© irene waters 2016
Architecture in Vietnam shows a diversity in the style in which buildings are designed and constructed depending upon culture and the wealth of the time. Above, the Indochina French Administration building would be equally at home in France as it is in Hanoi.
© irene waters 2016
Whilst on the banks of the Mekong thatch shanties on stilts are the architecture that is found.
© irene waters 2016
The Romanesque architecture of the Saigon Notre Dame Basilica again shows a French Heritage. Indeed all the building materials required for the construction of the church were exported from France. Yes, all those little bricks came from France.
© irene waters 2016
In its interior which can house a congregation of 1200, their are 12 pillars representing the apostles whilst the 52 stained glass windows depict stories from the bible. The windows are no longer the original ones due to breakages during the conflict.
© irene waters 2016
Thatched huts with woven walls, also built on stilts are the homes of the Degar peoples in the Central highlands of Vietnam.
© irene waters 2016
These buildings have incomplete flooring allowing for draughts to rise cooling the house and giving shade and shelter to pigs and chickens which live underneath.
© irnee waters 2016
Looking at the construction of a modern Vietnamese house I would not feel confident in its stability. They are usually very narrow, detached housing of three stories high. This will accomodate one family group. The youngest live on the upper level whilst their parents on the middle level. On the lower level are the grandparents. This arrangement is so the elderly do not have to negotiate stairs.
© irene waters 2016
Wrought iron is often a feature and floors are tiles.
© irene waters 2016
In the Vietnamese museum of ethnology are wonderful examples of ethnic tribal buildings.
© irene waters 2016
The Tortoise tower of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi was built by a Vietnamese businessman with the French Colonial Government permission to honour Le Loi who founded the Le Dynasty. It is a symbol of peace, harmony and patriotism.
© irene waters 2016
The Tam Thai Pagoda in the marble hillside of Da Nang. Its architecture follows the shape of the Chinese character meaning “king” which was typical of the architectural style of temples and pagodas under the Nguyen Dynasty.
© irene waters 2016
In Hoi An the Japanese quarter shows yet another architectural style.
© irene waters 2016
© irene waters 2016
Vietnam, a land of contrasting architecure where often the old is sandwiched between the more recent.
In response to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
This is something i noticed as well. There is always the clash of Asian and European influence. Check out my blog piece on Vietnam if you’re interested. I talk about how I built a house with my school in the village of Mai Chau (North).
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I’ll certainly check out your blog. The clash makes for an interesting array of styles.
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I just tried to go there and got a message that you have deleted the site. Perhaps you can send a url.
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Sure it’s theearthrover.wordpress.com
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Thanks for that. Great post.
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I love your travel tours, Irene. This view of Vietnam is rich with images of a diverse country. It’s easy to see the personality split between Western and Eastern cultures, between wealth and poverty. I’ve learned not to try to choose a favorite of your pictures.
Have you visited Vietnam more than once? You must have toured a lot of the country.
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Glad you like travelling with me Sharon. I have that problem which is one of the reasons I put so many on because which one should I get rid of.
We have only visited Vietnam once but we had a month and we made the most of it and of course, I am click happy.
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Lucky for us!
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Beautiful and powerful images !
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Thank you.
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There are so impressive and powerful buildings and photos here. Wonderful entry Irene. 😀
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Thank you Cee. Glad you liked it.
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I was going to say this, but you did: contrasting architecture. Indeed. Beautiful shots. Love these tours. Thanks for sharing these, Irene.
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Glad to have you stow away Sarah. Glad you enjoyed the trip.
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