My parents are originally from Vietnam and came to the United States as refugees after the war. I was born in Orange County, California, where many Vietnamese people who came to America made their new home. When I was growing up, my mother forced me to learn Vietnamese and to participate in cultural traditions, but she never wanted to visit Vietnam because of the pain she felt from having to leave her homeland. I am ethnically Vietnamese, but I was born in America; I have always felt this gave me a dual identity. I yearned to go back to Vietnam to explore my roots and culture.
Two large crane statues stand atop ceremonial turtles with lotus flowers in their mouths on either side of the entrance to Villa Royale.
There are three H’s that best encompass Vietnam: Hanoi, the capital; Hue, the ancient capital; and Ho Chi Minh City, the economic center. While I am still struck by Hue’s vibrant culture, my memories of Hanoi are not as vivid. However, I instantly relived Hanoi moments after my visit to Ngách 160 café.
Potato foam is not something you’d expect to find in Saigon, or maybe anywhere and yet here it is, on my plate, during a tasting of Qui: Cuisine and Mixology’s new menu launch.
The exotic pet trade and lack of suitable conservation standards threaten the lizards native to several remote islands in northern Vietnam.
A whale with trash spilling out its busted belly, a seagull with feathers soaked in sticky oil, horses galloping in terror: a group of students circled around a computer peer over images of sculptures, searching for inspiration.
After straws, Vietnam’s anti-plastic movement now has a new target: plastic grocery wraps.
While most people know Saigon’s water is far from clean, few grasp the severity of the contamination.
If you’ve never been to Vietnam before, would these colorful vintage poster entice you to book a ticket?
“Phu Quoc is a large, uncultivated island, apart from a few hectares of coffee plantation and the small gardens of Duong-Dong, covered throughout its whole extent by beautiful jungle which grows on a forest floor of exceptional richness and is exploitable, provided we build roads.”
In the public discourse surrounding beef and its culinary application, more often than not there’s barely any space for tripe.
“Let's get loud, let's get loud, turn the music up, let's do it!“ singer Noiichan roared while standing atop a table in the middle of the spacious Hard Rock Cafe Saigon.
![[Video] Hanoi Circus Acrobats Show Mesmerizing Moves in Short Film 'Sông Trăng'](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/15/SongTrang_SGRs.jpg "[Video] Hanoi Circus Acrobats Show Mesmerizing Moves in Short Film 'Sông Trăng'")
![[Video] Adorable Animated Short Captures the Life of a Tet Flower Farmer](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/3/AniVuTet_SGRs.jpg "[Video] Adorable Animated Short Captures the Life of a Tet Flower Farmer")
![[Photos] PR Campaign Stirs Controversy Online for Depictions of Pregnant Rape Victims](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/10/child-abuse/Abuse0s.jpg "[Photos] PR Campaign Stirs Controversy Online for Depictions of Pregnant Rape Victims")
![[Photos] Viettel's New Offside Studio Is a Fusion of Geometry and Nature](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/7/viettel/Viettel0s.jpg "[Photos] Viettel's New Offside Studio Is a Fusion of Geometry and Nature")
![[Photos] The Life Semi-Aquatic With 1968 Can Tho](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/6/can-tho/CanTho24s.jpg "[Photos] The Life Semi-Aquatic With 1968 Can Tho")
![[Photos] On the Cusp of a Tourism Boom, a Pristine Sapa of the 1920s](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Apr/22/sapa-laocai/Sapa0s.jpg "[Photos] On the Cusp of a Tourism Boom, a Pristine Sapa of the 1920s")
![[Photos] A Child Wedding of Tay Ethnic Minority in Lao Cai in 1920s](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Apr/16/kiddiewedding/wedding2s.jpg "[Photos] A Child Wedding of Tay Ethnic Minority in Lao Cai in 1920s")
![[Photos] Vintage Tourism Posters Showcase Past Vietnam's Natural Landscapes](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Apr/8/vintage-posters/tourism0s.jpg "[Photos] Vintage Tourism Posters Showcase Past Vietnam's Natural Landscapes")
![[Photos] The Small-Town Placidity of Hue in 1966](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Mar/25/hue-0s.jpg "[Photos] The Small-Town Placidity of Hue in 1966")
Vietnam Might Add Laughing Gas to List of Banned Narcotics
Although at the moment, laughing gas is laxly regulated in Vietnam, local officials wants to tighten restrictions on the consumption of the dangerous gas.
