The Boat People of My Tho, Vietnam – Part One

The town of My Tho is a place to experience Vietnamese life mainly untouched by the tourist trade.

Vibrant, bustling markets extend along the river and surrounding areas and make great subjects for the budding photographer.

However, it is at sunset that this town reveals its real attraction and a reason for traveller to stop and spend some down time here. Head to the river a little before the sun starts to sink, find a floating restaurant, settle into a ringside seat, order food and beer and wait.

As the sun sets peach tones diffuse through the air and throw the backdrop scenery into relief. By day, the waterway is languid but as the bright harsh light softens into a muted pastel it begins to teem with boats transporting goods, families and workers up, down and across the Mekong.

Children splash around bathing in the water in front of rusty tin and wooden houses that either float on a bed of rubber tyres or perching precariously on wooden stilts.