A recent study by the United Nations shows that during the first four months of 2017, Vietnam was the fast growing travel destination in Asia.
Over the past 10 years, Ginkgo has used locally produced and designed clothing to share Vietnam’s culture with the world. The lifestyle company prides itself on representing the country and its people, especially through its brand signatures.
A toxic rumor has cast doubt on a primary school project in one of Thai Nguyen province’s most secluded communes.
As one of Saigon’s most recognizable home-grown brands, L’Usine brings a cosmopolitan Vietnamese lifestyle perspective to contemporary design, products and experiences inspired by the city’s stylish glory days.
Last weekend, as fashion-forward Saigoneers were lining up around the block to catch a glimpse of Vietnam’s first-ever H&M, one of the country’s own fashion businesses was making waves at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with a vibrant display of local craftsmanship.
Saigon overflows with coffee shops, so it takes something special to warrant one’s attention, let alone repeat visit. The Coffee House stands out amongst the competition as a unique local Vietnam brand with a relaxed atmosphere, delicious, locally sourced drinks and attention to detail. Best of all, while worth trekking across districts for, there is probably one just around the corner waiting for you to become a regular at.
If you’ve been around a traditional Vietnamese household during Tet, you have probably noticed the presence of gargantuan, child-sized, dark green watermelons on the altar. These behemoths are both intimidating and delicious; that is, if one remembers to cut them up during the holiday and not leave them out for months like my mom did one year. However, not many know that the origin story behind this juicy berry – yes, watermelons are, indeed, berries – is rooted in a fascinating folk tale that takes place in ancient Vietnam during the days of the Hung Kings.
Saigon’s dining scene is becoming increasingly diverse and innovative, with a number of exciting new concepts entering the market in recent years. ‘NAMO is a fine example of this movement, taking the mantle as one of the pioneers of premium, large cut steak sharing platters in the city.
Lycée Petrus Ky is the former name of the school now known as Le Hong Phong High School. Established in 1927, it is one of the oldest operating high schools in Vietnam.
If you’re able to wake up for them, early mornings in Saigon are a delight. Traffic is minimal, tempers are calm and the sun’s rays are gentle. There are few better places in town to enjoy such mornings than at Villa Song’s elegant riverside location in Thao Dien.
As one of Saigon’s most recognizable home-grown brands, L’Usine brings a cosmopolitan Vietnamese lifestyle perspective to contemporary design, products and experiences inspired by the city’s stylish glory days.
While Pho Phieu Ky’s white walls and fluorescent lighting are nothing special, the hideaway shop in District 5 makes up for its bland color scheme by pasting neon characters – Roman and Chinese – across the glossy tiles along with wall calendars, rotating fans and a particularly jovial, glitter-covered cartoon rendition of Ong Tao riding a fish to heaven. The bright whites are certainly harsh, but on a dreary, rain-soaked afternoon this is not necessarily unwelcome. Nor, mind you, is the meal for which we’ve come: phở sa tế.
Beer is a sweet, refreshing gift we can all agree on.
![[Photos] Saigon Architects Brighten up Contemporary Office With Bamboo Accents](https://i.imgur.com/VtbUJLcs.jpg "[Photos] Saigon Architects Brighten up Contemporary Office With Bamboo Accents")
![[Photos] The Last Remaining Blacksmiths of Bien Hoa](http://i.imgur.com/XxmKb51s.jpg "[Photos] The Last Remaining Blacksmiths of Bien Hoa")
![[Photos] The Dreamy Days of 1920s Vinh Long](https://i.imgur.com/NAcrgW2s.jpg "[Photos] The Dreamy Days of 1920s Vinh Long")
![[Photos] A Walk Through Downtown District 1 in 1967-68](https://i.imgur.com/XiuxKjYs.jpg "[Photos] A Walk Through Downtown District 1 in 1967-68")
![[Photos] Raymond Depardon's 1992 Vietnam: The Many Faces of Hanoi](http://i.imgur.com/ETYjKFAs.jpg "[Photos] Raymond Depardon's 1992 Vietnam: The Many Faces of Hanoi")
![[Photos] Lycée Pétrus Ky: Saigon's Famous School for the High-Achieving](http://i.imgur.com/XW4NrWHs.jpg "[Photos] Lycée Pétrus Ky: Saigon's Famous School for the High-Achieving")
![[Photos] Lycée Marie Curie: The High School That Has Stood the Test of Time](http://i.imgur.com/u9XyhWIs.jpg "[Photos] Lycée Marie Curie: The High School That Has Stood the Test of Time")
![[Photos] An Intimate Look Into Life in Can Tho in the 1990s](http://i.imgur.com/ARPC7YDs.jpg "[Photos] An Intimate Look Into Life in Can Tho in the 1990s")
Saigon Officials Fine Uber VND5bn for Tax Payment Delays
Once again, ride-hailing company Uber has gotten into trouble with local authorities over delays in tax payment.
