Tips for Photowalks in Ho Chi Minh City

This guide explores Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, through the lens of film photography. Saigon boasts a rich photographic history, from colonial documentations to wartime reportage. Modern photographers capture the city's spirit, resilience, and beauty.

Joining a photo tour led by a local is recommended for aspiring Saigon film photographers. These tours offer unique access to hidden corners and cultural nuances, while guiding you on capturing the city in the best light.

In this article you will learn about:

• Saigon's rich photography history

• Recommended film tours

• Choosing the right film stock

• Saigon climate photography tips

• Which locations to visit for great photo walk experience

Saigon's Photography History

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, pulsates with a chaotic energy unlike anywhere else. A sensory overload of honking motorbikes, sizzling street food, and the cacophony of a thousand conversations spills onto the sun-drenched streets. This vibrant metropolis, scarred by history yet brimming with life, has long seduced photographers, from the gritty black and white reportage of the Vietnam War to the technicolor dreamscapes captured by modern lenses. But for the film photographer, Saigon offers a unique challenge – a chance to capture not just sights, but the very soul of the city, on a roll of celluloid.

Photography and Saigon have a long, intertwined history. French colonialists documented their "Indochine" with a mix of fascination and condescension. During the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War, Saigon became a battleground not just in the streets, but also in the darkrooms. Images like Nick Ut's "Napalm Girl" and Eddie Adams' "Saigon Execution" became searing testaments to the war's brutality.

Today, a new generation of Vietnamese photographers are reclaiming Saigon's narrative. Photographers like Maika E. Nolan and Adrien Jean are capturing the city's contemporary spirit – its resilience, its contradictions, and its quiet beauty.

Following in the Footsteps of Giants: Saigon Photo Tours

If you're a film photographer planning a trip to Saigon, consider joining a photo tour led by a local expert. These tours can provide invaluable insights into the city's hidden corners, cultural nuances, and, most importantly, the best light for your film. Here are a few reputable Saigon photo tour companies to consider:

• Saigon Photography Tours with Quinn Ryan Mattingly

• Photo Tour with Arnaud Fourcard

• Saigon's Photography Walking Tour with Thien The Hip Storyteller

• Saigon Street Photography Experience with Frederik Wissink

• Saigon Photography Tour with Adrien Jean

Read more about photo tours with locals in our full review article: 5 Saigon Photography Tours with Locals.

Equipping Yourself for the Saigon Sun: Film Stock and Development

Saigon's bright sunlight and often humid conditions present a unique challenge for film photographers. Here's what you need to consider:

Film Stock: For color photography, consider a film with a lower ISO (100 or 200) to handle the harsh sunlight during the daytime and maintain good detail. Kodak Gold or Fujifilm are excellent choices for your journey. Since Saigon's streets are brightly lit by restaurant and shop signs, an ISO of 400 will likely work well for your night walk with your f/1.8-2.0 lens. This will help you capture clear photos without introducing too much grain. For black and white, a film with a medium speed (400) like Ilford HP5 will offer good contrast and flexibility.

For developing film in Ho Chi Minh City we recommend to use Llab but there some other great services in town. You can read full lab guide in our article: 5 Film Photo Labs in Saigon

Protecting Your Precious Film: Tips for Saigon's Climate

Saigon's heat and humidity can be brutal on film. Here are some tips to ensure your precious negatives and slides survive the trip:

Invest in a good camera bag: A well-insulated bag will protect your film from the heat.

Store film in a cool, dry place: Don't leave your film in your hotel room or a hot car. Consider carrying a small cooler with ice packs for emergencies.

Acclimatize your film: If you're flying into Saigon from a cooler climate, allow your film to adjust to the temperature before loading it into your camera.

Light condition: Saigon's golden hour is a great photography moment. Catch the sunset's glow from 5:30-6:30 PM, but it's fleeting. Pick your photo spot beforehand to snag those shots before darkness falls.

Saigon Best Locations for Film Photography Tours

Saigon, a vibrant metropolis rich in history and culture, is recommended as a top destination. The guide then details five locations for a Saigon film photo walk:

• Tan Dinh Market and the surrounding area: This bustling market with its surrounding shops, restaurants, and cafes offers a great starting point to capture the essence of Saigon.

• District 5 (Cho Lon): Saigon's Chinatown is a must-visit for its colorful shophouses, temples, and vibrant street life.

• District 3: This district boasts French colonial architecture like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, offering a glimpse into Saigon's past.

• Thao Dien: A tranquil and upscale neighborhood with a mix of international and Vietnamese influences. Here, cafes, shops, and the riverside setting provide a unique perspective on modern Saigon life.

• Bình Quới Tourist Village: Located outside Saigon, this village offers a chance to experience traditional Vietnamese culture and rural life through film photography.

We wrote detaled guide abouth those locations in our article: Saigon's Best Photo Walk Locations