For a classic Saigon city sundown shot, park yourself at Thu Thiem Bridge, between Binh Thanh and An Phu. The 1,250-metre long bridge is a popular haunt for locals; by late afternoon crowds of people will be lining themselves along the bridge, watching the sun go down as the city awakes at twilight, adorned with lights.

Remember to show up early to stake out the best spot. Grab a beer while you’re at it so you can experience the magic moment in its full glowing glory.

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If greenery is your cup of tea, you can escape to Binh Quoi Village—a tranquil oasis of flora and fauna located just 20 minutes from Saigon’s city centre. The lush grasslands, bamboo cottages, and ponds with giant lily pads make picturesque backdrops for your compulsory OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) shots.

Once you’re done shooting, head towards the south of the village and dine at one of the riverside restaurants. Enjoy a perfect moment of calm and quiet, in direct contrast to the cacophony of the city.

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Designed by Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, Saigon’s Reunification Palace is a landmark not to be missed. Imagine shooting photographs of the original tanks belonging to the North Vietnamese Army that crashed through the gates of the palace, or of quaint antique furniture in command bunkers and meeting rooms that look like they’ve been frozen in time in 1975.

Tip: The louvered glass panels within the palace create a dramatic effect for photos, with a natural interplay of light and shadows.

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Dubbed the “green lungs of central Saigon,” Tao Dan Park offers plenty of photo opportunities for people watchers and ornithologists. Snap photos of this quintessential aspect of Saigon life, shaded by a towering canopy of tropical trees. You have to get there early (around 8:00am!) if you want to capture shots of local Saigonese taking their songbirds out for their daily sing-off, or engaging in morning exercises such as Tai Chi and badminton.

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Everyone has heard of its resplendent salmon pink walls and can’t resist taking a selfie in front of them, but fewer have ventured into Tan Dinh church to admire its intricate Gothic and Renaissance beauty from within.

With a history that dates back to its inauguration in 1876, the church has since undergone several redevelopment and refurbishment works. If you manage to get in, do take a snapshot of the elaborate Italian marble high altar and side altars; these are among the most outstanding features of any church in Saigon.

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Some believe this is the grandest post office in Southeast Asia, and they could well be right. Local guides and internet websites have mistakenly credited the Saigon Central Post Office’s design to Gustave Eiffel (of the Eiffel Tower fame), but the building’s design was actually the final work of Saigon’s first chief architect, fellow Frenchman Marie-Alfred Foulhoux. With its classically elegant yellow facade and window plaques bearing the name of philosophers and scientists such as Descartes, Morse, and Ampere, the Saigon Central Post Office was intended to represent the human potential for stunning achievement.

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Just opposite the Post Office sits the regal Notre Dame Cathedral, a star among places of interest in Saigon that are popular not just with tourists but also with wedding couples. On any given day, you will see happy grooms with brides either donning white bridal gowns or the ao dai, a Vietnamese traditional dress. The cathedral’s red brick walls – each one painstakingly imported from the French port city of Marseilles – are just one aspect of the church’s distinctive neo-Romanesque elements. However, they do form a picture-perfect backdrop for your wedding or travel journals.

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The hustle and bustle of Saigon's streets makes for framable, provocative captures. As famed photographer Annie Leibovitz once said: “A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people”, so will this place evoke similar emotions in you.

To perfect your scenes from old Saigon, head to Cho Lon (District 5), which also happens to be the world's largest Chinatown. Here, you'll find alleys, markets, and people likely to be donned in traditional garb going about their daily routines. Don’t be afraid of wandering into alleyways as there are often small shops filled with fascinating curiosities to be found.

The nearby Binh Tay market is another potential focal point for zooming into the lives of the Saigonese. You can relax and soak up (or shoot) the lively atmosphere here.

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