Khôi Phạm

in Literature

5 Indie Bookstores in Saigon for Those Who Are Addicted to the Scent of Paper

Most Saigoneers who spent their formative years in the 2000s and 2010s probably grew up amongst the aisles of bookstores, not because we were particularly bookaholic, but because they were pretty much the only third place around with free air-conditioning.

Paul Christiansen

in Music & Arts

Review: Saigon Soul Revival Returns to Familiar Inspiration on 3rd Album ‘Chốn Ta Về’

More ambitious and self-assured than ever, Saigon Soul Revival (SSR) embraces their own sound and its many influences on their latest album, “Chốn ta về.”

in Music & Arts

Phương Mỹ Chi's Latest MV Tells Eternal Love Story in Vietnam's Khmer Community

After forays into the worlds of reality TV and cinema, Vietnam’s folk pop princess Phương Mỹ Chi has returned to her roots with a fresh new full-length album, pioneered by the lead single ‘Thiên đường với người thương’ (lit: In heaven with my beloved).

in Music & Arts

Tracing My Family's Fondness for French Tunes, From Colonial Times to Vietnamese Versions

“Tombe la merde; tu ne viendras pas ce soir [Shit is falling; you’re not coming tonight]”: an outburst of laughter and applause would inevitably fill the room as my dad, in his deep, mellifluous voice, put his own profane twist on Salvatore Adamo’s ‘Tombe la neige.’ This track, like ‘Paroles… Paroles…’ by Dalida or Christophe’s ‘Aline,’ are widely known and adored in both France and my family in Vietnam. My childhood unfolded against these rhythms, melodies, and lyrics, whose origins were so far removed from me, both temporally and geographically.

in Culture

But What Even Is an Expat: Unpacking the Highly Contentious Term, in Vietnam and Abroad

“Expat is a racist as hell term” — this is the take of Misan Harriman on the popular internet show  SubwayTakes. The ...

Adrien Jean

in Travel

The Enigmatic Neon-Lit World in the Mist of Sapa

Is there a more atmospheric place in Vietnam than Sapa on a misty night?

Khôi Phạm

in Music & Arts

Review: Pieces of Me | Nao Yoshioka (feat. Mỹ Anh)

Mỹ Anh has come a long way since becoming the runner-up of The Heroes in 2021. Five years later, now with a full-length album and a spectrum of singles and extended plays under her belt, the Hanoi-based artist has proven to be one of the most dynamic singer-songwriter-producer of her generation.

in Music & Arts

Art Exhibition ‘Limerence’ Explores Where Romantic Desire Distorts Into Obsession

Thom Nguyen utilizes portraiture and depictions of mushrooms and organic objects to explore the concept of limerence in a solo exhibition at Permanently Closed Gallery in Thảo Điền, beginning Friday, August 28.

Back Arts & Culture

in Film & TV

Vietnam is Samuel L. Jackson's Favorite Country for Filming

Recently, legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson – star of the upcoming film Kong: Skull Island – took a little time out of his busy schedule fighting snakes and brewing beer&...

in Music & Arts

Le Brothers: Exploring Identity in Modern Vietnam

Artists Le Duc Hai and Le Ngoc Thanh – known professionally as the Le Brothers, fast-rising stars in Vietnam’s contemporary art scene – stumbled upon their collective name thanks to Starbucks.

in Music & Arts

[Video] Meet Lisha, Cambodia’s Badass Female Rapper

While Suboi is making headlines around the world as Vietnam’s “Queen of Hip-Hop”, Cambodia has a badass female rapper of its own representing our neighbor to the west.

in Music & Arts

[Photos/Video] This Vietnamese Artist Makes Delicate Artwork From Dandelions

Botanical artist Duy Anh Nhan Duc picked a rare medium to express his emotions while honoring for the plant kingdom: dandelions.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

During the week-long holiday, our readers were really working their cameras. Here are six of our #wearesaigoneer favorites:

in Arts & Culture

Saigoneer's Weekend Event Picks

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our favorite events happening around Saigon.

in Culture

[Photos] A Slice of Traditional Tet in Hanoi Village

To celebrate this year’s Tet, an online collective of history buffs recently held a New Year festival in suburban Hanoi, complete with a variety of traditional Tet rituals and delicacies.

in Culture

[Video] Saigon Artists Craft Beautiful, Handmade Lucky Money Envelopes

With the lunar new year just days away, everyone is scrambling to complete their last-minute Tet preparations, from getting a haircut to re-painting the house to stocking up on those ever-important lì...

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From a poetic Da Lat sky to a shrine on Con Dao Island, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

Dana Filek-Gibson

in Culture

The Story of Ông Táo, the Kitchen God Who Rides a Carp to Heaven

This evening, as Saigoneers continue their many Tet preparations and young revellers head out for a night on the town, Ong Tao is packing his bags for his annual trip to heaven.

Michael Tatarski

in Literature

How Mekong Review Aims to Connect Southeast Asia Through Literature

First published in late 2015, The Mekong Review has quickly garnered a sterling reputation in a region short on quality print publications. Minh Bui Jones, its founder and editor, talks to Saigoneer a...

in Music & Arts

[Photos] Saigon's Oldest Street Artist Jazzes up the Hẻms of D4

For the last two years, a few remote hẻms in District 4 have slowly been covered in the city's most adorable graffiti.

in Arts & Culture

[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From Saigon's dingy hẻm to the serenity of life in Tam Giang Lagoon, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Arts & Culture

Vietnamese Comic ‘Dia Nguc Mon’ Earns International MANGA Award

For the second year in a row, a Vietnamese comic has won one of Japan’s prestigious International MANGA Awards.

in Arts & Culture

[Photos] Colors of Saigon: Xanh, Sạch, Đẹp

From its ambitions and its people to the general color palette of daily life, Saigon is a bold city.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From sunrise in the city to Mui Ne's magnificent sand dunes, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Film & TV

Vietnam Unveils New Film Rating System

As of January 1, Vietnam’s new film rating system allows the local movie industry to screen adult content.

in Literature

[Illustrations] Young Illustrator Breathes New Life Into Work of Vietnamese Poet

Poet Tran Dang Khoa’s most beloved collection of children’s poetry is receiving a makeover, thanks to young illustrator and graphic designer Pham Quang Phuc.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From sunsets to fishing nets, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Arts & Culture

[Photos] The Godfather of Saigon's Water Puppets

While Saigon’s younger crowd is busy picking up the hottest new foreign trends, like parkour or wearing bean sprouts on your head, artisans from older generations have held fast to their traditional c...