The Road to Saigon

Please watch The Road to Saigon and learn about the residents' lives, hopes, challenges, resilience and livelihoods. The 20-minute documentary can be found at this link. ?I would greatly appreciate your likes, shares and comments.

Capturing a shifting landscape

I have undertaken this ethnographic documentary with the film director Pier Laurenza, with the support of the Cimigo team and many others. “The Road to Saigon” is a multimedia project encompassing a documentary film and an interactive website. Through ethnographic research, the documentary delves into the lives of those who call Le Van Luong home and explores the profound impact of urbanisation, migration, and Saigon’s sprawl on Vietnamese society.

Personal connection

My connection to Le Van Luong is deep. Countless cycling journeys over the past twenty-seven years have revealed the vibrant tapestry of human experiences. Everything seems to be available along this remarkable road, every necessity from the cradle to the grave. Le Van Luong embodies the dynamic spirit of Vietnam - a nation in constant flux. I wish I had documented this change over the decades. Progress inevitably means that many of the livelihoods depicted will disappear over time. I hope this documentary is a reference point for future comparisons.

Le Van Luong: A microcosm of Vietnam’s transformation

The eighteen-kilometer-long Le Van Luong snakes from rural C?n Giu?c to bustling District 7 in Saigon and pulsates with life. This thoroughfare reflects the dynamic changes sweeping across Vietnam. Nine bridges punctuate its path, mirroring the ebb and flow of people and commerce that define the road. As Saigon relentlessly expands southward, engulfing once-rural landscapes, a similar movement surges in the opposite direction, with individuals drawn to the city’s promise of opportunity.

A rich tapestry of stories

Beyond the documentary, you can explore more individual stories on the interactive website or the YouTube playlist.?“The Road to Saigon” brings you face-to-face with the diverse individuals who navigate this bustling artery. Meet the ferry captain connecting Long An to my growing city, the vendors crafting rice rolls and distilling rice wine, and the shopkeepers selling dried squid and tailoring clothes. Encounter the doctor alongside the factory worker, the florist beside the farmer, and the singer beside the property broker. Each resident has a unique story, a burning hope, and a dream propelling them forward.

A journey of hope and resilience

Le Van Luong is not just a road; it’s a pathway to a brighter future. It’s a testament to the unwavering determination of those who migrate to Saigon, seeking to lay new foundations for themselves and their families. Join me on this journey. Explore the lives along Le Van Luong, delve into the values that guide this community, and witness the incredible resilience that fuels their pursuit of dreams. As you embark on this exploration, remember that the road ahead is always brimming with hope for the people of Le Van Luong.

Your engagement is very important in showcasing this work. Please help spread the word.?

Many thanks, Richard