Goin’ to the Chapel . . . Goin’ to take pictures

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the notable landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City that guidebooks say everyone should visit because of its architecture.
You can’t really miss it, even without a guidebook, since it stands as a piece of history among the modernization that is being constructed around it. It is not just situated on the sidewalk among other buildings the way that an ordinary church would be, but it appears as if the streets and the surrounding city were designed with the Cathedral as a focal point.
The interior and exterior of the building is definitely majestic, boasting the glory that any cathedral should have. The interior can’t be compared to those of Italy, but there is something to be said for the vaulted ceilings and organization of holy figures around the Cathedral.
What the guidebooks don’t tell you is that the exterior carries as a background in many Vietnamese wedding photos. Not taking wedding pictures at the Cathedral is like not taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower when you go to Paris for the first time.
I attend the nine thirty mass every Sunday morning and what strikes me is not the constant flow of tourists that move in, out, and around the cathedral, but the numerous brides and grooms that are stationed strategically around the building. You could spend a whole day sitting at the Post Office and observing the couples with their entourages: photographer, photographer’s assistant, convertible driver, umbrella holder, and backup camera crew (family and friends). The convertible driver comes in handy when shots need to be taken of the bride and groom sitting on the car like they were in their own parade. You see them waving like celebrities but they are not necessarily waving to anybody, just practicing for when the cameras start to roll.
The bride and groom attract attention away from the Cathedral, especially when they’re being chauffeured in their bright yellow BMW. There’s nothing like telling the world you’re getting married with the sun blazing, melting the make-up off your face while cameras and tourist eyes are directed towards you. It can’t really be called your special day when there are three other couples stationed five feet away between each other to utilize the same brick background that has the right amount of light. Snapping a picture of these couples is a lot more interesting than getting just a shot of the Cathedral.
If you can’t attend a wedding during your time in Vietnam, this is the best thing I suggest you do while you are here. The Vietnamese love taking their photos and it is fun to see what they are willing to endure (sun, sweat, photographic direction, tight clothes) to get the perfect wedding photo.
I don’t remember much about the numerous cathedrals in Italy, but the mental picture of wedding couples in the midst of traffic and tourists will always be a memorable reminder for Notre Dame Cathedral.