A Bird’s Eye View of a Vietnamese Streetscape

For Vietnamese standards, this Nha Trang street is a quiet one. And for the uninitiated, it offers a great introduction to Vietnam’s infamous traffic — sans dodging a plethora of motorbikes or without going deaf due to a cacophony of honking horns.

There are cycle rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers seeking a fare,

bicycles built for one…

or two…

Fathers and daughters,

couples,

and families of four out are for an afternoon spin.

There are deliveries en route – with bikes carrying fresh produce and trucks transporting boxes of “Caviar of the East” (a local delicacy of bird saliva nests).

There are also wooden panels and unidentified goods.

Sometimes there’s just one hand for holding precious cargo and another for steering.

Dogs get into mischief on street corners.

Friends socialize.

And restaurateurs are hard at work.

A canopy of criss-crossing power lines is the common thread that weaves them all together.

Where in the World?

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

10 responses to “A Bird’s Eye View of a Vietnamese Streetscape”

Sarahsomewhere

January 9, 2012

Wow Tricia these images are beautiful! Such great perspective from above. We leave for Thailand early Feb, then Vietnam some time after that. I can’t wait to sit down and peruse all of your recent posts and glorious images properly, of late it has been a quick flick at work, as we are busy selling, buying, planning, cleaning and packing. Hope all is well with you and Sean x

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 10, 2012
  
  Sarah, how exciting that you’re leaving for your adventures so very soon! I know that the weeks leading up to the departure are super busy, but once things settle down, touch base if you have any questions about Vietnam or any of the other places we’ve just tiptoed to.
  
  In the coming days, we’re planning on heading north from our current coastal spot in Vietnam, then going overland to Laos and probably swooping back through Thailand to fly out of BKK. We’re thinking of going to the Philippines and perhaps a few other places. So exciting!
  
  Great to hear from you, and talk soon…
  
marinachetner

January 10, 2012

These shots are so fun! I also really like the black and whites. You shot them so well. Have you tried the ” ‘Caviar of the East’ bird’s saliva nest delicacies in red boxes”?

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 10, 2012
  
  It’s a departure from what I typically shoot, and the process was quite entertaining! I shot the pictures from the 10th floor breakfast room of our Nha Trang hotel… Nope, we have not yet tried the swiftlet’s salivary secretions (which are often worked into a soup) but we’ve heard locals that sing the culinary treat’s praises!
  
Shutter Bug

January 10, 2012

Great images, Tricia. I particularly love the first photo. It seems that motorbikes and bicycles continue to dominate the streets of Vietnam’s cities.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 10, 2012
  
  Yes, the unfortunate pedestrians are the peons on the roadways here, Jessie… When crossing streets, you can start to feel as though you’re in a video game and the motorized vehicles will earn bonus points for hitting you. We’re amazed that the local canines have grown so adept at crossing these hectic roadways, too! Never a dull moment in Vietnam. :-) When were you last here?
  
janewalters

January 10, 2012

Great photos, especially the B&W ones. I could imagine just sitting there all day watching the world go by down below.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 11, 2012
  
  Jane, it’s a rainy day in Vietnam today, so it might be one where I enjoy that very perch, reading a book, and watching the hustle and bustle below. :-) Thanks for your feedback! I was also happy to capture the first black & white image of the woman walking with the traditional shoulder pole and pendulum-like baskets. It’s amazing how much the petite ladies can carry here!
  
BitOfLight

March 26, 2012

It’s amazing what one sees in one spot. Great catch, I love the whole set. And you’ve just given me the idea to try this when I get the chance.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  March 30, 2012
  
  BitofLight – glad the perspective inspired you; I look forward to seeing your work from a bird’s eye! In India, where we still are now, the approach would work quite well – there’s always such a super parade of activity going by – particularly while watching it from the back of a rickshaw… well, easier said than done with all those twists, turns and bumps. (In the rickshaw we entered the other night, the driver playfully stated, “This is an express rickshaw – a Ferrari!” And the ride exceeded our expectations. What a terrifying way back home!) Thanks for your nice compliment!