23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Rush out

A striking, kinetic black-and-white image capturing the frantic energy and urgency of transit at the Ho Chi Minh City Train Station (Ga Tàu HCM). Two figures push a trolley piled high with luggage and bulky sacks, racing toward the tracks or an exit. The blur of motion in the background and foreground dramatically conveys the feeling of a last-minute rush. The solid mass of the luggage—the cargo of their journey—remains sharp, providing a grounding focal point amidst the surrounding chaos. This image is a powerful visual study of travel, effort, and the momentum required to get goods moved quickly in a busy urban station.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: HCM, Vietnam
Camera: NIKON Z 8
Copyright: © Hung Phung QUang