Saigoneer's Weekend Event Picks
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our favorite events happening around Saigon.
Altars, Lucky Packets and Votive Dollars: Suboi's New Video Goes Back to Basics
Sleek? Inspiring? Sexy? Slick syllable-massaging? The newest video from Vietnam's rap queen delivers on all fronts.
Vietnam's Average Income Will Quadruple to $10,000 in 2030, Report Predicts
Vietnam joins several other Asian nations with expected economic growth rates of around 7% for the next decade according...
Morning Stories Roundup: Ministry Issues Official Code of Conduct for Teachers, Students
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook .
Each morning, we select some of the most impor...
British Pedophile No Longer in Vietnam, Immigration Department Says
A UK citizen, who served four years in prison in his home country for convincing young girls to send him sexually graphi...
Hoi An's Banh Mi Phuong Opens First Overseas Branch in Seoul
After Hanoi’s legendary Pho Thin Lo Duc, another culinary stalwart in Vietnam has brought its creations to East Asia.
Upcoming Events
Today
07:00KWIT 5 - Elements @ Soma Art Cafe
08:30Summer School 2019 Registration @ Renaissance International School Saigon
12:00Chic Buffet Lunch @ Saigon Kitchen Restaurant
14:30Paris-Saigon Afternoon Tea @ Café Des Beaux-Arts
20:00Monday’s Got Talent @ Indika
Tomorrow
17:00Happy Hours @ Social Club Saigon
19:00Mundo Lingo (Saigon #171) @ Rogue Saigon
19:00The Great Gatsby @ British International School, Ho Chi Minh City
19:00Capturing Form Life Drawing Fundamentals @ Noirfoto
21:00Yoko Openstage @ Yoko Cafe
Soon
22/05The Delicatessen Night @ Hôtel des Arts Saigon
22/05Presentation: Black and White Color Photographs by Michael Burr @ Salon Saigon
22/05The Great Gatsby @ British International School, Ho Chi Minh City
22/05A Tale of Modern Jazz @ Social Club Above Saigon
22/05Gin & Juice special with Marco Mei & Open Mic Freestyle @ Arcan
Full Events CalendarArts & Culture
[Video] Saigon's Sneakerheads Kick It up a Notch in New Documentary
![[Video] Saigon's Sneakerheads Kick It up a Notch in New Documentary](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/10/AirMax2_SGRs.jpg)
While relatively unknown in Vietnam, Nike's iconic Air Max sneakers are some of the most popular shoes in the world.
Altars, Lucky Packets and Votive Dollars: Suboi's New Video Goes Back to Basics
Sleek? Inspiring? Sexy? Slick syllable-massaging? The newest video from Vietnam's rap queen delivers on all fronts.
[Photos] Morning Over the Fish Markets and Salt Fields of Phan Rang
![[Photos] Morning Over the Fish Markets and Salt Fields of Phan Rang](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Apr/24/PR/2s.jpg)
I live in Da Lat, so the most direct route to the coast brings me to Phan Rang, which is where I often go for the beach and seafood. &n...
Eat & Drink
Hoi An's Banh Mi Phuong Opens First Overseas Branch in Seoul
After Hanoi’s legendary Pho Thin Lo Duc, another culinary stalwart in Vietnam has brought its creations to East Asia.
Hẻm Gems: Coconut Coffee and Banana Bread in a Quiet Corner of Thao Dien
Thao Dien is known to some as a quiet neighborhood, despite its ongoing development projects. Upscale restaurants and fancy cafes are plenti...
