Buzz
Saigon, during the day, is a symphony of dust and the cacophony of car horns, creating a lively, bustling atmosphere. Everyone hustles to make ends meet, making Saigon a city that never sleeps. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, there exists a Saigon that is charming, easygoing, and incredibly quaint. Just a short stroll around the city center, and you'll encounter scenes so ordinary yet extraordinary. Merely glimpsing at them lightens and brightens the soul.
The tranquil river docks
These are the serene river docks living a quiet life beneath the bustling city. Accompanied by a network of canals and bridges, these docks form the backdrop for trade, cultural activities by the river, riverside markets, and villages. Surrounding these river docks are ramshackle, humble homes and settlements of laborers who migrated here for a livelihood. Though often overlooked, take a moment to pause and feel, life by the river docks is genuinely simple and unpretentious. Amidst the ebb and flow of today's hectic life, one wishes for a moment to leisurely observe life like this!
A family's daily life by the riverbank after months of drifting on a boat - Image from the Internet
Clusters of floating water hyacinths drift along the water, the steady rise and fall of the sun every day, the daily activities of riverside residents...
A serene riverside dock - Image from the Internet
The lives intertwined with the riverside still endure, a boat leisurely wandering around the beloved city. Suddenly, a nostalgic feeling washes over, as if just traversing through time, encountering the past of our ancestors... You might chance upon moments where on one side of the bank, towering modern buildings stand, radiating progress, while on the other side, small thatched houses and humble huts aspire for modest dreams. Truly peculiar!
Canopied Streets with Greenery
Saigon boasts streets shaded by two rows of trees along the road. These streets have inadvertently become poetic inspirations for poets enamored with Saigon: Lý Tự Trọng, Trương Định, Trưng Vương,... Running once under the cool, leafy canopy of me trees in the midst of a summer noon truly brings a refreshing and pleasant sensation.
A street with two rows of green trees alongside - Image from the Internet
Or witnessing the first rays of sunlight of the day piercing through the leaves, creating beautiful scattered beams on the road, looks remarkably stunning.
The towering trees witness the city's gradual evolution and transformation through each historical era. The lush green streets evoke nostalgic memories for generations of students, workers, and seniors. Longing for the sensation of cycling on a leaf-strewn road in the early morning, feeling the endearing charm of the city!
Trương Định Street adorned with greenery - Image from the Internet
Saigon Alleys
Saigon, vibrant as it is, conceals hidden corners amidst its lively streets. While Hanoi is renowned for its small streets and alleys, when it comes to Saigon, an 'alley' carries a unique meaning, very Saigon, with long, winding alleys branching out like a maze in the heart of Sai Gon.
Life in each alley is an entirely different world from the cramped, bustling life outside the narrow streets. Each alley holds countless small stories with all the joys, sorrows, loves, and conflicts of everyday life, shared by those who reside there.
The tranquil charm in a small alley - Image from the Internet
Inside the Apartment Buildings
Then there are places, not luxurious hotels or towering skyscrapers, not lively mansions with people coming and going, but rather an old apartment building nestled quietly in the midst of the towering city.
Corner of a residential building in District 3 - Image from the Internet
In that place, the lives of the people are peaceful and carefree. Sometimes, as we pass by the old apartment buildings, we look up and marvel at how vast they are, making us pause and gaze in awe. Clotheslines swaying in the breeze along the corridors, half-closed windows, children playing in the courtyard, elderly folks sitting and reading newspapers at their doorsteps. Everything is quiet, subtle, yet you can feel they are alive. To experience such a moment even once would be enough.
The daily activities of an elderly lady in the apartment - Image from the Internet
Saigon in the Early Mornings
Saigon sometimes feels strangely serene, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle. Instead, it's moments of slowing down, listening to the rhythm of life unfolding. It's a greeting, a smile, someone preparing to set up their street stall, or a group of elderly individuals practicing tai chi... Especially in the early mornings when the city has just awakened, witnessing these simple occurrences is a joy.
A street vendor getting ready to sell - Image from the Internet
A female worker sweeping the streets in the morning - Image from the Internet
Silent park benches in the early morning - Image from the Internet
Morning coffee, a Saigonese ritual - Image from the Internet
Sidewalk Coffee
Anyone arriving in Saigon, even for the first time, quickly recognizes the distinctive local drink - sidewalk coffee. It seems to have become a unique cultural feature of this diverse region.
Just a newspaper, a small cup of coffee is enough for people to sit and chat. Sometimes, sitting on the roadside curb or the green grass of the park, sharing a cup of bitter black coffee is also known as sidewalk coffee. Those who come and go, everyone remembers those simple and rustic gatherings over this humble beverage.
Sidewalk coffee near Notre-Dame Cathedral - Image from the Internet
Saigon, sometimes so simple and affectionate!
Saigon, not far yet already missed.
If you plan to visit Saigon, besides exploring the famous landmarks in the city, remember to discover peaceful corners like this. Rest assured, you will have interesting and memorable experiences about this land.
