Amidst the overlapping layers of time, Ho Chi Minh City appears as an unceasingly moving city. The vitality of the city is recorded not in the most vibrant moments, but in the delicate blend of old and new, between cultural depth and modern rhythm, between everyday simplicity and strong growth.
From the curved tiled roofs of Nhi Phu Association or Ong Bon pagoda (old district 5) worshiping Ong Bon, also known as Phuc Duc Chinh Than, considered one of the oldest temples of the Chinese in Ho Chi Minh City, the architectural work of historical and cultural value was built around the end of the 17th century; to the high-rise towers behind, the city appears as a dialogue between tradition and development. The moment the woman carries a hat passing through the old shop creates a highlight, the perseverance of life, of the people working in the flow of life in Saigon.
Leaving the old quarter, the view is wide to the Saigon River with modern blocks of houses reflecting on the water surface. From the purple Ba Son Bridge to the sparkling buildings on the night sky, the city cannot hide its desire to rise. The development here is not only the speed of urbanization, but also the increasingly strong desire to live of young people, citizens who bring the city to the future through their creativity.
But Saigon does not only have steel, glass and light. The true vitality lies in how people find joy in every moment: A mother guides her children passionately to explore new books in the Nguyen Van Binh Book Street; the radiant smile of a young girl in the folk game "O mang quan" or the youthful footsteps dancing in the traditional bamboo dance... That is the connection between generations, between cultures living together, between the modern rhythm of life and timeless values.
On the surface of the night river, the brilliant waterway ship swayed through like a new piece of future traffic, reflecting the city's lights in the waves. A dynamic, youthful, yet warm and approachable Saigon, where every resident, no matter where they come from, can find their place.
The photo series is a journey back looking at the city through layers of space and emotions: From the old quarter to the new urban area, from brilliant nights to moments spent on the pages of books. Today's Saigon is not only the largest economic center of the country, but also a place where dreams are nurtured, identities are cherished and life values are interwoven.
The vitality of Ho Chi Minh City is its people, those who always step forward, always extend their arms, and always keep the warm fire of an sleepless city within themselves.
