Dispatch From Udine: Vietnam's Cinema Reaches the World Stage While Rooted in Local Culture
Vietnamese cinema experienced a watershed moment at the 28th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
Short Story Collection 'Gills' Pieces Together a Raw and Complex Portrait of Saigon
Saigon’s landscape looks dramatically different from how it did three or even two decades ago. As the country’s economic powerhouse, Saigon has seen rapid urban development: new highrises like Landmark 81 and the Bitexco Financial Tower that now define the city’s skyline, new urban infrastructure like the Ba Son Bridge and Saigon’s first metro line, as well as the city’s expansion into areas like District 7’s Phú Mỹ Hưng and District 2’s Thủ Thiêm. If the west has long viewed Saigon under the shadow of war, it is clear that such a rigid frame fails to contain the Saigon of today, whose entropic inner life seems to constantly overflow; with motorbikes onto sidewalks, loud honks through windows, and rainpour over Saigon’s riverbeds.
Paul Christiansen in Culture
Whale Worship: Exploring the Role of Whales in Vietnam's Coastal Lore
In 1799, the ferocious Tây Sơn army forced the first Nguyễn Emperor, Nguyễn Ánh, and his troops to flee to the sea. While making their escape, a great storm engulfed the retreating army. As their ship’s mast shivered and the hull shuddered, threatening to break it into splinters, a great whale rose from the depths. It lifted the emperor's boat and carried him and his men to safety. To thank the animal, Ánh bestowed upon whales the official title of "Nam Hải Cự Tộc Ngọc Lân Thượng Đẳng Thần," which was shortened to Cá Ông, or “Lord Fish.”
A Special 'Doraemon' Episode Taking Place in Vietnam Will Be Released in May
After decades of watching Doraemon and his close friend groups adventure to all sorts of strange lands from the deepest trenches on Earth to fantastical planets, fans of the beloved cat robot in Vietnam will finally see our country in the cartoon series.
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
An Ode to Saigon’s Chò Nâu Trees
It’s too cold for chò nâu to grow where I’m from, but we still gave it an English name: dipterocarp.
Mầm in Music & Arts
Vietnamese Painter Một Quả Tắc Creates an Intimate and Gentle World on Silk
Silk is an inherently finicky, demanding medium. Yet from the very first encounter, Quế Hương had chose to embrace its temperament and has devoted herself to it for nearly a decade.
Mầm in Ton-sur-Ton
Into the Earthy, Quirky World of Kramahan's Accessories and Clothing
We paid Nhật, the founder of Kramahan.Clothing , a visit on a windy day in Saigon. This room in the heart of the city has ...
ACV Proposes Moving 90% of Saigon's Overseas Flights to Long Thành
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has proposed plans to transfer flight operations in Hồ Chí Minh City from Tân Sơ...
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.
Kit 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!
Kit 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.
Kit 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.
[Illustrations] Preserving Hanoi's Old-School Cool in Digital Stamps
When was the last time you sent a letter or used a stamp?
Q&A: How A O Show Creative Director Tuan Le Actualized His Vision for Performance Art in Vietnam
Some may say that modern performance art in Vietnam looks the way it does thanks to the works of Tuan Le and his colleagues. Almost two decades into a series of smashing theatrical successes across th...
Q&A: AO Show Creative Director Tuan Le Had a Vision for Performance Art in Vietnam. And He Built It.
Some may say that modern performance art in Vietnam looks the way it does thanks to the works of Tuan Le and his colleagues. Almost two decades into a series of smashing theatrical successes across th...
[Illustrations] Local Illustrator Captures the Charm of Vietnam in Mini Icons
When asked for the reasons why one loves Vietnam, many might hesitate. There is a lot to love about this chaotic, eclectic, bewildering nation; but there is a lot to frown upon as well.
