The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a complex of 1000 year old buildings and open spaces, and was on our ‘must see’ list. The entrance fee was just over £1.00, and we had to double check that we’d converted that properly as it’s ridiculously cheap. When we walked in we couldn’t believe how huge the area is, and we spent several hours there. Considering that it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the capital, we were surprised to have the place almost to ourselves. This was undoubtedly due to the Covid-19 virus keeping tourists away and suited us just fine.
Not far inside the complex is a set of steps, and I really like the very old brickwork wall on the outside.
At the top of the steps is a building with open archways and beautiful light inside. It would be a great location for a portrait shoot!
Elsewhere in the grounds we walked past these walls and I love the different coloured and wonky bricks.
It was at the Citadel that I first realised just how many buildings in Vietnam are painted yellow, with green doors and windows. The bottom photo below kept to the colour scheme but reversed it. I do think it needs somebody in the frame to make it complete though.
I also started to notice how many beautiful trained trees there are in large pots.
After leaving the Citadel, we walked to the museum of fine arts. This is in a beautiful old building and has room after room of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and textiles. We were running out of time before it shut for the day, so whizzed through the ceramics and textiles that neither of us were particularly interested in, and spent longer looking at the paintings and sculptures.
One of the staircases between the floors. The wood is very old and very polished. As I’m a portrait photographer I kept seeing locations with beautiful light which would be fantastic for a portrait shoot. I did drag my friend Judith into many spots on our holiday to take her photo though! That spot of wall in the middle of the photo has gorgeous light falling on it.
We were just starting to realise how much Ho Chi Minh meant to the Vietnamese people. He is greatly revered and seen as the man who brought independence to the country.
Once a portrait photographer always a portrait photographer.