Saigonese flock to city icons for Tet photo shoots

Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace and other attractions in Ho Chi Minh City have been crowded with thousands of visitors posing for Tet photos in colorful ao dai costumes.

In recent weeks, Ben Thanh Market, an iconic tourism symbol of HCMC, has become a popular among young Saigonese for Tet photo shoots.

On Jan. 12, three weeks before Vietnam’s biggest and most important holiday, the weather was 22 degrees Celsius with gentle sunlight.

The area in front of the market was crowded with people.

Sam Sam, 28, dressed in a green ao dai, pose with her friends in front of Ben Thanh Market. They rented the costumes and hired a professional photography crew.

“We chose Ben Thanh Market for our photos because it’s a symbol of the city,” Sam said.

Starting at 8 a.m., Ha Vy, 17, and her three friends begin their photo shoot with each member taking turns doing each other’s makeup and snapping pictures.

One friend held a reflector, another adjusted outfits, and a third guided the poses.

“The goal of our three-hour photo session is for everyone to have stunning photos to share on social media,” Vy said.

Ancient temples and pagodas in HCMC are also top choices for Tet photo shoots.

“Putting on an ao dai, I can feel the gentle arrival of Tet in my heart. The atmosphere here is so serene and timeless; it feels like I’m completely immersed in it,” said Nguyen Thi Thu Thanh, 27, an office worker, while posing for photos at Lang Ong Ba Chieu (Tomb of Le Van Duyet, also known as Tomb of the Marshal in Ba Chieu) in Binh Thanh District.

The temple is open from 6 a.m. every day.

Located next to Ba Chieu Market in Binh Thanh District, the temple is where hero and high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyen Dynasty, Le Van Duyet (1764-1832), is buried along with his wife Do Thi Phan. She passed away after him but it is not clear when.

The Turtle Lake in District 3 is another popular spot among young people for photo shoots.

Thuy Tram, Hong Anh, and Kieu Trang wait around 15 minutes to secure a good angle.

“8 a.m. is the best time for photos because the sun is up, but with so many people coming here, it’s easy to get caught in the crowd,” Tram said.

Young people bring props like flower branches and light reflectors, hoping to capture the perfect Tet photo set.

Duong Thi Nguyet Thach, 28, (C) said that taking photos was not just about preserving memories with her group of friends of 20 years but also about strolling through the city and experiencing the festive atmosphere of the approaching Tet holiday.

Just 900 meters away, the Independence Palace is also bustling with visitors.

Many choose this location for Tet photos as early as mid-December to avoid the crowds.

After their photo shoot, many visitors took advantage of the lawn at the palace to rest or touch up their makeup.

The entrance fee is VND40,000 for adults and VND10,000 for children.

Other popular spots for Tet photo shoots include the Saigon Zoo and the Ao Dai Museum in Thu Duc City. Both locations feature lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, attracting thousands of visitors dressed in ao dai in recent days.