My photos on the walls of the French consulate
“Regards croisés”, a photo exhibition celebrating the collaboration between Lyon and HCMC
Last week, I had the honor of being invited to the French Consulate for the vernissage of an exhibition celebrating the relationship between Lyon and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the long-standing ties between France and Vietnam.
It’s a strange feeling to see my photographs displayed on the walls of the consulate, printed in such a large format. It’s a moment of pride, of course - but also one of vulnerability. Sharing these moments I’ve captured in the streets with such a wide audience makes me wonder: will the strangers passing by feel what I felt when I took these photos? Will they be sensitive to the quiet beauty of Saigon’s everyday life in the same way I am?
The exhibition brings together 12 photographs - my images of Saigon, alongside those of Tony Noël from Lyon - capturing everyday life in two places that, at first glance, seem worlds apart. But maybe, in the end, they’re not so different after all.
Finding familiarity across distance
This exhibition is an opportunity to build a bridge between the everyday lives of people in France and Vietnam, through simple moments - people by the river, playing sports, sitting on terraces, spending time with family or with their pets. And somehow, when placed side by side, these moments reveal something deeper: how similar we all are. That was the intention behind the exhibition - to highlight our shared rhythms of life rather than our differences.
After more than a decade living in Ho Chi Minh City, I’ve always felt that energy - the constant movement, the unpredictability, life unfolding on every corner. It’s chaotic, yet deeply human. And through photography, I’ve tried to capture those small, universal moments hidden within that chaos.
Photography in the open
One of the most meaningful aspects of this exhibition is where it lives. The photographs are displayed outdoors, along the walls of the French Residence on Lê Duẩn Street. Anyone can stop, look and connect. It turns the street itself into a gallery and I think that’s exactly where this kind of street photography work belongs.
A personal milestone
Being part of this exhibition is something I don’t take lightly. When I first picked up a camera in Vietnam, I was simply trying to understand this city, to find my place within it. I never imagined that one day my work would be displayed in such a symbolic venue, representing not only my personal journey but also a cultural connection between my two countries. It’s something I’m deeply grateful for. It also makes me want to continue documenting Saigon even more - this place that has become, for me, much more than a subject, but a true home away from home.
Let’s explore Saigon together
If you’re in Saigon, take a walk down Lê Duẩn Street and have a look. And if you feel inspired, consider joining one of my street photography tours to capture these kinds of moments yourself - you never know where they might lead you.