Travel in Vietnam in July

[eon]

Sisyphus,
Thanks for the thorough answer!

I guessed a little wrong then, as it seems the backbone in your work is 35mm and medium format and 4x5 is the emotional add-on.

One thing that i find difficult is to find the time and creative effort to use the different systems that i have on hand. You seems to do fine regarding this.


Have a good and rewarding trip both of you, Sisyphus and Mark T.

/Erik

 

[itf]

Hi, I'm in central Vietnam now, in a town called Kon Tum. There seems to be a lot of colour film around (stacked up in the glass counters at photographic shops), I haven't checked it out thoroughly but a lot of the time the packaging looks faded and I haven't noticed what film it is. I'm carrying a lot of film (mainly using b&w, which I haven't seen anywhere) so I don't have to worry for a while, If I can make it to Thailand before I run out I might get more there, otherwise get some sent maybe.

As for lenses, I'm carrying CV 25 snapshot, 35 classic, and 50mm J8. In the crowds of HCMC 25mm is great because some of the time I can't get far enough away while still seeing the subject, 35mm is my 'zoom' lens (zoom by walking forward or back, a compromise a lot of the time) and works well in a range of situations, and 50mm for the more open streets and because a lot of the time I like it.

The most major piece of advice I can give is to look after your eyes (and health in general)! It seems obvious now, but in a warm and humid environment hygeine is important at more than meal times. Somewhere along the way I got an adenoviral eye infection, usually limited to outbreaks in schools etc. in the West, but more common here apparently (the doctor I went to said she'd been having a few in). It seems I could have got it from being around someone with an upper respiratory infection, from the water getting in my eyes, or from someone else with an eye infection, and rubbing my eyes with my hand might've helped it in there (actually, I've also wondered if it might've come from my camera after letting a kid look through the viewfinder).

Whatever it was, I was in a dim hotel room for two weeks with sore, light sensitive eyes, swollen eyelids, and blurry vision from corneal damage. I'm just over it now, but despite precautions my partner now has it, so more waiting.

All that being said, I think provided you take a little precaution, all the hype over health concerns isn't as big a deal as it's sometimes made out to be. So don't forget to have an amazing time! 😀

rich

 

[Sisyphus]

Eon,

This is a better way in describing, why I bring so many systems. It is very much how I feel. I will be off soon . . . still preapring.

Rich,

Thanks for the info. Sorry, you have been held up for a while, I hope you and your SO are feeling better so you can continue photographing! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[taffy]

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

Hi!

I'm leaving for Ho Chi Minh City this weekend. Any particular points of interest around there? I'd appreciate any suggestions about interesting and "uniquely Vietnam" things to see (and point a camera at)

Taffy

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

I was there for 2 months last fall and regret bringing 50 rolls of fuji 100 with me. I found 100 too slow most of the time and every shop sells fuji 400 for the same prices as back home. They even will scan negs and give you cds too for 20-30,000 VND, not to bad.

I stupidly took everything I owned, M3, Canon P, 50 nokton, 50 heliar, 35 2.5, 35 1.2, 90 lanthar, 21/4. I only really used the M3 with 35 skopar and 21/4 with minifinder. If I went again I would only take my M6 ( I sold the M3 and canon p) and just the 40 cron and 21/4.

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

Oh check out Minh's Jazz Club in the back packer district, great music, you can talk to Minh who plays sax along with his son, they both went to Berkley School of music and have great bar food and cheap beer.

Also try Bia Hoi, it's a really neat low-to-the ground friendly beer drinking experience.

And of course you've got to check out
Mai Bai B-Lam mouy Hai, (lake B-52) a concrete pond in the middle of a few flats that the wreckage of a B-52 fell into thats still there.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Unless you like extreme heat and humidity, July or August is certainly not a good time to visit Vietnam. I visited in early November a few years back, and while the temperature in Hanoi and Halong Bay was a reasonably comfortable 25C to 30C, the temperature in Ho Chi Min City was a hot and humid 30C to 35C every day. I shudder to think what it'd be like there in July and August 😱😱😱

I had no problem buying extra film and batteries there, though I took most of my film with me. I agree 110% with the suggestions to travel light!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Guess it depends what you're used to. I don't mind the heat, but don't much like the humidity.

Okinawa is another hot and humid place I'd avoid in July. Once was enough.

 

[ReeRay]

Out of interest to those of you thinking of a trip to VN. This year in October they are celebrating the 1000th "birthday" of Hanoi. I think somewhere around the 23rd.

I figure with all the inevitable celebrations that could be a good time to visit.

I'll be there!

Heat - you wanna try where I am. Currently 43 degrees, 100% humidity and the hot season hasn't arrived yet!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Why do you think I leave every July! I hate the humidity here. I was just down in Deep-southern Thailand and it was insane in February. I had to ditch my drawers because they wouldn't dry out. No swamp ass for me!

Haha, that explains a lot then.

I was scratching my head trying to think of somewhere more humid and hot than Okinawa in July 🙄

 

[PMCC]

This is like the U.S. debate on health care reform: everything's been said and everybody has said it. My 2 cents USD ( = 373 VND): weather-wise, it will be like living in a dog's mouth 24/7. There is virtually no black and white film in any format in VN, and I never saw any 120 of any kind. Lots of Fuji 35mm color negative film, pre-baked in shop windows. Gearwise, unless the Sisyphus metaphor resonates for you (cf. Greek myth), I would prioritize then focus (ahem). Traveling heavy in the tropics without porters is an existential misery (cf. Camus). Keep your gear close to hand (another reason to pack light), and attached to your person when on the street (motor-scooter gear-snatchers abound in cities). Food is sublime, never pass up an opportunity to eat.