VIETNAM

This series was captured over 2.5 weeks backpacking through Vietnam in early 2024, featuring stops from Hanoi, Hà Giang, Hội An, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). One of my favorite experiences was motorbiking the Hà Giang loop for three days, covering approximately 350km (217 miles) of mountainous roads. This area is extremely rural and many locals do not speak Vietnamese as their primary language, if at all. In Hội An, one of my favorite meals was a local specialty called Cao lầu. This dish is prepared by soaking and drying its noodles beside the river (pictured below).

Vietnamese flag flying among hanging lanterns on a tree against the sky.
People riding a scooter on the street with houses and trees in the background.
Two security guards standing side by side in uniform in front of a gate
Woman in traditional clothing standing outdoors with mountains, trees, and a small village in the background.
Yellow building with blue doors housing a mini mart and currency exchange, busy street scene with motorcyclists, pedestrians, and street signs, including 'No Cars' and a blue street sign.
Narrow street with colorful hanging decorations, red lanterns, a cyclist leaning against a wall, parked motorcycles, and a person sitting on the sidewalk reading a newspaper.
Street vendor stall with snacks and drinks on the sidewalk, three people riding motorcycles, and a cyclist crossing the street in an urban area.
A man is sitting on a parked motorcycle on a city sidewalk, reading a phone. His shoes are off and placed on the ground beside him. There are trees, parked bikes, and buildings in the background.
A worker at an outdoor market surrounded by various boxes, baskets, and produce such as tomatoes, with a motorcycle parked nearby and other vendors in the background.
Fishing nets drying on a paved walkway by a body of water with a bridge in the background, flags flying on the bridge.
Multiple round bamboo trays filled with drying yellow noodles, arranged on a blue surface.
A woman preparing food at a street food stall with large cooking pots, a rice cooker, and a spray bottle, in an outdoor setting.
A black and white photo of a street scene with numerous parked motorcycles. In the center, an older Asian man with short hair is looking towards the camera. Next to him, a person with their back to the camera is also present.
A busy city street scene in black and white with motorcycles and cars. Several people wearing masks are riding motorcycles, some carrying large bags. Trees line the street, and buildings with signage and hanging lanterns are visible in the background
People gathered closely, with one woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a face mask, showing a card to a man in glasses who is also wearing a face mask. Others are partially visible around them.
People sitting on small stools in a narrow, dimly lit street, eating and drinking with a weathered wall behind them, in a black and white photo.