36 Photographs of Robin Williams on the Set of “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987)

When Barry Levinson’s Good Morning, Vietnam hit theaters in late 1987, it marked a watershed moment for Robin Williams. Up to that point, Hollywood had struggled to capture his electric, high-wire comedic energy on film without it feeling either overly constrained or scattered. Playing real-life Armed Forces Radio Service DJ Adrian Cronauer proved to be the perfect vessel, giving Williams the freedom to unspool brilliant, rapid-fire improvisations in front of the mic while anchoring the story in the stark, sobering realities of 1965 Saigon.

Because filming in Vietnam wasn’t possible in 1986, production took place in and around Bangkok, Thailand. The heat and humidity were relentless, but the location provided authentic Southeast Asian architecture and vibrant street life to recreate 1965 Saigon.

Levinson reportedly set up multiple cameras in the radio studio set, gave Williams a few basic bullet points, and simply let him riff. Almost all of Cronauer’s frantic, brilliant radio broadcasts were improvised on the spot by Williams in single, unbroken takes.

Outside the radio booth, the film explored the rising tension before full-scale military involvement. Williams struck a delicate balance between irreverent humor and empathetic connections with local Vietnamese civilians and GI soldiers.

The performance earned Williams his very first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and solidified his status as a major cinematic lead capable of blending top-tier comedy with deep dramatic resonance. In 2000, the film ranked number 100 on the American Film Institute’s “100 Years...100 Laughs” list, containing 100 movies considered the funniest movies in American cinema.

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Hanoi Residents Waiting for All-clear Siren in Sidewalk Manhole Shelters During Air-Rawid Alert, 1967

This image captures a stark reality of daily life in Hanoi, North Vietnam, in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The photo shows residents sheltering in narrow, chest-deep individual air-raid bunkers (often called “turtle-shell” shelters) dug directly into the sidewalks. These bunkers were a critical part of the city’s civil defense strategy during the U.S. bombing campaign known as Operation Rolling Thunder. The photograph was taken by Lee Lockwood, an American photojournalist for Life magazine. He was the first American reporter permitted to document daily life in North Vietnam since 1954.

(Photo by Lee Lockwood/Getty Images)

These pits were prefabricated concrete cylinders just large enough for one person. Every 20 meters, they were staggered on both sides of major streets so that anyone caught in the open during an alert could find safety within seconds. Each bunker had a lid, made of concrete, thick bamboo, or straw, which users would pull over themselves once inside to protect against shrapnel and debris.

By 1967, air-raid sirens were a frequent occurrence, often sounding multiple times a day. Residents would wait in these cramped spaces until the “all-clear” signal was given.

Hanoi’s sidewalk bunkers became an enduring symbol of the city’s civilian resilience and adaptation to the constant threat of aerial warfare. Most of these shelters were filled in and removed shortly after the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973.

When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Riding Around Vietnam’s Southern Ho Chi Minh City on a Motorcycle in 2006

In November 2006, one of the most famous couples in Hollywood history, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, surprised the world, and the people of Ho Chi Minh City, by appearing as ordinary tourists. Their visit has since become a legendary piece of “Brangelina” lore in Vietnam.

The couple arrived unannounced on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, flying in from Cambodia. They stayed at the Park Hyatt Hotel in District 1, but rather than using a fleet of black SUVs or heavy security, they chose to blend in.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, they decided to explore the city like locals. Pitt rented a Yamaha Nouvo, a common automatic scooter in Vietnam at the time. Passersby were stunned to see “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” weaving through Saigon’s chaotic, buzzing traffic. Pitt drove while Jolie sat behind him, both dressed in casual clothes and sunglasses.

They were spotted driving past the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building (City Hall), through the city center, and eventually heading toward Ben Thanh Market for some shopping. When a reporter from the Tuoi Tre newspaper asked if he was worried about the “chaotic” traffic, Pitt simply smiled and replied, “There will be no problem.”

The couple spent their evening at Temple Club, a popular restaurant on Ton That Thiep Street converted from an old temple. They reportedly enjoyed a quiet dinner, with Brad describing Vietnam as “wonderful.”

Beyond sightseeing, this trip laid the groundwork for their deep connection to the country. During this visit, they stopped at the Tam Binh Orphanage in Thu Duc. It was here that they first met a three-year-old boy named Pham Quang Sang, whom Angelina Jolie would officially adopt a few months later in early 2007, renaming him Pax Thien.

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Rare Color Photos of Vietnam in the Early 1930s

W. Robert Moore (1899–1968), a leading photographer and staff writer for National Geographic Magazine, provided a groundbreaking visual record of Vietnam, then part of French Indochina, during the 1930s. His work was significant not only for its extensive geographical coverage but also for his pioneering use of early natural color photography, capturing the vivid scenes of the country using new films like Kodachrome.

