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 Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated.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.
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From an Art Deco train station in Da Lat to Mui Ne's pristine sand dunes, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Inside Saigon's Vibrant Lantern Artisan Communities
In Saigon’s Chinese quarter, “lantern streets” have always been one of the most popular spots in the city come mid-autumn.
Southeast Asian Art Is Finally Getting Recognized on Global Stage: Expert
Alan Lau, an art expert from Hong Kong, wrote about Southeast Asia’s growing artistic visibility for CNN last week. He mentions the importance of Art Stage Jakarta, held for the first time last m...
[Photos] Chinese Artist Transforms Discarded Cardboard Into Intricate Artwork
While some Saigoneers may begin their day by slurping down a hot bowl of phở or chasing after some Pokemon, Chinese artist Wenyi has a different morning routine: he paints on, of all things, pieces of...
#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.
Khoi Pham in Music & Arts
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...
