Today's golden hour in TP.HCM
Golden hour is when the sun sits less than 6° above the horizon, casting warm, soft golden light and long shadows — the most flattering time for outdoor portraits, profile and concept shoots. The schedule below is calculated from the sun's actual position, with a cloud forecast so you know whether today's sunset is worth shooting.
Golden hour for the next 7 days
| Date | Morning blue hour | Morning golden hour | Evening golden hour | Evening blue hour | Evening clouds |
|---|
Golden hour: sun between −4° and +6° relative to the horizon. Blue hour: between −6° and −4°. Cloud forecast from Open-Meteo, for reference only.
Golden hour shooting tips in HCMC
Evening golden hour in HCMC lasts only about 40 minutes. Set up and test your exposure in advance so you don't miss the best light.
Let the sun fall from behind or at an angle to the model for a glowing rim light on the hair, and use a reflector or small light to fill the face.
Thin, high clouds (30–70%) catch gorgeous orange and pink tones. Thick low clouds or rain usually cut the sunset short.
The Saigon River banks and lakes within urban areas reflect the sunset, creating a shimmering backdrop for backlit shots.
10–20 minutes after sunset, the sky turns deep blue and the city lights come on — perfect for fashion and cityscape shots.
Set WB manually to around 5200–5600K to keep the warm golden tones; auto mode tends to wash out the sunlight's color.
FAQ
What time is golden hour in HCMC?
Year-round, morning golden hour in HCMC usually falls around 5:30–6:40 and evening golden hour around 17:05–18:20, shifting with the seasons. Sunset is latest in June (around 18:18) and earliest in November–December (around 17:30).
How long does golden hour last?
HCMC is close to the equator, so the sun rises and sets almost vertically: golden hour lasts only about 40 minutes each time, much shorter than in temperate countries.
What is blue hour?
It is the roughly 10 minutes before sunrise and after sunset, when the sun is 4° to 6° below the horizon. The sky turns a deep blue and the light is very soft.
What time is best for outdoor profile photos?
Evening golden hour is best. For more neutral light, shoot 1 hour before golden hour or in open shade. Avoid 10:00–14:00, when harsh sun casts shadows under the eyes.
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