![[Photos] Local Designer Puts International Pop Divas on Retro Saigon Album Covers](https://i.imgur.com/VTFMU7ol.jpg)
Amid Dengue Fever Outbreak, Vietnam Confirms Cases of 'Super Malaria'
While localities in northern Vietnam are struggling to contain this year’s serious Dengue fever outbreak, epidemiologist...
Vietnam to Allow Switching Mobile Carrier While Retaining Phone Number This December
If you’ve been thinking about switching to another service provider but are reluctant to change your phone number, there...
Katy Perry Showcases 3 Outfits by Local Designer Cong Tri During 'Witness' Tour
Vietnamese fashion designs are getting more and more attention on the international scene recently.
Typhoon Doksuri's Aftermath Underscores the Vulnerability of Central Vietnam
Typhoon Doksuri, the most powerful storm to hit Vietnam in a decade, ravaged the central of Vietnam on September 16 and to...
Hẻm Gems: An Evening of Bánh Xèo Phan Rang and People-Watching by the Canal
There are certain foods in life that take time to love. Mắm tôm , for instance, or mắm chưng . Any of the mắm s, really. Duria...
Morning News Roundup: Smart Pumping System Starts Trial Run to Alleviate Saigon Flooding
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Upcoming Events
Today
18:00
Tuesday Pasta Night @ Indika
19:00
Travel Networking and Craft Beer @ Hôtel des Arts Saigon
21:00
Kizomba Tuesdays @ Cuba La Casa Del Mojito
Tomorrow
10:00
Creative Decoration Lightings @ The Hive Saigon
17:00
Indika Cuban Wednesday - Buy 1 Get 1 Free Mojitos @ Indika
18:30
Concert and Gala Dinner: Hymns to the Night #2 @ Salon Saigon
20:00
Saigon International Comedy presents John Robertson in The Dark Room @ Game On
Soon
28/09
Piano Concert "Reflections of a Moment" ft. Jason Bae @ Soul Live Project
28/09
WisePass Boom #24 x VIISA Open House @ Chill Dining
28/09
The Hateful Eight // Tarantino @ Indika
28/09
Sensual Thursdays @ Cuba La Casa Del Mojito
29/09
Darktoberfest @ Heart of Darkness
29/09
Exhibitions' Opening Invitations: 29 September 2017 @ The Factory Contemporary Art Center
29/09
Going South in the South, a photo exhibit @ Asian Hideaways gallery
29/09
PolyU - An Evening Session in Ho Chi Minh City @ Rex Hotel Saigon
Full Events Calendar
News
Saigon Officials Fine Uber VND5bn for Tax Payment Delays
Once again, ride-hailing company Uber has gotten into trouble with local authorities over delays in tax payment.
100-Kilometer Mountain Marathon in Sapa Crowns First Vietnamese Winner
A Vietnamese runner won the 100 kilometer category of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sapa for the first time last weekend.
After 24 Years in Operation, English-Language Newspaper Cambodia Daily Closed on September 4
Cambodia's leading English-language newspaper, The Cambodia Daily, closed on September 4 after 24 years in service.