Hẻm Gems: Nhậu and Forming Friendships the Laotian Way in Saigon
“Here we go, I’m gonna do it,” I proclaim to a table of eight friends. On the tip of my chopsticks is a single ant egg, the “pearl of the fo...
Partner Content
How Creativity, Activity, Service IB Projects Prepare Students for University
A bare, multi-color back slips into a river made with dollops of vivid blues and greens.
Traditional Sushi Techniques on Full Display at Okome
For many years Saigon has been home to two distinct sushi scenes. First, the non-technical, low-cost options that occupied the same culinary...
Where Saigon’s Water Comes From and Why It Matters
While most people know Saigon’s water is far from clean, few grasp the severity of the contamination.
Pushing Boundaries with Globally Recognized Chefs at Qui
Potato foam is not something you’d expect to find in Saigon, or maybe anywhere and yet here it is, on my plate, during a tasting of Qui: Cui...
Jamming Out at the Hard Rock Cafe Saigon
“Let's get loud, let's get loud, turn the music up, let's do it!“ singer Noiichan roared while standing atop a table in the middle of the sp...
From Hamlet-Dotted Wilderness to Tourist Hotspot: The Story of Phu Quoc
“Phu Quoc is a large, uncultivated island, apart from a few hectares of coffee plantation and the small gardens of Duong-Dong, covered throu...
Tea, Comfort Food and Unique Antiques at Villa Royale
Two large crane statues stand atop ceremonial turtles with lotus flowers in their mouths on either side of the entrance to Villa Royale.
Envy Ranked #80 Club on Top 100 Clubs DJ Mag 2019
Envy is officially amongst the top 100 clubs in the world.
A Confluence of Art, Culture and Cuisine at Square One
Your first impression when stepping into Square One may reveal the type of person you are.
Stories
Saigon to Expand Smart Card Payment Trial to 8 More Bus Routes
On March 8, Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated a pilot program for smart bus cards.
Weekend Stories Roundup: Vam Cong Bridge, Murky Tap Water and Massive Tuna
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook .
Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Sa...
Taiwan Becomes First in Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
It's been an emotional week for Taiwan's same-sex couples.
Old Saigon
[Photos] Hiding From the Heat at Cong Hoa Swimming Pool in 1965
![[Photos] Hiding From the Heat at Cong Hoa Swimming Pool in 1965](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/13/swimming-pool/Pool0s.jpg)
Saigon’s most famous swimming pool is perhaps that of the Cercle Sportif Saigonnais , a huge sporting facility on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai that wa...
[Video] Rare Newsreels From 1930 Show Harsh Realities of Life in Colonial Saigon
![[Video] Rare Newsreels From 1930 Show Harsh Realities of Life in Colonial Saigon](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/Mar/27/1930s.png)
In an extremely rare collection of disjointed clips, Saigon in 1930 appears like the setting of a haunting fever dream.
From Botany Institute to Amusement Park: The Evolution of Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon
Local parks such as the Jardin d’Espagne and Jardin de la Ville, now Tao Dan Park, were a focal point of Saigon’s early urban development. B...
Society
[Photo] Two Years After Eviction, 3A Station Lot Remains Sparsely Developed
![[Photo] Two Years After Eviction, 3A Station Lot Remains Sparsely Developed](http://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/2019/May/15/3A1s.jpg)
The 2017 flattening of youth culture hangout 3A Station to make room for high-rise projects broke the hearts of many Saigonee...
Cashless Payment Reaches Saigon Public Schools in Pilot Program
'Cashless Schools' is a program established in 2014 at secondary and high schools in Saigon.
Vietnam Drinks 15% More Beer Each Year. A New Alcohol Control Bill Tries to Curb That.
In 2018, Vietnam's total beer consumption reached over 4.67 billion liters, according to Nielsen statistics.