Moore’s lens often focused on the traditional and the majestic: documenting the rice paddies, the bustling marketplaces of Hanoi and Saigon, and the serene beauty of ancient temples and monuments along what he referred to as the old Mandarin Road. His articles and photographs presented an evocative, yet often exoticized, portrait of the region to Western audiences, showcasing the intricate customs and traditional dress of the Vietnamese people amidst the dramatic backdrop of colonial influence and lush Southeast Asian landscapes.

These beautiful color photos, taken by W. Robert Moore, capture life in Vietnam from the early 1930s.

Annamese men and women walk to the market along the Mandarin Road, Vietnam, circa July 1930

A civil mandarin poses in his winged scholar's bonnet, Hue, Vietnam, 1931

A class of students pose for National Geographic Magazine, Hue, Vietnam, 1931

A princess of Hue is fanned by her maids, Hue, Vietnam, 1931

A royal princess of Hue dressed in her royal robes, Hue, Vietnam, 1931

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Lieutenant Commander John McCain Being Captured and Brought Out From the Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi, 1967

This famous historical photograph shows North Vietnamese citizens rescuing U.S. Navy pilot John McCain from Trúc Bạch Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 26, 1967, during the Vietnam War.

McCain, then a 31-year-old Navy lieutenant commander, was flying his A-4 Skyhawk on a bombing mission over Hanoi when his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. He ejected but broke both arms and a leg during the ejection and parachute landing, falling into Trúc Bạch Lake.

Local Vietnamese rushed into the water to pull him out. After being rescued, McCain was captured and taken as a prisoner of war (POW) to the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where he remained for over five years.

This image has since become one of the most recognizable photos from the Vietnam War, symbolizing both the human and political complexities of that conflict.

Ann-Margret Performing for U.S. Service Members in Vietnam in the Mid-1960s

Award-winning actress and singer Ann-Margret is known for her commitment to entertaining U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. In 1966, she responded to a request signed by over 3,000 troops to perform for them and traveled to Vietnam with three bandmates on a USO tour, traveling to Saigon, the USS Yorktown, and the dangerous “Iron Triangle.”

“I received a letter a long time ago from [troops] in Vietnam, and they wanted me to come there and perform,” she said. “I remember there were 3000 signatures on this one letter, so I wanted to go the next day!”

In her book, Ann-Margret wrote that she “regarded the trip as a moral responsibility, something I owed to the soldiers and to America. … Nothing could deter me.”

She also said that politics played no part in her decision to go. “I went [to Vietnam] for the guys and ladies,” she said. “I went there for them. It had nothing to do with politics. Absolutely nothing.”

Two short years later, she returned to the war zone to perform for troops again—this time with Bob Hope’s USO Christmas Show. In size and scope, the second trip was nothing like the first.

Flanked by about 80 entertainers and crew members—including her husband—Ann-Margret performed for tens of thousands of troops on posts that were relatively safe in comparison to the 1966 shows. More than 20,000 showed up for the stop in Saigon alone.

With his trademark golf club in tow, Bob Hope hosted the colossal, Broadway-sized production and was the catalyst behind getting Ann-Margret back to Vietnam.

“Bob asked me,” she said, adding they previously worked on each other’s TV specials back in the States.

While she didn’t encounter any live fire on the 1968 tour, she witnessed the damage and pain it inflicted on American troops. She visited combat hospitals, thanking the wounded warriors and their caretakers for their sacrifices and tireless work on behalf of the American people—many who showed little appreciation for the men and women who gave so much.

“The thing about my Vietnam guys, (for) some of them when they came home, it was this political thing again,” she said. “They were not greeted nicely. They didn’t have people at the airports hugging them when they came home, as they should have.”

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Vintage Photos of Pop and Rock Band Performances in Vietnam During the War

During the Vietnam War, pop and rock music flourished in South Vietnam, particularly in Saigon, due to the influence of American military presence and Western culture. Local bands adopted Western rock and pop styles, performing both local and Western hits.

U.S. troops introduced American music, leading to the popularity of artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones among the Vietnamese youth. Clubs and bars in Saigon became hubs for live performances, blending Western rock with local traditions.

These vintage photos were taken by TonyNY77 during the time of his service in Vietnam, “I had the good fortune to view many live band performances. These photos were taken at some of the shows I enjoyed.”

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Saigon in 1970 by Dick Hughey

Saigon in 1970 was a city deeply affected by the Vietnam War, which was at a critical juncture during that time. The city, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, was the capital of South Vietnam and served as a hub for U.S. military operations, foreign diplomats, and journalists.

The atmosphere was a mix of tension and vibrant life. While there were significant military activities and ongoing conflicts, Saigon also had a bustling urban culture with cafes, markets, and nightlife. American presence was strong, leading to cultural exchanges but also significant social divisions.

In 1970, the South Vietnamese government was struggling to maintain control amid increasing pressure from North Vietnamese forces and the Viet Cong. The U.S. was also reassessing its military strategy, which would eventually lead to the withdrawal of American troops.

Overall, it was a complex time marked by both the struggles of war and the resilience of the local populace. These fascinating photos from TommyJapan1 were taken by Dick Hughey that show street scenes of Saigon in 1970.

