Between bouts of downpours here in the capital, I’ve been running around taking photographs for a few different stories and generally trying not to ruin every pair of shoes and jeans that I own. I should probably say, trying unsuccessfully not to ruin. Unlike probably 99.8% of the people who either live in or travel through Southeast Asia, and Vietnam in particular, I can’t stand wearing sandals or flip flops. I own one pair because the first time I traveled here my girlfriend made it sound like they wouldn’t let me into the country without them. But I never wear them. The streets of Hanoi are filthy. Like really filthy. Why would I want my feet exposed, susceptible to any number of nicks and scratches from the uneven pavements and roads? Plus, what if someone chases me?
The photographs above are just a few random, more quiet images from the past few days. Typical of the look and feel of Hanoi. At least for me. Sans crowds of course. Hopefully the rain will let up soon. Right now it feels like all my sunny days are spent indoors, and whenever I have a bit of free time the sky clouds over.
from swerve of shore 
Maybe u should soak yourself deep in their culture first.
I never been to Vietnam before. but i also live in southern Asia.
here’s Taiwan. 🙂
hehe i am trying to imagine your fear of getting your feet dirty 🙂
i am always in flip flops and sandals, and not working in an office also makes it unnecessary for me to wear other types of shoes. i’ve got weird patterns on my fee though
The yellows in these photo are marvelous. And down with flip-flops! Even in freezing SF, people insist on wearing them at the hint of sunshine.
Mostly I just don’t like how they look or feel on my feet. I prefer a worn down pair of Chuck Taylors any day of the week.
And I’ll never be able to look at anything this color yellow again without thinking of Hanoi.
Tina, what do you mean I should soak myself in the culture first? Before I wear flip flops? I’m afraid I don’t understand.
Those yellows really are beautiful. And the buildings with the blues, too. Those sort of teal blues. And I totally agree with Aaron on flip flops!! No protection for your feet whatsoever.
very nice images. especially the last shot.
such wonderful images —I lived and worked in Saigon for 4 years and this just crystallises much of the urban landscape there
I don’t like my feet exposed either. I like them closed in and clean.
Don’t wear flip flops. They really are impossible to run in when people are chasing you.
are these images, the last one in particular, are the blurs from a shallow depth of field, or are you manipulating them post. either way a nice set of shots…thanks aaron
Hey Adam,
For three of these images, I’m using a tilt-shift lens. So the blurring is not post-process, it’s a result of shifting the focal plane in camera. I know you’re still mostly if not all analog, but if you ever feel so moved, take a look into Canon’s tilt-shift lenses. I own the 90mm and it’s pretty Top Gun (still trying to bring this phrase into vogue).