Arts & Culture
[Photos] Saigon’s Glass Paper Lantern Makers Are Back in Business
![[Photos] Saigon’s Glass Paper Lantern Makers Are Back in Business](http://i.imgur.com/kofIAyes.jpg)
In an age where more than a few traditional Vietnamese handicrafts face extinction, a slew of orders have revived District 11’s Phu Binh lan...
[Photos] Local Designer Puts International Pop Divas on Retro Saigon Album Covers
![[Photos] Local Designer Puts International Pop Divas on Retro Saigon Album Covers](https://i.imgur.com/VTFMU7os.jpg)
Vietnam’s crop of sterling photo manipulators strike again with a retro makeover of today's chart-topping female artists.
VietJet Will Fly to Phnom Penh From Saigon Starting This November
It seems that VietJet is ramping up its regional services as the company has been announcing new flight routes every month.
Sponsored Content
Guru Brings the Thrill of Sport to the Joy of Beer
Beer is a sweet, refreshing gift we can all agree on.
Villa Song Serves Great Breakfasts in a Perfect Setting
If you’re able to wake up for them, early mornings in Saigon are a delight. Traffic is minimal, tempers are calm and the sun’s rays are gent...
Ginkgo Brings Culture-driven, Made-in-Vietnam Designs to Shoppers
Over the past 10 years, Ginkgo has used locally produced and designed clothing to share Vietnam’s culture with the world. The lifestyle comp...
The Coffee House: A Stellar Customer Experience around Every Corner
Saigon overflows with coffee shops, so it takes something special to warrant one’s attention, let alone repeat visit. The Coffee House &...
Latest L’Usine Location Set to Propel Brand into New Era
As one of Saigon’s most recognizable home-grown brands, L’Usine brings a cosmopolitan Vietnamese lifestyle perspective to contemporary desig...
Fitfood VN Delivers Healthy, Tasty Meals to Your Door Daily
When it comes to deciding what to eat every day, there is certainly no shortage of options in Saigon. From simple street food carts to white...
Eat & Drink
A Food Folk Tale: Vietnam’s Unexpected Watermelon Tycoon
If you’ve been around a traditional Vietnamese household during Tet, you have probably noticed the presence of gargantuan, child-sized, dark...
Hẻm Gems: Refreshing Chè at a 60-Year-Old Retro Hangout
Relishing a bowl of assorted chè at Thach Che Hien Khanh is more than just an afternoon spent shooting the breeze with friends, it’s also a tr...
Hẻm Gems: An Evening of Bánh Xèo Phan Rang and People-Watching by the Canal
There are certain foods in life that take time to love. Mắm tôm , for instance, or mắm chưng . Any of the mắm s, really. Durian, I’m told, is a wo...
Old Saigon
[Photos] Ben Thanh Market in the Motorbike-Free 1920s
![[Photos] Ben Thanh Market in the Motorbike-Free 1920s](http://i.imgur.com/z1jRgQas.jpg)
Ben Thanh Market is one of Saigon's most famous landmarks, but that doesn't mean it is loved by all.
Street Cred: Trinh Cong Son, the Voice of a Generation
Earlier this week, Hanoi officials announced the conversion of the capital’s narrow Trinh Cong Son Street into a pedestrian zone featuring a...
Saigon's Iconic 'Rainbow Bridge' Riddled With Large Cracks
One of Saigon’s most recognizable landmarks, the Rainbow Bridge in downtown District 1, is suffering from major structural problems includin...
Society
Chinese-Backed Projects in Vietnam Get Bad Rap for Poor Quality, Rampant Delays
The trial run for Hanoi’s inaugural railway has been cancelled by the Chinese building team, which further perpetuates the stereotype of troub...
Vietnam to Allow Switching Mobile Carrier While Retaining Phone Number This December
If you’ve been thinking about switching to another service provider but are reluctant to change your phone number, there’s some good news.
Amid Dengue Fever Outbreak, Vietnam Confirms Cases of 'Super Malaria'
While localities in northern Vietnam are struggling to contain this year’s serious Dengue fever outbreak, epidemiologists just revealed that...
