TILED SIDEWALK

Sài Gòn, Vietnam, 2017 - Leica M7, Super-Elmar 21, Kodak Tri-X * She spotted me on this trendy sidewalk of a rich district of Saigon, smiled and lowered her eyes as I walked towards her. Like China, communist Vietnam has ironically rushed to capitalism and moved toward an increasingly inequitable society while severely limiting free speech. Vietnam could rank third in the world in terms of fondness for branded goods. The ownership of luxury houses, hotels and cars is rising, particularly in HCM City and Hanoi. The country is also perceived by foreign observers to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Inequity and corruption are increasing more than ever as the country has embarked on a questionable path that makes it a member of the global neoliberal community.