'Making a Whore' Is Both Less and More Revealing Than Its Reputation Suggests
For the first time, Vũ Trọng Phụng’s novel Làm đĩ is available in English. Originally published in 1936, the novel has been translated by Đinh Ngọc Mai under the title Making a Whore and was released last year by Major Books, an independent publishing house dedicated to making Vietnamese literature more available for the English-speaking world.
Uyên Đỗ in Culture
The Surprisingly Global History of Monobloc, the Chair Vietnam Loves and the West Despises
In 2024, The New York Times published a list of the 25 most iconic pieces of furniture from the past century, selected by a panel of designers, artists, and curators from the world's leading museums. Unexpectedly, the Monobloc, a plastic chair found in almost every corner of Vietnam and across the globe, had somehow secured a seat.
How Richie Fawcett's Saigon Sketches Illuminate a Decade of Change
It’s been hidden right there in the heart of Saigon for over half a decade.
Water as a Metaphor for Trauma, Memories and Unspoken Histories in Quế’s Art
Through installations and animated films, Quế traces the flow of water as they move through personal memories and collective histories, carrying generational trauma amidst urbanization, and even natural disaster.
Insights, Polished History Lessons Await in Hanoi's Massive, Brutalist Military Museum
When I pitched a review of Hanoi’s massive new Vietnam Military History Museum to the Saigoneer editorial staff, I expected to find the museum somewhat boring. After all, although I am a historian, I am not really that interested in military stuff, and I’d been to the original location on Điện Biên Phủ Street several times — how could this new museum improve on the old one? What could this new museum say that the old one didn’t? What could I learn here that I haven’t already learned at Saigon’s War Remnants Museum and Hồ Chí Minh Campaign Museum, at Điện Biên Phủ’s war museum, at Hải Phòng’s naval museum, and at the countless other shrines to Vietnamese martial prowess across the country? Quite a lot, it turns out.
Tourists Generate Up to 3 Times More Plastic Waste Than Locals, UNDP Finds
A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that plastic waste pollution poses increasing pro...
Thi Nguyễn in Music & Arts
The Facetious Gender Politics of Gỗ Lim, Hanoi's Feminist Post-Punk Quintet
In an example of cruel irony, October 20 is when we celebrate annual Vietnam Women's Day, and also the anniversary of the passing of Mai Nga (commonly known as Nga Nhí), the lead singer of Gỗ Lim — a Hanoi-based female post-punk band that, albeit short-lived, struck a blow for women’s representation in rock and metal music in Vietnam in 2011 and 2012.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
'Chuyện Của Pao' Turned a Historic H'Mông Home in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction
The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.
With Cambodian Release, ‘First They Killed My Father’ Could Be Eligible for Oscar Submission
As buzz grows around Angelina Jolie’s most recent directorial effort, First They Killed My Father, the film could become this year’s Oscar submission from Cambodia.
Award-Winning Vietnamese Graphic Novel ‘Long Than Tuong’ Released as English E-Book
The first volume of Vietnam’s award-winning graphic novel Long Than Tuong is now available as an English-language e-book.
Vietnamese Artisans, US Designer Collaborate for New York Fashion Week
Last weekend, as fashion-forward Saigoneers were lining up around the block to catch a glimpse of Vietnam’s first-ever H&M, one of the country’s own fashion businesses was making waves at New York Fas...
Thich Nhat Hanh Documentary 'Walk With Me' Out This Month in Global Theaters
Walk With Me is a new documentary centered on Vietnamese Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh. The feature, spanning one hour and twenty-eight minutes, focuses on Hanh's three years of monastic life b...
CGV Opens 50th Cineplex, Plans $200m Expansion in Vietnam by 2020
CJ CGV, the South Korean cinema chain that dominates Vietnam's theater market, plans to invest US$200 million in more outlets by 2020.
The Curious Recent Cases of Plagiarism in Vietnamese Art
Plagiarism not only runs rampant in Vietnam’s online creative industry, but also in more traditional art forms such as oil paintings and lacquer.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
[Video] Coi: A Creative Plea for Less Horn-Honking on Saigon’s Streets
Vietnamese traffic has a bad reputation among both local and foreign drivers for its chaotic nature. From sidewalk driving to texting behind the wheel and creative interpretations of local street sign...
[Video] There's Now a Mekong Delta-Style Remix of 'Despacito,' Because Why Not
Who would have thought that merging ‘Despacito’ with Vietnamese bolero influences would make a great Khmer-sounding hit?
Vietnam's Representative Wins Mrs. Universe 2017
A Vietnamese-American woman was recently crowned Mrs. Universe 2017, making it the first time a Vietnamese participant has ever achieved the title in such a pageant.
[Photos] Japanese Artisan Creates Meticulous Animal Sculptures From Sugar Syrup
These handmade Japanese confections are almost too exquisite to eat.
Khoi Pham in Arts & Culture
Young Saigoneers Encapsulate the Charm of Ben Thanh Market in Mini Wooden Model
There’s no doubt that Saigon is a charming city. From internationally produced films such as The Quiet American to colorful art projects by local illustrators, the city’s landmarks seem to be popular ...
[Photos] Chinese Photoshop Genius Reimagines 'Game of Thrones' Characters as Street Vendors
The most recent season of 'Game of Thrones' may have ended on Sunday, but fans of the show can now visit their favorite characters in China - through Photoshop, that is.
Vietnamese, English Versions of Acclaimed Art Book 'The First Journey' Now Available for Order
Fans of 'The First Journey' will be glad to find out that both the Vietnamese and English versions of the book are now available to order.
Popular EDM Duo The Chainsmokers to Play Saigon in September
Pop duo The Chainsmokers will perform in Saigon on September 14 as a part of the Asian leg of their “Memories…Do not open” world tour.
Ariana Grande Cancels Saigon Concert 4 Hours Before Showtime
Saigon’s Arianators must be feeling devastated at the moment.
Michael Tatarski in Arts & Culture
How Virtual Life Is Transforming Saigon's Public Spaces
Observe public spaces in Saigon for any amount of time and you'll quickly notice many interactions take place in both the physical world and within the virtual sphere. Whether it’s teenagers taking In...
How Widespread Art Fraud Could Tarnish Vietnam’s Reputation on International Market
The popularity of Vietnamese art is on the rise internationally, but its reputation is in jeopardy as more and more incidents of art fraud are being uncovered.
[Illustrations] A Colorful Collection of Saigon Landmarks
From its earliest days, Saigon has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s history, the stories of which live on in its most iconic landmarks.
[Illustrations] Osaka Illustrator Turns Hometown Into Manga Backdrop With Quirky Sketches
An Osaka-based illustrator turns his hometown into detailed ballpoint sketches that could pass for the backdrop of a manga series.
'Dunkirk' Director Christopher Nolan Was in Saigon During the Weekend
Some hopeful fans were wondering if he was in the country to find inspiration for a Dunkirk 2.