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40 Amazing Portrait Photos of Vietnamese People Taken by Émile Gsell in the 1870s

Émile Gsell (1838 - 1879) was a French photographer who worked in Southeast Asia, becoming the first commercial photographer based in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). He participated in at least three scientific expeditions, and the images he produced from the first, to Angkor Wat, are among the earliest photographs of that site.

Though Gsell died at an early age, he managed to make several hundred photographs in just over a dozen years featuring a wide range of subject matter including architecture, landscapes, and studio, ethnographic and genre portraits.

These amazing photos are part of his work that Émile Gsell took portraits of Vietnamese people from 1875 to 1879.

Hommes et femmes du Tong-King, 1875-79

Marchande de cannes à sucre, 1875-79

Fille et garçon annamites, 1875-79

Annamite (M[archan]d de charbon), 1875-79

Annamite portant un fruit du jacquier, 1875-79

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45 Beautiful Photos of Vietnamese Women Taken by Léon Busy in 1915

Léon Busy (1874–1951) was a French photographer and curator who edited and participated to numerous photo collections about colonial Indochina, Angkor and Southeast Asian daily life.

Initially a soldier (graduated from the prestigious Polytechnique school) with the French colonial troops from 1895 to 1920, he contributed to various colonial Exhibitions in Paris during the 1920s and 1930s. He came back to Indochina en 1921 to picture Angkor and Cambodia for the vast photo-and-film collection “Archives de la planète” set up by banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn. Kahn encouraged him in using the autochrome camera developed by the Lumière Brothers, which he had discovered during a 1909 screening by French photographer Jules Gervais-Courtellemont.

From 1926 to May 1931, Busy led the Photography Department of the Office indochinois de tourisme et de propagande, taking photos, working in close collaboration with Vietnamese photographers such as Ngoc Chan, Nguyen Huy Ky, and Dao Van Than, and gathering rich collections for touristic and documentary publications.

These beautiful photos are part of his work that Léon Busy took portraits of Vietnamese women in 1915.

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Hanoi in the Mid-1990s Through Nick DeWolf’s Lens

In the 1990s, Hanoi still retained much of its traditional charm with narrow streets, bustling markets, and colonial-era architecture. However, there were also signs of modernization with the emergence of new buildings, businesses, and transportation infrastructure.

The cityscape was a mix of old and new, reflecting Vietnam’s transition towards a more market-oriented economy. It was a dynamic time of transformation and growth for the capital city.

These fascinating were taken by American photographer Nick DeWolf that show street scenes of Hanoi in 1995.

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The Last Empress of Vietnam: Fascinating Vintage Photos of a Young and Beautiful Empress Nam Phuong From the 1930s

Known as the queen of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam, Queen Nam Phuong is known for her matchless beauty. Before marrying to King Bao Dai, she was honored as Miss Indochina for three times.

Empress Nam Phuong (December 4, 1914 – September 16, 1963), born Marie-Thérèse Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, later Imperial Princess Nam Phương, was the first and primary wife of Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, from 1934 until her death. She also was the first and only empress consort of the Nguyen Dynasty.

She was born in Go Cong, a Mekong Delta town. Her father, Pierre Nguyen Huu Hao, is described as a wealthy merchant. Through an introduction from the Archbishop of Saigon, he became secretary to the billionaire Le Phat Dat, Duke of Long My, and eventually married his employer's daughter, Marie Le Thi Binh, and inherited his title.

A naturalized French citizen, Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, who was known as Mariette, studied at the Couvent des Oiseaux, an aristocratic Catholic school located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, where she was sent at the age of 12.

On March 9, 1934, the public announcement of the engagement of Nguyen Huu Thi Lan and King Bao Dai was released. At the state ceremony that marked the end of the four-day wedding festivities, Nguyen Huu Thi Lan was given the title Imperial Princess and renamed Nam Phuong, which can be roughly translated as The South, in acknowledgment of her place of birth.

The emperor and empress had five children, most of whom were educated at the French boarding school their mother had attended, Convent des Oiseaux.

On June 18, 1945, Nam Phuong was raised in rank from Her Majesty to Her Imperial Majesty. She also was granted the title of empress, her husband having assumed the title of emperor after proclaiming the country's independence from France. However, the new emperor was soon convinced to abdicate the throne by the revolutionary government. The former emperor returned to Vietnam in 1949 at the invitation of the civilian government and was named head of state, but he went into exile again in 1954.

Nam Phuong served as a member of the Reconstruction Committee for Vietnam after the end of World War II and was the patron of the Vietnamese Red Cross.

In 1947, the empress and her children moved to Château Thorens, outside of Cannes, France, which had been in the family since its purchase by her maternal grandfather in the early 20th century. She separated from her husband in 1955.

Empress Nam Phuong died on September 16, 1963 from a heart attack, at Domaine de La Perche, her home near the small rural village of Chabrignac, Corrèze, France. She was buried in the local cemetery.

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