A Look Back at Vietnam from 100 Years Ago

The French Institute of the Far East (EFEO) is displaying rare photographs of Vietnam in the early 20th century to celebrate the 120th founding anniversary.
June 14, 2022 | 08:18

The Book of Indochinese Memory: Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos by the General Publishing House of Ho Chi Minh City and the EFEO introduces the history of formation and development of the school through historical period of Indochina. These photos includ many rare photos of Vietnam in the early 20th century.

Eight gates of Hanoi's ancient citadel were destroyed by the French at the end of the 19th century, leaving only the East Gate towards the end of Hang Chieu Street, as seen in the photo.

Built in 1749, facing the Red River, Cua Dong, also known as Thanh Ha Mon, was also here, the French had the head of a martial official (Chuong Co) beheaded in 1873, so it called O Quan Chuong. This gate was kept thanks to the intervention of the French Institute of the Far East.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Photo of O Quan Chuong (with no date, L. Finot). Photo: Zing News

Community ritual in Vietnam is a place to honor important characters who had significant contributions to the community. In the photo is a small pagoda is located in the middle of the lake in the Phu Dong temple grounds. The temple is located in Bac Ninh province, built to commemorate the merits of Phu Dong Thien Vuong. Temple festivals often recreate battle scenes.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Photo taken in 1929, anonymous. Photo: Zing News

Bronze statues were also a signature of Vietnamese culture in the 20th century. In the photo, engineers moved the 9-ton Buddha statue at Than Quang Pagoda, Ngu Xa (December 1950). Ngu Xa Village formerly consisted of 5 different communes combined (hence the name Ngu Xa), located on a small floating island in the middle of Truc Bach Lake, Hanoi. Bronze miners were divided into many clans, which were very famous in the 17th century and have created many iconic sites including the bell of the One Pillar Pagoda, the statue of Tran Vu in Quan Thanh Temple.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Photo: Zing News

Phu Khe bridge (An Trach, Ha Nam) is made of wood, includes 19 spans, tiled roof. This type of architecture is called "the upper house, the lower bridge" (upper house, lower house).

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Photo was taken in 1936, anonymous. Photo: Zing News

The natural wonder of Vietnam, stretching over an area of ​​1,553 square kilometers, is surrounded by 120 kilometers of coastline, stretching to the Chinese border, including 1,969 large and small islands, limestone ridges and caves.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Ha Long Bay (un-dated, L.Finot). Photo: Zing News

There are also photos of daily life in the Northern of Vietnam, like scenes of people catching fish and crabs for food. In the North, farmers used to plant one crop a year. In the remaining 6 months, the field turns into a fish pond. Then people drain the ponds to catch fish and crabs.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Photo taken in Northern Vietnam, 1926, anonymous. Photo: Zing News

Buddhists chanting in the temple of Pham Ngu Lao (January 1954, anonymous). This temple also worships Nguyen Minh Khong, a famous ancestor of the Le Dynasty who was said to have cured King Le Than Tong's illness. The temple is located in the center of Hanoi, number 50, Ly Quoc Su, restored in 1951.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Buddhists chanting in the temple of Pham Ngu Lao (January 1954, anonymous). Photo: Zing News

Street photos were also a popular section in the photo book.

A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Handicraft toys, paper lamps and lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo taken in 1926, L. Finot Photo: Zing News
A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
An Ede person near Buon Ma Thuot (date unknown, anonymous). Photo: Zing News
A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
Funeral of the Muong in Hoa Binh. Photo taken in 1937, anonymous. Photo: Zing News
A Throwback to the Past of Vietnam 100 Years Ago
A native of Northern Vietnam (unknown date, anonymous).Photo: Zing News
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