Coming to Hanoi near Tet, Swedish tourists were surprised to see so many girls wearing Ao Dai gathering in the Old Quarter to take pictures.
Joakim Hall, a 49-year-old Swedish photographer, spent the last five days of January exploring Hanoi. As Lunar New Year approaches, Hall is delighted by the bustling atmosphere of the capital's streets, especially the images of "muses" taking photos on the streets.
In the picture are two Vietnamese girls taking photos in the Hoan Kiem Lake area - a place that attracts many young people to take Tet photos in traditional costumes and ao dai.
"I've never seen so many girls walking around the lake taking pictures like that," he said, adding that he also saw couples walking around the lake to get the perfect photo. Hall commented that this was the "strangest" thing he had ever seen, despite having been to 15 Asian countries.
Many girls also naturally posed when they saw Hall raising his camera.
The 49-year-old photographer said the streets in central Hanoi during the days leading up to Tet feel "overloaded" because of the large number of people taking photos.
Rather than standing and posing for photos, Hall prefers to walk around and capture the everyday emotions on the faces of local people.
"Maybe that's the type of thing young people like," he commented on young people's preference for posing for photos.
Hall had been to Vietnam 12 years ago but had never had the opportunity to visit Hanoi and did not think he would arrive here right before Tet.
Ta Hien Street is bright red with the national flag, many young people in ao dai choose to come here to take Tet photos.
"Tet in Hanoi or Asia in general is definitely a special occasion when everywhere is decorated brightly," Hall said. In Sweden, things are more peaceful and he often spends New Year's Eve having dinner with friends, drinking wine, and watching fireworks.
A family chooses Tet items together at a sidewalk stall in the old quarter.
During his time in Hanoi, Hall also visited the Phung Hung train street after reading information on Google.
"I love taking portraits but this street is definitely not to be missed," he said.
Hall is spending his last days of vacation exploring a few more Asian countries before returning to Sweden in time for the football tournament. The tourist said he wanted to stay longer in Hanoi but time did not permit.
"I really like the old town and would definitely like it even more if I were younger and had the energy to party," he said.