The Tragic Story of Cầy Vằn Bắc Is Why You Shouldn't Buy Civet Coffee
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- Published on 12 October 2026
- Written by Michael Tatarski.
While Saigoneer’s Natural Selection series has already covered a number of iconic species and types of animals, including the tiger, Asian elephant, dogs and cats, there’s a good chance most of the people reading this haven’t heard of today’s critter.
Hẻm Gems: Wake up Early, We're Getting Hủ Tiếu Cá for Breakfast
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- Published on 10 October 2026
- Written by Thùy Trang. Photos by Cao Nhân.
When I used to live in Hanoi, I always knew that if an eatery only opens for half a day, the food is probably certified, at least by the locals, to be not only good, but excellent. There is something written in the local traditions that specific dishes should be served at particular times of the day.
In MARG1N, a Resolute Return to Print Media That Dissects Southeast Asian Cinema
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- Published on 10 October 2026
- Written by San Kwon.
The joy of reading, for most of my life, had been primarily grounded in the joy of learning, feeling, and thinking through words, independent of medium. That is, until college, when I found myself repeatedly longing for Thursday mornings, when the week’s freshly printed student newspaper would arrive neatly folded and stacked, ready to be spread over the dining-hall table like wrapping paper. I came to realize then that the joy of reading was not simply about words; it was also about the tactile touch of paper and of the inexplicable satisfaction of flipping through pages bigger than my hands could reasonably manage.
By Preserving Tradition, Honoring Creativity and Showcasing Sustainability, Young Vietnamese Chefs Excel at Ngon Challenge by Marriott International
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- Published on 08 October 2026
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
The glossy menus, sleek decor, and iconic logos of international hotel restaurants often obscure the human stories behind each dish. While catering to global guests, these restaurants often serve meals with origins in family kitchens and regional culinary traditions. Young, local chefs balance nostalgic associations with contemporary techniques and creative expression to create these menus. Returning for its second year this past September, Ngon Challenge continued to celebrate and nurture Vietnamese culinary talent across Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Vietnam.
Lycée Chasseloup-Laubat, the Saigon School That Taught Marguerite Duras, Norodom Sihanouk
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- Published on 06 October 2026
- Written by Tim Doling.
Lê Quý Đôn High School (Trường Trung học Phổ thông Lê Quý Đôn) at 110 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street is the city’s oldest surviving educational establishment.
Review: ‘Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell’ Is a Soul-Searching Mission in the Lâm Đồng Mist
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- Published on 05 October 2026
- Written by Nguyên Lê.
On the pastures of slow cinema where Andrei Tarkovsky, Tsai Ming-liang and Theo Angelopoulos reside, Phạm Thiên Ân's debut feature, Bên Trong Vỏ Kén Vàng (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell), has made its mark as a notable entry for its distinctly Vietnamese vistas, tones and essence.
The Search for Vietnam's Largest Lacquer Artwork, Nguyễn Thế Khang’s 36 Old Streets of Hanoi
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- Published on 04 October 2026
- Written by Olaf Husby and Trịnh Lan Hương. Photos courtesy of Olaf Husby. Top image by Mai Khanh.
The story begins in 1996. Before leaving for a month-long journey to Vietnam with 30 other Norwegian teachers, I had searched through books and online sources for hidden stories and overlooked places, an interest born from my experiences teaching Vietnamese refugees in Norway in the late 1970s and 1980s. One name caught my attention: the artist Nguyễn Thế Khang, who had conceived an ambitious plan to recreate Hanoi’s 36 Old Streets in a monumental lacquer work. The day after I arrived in Hanoi, I was welcomed into his home at 47 Triệu Việt Vương.
Sugar, Ice, and Everything Nice: On the Mekong Delta's Love for Trà Đá Đường
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- Published on 02 October 2026
- Written by Đình Phúc. Illustrations by Dương Trương.
The pitcher of miền Tây-style sweet tea is like a boat ride taking me away from the exhaustion of the city back to the memories of my hometown amongst the canals of the Mekong Delta.
Built for a Painter, This Huế House Brings the Art Gallery Into the Home
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- Published on 01 October 2026
- Written by Saigoneer.
A recurring problem in home decor for art lovers is finding enough wall space to display paintings and art pieces in the best way to showcase their beauty. As a painter, the owner of the Nala House project in Huế is well-acquainted with this concern, and set out to rectify it right from the beginning by bringing the gallery into his home.
Review: In Lope Dope's Debut Album, a Summery Fictional World Powered by City Pop
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- Published on 29 September 2026
- Written by Khôi Phạm.
