Tracing the History of 'Hello Vietnam,' the Overnight Sensation From Europe
Most people who have flown with VietJet are probably familiar with the song ‘Hello Vietnam’ or its Vietnamese version ‘Xin chào Việt Nam.’ As it's often played during landing, tourists might mistake the song for a cute jingle of the company, but the meaning behind the song lyrics is much more nostalgic. It’s about a person of Vietnamese descent longing for their ancestor’s homeland, a place they’ve never been — a story that can certainly strike a chord with many Vietnamese people. Few know, however, that this song was originally a French-language song, one that was almost never released.
Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
The Little Moments of Stillness on Hanoi Streets via Artist Hoàng Hiền's Illustrations
Whether they're from Saigon, Hanoi or Đà Nẵng, urbanites in Vietnam have all grown up amid the chaos of local street culture, where the pulses of civic life churn with every vendor, family business, and gig worker. "Moment of Stillness," a collection of colorful illustrations by artist Hoàng Thanh Hiền, was born of the artist's keen observations of the familiar scenes in her immediate surroundings.
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.
[Video] Saigon Electronica Ep. 2: The Dreamers From Behind the Decks
When Tran Huu Tuan Bach decided to embark on his DJ career at the beginning of this decade, he had already established himself as a film composer in Vietnam.
Kit Humphrey in Music & Arts
Sirens of Ha Long: Facetiousness and Vitriol on Debut EP ‘Rampant Happiness’
Having released Rampant Happiness, their debut EP, only a few weeks ago, and with a string of live shows lined up to debut upcoming music videos, Sirens of Ha Long are on the rise.
[Illustrations] Here Are Some Standout Picks From Collaborative Art Project 'Ve Ve Hat Boi'
Even after Ve Ve Hat Boi ended, the project's success shows that there’s still space for Vietnam’s ancient art forms in today’s ever-changing world.
'Crystal Cloud' Art Installation in Mu Cang Chai Stirs Controversy
Stunning.
Kit Humphrey in Postcards
Hanoi Postcard No. 1: Hom Fabric Market
This week, Saigoneer is proud to announce a new series: beautifully crafted illustrations, in the form of postcards, celebrating everything we love about this city. Every couple of weeks, we’ll reveal...
Saigoneer Podcast: Fakes in Vietnam, Kick-Ass Millenials and a Deep Dive on Thu Thiem
It's Monday morning, which means it's time for the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode!
Vietnamese Student Wins Top US Interior Design Award With Bamboo-Inspired Community Center
Tran Thach Thao, a native of northern Vietnam, was recognized with a prestigious award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for her plans for a community center that connects elderly...
Over 20 Bands, Artists to Join Epic Musical Bus Tour of Vietnam
Anyone who plays music in Hanoi will tell you it doesn’t pay. Anyone who hosts shows in Hanoi will tell you that doesn’t pay either. Anyone who has toured in Vietnam or the region will tell you it doe...
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 5: The Rainy Season Has Awoken
As last week's storms attest to, the rainy season is about to once again menace the city.
[Photos] Photographer Shin Noguchi Revels in the Oddities Lurking in Quotidian Japan
The same way one doesn’t notice the ease in which air enters one’s nose until getting sick, we too often take for granted the strangeness that surrounds us.
[Video] Stop-Motion Animation Project Retells Vietnam's Starfruit Tale With a Horror Twist
As a common saying goes: "tham thì thâm" (grasp all lose all).
Hanoi’s Rising Techno Scene: Local Artists Strive to Bring Underground Music to Wider Audiences
Underground music in Hanoi is flourishing, and Vietnamese artists are at the forefront. After years brewing at venues like Hanoi Rock City (HRC) and Cama ATK, the city now enjoys huge house and techno...
Saigoneer Podcast: Vietnamese Movies, Digital Subcultures and One Journalist's View of Vietnam
It's Monday, which means it's time for the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode.
[Video] Saigon Electronica Ep. 1: Creating a Community With Heart Beat and HRBR
Editor's note: Over the next few weeks, Saigoneer will feature Saigon Electronica, a video documentary series about the city's vibrant underground music scene, starting with the first episode this wee...
Here Are the First Images of Japan's 2022 Ghibli Theme Park
The beloved Japanese animation studio released images of the much-anticipated theme park, set to open near Nagoya, Japan in 2022.
[Video] Travel Back in Time to Ancient Vietnam Through Animated Series 'Loa Thanh Ruc Lua'
Vietnam’s ancient history has once again proven to be a rich and valuable muse for local storytellers.
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
[Illustrations] Mariano di Guglielmo's Vivid Watercolors of Saigon Street Scenes
For Mariano di Guglielmo, an English teacher who has lived in Saigon for about four months, every street is a potential canvas.
[Illustrations] Artist Captures Old Edo's Remnants in Busy Tokyo
Shinji Tsuchimochi's ukiyo-e illustrations breathe nostalgia into Japan's cool and modern capital.
Central Vietnam Festival Bài Chòi Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Heritage
A night of celebrations, songs and games was held in Quy Nhon on May 5, as artists and official delegates acknowledged bài chòi's recognition as a UNESCO intangible heritage.
'Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu' Actress Ngoc Thanh Tam on Her Craft and Feminism in Vietnamese Cinema
The young talent explores her transition to acting, its hectic yet colorful challenges, the films she took part in and anticipation towards the future of Vietnamese cinema.
