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.
Vietnamese Film Wins Top Honors at ASEAN Film Festival
A Vietnamese film named The Way Station won Best Film, Best Lead Actor and Best Director of Photography (DOP) at the 2017 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA).
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From a fishing village in Tam Giang to Hanoi's Long Bien Bridge, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] This Artist Creates Ukiyo-e Paintings of Basketball Stars
Edo-ball is what happens when one combines Japanese culture, professional basketball and ukiyo-e paintings.
Hoa Van Dai Viet: A Very Vietnam Take on Adult Coloring Books
As globalization transforms Vietnam’s cultural landscape, a group of young history aficionados have taken it upon themselves to keep old traditions alive.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From amused fishermen to forlorn coracle, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Local Artist Challenges Japan's Stigma Against Tattoos in Modern Era
In tattoo-averse Japan, a case heading to court in Osaka could help determine whether anybody will be able to get their body inked in the country in the future.
[Video] Vietnamese Animator Creates Wistful Reel of Saigon Memories From Pencil Sketches
Sometimes our childhood memories exist as little pieces of wonder.
[Photos] Vietnamese-American Artist Helps Create and Share 'Made by Refugee' Stickers
If you’ve come across a “Made by Refugee” sticker in Saigon, know that they’re the brainchild of artist duo Kien Quan and Jillian Young, created in an effort to raise awareness of the global refugee c...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
City Rising: Richie Fawcett’s Intricate Saigon Panoramas Hit L’Usine This Week
Saigon-based artist Richie Fawcett is back with an extensive new collection of drawings that will soon be on display at L’Usine Dong Khoi.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Saigon street at dusk to traditional Chinese decor, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Gambling and Globalization in Old Saigon: A Brief History of Số Đề in Vietnam
Since Vietnam started opening up its economy decades ago, the country has been developing at an impressive rate thanks to the effects of globalization, foreign investment and a constant exchange of cu...
Indonesia's 'Islamic Punk' Movement Marries Religious Faith With Musical Rebellion
In Indonesia, music aficionados are combining two elements that appear to be in complete contrast – Islamic faith and punk – to create positive changes in their community.
[Photos] Masashi Wakui's Colorful Tokyo Vision
There are a lot of things to love about Tokyo: the food, the quirky fashion and the rich history. However, for photographer Masashi Wakui, it’s the city’s nightscapes that fascinate him the most.
[Photos] A Group of History Buffs Have Recreated a Royal Costume From Scratch
A group of young history buffs recently accomplished an impressive feat: reconstructing an old Vietnamese royal costume by referencing an image.
[Photos] A Post-Apocalyptic Look Into 3A Station on Its Last Legs
A month after receiving its closing notice, 3A Station has gone from hip youth culture alley to post-apocalyptic wasteland.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Hoi An's night lanterns to a spectacular Saigon sunset, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Passenger in Infamous United Airlines Video Was an Accomplished Pre-1975 Musician in Saigon
As the story of David Dao, the doctor who was forcefully removed from United Airlines Flight 3411 last Sunday, continues to unfold, Vietnamese media outlets have recounted the Vietnamese-American pass...
[Video] This Is What Happens When You Merge Cai Luong and Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean?'
Do: watch this video to improve your cải lương skills. Don’t: use this video to practice English pronunciation.
'A Year with Thirteen Moons' Brings Vintage Style to the Lunar Calendar
“A Year with Thirteen Moons” is Rice Creative’s tribute to Vietnam’s cultural beliefs about numbers, dates and fortune.
Hands-On Vietnam Brings Intensive, Affordable Workshops to Saigon's Budding Filmmakers
In a city brimming with actors, producers and filmmakers, it’s hard to imagine that a communal space for collaboration didn't already exist. Until last week, informal spaces like Facebook groups offer...
