Somehow, the new name "Ho
Chi-Minh City" doesn't describe what was then known as
Saigon,
"Pearl of the Orient." During the day, like most larger cities,
the business of life and commerce consumes the senses. There is the
usual "hustle and bustle" of small cars and trucks inter-twining
with what seemed like a "million" Cyclos, (motorized and otherwise), bicycles,
and pedestrians. Busy. So busy, in fact, when you are
there, it is easy to imagine that all the business in the world is taking
place right there. It seems as though it is never ending. But as
nightime begins to unfold, and the scorching heat of the day disappears,
the magic transformation happens. The business of the day fades away,
and the business of the night begins. The bars, the women,
the French restaurants, and the taxis to take you to whichever of
these you prefer.
This photograph was taken
a little after midnight. As you can see in the photograph, there
is as much activity as if it were daytime.
Saigon at Night
|