Travel Photography Vietnam - Da Nang Local Fishing

Da Nang is an interesting city. It seems worlds away from the hustle of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City but is 3rd in population and size although this is only currently 1.2 million people compared to HCMC’s 9 Million.

What makes Da Nang so interesting is that it is growing at such a rapid pace and with that comes the mix of old and new. A prime example of this is the fishing areas and ports that are scattered around. They fish in the same way that they have for decades while the skyscrapers are popping up in the distance.

There are a few of these places around the city but the most common areas for me are on in the north eastern part of the city on the north side of the Thuan Phuoc Bridge. I remember driving past here for the first time and seeing what looked like thousands (was probably hundreds) of now common to me blue and red boats.

You see real local life there. I’ve seen young children wandering boats while their father is doing repairs. I often go in the afternoon so I’ve seen a lot of napping but then there of course is times of fast activity when a new catch is brought in and offloaded.

Transport from the shore to the bigger boats is done by a styrofoam raft and ropes or paddles.

When I’m shooting in non-tourist areas, I always try to keep a few things in mind. First, this is everyday life for the people here, so I make it a point not to disrupt what they’re doing. Second, a simple smile can go a long way—it shows I’m there with friendly intentions. Third, respect is key. If someone isn’t comfortable or says no, I honor that without question. And lastly, while I don’t always stick to this, I try to ‘keep moving.’ Lingering too long can feel like I’m staring or singling someone out, so I usually take my shots while walking and keep it casual.

Also, here’s something to keep in mind: as an outsider, people will look, stare, and maybe even talk about you. That’s just part of the experience. Smile, wave, say “xin chào,” and embrace it. It’s all part of enjoying and appreciating this incredible culture and its people.

All the photos here were taken with a Sony A7IV and either the 70-200mm f/4 G or the Sony 85mm f/1.8. Lately, I’ve been experimenting more with the 70-200 for its reach and beautiful compression—it’s been a lot of fun to mix things up.

For the past couple of years, I shot almost exclusively with a Leica M10-P and the Elmarit-M 24mm f/2.8, which was perfect for close-up street photography in Bangkok. But now that I’m living in Da Nang, I’m exploring new gear and approaches, and I’ve really been enjoying the process.