A slip down memory lane: Vietnam in the 1880s

By Mai Nhat   August 23, 2020 | 05:33 pm PT
Grayscale photos by French photographer Pierre Dieulefils shed light on Vietnam’s historical landscape during the late 19th century.
A local book publication has published a book titled Indo-Chine Pittoresque & Monumentale which show a collection of old photos taken by different French photographers, including Dieulefils. These photos served as a form of research about locals lives  back during the French colonial period.

Locally published "Indo-Chine Pittoresque & Monumentale: Annam – Tonkin" book includes a collection of photos taken by different French photographers, including Dieulefils. These images serve to expose Vietnamese culture during the French colonial period and can be dated back to 1885.

Norhtern Vietnamese women in the late 19th century would typical wearing traditional costume ao dai and and a big quai thao hat.

Northern Vietnamese women in the late 19th century would typically wear traditional "ao dai " and big "quai thao" hats (L).
Rich women often wore another version called "ao dai nam phan" (five-part ao dai).
The four layers represent the parents of both the wife and husband. The fifth layer represents the wearer. The clothe also has five buttons, symbolic of the five qualities every one should have - "nhan" (kindness), "le" (decorum), "nghia" (uprightness), "tri" (wisdom) and "tin" (faithfulness).

Four court officials in the Hue Imperial Citadel. The ao dai of the Nguyen dynasty in the 19th century had patterns and designs that were strictly regulated under the management of the Ministry of Le. The shirt is embroidered, woven with phoenix, bat, sun, gourd, bowl of buu, five colors ... inside with silk lining.

Four officials of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century wear "ao dai" in Hue Imperial Citadel. The "ao dai" of the Nguyen Dynasty had patterns and designs strictly regulated by the government. The top layer was embroidered with designs depicting the phoenix, bat, and sun with a silk layer beneath.

Eunuchs served under the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnams last royals. After careful selection, baby eunuchs were brought to the palace to learn proper walking, dressing and other disciplines from seniors. Many arrived aged 7 and remained at the palace until they were old.

Eunuchs served under the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royals. After careful selection, baby eunuchs were brought to the palace to learn proper walking, dressing and other disciplines from seniors. Many arrived aged 7 and remained at the palace until they were old.

A troop of royal servants, with some carrying umbrellas and fans.

A troop of royal servants, with some carrying umbrellas and fans.

Performers of a theater group that sings folk music in Saigon. These entertainers often travel to perform at other localities in the Mekong Delta region.

Performers of a folk theater troupe in Saigon. These entertainers often traveled the southern Mekong Delta region to perform.

Warriors of the Thuong ethnic group living mainly in the central and sourthern regions.

Warriors of the Thuong ethnic community of the central and southern regions.

One of the gate of Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, or the Temple of Literature, in Hanoi at the end of the 19th century.

A gate of Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, or Temple of Literature, in Hanoi at the end of the 19th century.

A corner of the Hanois Sword Lake.

A corner of Hanoi's Sword Lake.

The courtyard of Thai Hoa Palace where Nguyen kings and functionaries once convened for political discussions, further enhancing historic and cultural values of the landmark.

The courtyard of Thai Hoa Palace at Hue Imperial Citadel where Nguyen kings and functionaries once convened for political debate.

A view of the old Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral did not have two bell towers when it inaugurated in 1880. They were later added in 1985, using a total of six large bronze bells, with two crosses on top of the roofs to peak at 60.5 m above ground.

A view of the old Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral did not have two bell towers when inaugurated in 1880. They were later added in 1985, to include a total of six large bronze bells, with two crosses at the top, 60.5 m above ground.

Pierre Dieulefils (1862 - 1937) was born in Malestroit Village in the Bretagne region of France. He joined the army in 1883 and was later assigned to Indochina in 1885.Two years later, he was discharged and returned to France. In 1888, he returned to northern Vietnam and became a professional photographer and postcard publisher.In 1905, he went to Saigon and then traveled to Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat of Cambodia.  In 1909, he gathered a set of photos on Indochina and published a photo book entitled Indo-chine Pittoresque & Monumentale: Annam - Tonkin (beautiful and magnificent Indochina: Trung Ky - Tonkin). The work earned him a gold medal at the International Cunning Show in Brussels in 1910. In 1913, he returned to France, spending most of his time composing poetry. He died in his hometown of Malestroit.

Pierre Dieulefils was born in Malestroit Village in the Bretagne region of France in 1862. He joined the army in 1883 and was later assigned to Indochina in 1885.
Two years later, he was discharged and returned to France. In 1888, he returned to northern Vietnam and became a professional photographer and postcard publisher.
In 1905, he went to Saigon and then traveled to Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. In 1909, he gathered a set of photos on Indochina and published a photo book entitled "Indo-chine Pittoresque & Monumentale: Annam - Tonkin". The work earned him a gold medal at the Brussels International Exposition of 1910. In 1913, he returned to France, spending most of his time composing poetry. He died in his hometown of Malestroit in 1937.

Photos by Pierre Dieulefils

 
 
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