Invaluable color photos of Vietnamese life 100 years ago

Trang Tien Street in Hanoi between 1914 and 1915. The street located by iconic Hoan Kiem Lake has changed much over time, but it has retained some of its features.

Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

“Ông đồ” (calligraphy master) in Hanoi in 1915. Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

The peaceful beauty of Hang Thiec Street in Hanoi in 1915. Hang Thiec Street is a craft street of tinsmiths.

Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

The officials at one village near Hanoi Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

Hang Gai Street, also known as Silk Street, in Hanoi in 1915. Hang Gai Street is the best place in Hanoi to shop for high quality, fashionable silk materials, traditional Vietnamese apparel, and home furnishings.

Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

The banana baskets on Red River in Hanoi in 1915. Red River is the largest river in Northern Vietnam. It rises in China’s Yunnan province and flows 1,175 km southeast through deep, narrow gorges to enter Vietnam and discharges into the Gulf of Tonkin via a great delta.

Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

Bac Le Market in Lang Son, Northern Vietnam in 1915. Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

Dignitaries in a village in Hanoi in 1915. Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

The officials in the outskirt of Hanoi in 1915. Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn

Ha Long Bay boasted pristine beauty in 1915. It became an endless inspiration for numerous foreign photographers. In 1994, Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage.

Photo courtesy of Albert Kahn