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.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
What Does the ‘Tower of Hanoi’ Puzzle Have to Do With Vietnam?
What is the Tower of Hanoi? While this official name might sound mysterious, if you’re an avid consumer of adventure media and role-playing games or just simply a curious former child, it’s likely that you’ve seen or even played this game without knowing what it’s called.
From Kiều's Snowy Skin to K-Beauty's Glow: Delving Into Vietnam's Love for Fair Skin
The preference for light skin is widespread in Vietnam. It is discernible from the mere sight of Saigon’s streets during the day, when the majority of riders are covered up — in hoodies, jackets, jeans, pants, and masks — for protection against UV radiation, but also to prevent tanning under the blistering sun. Especially more so for women, light skin is often associated with beauty and social status, so protection against the sun has become more than a health concern.
Tim Doling in Saigon
The History of Saigon General Hospital, the Clinic Funded by a Doctor's Generosity
The Saigon Hospital at 125 Lê Lợi was originally built in the late 1930s as the Polyclinique Dejean de la Bâtie. The French named it after French doctor Théodose Déjean de la Bâtie, who devoted his life to treating members of the Vietnamese community.
Tim Doling in Saigon
From WWI Monument to Ancestor Temple: The Story of Saigon's Hùng King Temple
The Hùng King Temple at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm was originally built in 1927–1929 under the name Temple du Souvenir Annamite (Annamite Temple of remembrance), primarily to honor the memory of Vietnamese soldiers who died while fighting in World War I.
Tim Doling in Saigon
A Brief History of the Saigon-Mỹ Tho Line, Indochina’s First Railway
Inaugurated on July 20, 1885, the Saigon–Mỹ Tho line was the first railway line in French Indochina.
Wilbur's Vietnam: 1960s Saigon Through the Lens of a Famed National Geographic Editor
The 1960s witnessed an unprecedented influx of foreigners into Saigon and Vietnam. From soldiers to teachers to just intrepid shutterbugs, the visits of these camera-clutching characters resulted in a wealth of old photos taken in the city from the early 60s all the way until 1975.
From North to South, a French Photographer's Glimpses of 1992 Vietnam
How much of Vietnam have you explored? For many of us with a busy life and working schedule, one or two trips a year might be as much as our time and money can afford, and even so, at times, visiting a location only involves staying at an all-inclusive resort to recuperate from work stress.
Nick Ut, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalist, Retires This Month
After 51 years as a photojournalist, Nick Ut is retiring this month.
[Photos] 1970s Vietnam: Lambrettas, Spartan Fields and Renaults Galore
In the 1970s, urban Vietnam was a Lambretta paradise.
Khoi Pham in Saigon
Street Cred: Alexandre de Rhodes and the Birth of Chữ Quốc Ngữ
Among Saigon's many streets, there are only four roads named after foreigners: Yersin, Pasteur, Calmette and Alexandre de Rhodes.
[Photos] A 1973 Trip to the Market
There are few experiences quite like wandering through a Saigon market.
[Photos] The Calm Austerity of Vung Tau in the Late 1960s
Whether it's 2017 or the late 1960s, Vung Tau is a sleepy coastal town that exudes charm.
[Photos] Stroll Through 1966 Downtown Saigon
Saigon has come a long way in the last half-century. And yet, even as the city is transformed by major infrastructure projects and commercial developments, there are a few things that remain the same,...
Japanese Emperor, Empress to Meet With Vietnamese Families of WWII Japanese Soldiers
Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Vietnam this week, meeting with the Vietnamese wives and children of Japanese soldiers stationed in the country during World War II.
The End of Ton That Dam's Chợ Cũ
As Saigon quickly transforms into a modern metropolis, some of the city’s beloved old relics are fading away with the pressures of development.
The Ongoing Evolution of Quach Thi Trang Square
Over the weekend, Saigon’s iconic Quach Thi Trang Square disappeared behind a wall of blue fencing in preparation for further metro construction.
[Video] A Tour of Saigon in the 1900s
Saigon has always been a source of inspiration for shutterbugs and artists to craft some of their most captivating work. However, while it’s easy to come across photographs of the city's past, video c...
[Photos] 1960s Saigon: Fruit Vendors, Honda Cubs and Bò Bía Galore
It's as true today as it was in the 1960s: to experience Saigon life, head to the streets.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Saigon
Street Cred: Nguyen Du, Father of Vietnamese Literature
Even if you’re in need of a refresher on Vietnamese history, chances are you know the name Nguyen Du. The 19th-century statesman and poet is often known as the father of Vietnamese literature, and his...
[Photos] Serviceman’s Photos Offer a Glimpse of Sleepy 1967 Phan Thiet
As we’ve seen before, photos taken by American military personnel during the war often help to paint a picture of mid-1960s to early 1970s Vietnam. Such is the case with Bob Kelly’s album of 1967 Phan...
[Photos] Saigon Xua: A Touch of Hat Tuong in the Land of Cinemas
There’s no doubt that Vietnamese in the past were avid patrons of the arts.
[Photos] From Fishing Village to Metropolis: Tracking the Evolution of Tokyo
The following images – dating from 12th century to the 1950s – show the evolution of Tokyo, which means Eastern Capital, from a provincial center to major city, particularly following Emperor Meiji’s ...
Hanoi Considers Getting Rid of Wartime Loudspeakers
Hanoi residents might have to say goodbye to the city’s wartime loudspeakers, or loa phường.
[Photos] A Glimpse Into 1950s Cambodia and Laos
Over the past month or so, we’ve come to love the stunning 1950s photography of Frenchman Raymond Cauchetier.
[Photos] Take a Tour of Da Nang in 1954
A collection of pictures compiled on Flickr shows what life in Da Nang looked like way back in 1954.
[Photos] Saigon's Charm Through the Lens of an American Air Force Officer
Saigon has always been a muse for artists, musicians, poets and writers, inspiring some of their greatest works of art. However, the southern metropolis seems to be especially lively when seen through...
Khoi Pham in Vietnam
Street Cred: Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh, the Yin and Yang of Vietnam's Insurgency in the 1900s
In today’s Saigon, Ben Thanh Market’s eastern and western entrances are joined by Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Boi Chau Streets, respectively. While the two short, cozy roads never intersect, the fate of t...
