Hanoi viewed through Leica M

Hello again,

I think some color photos would be better after long pages dedicated to b/w.
As many of you may have aware that motorbike has become a "culture" in Vietnam, despite that now we are suffering the side effects that it has brought. In photos below, you can see that many people use motorbikes as their tool for earning a living. We call in motorbike taxi or "Xe ôm" in Vietnamese. I am pretty sure that many Western folks who came to Vietnam already knew this word.

97
A lunch time break by Trung Nguyen, on Flickr

98
A short nap by Trung Nguyen, on Flickr
 
As always, great photos. When I was in Vietnam it was not uncommon to see 4 to 6 (or more believe it or not, counting children) on a motorcycle. I usually kept to regular taxis or xe xich lo. The only time I remember being on a motorcycle was when another driver rescued me from some phe binh (also on a motorcycle) trying to rob me. I'll never forget that ride. Roller coasters are nothing. 😛
 
Just discovered this thread and spent the last several hours enraptured by the photographs. Thank you for posting, must add Vietnam to the list of places to visit.

Jon
 
As always, great photos. When I was in Vietnam it was not uncommon to see 4 to 6 (or more believe it or not, counting children) on a motorcycle. I usually kept to regular taxis or xe xich lo. The only time I remember being on a motorcycle was when another driver rescued me from some phe binh (also on a motorcycle) trying to rob me. I'll never forget that ride. Roller coasters are nothing. 😛

Thanks for kind words,
and What a pity that you incurred such a bad situation in Vietnam. I hope that situation don't stop you visit here another time. (too fast to furious 😛)
 
Just discovered this thread and spent the last several hours enraptured by the photographs. Thank you for posting, must add Vietnam to the list of places to visit.

Jon

You're welcome Jon,
If you can make a trip to Vietnam, may be we can meet up for a beer.
 
Vincent,

The 21SA gave some uncommon angles. Keep posting photos here if you dont mind.
I once tried the 21mm lens but found it too wide for me.
Looking at your photos, I may want to taste it another time.
 
Ngyuen, thank you. These photos were taken on my first trip to Vietnam (mainly Northern and Central Vietnam). Such a beautiful country and the people I met were very warm and friendly especially the children and folks in the villages rural areas. A pity I could only speak very little Vietnamese.

The 21mm takes some practice to get used to it.
 
Here's some shots to share

Here's some shots to share

7. A street vendor on Long Binh Bridge, Hanoi.
Leica M2, 21/3.4 SA, 400TX



8. This was caught in an instant on Long Binh Bridge. I just turned around from photographing the street vendor in the above shot and saw this scene of a woman inches away from the passing train. Really incredible.
Leica M2, 21/3.4 SA, 400TX



9. A group of shy children at Duong Lam Ancient Village, Hanoi.
Leica M7 35/2 ASPH, 400TX

 
Last edited:
Here's another 3 more to share for today. 🙂

M7
35/2 Summicron ASPH
Tri-X

10.


Leica M2
21/3.4 Super Angulon
Tri-X

11.


Leica M2
21/3.4 Super Angulon
Tri-X
12.
 
Great series, Vincent! Like Kiemchacsu says, you know how to handle the SA 21!

Is that opium that old man is smoking?

Erik.

I'm pretty sure it's just tobacco since my uncle uses the same pipe. but it does look like those opium pipe from Chinese literature/photos.
Last trip to Hanoi i was thinking of grabbing my 21 but skip them all together for the square format. Always think a super wide would work well with the tight street corners in the old quarter. 🙂 keep on sharing Vincent.
 
Vincent, I would echo with others that those are interesting pictures.
Sometimes, it's kind of a fresh for me to know how foreigners perceive Hanoi and Vietnam.
 
Back
Top Bottom