Officially named for a fountain sculpture representing turtles that no longer functions as originally designed, the roundabout has become an informal evening gathering spot for local youth, street-food vendors, and skateboarders, with its geometric multi-tiered fountain structure providing an interesting foreground against the surrounding traffic circle. Long-exposure shots from an overpass or elevated vantage point nearby can capture motorbike light trails circling the roundabout after dark.
| Best time | Evening, when local youth gather and lights come on around 6:00-9:00pm |
|---|---|
| Best season | Year-round |
| Difficulty | Moderate (traffic safety awareness needed) |
| Address | Vo Van Tan / Pham Ngoc Thach intersection, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City |
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Standard zoom; tripod useful for longer exposures of traffic light trails
- Lens
- 24-70mm; use a tripod for light-trail long exposures
- Composition
- Use the fountain's geometric tiers as a foreground frame against the circular road behind
- Tip
- A 2-4 second exposure on a stable tripod captures smooth motorbike light trails circling the roundabout
Location
Vo Van Tan / Pham Ngoc Thach intersection, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
10.7822, 106.6906 View on map
Highlights
- Geometric multi-tiered fountain sculpture
- Evening gathering spot for local youth and street vendors
- Circular traffic patterns good for light-trail long exposures
Tips for visiting
- Evening brings the most local life and activity to photograph
- A tripod enables motorbike light-trail shots of the roundabout traffic
- Street food vendors around the perimeter add candid subject variety
When to visit
Evening, 6:00-9:00pm
Accessibility
Surrounding footpaths are flat and accessible; crossing the roundabout traffic requires care.
Frequently asked questions
Does the fountain still operate?
The fountain's water features have been non-functional for extended periods; the sculptural structure itself remains the main visual subject.