Dozens of black-and-white photos which capture the icons and people in Saigon (the former name of Ho Chi Minh City) over the past 20 years are being displayed at an exhibit in the southern metropolis.

The exhibition, “Chao Sai Gon” (Hello Saigon), by young photographer Nguyen Thanh Tung opened on Friday at TajmaSago Castle, located at 6 Phan Van Chuong Street, District 7.

It closes on Sunday before being organized at Workshop Café, situated at 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1, where it will run from Friday next week to May 3.

On display are 40 black-and-white photos which vividly depict the city’s icons, including Ben Thanh Market, Ben Nha Rong (Dragon Wharf), the People’s Committee edifice, Caravelle Hotel, and Dong Khoi Street.

The visually striking photos are printed on large-sized canvases.

This photo, taken on April 30, 2005, depicts a pyrotechnic show at Bach Dang Wharf, a hallmark of Saigon, which was organized in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Reunification Day. The area was packed with fireworks spectators then.

Tung, the author, began taking the pictures some 20 years ago when he first arrived in Saigon.

His photos thus accentuate the marked changes that the city has been through, and serve as reminders of the hallmark structures which are no longer around or have been renovated, such as the Saigon Tax Trade Center – part of which has bitten the dust to give way to a skyscraper and part of a subway station – and Thu Ngu Flagpole, which is a historical witness positioned near Khanh Hoi Bridge in District 1.

Tung’s works also highlight the city’s new striking additions such as the Saigon River Tunnel and the Nhieu Loc Canal, a “dead” channel which has recently been brought back to life.

The photographer has also been sensitive enough in capturing street corners, landscapes, and the daily life of city dwellers.

The pictures are on sale for VND6-14 million (US$280-652), which is considered much higher than what is fetched by the paintings displayed at other exhibitions.

Ho Chi Minh City looks gorgeous in one of Nguyen Thanh Tung's photos.

The Mong Bridge, which connects Districts 1 and 4, is regarded as one of Ho Chi Minh City's oldest bridge. Built in 1893-1894, the bridge now serves as a pedestrian bridge. This photo was taken in March 2015 by Nguyen Thanh Tung.

Thu Thiem Tunnel, which crosses the Saigon River, is considered symbolic of Ho Chi Minh City's strides in infrastructure development. This photo was taken in March 2015 by Nguyen Thanh Tung.

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