Composer Hoàng Việt and a Radical Romance Across the North-South Border
In a country fractured by ideology, Hoàng Việt's love for his wife Ngọc Hạnh persisted like a secret melody carried across closed borders by weak radio signals, and letters that had to circle the globe before finding their way home.
The Cultural Depths in Contemporary Hip-Hop Dance ‘129BPM: Động Phách Tách Kén’
Have you ever witnessed a live performance so powerful that it still lives in your mind weeks later? “129BPM: Động Phách Tách Kén” is not your usual hip-hop breakdance battle, but a contemporary dance performance combining live music with Vietnamese folk elements. It is a journey that requires your full presence and attention to appreciate its fleeting and transformative moments.
New 'Số Đỏ' Movie Announced, Directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh, Starring MONO
Another classic of Vietnamese literature is heading to the big screen in the near future.
Revisiting the Delicious Satirical Society of 'Số Đỏ' by Vũ Trọng Phụng
Published in 1938, Dumb Luck , or Số Đỏ , remains one of Vietnam's most popular and controversial novels. Vũ Trọng Phụng was ...
Severine Phương Trần's Debut Exhibition in Saigon Celebrates a World of Colors
Step into Severine Phương Trần’s first-ever exhibition in Saigon, where you can explore the artist’s inner world of vibrant colors and different emotions. To fully enjoy this exhibition, it is best to let your inner child and imagination roam free and allow the flow of colors and different sceneries to guide you through a journey of creativity, self-discovery, and personal artistic transformation.
From Germany to 'King of Rap' Runner-up: How Tuimi Becomes a Hip-Hop Breakout Star
Tuimi, a Vietnamese German singer and rapper, has become one of the most notable female voices in the local hip-hop scene and been making big waves since her return in 2019.
Ruminate on Our Natural Legacies While Surrounded by Cây Sao at Ao Bà Om
I never pass up an opportunity to reflect on chò nâu and its dipterocarp relative, cây sao. The massive trees that gracefu...
What Will Become of Chợ Quê in the Era of Widespread Online Shopping?
Firmly taking root in everyday life, our hometown markets — chợ quê — are not simply a place to trade, but also puzzle pieces that make up childhood memories, holiday excitement, and even tales of hardships and life milestones of countless people.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From shafts of light in a tiny market to giant fishing nets on the outskirts of Hoi An, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Engl(ish) T-Shirts From Around Asia
As the nuances of English sometimes elude even native speakers, perhaps it’s no surprise that those with a less firm grasp of the language often struggle to correctly identify which words and idioms a...
Vietnamese Designer Fuses Ancient Dyeing Techniques With Modern Fashion
A Vietnamese fashion designer has partnered with a group of women in rural northern Vietnam to use traditional methods to grow and produce natural dyes and fabrics for her clothing line.
Nhạc Vàng: Bridging the Generational Gap With Retro Saigon Tunes
As the chatter starts to die down and the soft disco lights turn on, peppering the room with a myriad of colors, it seems as if the entire interior of Nguoi Sai Gon cafe has travelled back in time to ...
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From a picturesque lagoon to the gritty textures of District 5's Chinatown, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Vacuum-Packed Japanese Wedding Photos Will Take Your Breath Away
Japan continues to provide plenty of material when it comes to bizarre trends. The latest? Vacuum-packed wedding photos.
Inside Quang Nam's Bizarre Cow Beauty Pageant
Last week, a town in Quang Nam Province played host to an unusual spectacle: a cow beauty pageant.
[Video] Local Teacher Sings, Dances Awkwardly in English Idiom Music Video
Learning English idioms is not an easy feat. This is especially true for Vietnamese students trying to acquire English as a second language. Fortunately, in this age of YouTube and Snapchat, one can m...
[Illustrations] Local Artists Bring Vietnam's Eclectic Shopfronts to Life
A group of Vietnamese illustrators has created a collection of colorful artwork inspired by the architecture of modern Vietnamese cities.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From vendors selling vegetables to hemside barbershops, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Saigon Skill and the Rise of Alternative Art Projects
Saigon Skill’s first art group show was a vibrant and uplifting display of Saigon’s unheralded talents. Hopes are high that this new project will expose the untapped creatives in the city.
Hanoi Wunderkind Wins Major International Writing Contest
In case you need more convincing that Vietnamese students are among the highest-achieving in the world, here’s further proof: an 18-year-old Hanoi student recently won the coveted top prize of an...
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Hanoi's Viral Cartoonist Xuan Lan
In the thirteenth installment of Hanoi-based English-language podcast Renovation Generation, narrator Maia Do sat down with one of Hanoi's most popular illustrators, Xuan Lan to discuss drawing cartoo...
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Hanoi to Lang Co to Ho Chi Minh City, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
BHD vs CGV: The Drama Behind Vietnam’s Latest Blockbuster
Before the movie even hits theaters nationwide, Tam Cam: The Untold and its production team already find themselves at the center of a major controversy.
[Video] Japan Celebrates Summer Olympics With Badass Theme Song
When the Rio Olympics rolled around, Vietnam was slow to get into spirit of the games. Truth be told, the country didn’t really hop on board with the magic of this summer's international competition u...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From the effects of rainy season to renowned Cham poet Inrasara, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Vietnam’s Largest Wax Museum Opens in Ha Long
If you have a free afternoon next time you’re waiting to board a Ha Long Bay cruise, look no further than Vietnam’s largest wax museum for your entertainment.
Meet Inrasara, the Poet Keeping Cham Culture Alive
Born in the oldest Cham village in Vietnam, poet and literary critic Inrasara has been keeping Cham literature alive for over 30 years. From textbooks to poetry, literary criticism to publishing, the ...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From national monuments to one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lagoons, this is what we saw through our lens this week.