Starting in the early 20^th century, postcards were being mass-produced and becoming the main forms of communication during colonial travel. With almost 34,000 people settling in Vietnam in 1940, there were many people buying these photographs to send back home (Robson, 2005). One photographer who started making postcards was a retired military officer named Pierre Dieulefils. From 1902 to 1925, he published more than 5000 post cards in all around Tonkin, Cochinchina, Annam, Laos, and Cambodia (including the one featured above) (Vincent, 1997).

Click here to learn more about Pierre Dieulefils and his photography!

An important feature to note about colonial postcards is that its main purpose. Since French settlers were buying them to to be sent home in France, this gives a hint as to why the photographers chose to publish the photos and what the senders wanted to communicate to their recipient. Through these hints, we will find out how the French tried to justify their exploitation of Southeast Asia through labor and resources.

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