Ben Armstrong Joins Jo Roberts as Co-Heads of School at European International School
"Having Co-Heads of School provides several opportunities for EIS. Firstly, we can harness the power of collaborative leadership by leveraging our different strengths, experiences, and perspectives to enhance decision-making and problem-solving. This model can foster innovative solutions and new approaches to school management and education, increasing the availability and accessibility of school leadership to the community,” explained Ben Armstrong, the recently-announced Co-Head of European International School (EIS). He will be working alongside Jo Roberts, a long-tenured EIS team member who will also serve as Co-Head of School.
Paul Christiansen in Culture
Are We Living in the Final Days of Cô Mía?
They say a person dies twice: once when their heart stops beating and a second time when people stop mentioning their name. If we alter this phrase a bit to include the last time one’s image is seen, Saigon’s beloved cô Mía may soon be receiving last rites.
Aprxel Builds Her Ethereal R&B Dreamscape With 2000s Nostalgia
“High school was when we all had lots of thoughts and reflections. And I felt like I didn’t fit in with the world around me at that time, so I turned to music as my companion,” Aprxel reflects on the period of time where her connection with music began to solidify, which ultimately set her on the path to become a music artist.
Women in Post-Đổi Mới Vietnamese Cinema: From Archetypal to Multifaceted
In Vietnamese cinema, the female figure has long been employed to deliver macro-level messages rather than just mundane narratives.
Vy Trịnh Takes Us 'On Da Dream' via Her Solo Exhibition at Galerie Quynh
Tough-looking, yet elegant metal ribbons spark, spill, move and occupy all corners of the empty space: up and down, left and right, and in countless directions. Through a new series of sculpture works and a site-responsive sculptural installation, Vy Trịnh blurs the lines between the street scene and the exhibition space.
Paul Christiansen in Culture
Via Webcomics About Sơn Đoòng, Hai Bà Trưng, a Link to Vietnam Across the Ocean
An enormous chim Lạc snatches Mai from her school library in the present day and lifts her high above Sa Pa more than 2,000 years ago.
Michael Tatarski in Loạt Soạt
A Study of the Mekong Through Stories Told on the River
Much like humanity, great systems of the natural world rely on connectivity to thrive.
On Grappling With the Problematic Legacy of 'Miss Saigon' in 2024
Having been abroad for more than a year, I was excited at the mere mention of Vietnam anywhere, so I was even more delighted when I learned of the popular musical Miss Saigon. Posters of it were plastered up in musical-themed bars in Manchester and different theaters across London. The musical is constantly on tour, having recently been staged in Brisbane, Manila, and Singapore. I was curious to see what about the play created such a cultural phenomenon in western theater and pop culture, especially when all people ever seem to know of Vietnam is the war and phở. The play, however, with its questionable history and writing choices, didn’t live up to my expectations.
Local LGBTQ Zine Launches Crowdfunding Campaign, Call for Submissions
Vănguard, Saigon’s first-ever queer zine, is calling upon LGBTQ Vietnamese artists to submit new work for its third edition, to be released later this year.
Middle-Aged Japanese Man Dressed as Schoolgirl Visits Vietnam
We can all relate: you get home after a long day at the office, exhausted and ready to get out of your business casual. But when it comes to the standard after-work ensemble, Japanese cosplay photogra...
Saigoneer’s Picks: 20 Best Films From the Year of the Goat
Life Itself, a film about the life of the late film critic Roger Ebert opens with one of his quotes: “We are born with a certain package. We are who we are [...], we are kind of stuck inside that pers...
Brian Letwin in Culture
[Photos] Preview: Nguyen Hue Flower Street
Saigon’s celebrated flower street returns to Nguyen Hue Boulevard next week to ring in the Year of the Monkey.
February Movies at Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
This year's controversial awards season is drawing to an end. With the BAFTAs and the Oscars still to come, Saigon's February program includes two long-awaited biopics, one of the most revolutionary a...
Vietnam's Hottest Tet Gift: Lucky Buddha Pears
Forget hoverboards and lightsabers: Vietnam's hottest gift this holiday season is the nature-defying Buddha-shaped pear.
Saigoneer’s December and January Art Picks
Between Christmas and Tet, everything slows down in Saigon's art world, but a few venues have still found time to put on new shows. Here is some of our favorite work from the holiday season's exhibiti...
City of Mirrors: A Local Filmmaker's Crowdfunding Quest
For his first-ever feature film, Truong Minh Quy spent two months waiting around for it to rain.
[Video] There Is Now a Vietnamese Cover of 'Hotline Bling'
Oh, YouTube. You have brought us such joy: from turtle sex to the “apparently” kid, countless bad lip readings to one Antoine Dodson, the entertainment never ends. And now, through the power...
Cambodia's Stunning Angkor Panorama Museum...Built by North Koreans
Last month, Cambodia opened the doors to a brand-new Angkorian attraction.
Morrissey May Play Saigon in April
Good news for everyone with a love of 1980s British indie music: Morrissey is coming to town.
Vietnamese Actress Makes Hollywood Debut in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel
Vietnamese actress Ngo Thanh Van, star of several local blockbusters including Dong Mau Anh Hung, Clash and the forthcoming film Sieu Trom, will be making her Hollywood debut next month.
[Photos] Saigon Just Got a Fancy New Pedestrian Book Street
While Saigon faces a major deficit when it comes to public space, it looks like the city has recognized its value following the success of Nguyen Hue's pedestrian boulevard.
Japanese Artist 3D Prints 'International' Homes for Hermit Crabs
In 2009, Japanese artist Aki Inomata began creating clear, plastic hermit crab shells with the help of 3D printing. Inspired by different cities around the world, the artist brought her creations to l...
[Video] Filmmaker Merges Vietnam Footage With Poetry
There are an abundance of beautiful travel videos on the internet, many of them as visually stunning as the next. But whether you're touring Myanmar, watching Vietnam from above or getting l...
[Video] Check out David Bowie's 1983 Tour of Southeast Asia
If you're at all human – or, for that matter, alien – you heard of the passing of David Bowie last week. The prolific musician was not only celebrated for his unique sound and chart-topping hits ...
[Pictograms] Chinese-German Graphic Designer Captures What Happens When East Meets West
When she was 13, Yang Liu moved from China to Germany. Ever since, the graphic designer has been learning to navigate the myriad differences that exist between eastern and western culture.
Vietnam Filming of 'King Kong' to Begin in February
Next month, Vietnam will once again prepare for its Hollywood close-up, as filming for Kong: Skull Island is set to begin.
January Movies at Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
With both the Golden Globes (you can find a full list of nominations here) and the Oscars looming, it is an (almost) all-American program this month at Saigon's alternative film venues. From a sci-fi ...
Vietnamese Model Confesses to Plagiarism, Doesn't Care
We've all seen our fair share of “Chanel” and “Gucci” floating around this city. In the world of contemporary Vietnamese fashion, imitation – or out-and-out plagiarism – is the sincerest form of flatt...
