Paul Christiansen in Vietnam
Vietnam Sound Library Races to Capture Saigon's Sounds Before They Disappear
Thwunk! Thwunk! Thwunk! Thwunk! The vendor’s cleaver struck the heavy wooden chopping board again and again after slicing through duck meat. Centimeters away, a microphone hovered, capturing each strike.
Vua Versus Volcano: How the 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa Upset the Nguyễn Dynasty
On September 9, 1883, ominous smoke hung over Huế. The sun was blue-green, and throughout the day, people on the streets had no shadows. As their legitimacy relied on maintaining the Mandate of Heaven, the Nguyễn royal court was alarmed. Three high-ranking mandarins rushed to advise the Emperor to change his ways to regain Heaven’s favor. While this strange incident can be easily dismissed as another case of outdated superstitions, a closer look reveals it as a rare conjunction of astrology, power, and — given the source of the smoke — volcanism, all set against the backdrop of France’s rapid incursion into Vietnam.
1992 Vietnam Through the Lens of French Photographer Raymond Depardon
After his Saigon trip in 1972 , famed French photographer Raymond Depardon returned in 1992 to traverse the length of Viet...
Tim Doling in Saigon
How Nhà Thờ Đức Bà Narrowly Escaped Being the 'Leaning Cathedral of Saigon'
Soon after its completion, Saigon’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral developed an embarrassing tilt.
Family-Friendly Summer Vacations Made Easy at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay
The ripening of sweet jackfruit, mangosteen and mangos; hammocks swinging gently in patches of cool shade; and evenings that stretch on with the comfort of knowing there is no alarm clock waiting the next morning: summer arrives as opportunity. When school holidays begin, families scramble to adjust schedules and secure care and activities, creating the potential to carve out some time for a vacation to savor fresh air, explore thrills, and simply bond as a family in a beautiful destination.
Tim Doling in Vietnam
The History of Hanoi's Lost Tramway Network
When they first drew up plans for a citywide tramway network in 1894, it seemed as though the Hanoi authorities would follow Saigon’s example by opting for steam traction. Yet, by the time government approval was forthcoming in 1899, advances in technology made it possible to construct the entire system as a state-of-the-art, one-meter gauge electric tramway.
Tim Doling in Saigon
How Bách Tùng Diệp Became a Saigon Park From Earmarked Consulate Land
In 1927, after being abandoned for more than 60 years by its Spanish owners, the “Jardin d’Espagne” — known today as Bách Tùng Diệp or Lý Tự Trọng Park — seemed set to become the new home of the British Consulate General in Saigon… but it was not to be.
Grab a Cold One: The Thirsty Colonial History of Ice Production in Vietnam
Walking through Saigon nowadays, you will notice that ice is so omnipresent, it’s part of the scenery. From trà đá, cà phê sữa đá to sinh tố, every drink is consumed with ice in order to combat the intense heat. Before the French brought ice factories to Vietnam, in hot, tropical cities like Saigon, you wouldn’t expect to find ice. Controlling the cold chain is now an important part of our logistics, be it for healthcare or food storage, opening the door for any cuisine to expand with new ingredients. A few centuries ago, however, it was once a thriving business catering to French colonists.
[Photos] Before the Bitexco Financial Tower, There Was The Old Market
Most Saigoneers today know chợ cũ – the city’s beloved Old Market – as a bustling commercial area spanning a block’s worth of Ton That Dam Street. However, not many are aware that the trading hub used...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Street Cred: Ly Thai To, the Emperor Who Created Hanoi
Ly Thai To – founder of the Later Ly dynasty, Vietnam’s first stable empire – is one of Vietnam’s most important historical figures, so it’s no surprise that his name appears on one of Saigon’s most v...
[Photos] A Trip From Downtown to Rural Saigon in 1970
Have you ever wondered why, while there are plenty of photos of downtown Saigon in the past, one almost never come across snapshots of Go Vap, Thu Duc or even sections of District 5 other than Cho Lon...
After Failed Demolition Attempt, This 100-Year-Old Saigon Villa Is in Disrepair
Remember this beautiful century-old villa? It’s now largely a pile of rubble.
[Photos] 24 Photos of 1968-70 Saigon
How many iconic landmarks can you spot?
Tim Doling in Saigon
Saigon’s Famous Streets and Squares: Me Linh Square
The square known today as Quảng Trường Mê Linh has been home to five different monuments since its inception in the 1860s.
[Photos] The Glory of Hue in the Early 20th Century
Dated from 1928 to 1936, these rare black-and-white photos offer a glimpse into the opulence of Hue when it was still the capital of Vietnam and the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Vietnam
Street Cred: The Brothers From Tay Son
Flip through the history books and you’ll find a recurring character trait in many national heroes. From the Trung sisters to Ngo Quyen to Vo Thi Sau, Vietnamese history is full of badasses. While sev...
[Photos] 25 Rare Photos of Cho Lon in 1925
It’s fascinating to see how the Cho Lon area has been developing over the years from a mere trading hub in 1925 to an important center of Chinese heritage in today’s Saigon.
Emperor Bao Dai’s Rolex Just Became the World's Most Expensive Watch
Emperor Bao Dai’s Rolex made history this weekend as the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
[Photos] A Black-and-White Look at Hoi An from 1930 -1950
It appears that flooding in Hoi An is a common phenomenon that dates back to at least the 1930s.
[Photos] 1969 Saigon: Snazzy Hairdos, Ao Dais and Vintage Cars Galore
In this collection of old photos, a brisk walk down Dong Khoi Street – known as Tu Do Street in 1969 – meant clean, empty sidewalks and stylish shopfronts, instead of a tourist circus like it is today...
[Photos] Tan Xa Palace: The Oldest Building in Saigon
The oldest building in Saigon is now over two centuries old.
[Photos] The Beauty of Vietnam's Landscapes in the Late 1940s
Through the eras, Vietnam has seen many drastic changes. Therefore, it’s always fascinating to come across photo archives from decades ago, when the majority of the country’s provinces were still larg...
[Video] Trading Places: The Story of 42 Nguyen Hue
With 42 Nguyen Hue facing an uncertain future, RICE and Saigoneer set out to share the stories of residents of one of Saigon's most popular "cafe-apartment" buildings.
[Photos] The Children of 1967 Vietnam
Some of these kids could be our moms and dads.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Vietnam
Street Cred: Duy Tan, The 8-Year-Old Emperor
When the French first enthroned Duy Tan, the youngest emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, their expectation was that a boy, at the ripe age of eight, would not take much interest in imperial rule.
[Photos] Life in 1973 Saigon - Part 2
Life in Saigon in the early 1970s wasn’t easy, but that didn’t stop the city’s residents from adopting a positive outlook and happy-go-lucky approach to living.
[Photos] Life in 1973 Saigon - Part 1
You will never be as cool as the ladies of Saigon in 1973.
[Photos] The Serene, Laid-Back Vibe of Hanoi in the Mid-1990s
Hanoi in the mid-1990s was a city of rich traditions and a laid-back lifestyle.
