Leon Busy (1874-1951) documented northern Vietnamese life, capturing farmers planting rice for the harvest. His historical works are often shared on photography forums, attracting considerable reader interest.

In 1909, French banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn (1860-1940) launched "The Archives of the Planet," an ambitious project to document 50 countries using cutting-edge color photography. He hired photographers to travel globally, with Leon Busy assigned to Vietnam.

From 1914 to 1921, Leon Busy traversed many Vietnamese provinces, cities, and villages. He captured 1,372 photographs, including numerous images from the northern region, which are now housed in the Albert Kahn Museum in France.

The photographer captured Thai ethnic women and children in Lao Cai.

A morning market scene in Bac Giang from over 100 years ago.

Leon Busy meticulously annotated each photograph with details of location and content, categorizing them by province according to the administrative map of Tonkin (northern Vietnam) in the early 20th century.

A girl herding buffalo.

Women and children by a small tea stall under a tree in the botanical garden.

A woman holding onto a rope hanging from the roof, using her feet to operate a rice mortar.

A young monk reading a book in the courtyard of Vien Minh Pagoda, Hanoi.

Vien Minh Pagoda, built in 1819 alongside the Hai Ba Trung Temple, features a "Cong" (工) shaped architectural layout, including a front hall, an incense burning house, and an upper sanctuary. Most of its statues, religious artifacts, and worship items reflect the Nguyen dynasty style. The pagoda also functioned as a secret revolutionary base for the Party from 1946 to 1954.

An artisan painting in their shop on Hang Trong Street, Hanoi.

An upper-class woman riding in a rickshaw.

Rickshaws appeared in Vietnam in the late 19th century as Hanoi grew into a key administrative and commercial center under French colonial rule. Initially exclusive to the elite, officials, and foreigners, they soon became a common sight, integrating into Hanoi's daily rhythm.

Typically made of wood and metal, rickshaws featured two large wheels. The carriage body connected to two long front shafts for the puller to steer. The cushioned seat often had a fabric or leather canopy.

A man using a "dieu bat" (a traditional water pipe) to smoke "thuoc lao" (a strong Vietnamese tobacco).

During his time in Vietnam, Leon Busy also extensively photographed Hanoi's landscapes. His works were exhibited in Hanoi in 12/2013. A separate event, "Hanoi - the beginning of a Western-style city in Southeast Asia," took place in 4/2023.

By Phuong Linh

Photos, video: Albert Kahn Museum