The 2013 Vietnam Photo Tour is off and running with 10 enthusiastic photographers, eager to explore this amazing country. We spent our first day, cameras in hand, wandering around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City as it’s now called). We visited many of Saigon’s icons including the spectacular turn-of-the-century Colonial French Post Office, the War Remnants Museum, the turn of the century Opera House and the Catholic Cathedral in the Dong Khoi Street area. We also explored Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda (Cantonese pagoda) in Cho Lon district.
In the War Remnants Museum we viewed a powerful collection of photographs taken by 134 international journalists who were killed during the Vietnam war, including Henri Huet, Dickey Chapelle, and Larry Burrows. The exhibit is called “Requiem” and was donated by the state of Kentucky.
Above is a photograph that became one of the most remembered images of the fall of Saigon, capturing the last chaotic days of the Vietnam war. Most people believed that it showed desperate Americans crowding on to the roof of the United States Embassy to board a helicopter because that’s what the picture caption usually says, but in fact, that “usual caption” is wrong and it was not the caption originally written by Hubert Van Es, the United Press International photographer who shot it on April 29th 1975. The photograph if of an apartment building at 22 Gia Long Street. Below, you can see what the building (which is still standing), looks like today (my photo taken from the opposite side of the building). The “helicopter evacuation” photo by Hubert Van Es, along with many other iconic photos of the Vietnam war have stories behind them, that we might not necessarily be aware of.
I’m planning on doing a blog post to discuss several of these particular photos, so stay tuned, but please be patient, as I have limited time to get things done while I’m busy leading this year’s Vietnam Photo Tour.
At the post office we encountered, retired postal worker Doung Van Ngo. Van Ngo spends his days translating and writing letters for folks who are unable to do so. He’s famous here at the post office and known lovingly as “the little corporal”. Van Ngo has been performing this service for over 20 years. You can read more about him here.
Amazing! no words!
Thanks for Sharing Karl!
Thanks for bringing back great memories of Vietnam. I remember you having Anietra
and I stand at the corner in your second picture. What a fun time we had with the
vendors along that street and taking their pictures.
Robbie
Great photos! Thanks for posting your amazing photo adventures! I was there in Vietnam several years ago, and I really enjoy re-living the trip through your photos… can I ask? would love to improve my photo-craft, any chance you would be interested in posting or noting the particulars for each photo? like shutter speed, aperture, ISO? tremendously helpful as it gives insight for us newbies on how to shoot better! again thanks!
Great stories Karl! I visited various parts of Vietnam two years ago including Hanoi, Hue, and Saigon. I would love to make a trip with your group in the future. The Vietnamese people are great to be around, the food is delicious, and the sights are still interesting.
Your story and shot of the building in the iconic Van Es photo is very cool ~ looking forward to more like that. Have a great time!
The bride is beautiful. I dream of more adventures thru your blog.
Correction, Horst Fass was not killed in Vietnam, he died in may 2012
Best
jorgen Andersen
Jorgen, you’re absolutely correct, I meant to say Henri Huet. Horst Fass died at age 79. I should have remembered that fact because I did a blog post about him back in May 2012. Here’s the link http://karlgrobl.com/blog/2012/05/horst-fass-ap-photographer-dies-at-the-age-of-79/ Thanks for catching my mistake. Cheers, Karl