Saigon sparkles in the afternoon light through the lens of photographer Ngoc Tran.

Although originally from Hai Phong, photographer Ngoc Tran chose Saigon as her second home and has a very special affection for the city. For her, Saigon is not only a place to live and work, but also an endless source of inspiration for her creative journeys over the years.

During the sunny season, Ngoc Tran almost entirely dedicates her afternoons to taking her camera out onto the streets. Without a specific schedule, each day is a different destination. Some days she stands amidst bustling streets observing daily life, other days she seeks out high rooftops to gaze upon the entire city stretching out under the setting sun.

For many years pursuing urban and architectural photography, Ngoc Tran has always been fascinated by Saigon's "golden hour"—the brief period when the city begins to change color before the lights come on. According to her, the late afternoon light in Saigon has a very unique feel: soft, delicate, and changing extremely quickly. In just a few minutes, the entire skyline can shift from a vibrant yellow to the bluish-purple hues of sunset.

It is precisely this brevity that makes each photoshoot so special. For Ngoc Tran, shooting during prime time in Saigon is always a feeling of both excitement and inspiration, like trying to capture a moment that only happens once a day.

What fascinates this photographer is not just the architecture or the modern skyline, but also the emotion of the city. In her photos, Saigon appears both vast and intimate, where glass buildings reflect the afternoon light, streets begin to light up, and the entire city transforms rapidly from day to night.

Each photo spot offers a different perspective on the city. From rooftops overlooking the central skyline to street corners near ground level where the setting sun reflects off cars and windows, some places are modern and vibrant, others very ordinary, but all possess the distinctive energy of Saigon.

Ngoc Tran particularly loves the time around 5:30 PM – when the sunlight begins to slant across the buildings, creating layers of light and shadow. That's also when the city becomes most dazzling: the lines of cars lengthen, the streets begin to light up, and the nightlife gradually becomes apparent.

Besides seeking out aerial views, she also spends a lot of time walking through the city to capture everyday moments: people leaving work in the afternoon light, bustling streets as the sun softens, or the last rays of light illuminating the facades of old buildings.

For Ngoc Tran, the most appealing thing about Saigon is that the city is always in motion and always gives the feeling that there is still so much to discover. Perhaps that's why she continues to photograph tirelessly, constantly searching for new perspectives and layers of light. Because she knows that tomorrow, Saigon will be even more different under the afternoon sun.

Ngoc Tran is a photographer and creative director specializing in lifestyle, architecture, and local culture photography. Before pursuing photography, she worked in graphic design – a foundation that helped shape her visual thinking and unique creative approach called Interactive-Reality-Insight. For Ngoc Tran, photography is not just about capturing images, but also about connecting with people, culture, and real experiences. Her works possess a cinematic spirit, are rich in emotion, and focus on the depth of experience, clearly demonstrated in her published books: “Saigon - The Lifestyle and The Food,” “Hanoi - The Lifestyle and The Food,” and “Easy To Cook 40 Delicious Vietnamese Dishes - As Listed By CNN.”

Text: Nhat Minh; Photos: Ngoc Tran