How Vietnam's Muslims Celebrate Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr in Mekong Delta's Châu Đốc
Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, yet Vietnamese Muslims represent as little as 0.1% of the country’s population. Most are ethnic Chăm, while a few are foreigners and a few converts. After traveling to Châu Đốc in An Giang Province, where the majority are located, I was mesmerized by the unique cultural mix this community represents.
Văn Tân in Culture
A Brief History of Ông Đồ, Vietnam’s Scholars Whose Calligraphy Is Highly Sought After
To say that Tết gathers together everything most beautiful in Vietnamese culture would not be an exaggeration. More than a threshold between the old year and the new, it is also a time when people feel they can return to, and relive, the traditional values that define them.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
From Dark to Dawn, an Early Morning at Hội An's Duy Hải Fish Market
At 3am, Hội An’s streets resemble dog-gnawed pork bones, licked clean of all scent and viscera. No light, no noise, no movement. But that’s the time you must venture out to witness the Duy Hải Fish Market in action.
Review: 'New Wave' Documentary Is a Surprisingly Personal Dissection of 1980s Nostalgia
Melodic synth-lines and steady electronic drums. Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated. During its high point during the 1980s, however, new wave was hailed as music of the future.
On the Cusp of a Modern New Year, Reflections on a Simpler Tết Past
Every year, as the pages from my block calendar peel off, bringing me towards another Vietnamese New Year, my mind once again fills with nostalgia about an old Tết. Tết in my memory begins with my childhood in a small house nestled under a coconut grove on the outskirts of Bạc Liêu in the Mekong Delta. Those were days of hardship, yet my parents worked hard so that Tết could bloom magnificently for all of us.
A Damaged Masterpiece Reveals How Much We Take Our Cultural Heritage for Granted
A once-damaged national treasure remains on view as if nothing had happened, while other works are displayed with little context — what does this tell us about how art museums preserve Vietnam's cultural heritage and shape our art history narratives today?
In 'Đêm Giao Thừa' EP, a Đàn Tranh Artist Offers Novel Twists on Nostalgic Tết Sounds
Indie đàn tranh artist Brian Bùi has just released Đêm Giao Thừa, an EP containing energetic covers of three classic Tết songs and an original track that pays homage to styles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
Unraveling the Mystery Behind the 'Mùi Việt Kiều' of My Childhood
My favorite candy used to be Hershey’s Kisses. Wrapped in colorful, sparkling foil, these little nubs of decadence made me feel special as a child, not just because of their sugary sweetness, but also because, for much of Vietnam’s contemporary history, you could only enjoy them if you have relatives abroad.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
In His Second Feature, Viet Max Leans on Hip-Hop Roots, Unconventional Style
Viet Max is a man of many talents. At 37, the Hanoi native has managed to parlay his eclectic skill set into a breakdancing career, a street fashion brand and, more recently, work as a feature film di...
From Vandals to Vanguards: Saigon’s Graffiti Artists Take on Fine Art Venues
This weekend, as Saigon’s street artists converge upon The Factory Contemporary Arts Center for a two-day showcase of rap, hip-hop, breakdancing and graffiti, SubyOne has something to prove.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From stunning seascapes to freshwater springs, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Video] Indonesian TV Show Depicts Diabolical Hello Kitty Murder
In every country, in every culture, there are good people who love bad television.
[Video] Honda Celebrates Saigon's Super Cubs With Charming TVC
Is there anything more reminiscent of 1990s Saigon than a Honda Super Cub?
[Video] Malaysian Artist Creates Singaporean Mural With Chopsticks
Next time you order take-away phở, don’t throw away your bamboo chopsticks; turn them into art.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From sand dunes to freshwater lagoons, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From cityscapes to island life, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Group Behind Whimsical Saigon Pop-Up Book Launches Crowd-Funding Campaign
A team of creative Saigoneers has turned the city’s most recognizable landmarks into a quirky pop-up book.
[Photos] A Ride on North Korea's Glamorous Subway Trains
From unveiling a Netflix-like entertainment service called “Manbang” to banning sarcasm, North Korea is known worldwide for its bizarre antics. Therefore, it’s rather surprising to see that its metro,...
How Your Phone Number Affects Your Fortune
“Too many nines,” Diep scoffs. “And you think it’s good? It’s not, honey.”
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Vung Tau's sandy beaches to Phu Quoc's ethereal sky at dusk, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Free Online Exhibition Embedded South(s) Showcases Vietnamese Visual Artists
The work of eight Vietnamese visual artists will be included in Embedded South(s), an online exhibition of moving images that opens today.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
International Photographer Captures Spirit of Đạo Mẫu in Vibrant New Photo Book
Tewfic El-Sawy’s introduction to Đạo Mẫu, also known as the Mother Goddess religion, began with music.
'Vietgone': New Play Brings Vietnamese Refugee Love Story to Life
Qui Nguyen’s play Vietgone, which opened earlier this month, marries raw, intimate anecdotes about the life of refugees following the American War with modern storytelling techniques such as hip-hop a...
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From sand dunes in Mui Ne to waterfalls in Da Lat, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Dutch Photographer Captures the Beauty of Hanoi's Street Vendor From a Unique Perspective
Dutch photographer Loes Heerink has launched a Kickstarter campaign to publish a high-quality photo book featuring Hanoi’s colorful street vendors.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Vietnam's Flock of Foreign-Educated Teens
In their latest episode, the team behind Hanoi-based Renovation Generation invites not one but four guests to their studio to share their hopes for the future and thoughts on the idea of home.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From lagoons to lettuce farms, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Three VTV Documentaries Shortlisted for International Broadcasting Awards
State-run television network VTV has made the shortlist in three categories of this year’s Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes.
