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 Culture

Vietnamese Designer Sparks Debate With Modernized National Costume

Miss Vietnam's national costume for the 2016 Miss Supranational beauty pageant, created by designer Le Long Dung, has sparked debate over its cultural accuracy. 

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...

in Music & Arts

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.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From stunning seascapes to freshwater springs, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Film & TV

[Video] Indonesian TV Show Depicts Diabolical Hello Kitty Murder

In every country, in every culture, there are good people who love bad television.

in Arts & Culture

[Video] Honda Celebrates Saigon's Super Cubs With Charming TVC

Is there anything more reminiscent of 1990s Saigon than a Honda Super Cub?

in Music & Arts

[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.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From sand dunes to freshwater lagoons, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From cityscapes to island life, this is what we saw through our lens this week.

in Arts & Culture

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.

in Arts & Culture

[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,...

in Culture

How Your Phone Number Affects Your Fortune

“Too many nines,” Diep scoffs. “And you think it’s good? It’s not, honey.”  

in Arts & Culture

#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.

in Music & Arts

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.

in Arts & Culture

'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...

in Arts & Culture

#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.

in Music & Arts

[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.

in Arts & Culture

[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.

in Arts & Culture

#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week

From lagoons to lettuce farms, this is what we saw through our lens this week.