Public Spaces in Ho Chi Minh City
January 08, 2010
Half a year ago, I did research work for a professor on public spaces in Vietnam. Academia on public space in this country have discussed about personal activities not occurring in private places (inside the house) but happening outside, in the public sphere. This phenomenon is unique to Vietnam and it was an opportune time to see for myself and better understand the literature I have read during the course of my secondary research.
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Pavements supposedly for pedestrians have been converted to commercial uses, forcing pedestrians to walk on the roads. I feel insecure walking along the road as motorcycles zoom past, less than a metre away from me.
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Due to inadequate private space in homes, domestic activities such as eating, cooking and washing have spilled onto public spaces. In Western societies, people don't carry a bowl of rice and start eating away along the street.
Pavements supposedly for pedestrians have been converted to commercial uses, forcing pedestrians to walk on the roads. I feel insecure walking along the road as motorcycles zoom past, less than a metre away from me.
Unlike the China Chinese, Vietnamese are not aggressive hawkers and seldom tout.
Due to inadequate private space in homes, domestic activities such as eating, cooking and washing have spilled onto public spaces. In Western societies, people don't carry a bowl of rice and start eating away along the street.
Alfresco dining for u?
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Youths are deprived of attractive, safe and free spaces as most recreation parks, lakesides and sidewalks require entrance fee. In the evenings, many gather around here to play the national sport - chapteh.
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Schools conduct their PE lessons in the park. We came across a school which was having more than the capacity it could take. It was so noisy I was imagining the building might just crumble anytime.
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At night, many people hang out on their parked motorcycles or sit along the edges of the pavement in the park. You can spot couples hanky panky on their parked motorcycles in parks with few people. Intimate activities are carried out in the public due to the lack of space for privacy in urban homes. (Pardon the poor quality)
Space constraint does not deter the Vietnamese from inviting guests to their weddings. This family held a mini-banquet along the corridor. Tying the knot is supposed to be a family affair but over here, anyone in the public can pop by and take a look. Spot me?
Youths are deprived of attractive, safe and free spaces as most recreation parks, lakesides and sidewalks require entrance fee. In the evenings, many gather around here to play the national sport - chapteh.Schools conduct their PE lessons in the park. We came across a school which was having more than the capacity it could take. It was so noisy I was imagining the building might just crumble anytime. At night, many people hang out on their parked motorcycles or sit along the edges of the pavement in the park. You can spot couples hanky panky on their parked motorcycles in parks with few people. Intimate activities are carried out in the public due to the lack of space for privacy in urban homes. (Pardon the poor quality)Space constraint does not deter the Vietnamese from inviting guests to their weddings. This family held a mini-banquet along the corridor. Tying the knot is supposed to be a family affair but over here, anyone in the public can pop by and take a look. Spot me?
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