markets do look amazing from what I have seen on line. I also think I am going to byy some faster film for night time. Might finally get to try some Cinestill 800.
 
If I had take just one lens for Vietnam it would be a 35mm. I suggested a weatherproofed WA as there is some incredible jungle and cave trekking to be had. If you're not planning that kind of trip a 35 could be all you need. There will be a lot to get your teeth into in terms of people portraits (Can Tho market + 35mm would be an appetising prospect. Do try and bribe a local trader for a boat, tbough, as you will be competing with tens of tourists for position otherwise. This advice goes for Nam in general I'd say).

NB - it may not be your area of interest, but Vietnam is good for wildlife. We went to a Buddhist temple next to a forest to watch enormous bats at twilight. It's rumoured to have wild monkeys in some areas, but they were highly elusive to us.
 
Oh yeah - do be careful on that bike! Road safety in Nam really isn't the best!
 
If I had take just one lens for Vietnam it would be a 35mm. I suggested a weatherproofed WA as there is some incredible jungle and cave trekking to be had. If you're not planning that kind of trip a 35 could be all you need. There will be a lot to get your teeth into in terms of people portraits (Can Tho market + 35mm would be an appetising prospect. Do try and bribe a local trader for a boat, tbough, as you will be competing with tens of tourists for position otherwise. This advice goes for Nam in general I'd say).

NB - it may not be your area of interest, but Vietnam is good for wildlife. We went to a Buddhist temple next to a forest to watch enormous bats at twilight. It's rumoured to have wild monkeys in some areas, but they were highly elusive to us.

Thanks for the advice. :) Having a mental battle today of which cameras to pack. I don't wanna be miserable with weight but don't wanna leave the Xpan or Leica behind.
 
The people are lovely especially in the south. The roads are manic, a little old lady got my arm and took me across when she saw me standing there. You can get some great pictures of the maniac moped riders. I saw one rider with a fridge freeze strapped on the back!! It is a truly lovely place to visit.
 
I have travelled in Vietnam. HCM is a big city, manic traffic but some good temples to photograph. Hue at night is magical and it’s pretty good during the day. Hoam Kiev Lake area in Hanoi is wonderful and illuminated by millions of fairy lights at night. Order a Pho, go see the water puppets and make sure you have a strong bladder for the bus ride to the ferry for Ha Long from Hanoi. Not done Sapa - one for the return trip in a year or 2. Have a great time and take new US Dollar bills in small denominations.
 
The people are lovely especially in the south. The roads are manic, a little old lady got my arm and took me across when she saw me standing there. You can get some great pictures of the maniac moped riders. I saw one rider with a fridge freeze strapped on the back!! It is a truly lovely place to visit.

Indeed! I think I'd still be standing next to the road in Hanoi now if we hadn't decided to tag alongside a group of locals. Vietnam and Cuba are the two places I would go back to tomorrow. We were last in Nam 4 yrs ago exactly. It felt like it was changing ('People's socialist republic' - but some of the people drive Porsches!), so it's probably good to go soonish while the culture is still relatively as it was. I agree about the people: get into some rural areas if you like snapping folk. You will get surrounded by groups of school kids asking to have their photos taken. It felt like some of the rural folk had never met a westerner - and was a lot of fun. Happy memories!
 
Just to add to WD40,s post. When you snap the people (and they are very accommodating), give them a few Dong, apart from being polite and showing respect it means a lot to them.
 
Went a few years back, absolutely beautiful place. Highly recommend going out in Halong Bay for 2 or 3 days, 1 day you wouldn't clear the other boats milling around.

We did a tour of the Mekong Delta, stayed on a private island near Nha Trang and travelled by train for the most part of it.

https://www.andydanephotography.co.uk/three-weeks-vietnam/
 
The people are lovely especially in the south. The roads are manic, a little old lady got my arm and took me across when she saw me standing there. You can get some great pictures of the maniac moped riders. I saw one rider with a fridge freeze strapped on the back!! It is a truly lovely place to visit.
I have travelled in Vietnam. HCM is a big city, manic traffic but some good temples to photograph. Hue at night is magical and it’s pretty good during the day. Hoam Kiev Lake area in Hanoi is wonderful and illuminated by millions of fairy lights at night. Order a Pho, go see the water puppets and make sure you have a strong bladder for the bus ride to the ferry for Ha Long from Hanoi. Not done Sapa - one for the return trip in a year or 2. Have a great time and take new US Dollar bills in small denominations.
Indeed! I think I'd still be standing next to the road in Hanoi now if we hadn't decided to tag alongside a group of locals. Vietnam and Cuba are the two places I would go back to tomorrow. We were last in Nam 4 yrs ago exactly. It felt like it was changing ('People's socialist republic' - but some of the people drive Porsches!), so it's probably good to go soonish while the culture is still relatively as it was. I agree about the people: get into some rural areas if you like snapping folk. You will get surrounded by groups of school kids asking to have their photos taken. It felt like some of the rural folk had never met a westerner - and was a lot of fun. Happy memories!
Just to add to WD40,s post. When you snap the people (and they are very accommodating), give them a few Dong, apart from being polite and showing respect it means a lot to them.


