Great Vietnam Resurrects Nguyễn-Era Fashion, One Traditional Costume at a Time
In the last four to five years, ancient Vietnamese costumes have gained more visibility, becoming a welcome sight among young locals thanks to the efforts to reproduce and promote historic fashion from a number of designers, brands, and interest groups that appreciate the country’s history and traditions.
In the Mekong Delta, Đồ Bộ Is Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
Despite its humble beginning as something worn just for convenience’s sake, đồ bộ has entered every minute of life in the Mekong Delta as a staple fashion choice that’s both flexible and colorful. Đồ bộ means “set outfit” in Vietnamese, a type of female casualwear made of soft, thin fabrics that often comes in a top and long bottom combo. They’re sometimes referred to as “Vietnamese pajamas,” but these comfortable sets can be worn at any time of the day and even outside, not just reserved for sleep like pajamas.
Nguyễn Đổng Chi's Classic Retelling of Vietnam's Fairy Tales, Now in English
Folklorist and anthropologist Nguyễn Đổng Chi dedicated decades to weaving a significant portion of Vietnam’s folklore tapestry. He collected, researched, and rewrote over 200 Vietnamese folktales from all corners of the country. His work, initially scattered across five volumes published individually and consecutively over 25 years, appeared as a complete anthology in 1982. Guided by a comprehensive treatise of Vietnamese folktale, Chi’s Kho tàng truyện cổ tích Việt Nam (Treasury of Vietnamese Folk Tales) might be daunting for readers drawn to Vietnamese folklore but disenchanted by rigorous academic discourse.
Kit Humphrey in Travel
In Thổ Hà Village, Rice Paper Spills Onto the Streets and Wraps Around Daily Life
A few hours after sunrise in the small village of Thổ Hà, Bắc Giang Province, alleyways morph into picturesque tunnels of drying rice paper, while ladies toast crackers over fire in the streets.
Carol Kim Brings to Life Rare Performance of 'Tại Vắng Anh' Thanks to Saigon Jazz Revival
The rich, bluesy ‘Tại vắng anh,’ written by Tuấn Khanh, was performed by Carol Kim this past November at Saigon Jazz Revival's inaugural concert in New Orleans.
Cliché or Parody? Orientalist Readings of Nam Le’s ‘36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem’
One may be surprised to learn that Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel The Sympathizer was rejected by 13 out of 14 publishers before its eventual publication. He describes in an interview why he believes his novel was rejected by all but one publisher he submitted to: “I knew in writing the novel that I was deliberately not doing what I was supposed to do as an Asian American writer, which is [...that] you have to end on a note of Americanization. You have to end on an embrace of the American dream, explicitly or implicitly. And the novel does not do that.” He comments elsewhere along similar lines, “I refuse[d] to subscribe to dominant American narratives and mythologies that allow someone like me a very narrow space to speak.”
Pete Walls in Travel
Watching the Sunset From Lai Châu's Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina
Conquering Mount Fansipan’s 3,147 meters was once a feat reserved for those willing to take on the potential multi-day hike from Sapa to the summit and back.
Vietnam Arrests 7 Suspects Behind Streaming Site HiAnime on Piracy Charges
As part of the current crackdown on intellectual property infringement, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security recently took down a major network of websites providing illegal anime streaming.
[Photos] In Minimalist Street Photography, Good Frames Come to Those Who Wait
Photographer Victor Morante is all about the little details in a frame.
Hanoi Queer Film Week Provides Platform for Vietnam's LGBTQ Voices
Starting today and running until Friday, August 17, Hanoi International Queer Film Week 2018 (HIQFW), will include 14 film screenings followed by audience discussions.
Saigoneer Podcast: Seafood Fight, Traditional Medicine and L'Arrange Rhum
We're a quarter of the way to 100 episodes!
[Illustrations] Minimalist Pastel Renditions of Hanoi’s Historic Landmarks
Local illustrator Nguyen Minh Trang brings calming colors and geometric aesthetics to some of the capital’s most striking architecture.
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
[Video] Saigon-Based Directors Feature Abandoned Hue Waterpark in New Music Video
A small boat reaches shore and an adventure begins at the wild, abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Waterpark outside of Hue.
Ahead of Its Premiere Next Week, 'The Bachelor Vietnam' Reveals the Bachelor in New Trailer
The Vietnam adaptation of American reality TV show The Bachelor will premiere this month.
Vietnam's Cinema Industry to Receive $50m Financial Boost
Lack of funding has always been an issue for Vietnam's film industry.
Saigoneer Podcast: Exercise in Vietnam, Street Cred and Hanoi Zine Library
Episode 24 is out now!
[Video] Suboi Makes Saigon Nightscapes Her Playground in Latest Music Video for 'N-Sao?'
Saigon's color-streaked nighttime streets serve as background for the hip-hop star's latest music video.
[Illustrations] Hanoi Typography Project Turns Classic Food and Drink Names into Vibrant Designs
When paired with artistic creativity, common food and drink names can become symbols of cultural re-imagination. The following illustrations successfully capture the past while also appearing youthful...
Kit Humphrey in Literature
Alain de Botton Visits Vietnam: 'What I Want to Argue Is That Romanticism Has Been a Disaster for Love.'
It’s not often that a philosopher of Alain de Botton’s status visits Vietnam, so it was no surprise that all 50 seats on the upper floor of Toong Coworking Space were occupied, with most tickets snapp...
Vans x Van Gogh Museum Collection Will Also Be Available in Vietnam
Some of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh’s most iconic works have been turned into everyday apparel.
[Video] Korean Filmmaker Creates Charming Video Postcard of Hanoi
This short video of Hanoi is vicarious tourism at its finest.
[Photos] Malaysian Artist Encapsulates the Timeless Charm of Asia's Mom-and-Pop Shops in Mini-Models
“There are many ways to help you keep something in mind, through a memo, a voice recorder, or a photo. But miniature is something you can touch and see, to recall your memories.”
[Photos] A Converse-Royal Costume Mashup for Vietnam's History Buffs and Sneakerheads
‘Tis the time for wearable history.
Saigoneer Podcast: Decadent Vietnamese Dishes and Marriage in Modern Vietnam
The latest Saigoneer Podcast episode is ready for your listening pleasure!
Paul Christiansen in Literature
Indigenous Species: Poetry Book Connects Vietnam and Indonesia
Massive fish die-offs, sewage-smothered lakes, natural parks gashed by cable cars, soot-sullied skies and overflowing landfills — when considering environmental issues, it is easy to view them fr...
[Video] Dreamy Slow-Motion Clip Depicts Hanoians Embracing Life on a Rainy Day
Of the countless video montages shot in Vietnam, how many of them are worth a click? This dreamy, slow-motion clip of daily activities near Hoan Kiem Lake certainly is.
Japanese Mega Girl Group AKB48 to Launch Vietnam Sister Group SGO48 This Year
Are you a big fan of Japanese mega girl group AKB48? Now you can be part of the collective right in Saigon.
5,000 People to Take Part in a Street Festival in Hanoi This Weekend.
Themed ‘The Quintessence of Hanoi – Confluence and Shine,’ the street festival will take place around Hoan Kiem Lake between 8am and 11am on July 29.
