This exceptional series comes from the archives of the Inlen gallery. It stands out for its night shots, showcasing a brightly lit Saigon, then considered the “Pearl of Asia.” In addition to iconic landmarks like the Governor’s Palace, the Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market, the photographer also captured lively spots such as the Rex and Thanh Chung cinemas, Brodard bakery, and the Dong Khanh hotel in the bustling Cholon district. This suggests that Saigon wasn’t just about official monuments,
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The name of Huong Ky Photo is more associated to the history of cinema in Vietnam than to Photography.
Located in Hang Trong Street (Rue des tambours), Hanoi, the studio photo was established in 1905 by Mr. Nguyen Lan Huong (1887 – 1949).
This street is famous for the production of a specific woodcut paintings. The craftsman only prints the black outlines of the image, then will finish the details by hand.
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Khanh Ky’s real name is Nguyen Dinh Khanh (1874-1946), opened a photography studio in 1892 on Hang Da street. The business being successful he opened many studios in Hanoi, Haiphong, Saigon (1907, 1924) even in China at Guangzhou (1924).Unlike other photographers, he attached particular importance to train his operators who mainly came from Lai Xa village, in Ha Dong province who is considered as considered the cradle of Vietnamese photography.
In 1910, Khanh Ky went to France to study photography.
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This album is a rare archive containing snapshots and instant photos made by M. Barbet on his trip from Marseille (France) to Hanoi (Vietnam formerly Indochina ) in the early 20th century on the steamliner of the company Messageries Maritimes .
Usually at that time, photography practice was made by professional photographers because the process involved heavy and voluminous gears to be setup. The low sensitivity of the film also needed a long exposure time.
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