Thanks all for the tips and advices.

We will be starting in HCMC and ending up in Hanoi with a 2 day trip to Sapa and 2 day cruise in Ha Long Bay so hopefully enough time to see all the wonderful things.

All film has been ordered and I have some Cinestill 800 on the way for night time stuff. I am pretty sure I have settled on just taking the M3 with 35mm lens and leaving the heavier medium format at home. I might change my mid again before I go though but I don't wanna be miserable with the weight.

Went a few years back, absolutely beautiful place. Highly recommend going out in Halong Bay for 2 or 3 days, 1 day you wouldn't clear the other boats milling around.

We did a tour of the Mekong Delta, stayed on a private island near Nha Trang and travelled by train for the most part of it.

https://www.andydanephotography.co.uk/three-weeks-vietnam/

Nice looking website that with some lovely photos on there.
 
Re: Cinestill

Have you checked out Silbersalz? They keep the remjet and develop in ECN-2 so you won't get glowing red highlights like you do with Cinestill. The samples I've seen look good and a friend has tried out their variety pack and is very impressed.
 
Re: Cinestill

Have you checked out Silbersalz? They keep the remjet and develop in ECN-2 so you won't get glowing red highlights like you do with Cinestill. The samples I've seen look good and a friend has tried out their variety pack and is very impressed.

I haven't but I have already ordered now so kinda stuck with my decision. :(
 
Thanks all for the tips and advices.

We will be starting in HCMC and ending up in Hanoi with a 2 day trip to Sapa and 2 day cruise in Ha Long Bay so hopefully enough time to see all the wonderful things.

All film has been ordered and I have some Cinestill 800 on the way for night time stuff. I am pretty sure I have settled on just taking the M3 with 35mm lens and leaving the heavier medium format at home. I might change my mid again before I go though but I don't wanna be miserable with the weight.



Nice looking website that with some lovely photos on there.

Thanks :)

And you'll have a wonderful time, we didn't get to go to Sapa, too much else to see! HCMC was mental, crossing the road is a bit of an experience. Sadly there are people who will try and snatch cameras as they ride past, so best to keep them in a bag, or on a sling strap so they're not in front of you. The traffic doesn't stop, you have to just walk across the road and keep the same pace while hundreds of bikes swerve around you.
 
I did my tour of Nam, Saigon, Na Nang, Thangthou, Hanoi, Hay Long Bay, and then Angar Wat Cambodia.

Though I was looking for Charlie , did not meet any called Charlie though,.... ha

Not sure if you were serious but if you did then you are very brave.

I watched an 18 hour documentary and I think I would have rather been in a nightmare on elm street movie...
 
Not sure if you were serious but if you did then you are very brave.

I watched an 18 hour documentary and I think I would have rather been in a nightmare on elm street movie...


lol,....

My holiday was a tour.

I have chatted to some Australians and Americans who were there in the war and it was brutal !

The country is very pretty with the north being more colonial than the south. Food is good, alcohol is reasonably priced and the police are corrupt. As our coach driver was fined for a very minor driving offence offence. We all clubbed together and paid his fined as he had driven us to sites out side our itinerary.
Mo Chi Min City ( Saigon ) is humid, hot, vibrate and good for night life were Hanoi is very pretty with architecture, cooler than the south, and quite compared to Saigon night life

The Vietnamese are ok with Americans, British, German etc except the French !
I will be bold is mentioning that the some french made a scene in hotels because the staff did not speak french ! !
 
I am back!

Some beautiful photos there, @Doug . Thanks for sharing.

Had an amazing time. Didn't get to any of the neighbouring countries, but Vietnam is a beautiful, crazy place. I have no idea if I have got any good images. Didn't shoot as much film as I thought, but what I did shoot is away for processing so should be back in around 3 weeks. Probably won't share any to be honest as I don't hold any high hopes for them. I am no street photographer, and was really questioning my ability to focus. Still, enjoyed the experience.
 
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