“Tình ca thành phố vịnh,” the first album by Hanoian indie group Lope Dope, might come out at the end of summer in August, but its wealth of city pop exuberance and tropical cheer is enough to power any listener through the dreary rainy season and upcoming winter.
Hà Giang's Thôn Khun Is a Soothing Oasis for the World-Weary Traveler
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- Published on 28 September 2026
- Written by Xuân Phương. Photos by Xuân Phương.
Located in the heart of a valley surrounded by verdant stretches of forest, the little hamlet of Khun retains much of its pristine natural charms. From the enigmatic beauty of the local Bó Mỳ Cave to babbling creeks, Khun is a must-visit destination during northern Vietnam’s sweltering summer season.
Sác-Lô in Hanoi: How a Pre-Industrial Vietnam Captivated Charlie Chaplin in 1936
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- Published on 27 September 2026
- Written by Liam Smith. Graphic by Ngọc Tạ.
About 90 years ago, Modern Times was released. Its title carried a warning. The film railed against the new industrial age and the misery it inflicted on workers amid the Great Depression. Yet a film about the dangers of modernity was being told through an almost-silent medium, nearly a decade into the era of sound. Charlie Chaplin, who wrote, directed, produced, and scored the film, in addition to starring in it, was deliberately resisting Hollywood's shift into the future.
Saigon's Weather Dude Is Dedicated to Keeping Saigoneers Dry This Rainy Season
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- Published on 27 September 2026
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Graphic by Dương Trương.
Why is it raining in Saigon? Because it’s the rainy season. Sure, but if you want to be more specific, you can cite conditions in the Bay of Bengal, more than 2,500 kilometers away. It’s there that the wind conditions form that flow across the Gulf of Thailand, sucking up the moisture that drenches Vietnam’s southern metropolis.
Heartfelt, Queer and Wickedly Witty: How Poetry Collection 'Come Clean' Sparks Joy
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- Published on 25 September 2026
- Written by Brendan Ryan.
Joshua Nguyen lists himself as many things on his Instagram bio — a writer, a PhD student, a boba snob. He received his MFA from the University of Mississippi, where he is currently studying for his PhD.
The Story of Cà Mên, Vietnam’s Living Fossil From the Wartime and Subsidy Eras
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- Published on 25 September 2026
- Written by Hoài An. Graphic by Dương Trương.
During lunchtime at work, I spot a few aluminum cà mên that my coworkers bring from home to keep their lunch warm. Cà mên was once an indispensable item in my family too, but now it’s rarely used; it's limited to the few occasions when my grandparents or parents pack lunch for the kids.
On Searching for Rươi Vendor Street Calls, Hanoi's Harbinger of Autumn
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- Published on 23 September 2026
- Written by Thùy Trang. Graphic by Mai Phạm.
Embedded in the street call of rươi vendors is the conjuring of autumn, when delectable cuisines from across the land of Vietnam come together on a dinner table.
Kem Vi Bổn's Popsicles Anchor 70 Years of Saigon's Summer Memories
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- Published on 22 September 2026
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Jimmy Art Devier.
Saigoneers have always been blessed with a thriving ice cream scene, perhaps an inevitable perk of living in a city that’s rarely not scorching hot. Amid a thriving scene of inventive gelato and soft serve flavors, one frozen treat place has stood the test of time for nearly 70 years: Kem Vi Bổn.
Group Exhibition 'Fiction, Fraction' Showcases 6 Artists in Diverse Visual Mediums
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- Published on 21 September 2026
- Written by Saigoneer.
From August to October, art organizer Rare Sea brings a diverse group exhibition to Saigon, featuring artworks by six young artists: Lê Đ. Chung, Lê Nguyễn Minh Như, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mai, Huyền Dương, Thanh Tùng (Ches) and Sophia Mai Brown.
In the Era of Constant Rebuilding, We Turn to Vietnamese Modernism for Nostalgic Comfort
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- Published on 20 September 2026
- Written by Alexandra van der Essen. Top graphic by Mai Khanh.
For two years now, I've checked the Vietnamese Modernist Architecture Facebook group almost every day. Here, members post photos of mid-century modernist architecture they find across the country, and I still get a little excited when a house I've never seen appears in the feed.
Inside a Saigon Studio Bringing Lion Dance Costumes to Life
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- Published on 19 September 2026
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Jimmy Art Devier, Huy Leo and Bạch Văn Quốc Khánh.
“This passion for lions is in our blood. Many, many kids in the past dropped out of school or quit work just to go,” said Bành Chí Hùng, owner of Saigon’s Thuận Anh Hãng lion dance costume studio.
