Many people had taken photos in Saigon, but few of them really capture the true Ho Chi Minh spirits. Great photographer knows where he should search for his Saigon pictures, and below are the 5 best places like that.
A natural pond in Thao Cam Vien
Thao Cam Vien – The Only Botanical Zoo in Ho Chi Min
Located in 2B Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1, the botanical zoo has over 150 years old and is Vietnam’s largest zoo. With its diversity in species and beautiful garden scenery, this place suitable for many unique shooting styles and photos in Saigon. Contains 590 animals from reptiles, birds, mammals from Vietnam and region, it also specializes in nurturing exclusive non-domestic animal which requires special treatment and environment: Hippopotamus, Blesbok (Antelope class), Wildebeest, Ring-tailed lemur, Scarlet ibis, etc…
A small happy moment
The zoo also includes Museum of Vietnamese History, display 25,000 cultural & historical documents of South Vietnam and the monument for the Vietnamese people get murdered in World War I. One interesting fact about this museum is that in 2008, it served as the pit stop for the second leg of The Amazing Race Asia 3 (happened from September 11 – November 20, 2008).
Kids play in the midst of botanical garden
Tired of shooting people and skyscraper? Get inspired by historical or animal tastes now. Take some real photos in Saigon, especially historical one.
Teenagers usually go for some photo shoots
Hardy Sugar Cane Field in District 2
If you love taken picture among natural, check out the hardy sugar cane field in District 2. Away 6 km from the center District 1, is an empty large field with no buildings. This used to be the cattle farm which raises many cows from suburban area. But now, with the developing of new real estate project, no cow was able to eat in these field, and the hardy sugar cane start to grow. With its rapid growing speed, the authority usually have to burn down it quickly. Despite the annoying of this weed, the scene which they create is stunning & beautiful. Vietnamese young teenagers usually travel to this place and enjoy the sunset along the Saigon river while taking picture in those field. Many photos in Saigon art gallery is taken in this place.
Vast hardy sugar cane field suitable for natural concept
The location for this place in google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/VZKYSr78zJx. This place doesn’t have the exact location but you can ask the locals around for direction.
Book Street Nguyen Van Binh District 1
This is a new open place in Ho Chi Minh city and it’s pretty closed to the famous Notre Dame Church of Saigon. Book lovers usually gather around here for a slow sunset walks and have a gentle coffee while enjoying their favorites books. This street was the first complex book street which built in open style for tourism and expat to experience Saigon reading cultures. People also see many Vietnam publishers with tons of books ranging from young literature, art, science, children, teenage comics and other tourism guide. The book street lies between Hai Ba Trung St and Notre Dame. It divided into separate parts: The bookstores section, coffee bookstore section, outside gallery section, children playground section, magazine publisher section….
Photographers who loves gentle sidewalk and thrive for a coffee at dawn likes in Paris must not miss this place. A true chill out place for excellent photos in Saigon.
Urban Art Gallery
Inside the gallery
No, it’s not popular in Saigon.
Yes, it’s beautiful.
Serving as a reminiscing place for oldie in Saigon, Urban Art Gallery hide quietly in Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Phung Khac Khoan street corner.
The entrance of sacred gallery
Unlike the other build with plain color, its pinkish and unique design make it looks like a sacred site for art. Every two week, it will display the masterpieces of Saigon Artists in many art movements: Realism, Renaissance, Surrealism, ….
An masterpiece carved in wood
The building has 3 sections divine into floor. The ground floor is for art exhibitions, the 2,3 floors is the VP of a publisher, and the top also the quietest place, is the garden. From here you can silently watch the city from another point of view and can hide from the city noises.
Another views from above the city
Watch a video from the roof of this hideout at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki2JdJap-DA
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica
It’s something the foreigner or tourist have familiar with when visiting Saigon. Although this famous place has been on the Saigon pictures of many people living in Saigon, and somehow take photo of this iconic Notre Dame is redundant because there are so much more beautiful photos on web than yours, it’s still not enough. No matter how many photos taken, it’s still not enough to describe the beauty of 153 years old cathedral, which equal half the age of Saigon city itself. Being in the heart of many local citizen, Notre Dame Cathedral held an important position when people want to have a walk or enjoy the Saigon life.
Notre Dame Cathedral – Saigon iconic building
This place surrounds by many residents comes here with many purposes. There’s a couple whose shooting wedding their photos album. Near that, an elder woman walks side by side with her 75-husband and looking for a bench to slowly feed the doves. A young drink seller pass over for a sale talks, few university students also gather for making some quick money from retailing. A group of street-performer bicycling around, just waiting for tourists to taken photo of their awesome moments….All life moments happen around an ancient & virtue cathedral – Notre Dame.
Many photos in Saigon was captured in famous places, hence it’s not represent some other perspective of saigon pictures during in the past. Photography will always be about life, and a master known where to find these perfect moment likes that. Next time, pay a visit to these places, and you will have unique taste.
