Khôi Phạm in Film & TV
Remembering Thuy Trang, the First Vietnamese Power Ranger
It was the late 1990s, and I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror of our childhood home, holding my dad’s solid-metal belt buckle up with a pseudo-serious expression on my baby face. Fortunately, I wasn’t doing a YouTuber-style makeup review, but was in fact mirroring the transformation sequence of my favorite TV idols, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
In 'Vietnam Retropunk,' a Young Illustrator Dreams of a Cyberpunk Hanoi
To Đặng Thái Tuấn, the talent behind illustration project “Vietnam Retropunk,” whimsical depictions of robots and animatronics sprouting out from everyday objects and activities embody the space in between the ancient and the futuristic.
A Story of Personal, Political Reckoning in a Singaporean Writer's Fictional Wartime Vietnam
The Immolation first came to me as a bewildering surprise: at a now-relocated bookshop in Singapore, the book caught the eyes of the 17-year-old me. It was not so much the cover’s pale blue background, or the expression of ennui on the author’s post-impressionist portrait, but rather its dealing with the American War. After all, the title directly referenced the iconic protest by the Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức, who set himself on fire on the street of Saigon.
The ISHCMC Advantage: Instilling Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Global Mindsets in Each Student
“These years of my life are very important, they shape the person I'm going to be in the future,” said Danko, a student who just finished Grade 9 at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC).
Xuân Phương in Culture
Under the Sky, Above the Water: Into the Heat at Ninh Thuận's Salt Fields
A 3,000-kilometer coastline is one of nature’s best gifts to Vietnam, bringing about not just ample seafood, but also a motherlode of sea salt.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Enter the Dreamy Tales Told by the Works of Young Illustrator Thố Đầu • Hổ Vĩ
Being born at the cusp of the Year of the Rabbit (cat) and the Year of the Tiger offers the literal meaning for Hoàng Phúc's artist name, thố đầu • hổ vĩ, but he hopes it carries a metaphorical one, as well: “a humble beginning but a positive end,” he explained to Saigoneer. thố đầu • hổ vĩ’s origins may be humble — he started seriously focusing on illustrations just four years ago when he started university — but he has already reached remarkable achievements, as evidenced by three projects he shared with us.
The ISHCMC Advantage: Lifelong Learning Begins in Early Years
“Each morning, the gates open to the joyful rhythm of footsteps and confident smiles. Students independently stroll in, waving to friends and familiar adults, ready to begin the day. With great enthusiasm, they engage in conversations, unpack their bags, tuck away their belongings, and proudly ‘check in’ before eagerly venturing off to discover what learning awaits them. This sense of confidence, independence, and joy isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a thoughtfully designed environment and an intentional approach to learning that nurtures essential life skills through meaningful play.”
Khôi Phạm in Travel
Bask in the Morning Sun in the Green Heart of Huế Along the Hương River
As tourists, it's in our built-in compass to seek out novelties and excitements, if anything, to remind us that our daily humdrum is not everything, and there exists a world out there with multitudes to explore.
Saigoneer Podcast: Fast Fashion, Bubble Tea Madness Returns and Urban Tales Cholon
Happy Monday! It's time for the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode.
Review: 'Song Lang' Is a Cải Lương Tribute for the Ages
Asia is well-known for its rich history and diverse cultures, with many countries taking pride in distinct styles of traditional art performances.
Vietnamese-Canadian Author Kim Thuy Among 4 Finalists for Nobel Prize Substitute
Vietnamese-born Canadian Kim Thuy joins the ranks of Vietnamese diasporic writers like Thi Bui and Ocean Vuong who are getting recognized by international literary awards.
[Video] A Very Vietnam Guide to Escaping Ghostly Exes and Your 'Forever Alone' Fate
This quirky Vietnamese short video, titled Secret Fate, explaining that ghosts are the cause for Vietnam's "forever alone" community has gone viral.
Khoi Pham in Culture
How Dép Tổ Ong Goes From Timeless Family Keepsake to Millennial Icon
Back in 2014, amid the weekly cycle of news, a particular image was more striking than most: Doctor and Professor Ngo Bao Chau stood in the middle of a makeshift classroom in a rural village in Thai N...
New Excavation Mission in Da Nang Yields Rare 1,000-Year-Old Cham Artifacts
Elephant, snake and bird statues, as well as pieces of a tower, are amongst the 1,000-year-old relics discovered during the third archaeological endeavor in the area.
In Hanoi, a Home for Vintage One-Piece Swimwear Slows Down Fast Fashion
Ellen Downes is on the hunt for bathing suits. She trawls the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter for vintage and second-hand shops, scours the aisles of the used market on Dong Tac Street, and hops off ...
[Illustrations] The Collection of Isometric Puzzle Pieces That Makes Saigon
These playful, perspective-skewering illustrations focus on everyday Saigon scenes.
Saigoneer Podcast: The Asian Olympics, Saigon's Museums and Travelfish Co-Founder Stuart McDonald
We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend - we're back with the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode!
[Photos] The 3D Ribbon Embroideries That Turn Nature Into Wearable Art
For these incredible creations, monochromatic silk garments serve as canvases, upon which the colorful ribbon renderings of Vietnamese animals and plants are sewn.
Paul Christiansen in Literature
Vietnamese-American Author Thi Bui Wins High-Profile US Literary Award
An American Book Award is the latest accolade for Thi Bui's esteemed graphic novel The Best We Could Do.
Chris Humphrey in Culture
[Photos] Wild Celebrations Follow Vietnam’s Quarter-Final Victory Against Syria
Last night, Vietnam beat Syria 1-0, taking them into the semi-finals of the Asian Games for the first time in history.
[Video] Laidback, Retro-Style Clip Saunters by Hanoi’s Landmarks and Side Streets
At just over a minute long, this soothing video pays tribute to the quotidian pleasures of exploring Hanoi’s landmarks, alleyways and side streets.
Saigoneer Podcast: Gender Roles in Vietnam, Public Indecency, and Human Geographer Michael Waibel
We're back with episode 26!
Chris Humphrey in Culture
[Photos] Manga Costumes and Virtual Idols at Japanese Cosplay Festival
Last weekend, the Ichigo Ichie 2018 Japanese Culture Festival - Kamisama & Yokai, which took place at Hanoi Children's Cultural Center, brought gloriously eccentric cosplay characters to the capital.
Chris Humphrey in Music & Arts
Interactive Art Installation ‘Synescape: Please Touch’ Enthralls the Senses
Anita Wilczęga sits on a stool in Tinh Dau art studio, trying to explain the final project she’ll curate in Vietnam before departing for Italy. Behind her, ten white boxes hang from the rafters, swayi...
[Video] This Tongue-in-Cheek Short Film Imagines a World Without Bum Guns
Empty toilet paper holder, not a single tissue or scrap of useless paper in your pocket and no one else in the bathroom to head your calls for help: its a nightmare we all understand.
Hanoi Autumn Book Fair Taking Place This Week
The event will be held from August 22 to 26 at Thong Nhat Park, running from 8am to 10pm every day.
The Horror-Comedy Zombie Flick That's Raking in 250 Times Its Budget in Japan
Made by a group of unknowns, One Cut of the Dead, cost just US$27,000 but is set to earn US$10 million amid international acclaim.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 9: The City's Traffic Shoals
The city's motorbikes move with an effortless grace governed by rules reserved for groups of fish.
