Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
Review: Thịnh Suy, Datmaniac Deliver Earnestness in 'Tự,' an Experiment in Spirituality
Following the musical works of Thịnh Suy means always being on alert for sudden song drops, sometimes without even a cryptic social media status update as a harbinger. Thịnh’s latest creation, ‘Tự,’ came to be in a similar fashion: the vocal version was unveiled in August, while a few days ago, another version with a rap verse by Datmaniac came out.
Nguyễn Bình Phương's Tale of Magical Realism Revels in Absurdity
“Clip-clop, clip-clop.” So goes the sound of the water buffalo hooves pulling a wagon through the highlands against the magenta sky of an unending sunset. The wagon is guided by a nameless driver, and onboard are three travelers: a veteran referred to as “the Man” and two other younger men.
I Grew up Among Ducks in the Mekong Delta. They Always Remind Me of Home.
On a recent ritual walk around my suburb, I was held up by the sight of a middle-aged man with his “fur kid.” I introduced myself and when he heard the word “Vietnam,” his eyes lit up and with a smile as he tumbled out the words: “The Mekong Delta. Ducks.”
In Hien's Debut Album, a Self-Discovery Journey Through Vietnam, Hungary and the US
After a decade writing and gathering materials, Hien recently published her debut album, “Trăng Qua.”
‘Echoes of Tonkin’ Exhibition Challenges Clichéd Narratives of 20th-Century Vietnamese Art
“Echoes of Tonkin: Vietnamese Modern Art” opens in Hong Kong to challenge reductive narratives and clichés about 20th-century Vietnamese art.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Art Project ‘The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams’ Is a Wild Alchemy of Vé Số and Photography
Vé số ticket number 984430 yields a magenta fish contorting atop a ghostly image of an apartment high-rise in Tân Phú in “The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams – Topographies of the Unseen,” an art project by photographer Christian Berg. The experimental project, available to view in full online, employs computer technology to combine photography, numerology, and mythology and playfully reimagine how one visualizes Saigon.
In MARG1N, a Resolute Return to Print Media That Dissects Southeast Asian Cinema
The joy of reading, for most of my life, had been primarily grounded in the joy of learning, feeling, and thinking through words, independent of medium. That is, until college, when I found myself repeatedly longing for Thursday mornings, when the week’s freshly printed student newspaper would arrive neatly folded and stacked, ready to be spread over the dining-hall table like wrapping paper. I came to realize then that the joy of reading was not simply about words; it was also about the tactile touch of paper and of the inexplicable satisfaction of flipping through pages bigger than my hands could reasonably manage.
By Preserving Tradition, Honoring Creativity and Showcasing Sustainability, Young Vietnamese Chefs Excel at Ngon Challenge by Marriott International
The glossy menus, sleek decor, and iconic logos of international hotel restaurants often obscure the human stories behind each dish. While catering to global guests, these restaurants often serve meals with origins in family kitchens and regional culinary traditions. Young, local chefs balance nostalgic associations with contemporary techniques and creative expression to create these menus. Returning for its second year this past September, Ngon Challenge continued to celebrate and nurture Vietnamese culinary talent across Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Vietnam.
[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.
[Photos] Romanian Photographer Captures North Korean Fashion Sense
A Romanian photographer has released a collection of photographs of everyday women in North Korea taken during a recent trip to the reclusive country.
[Photos] The Fabulous Lives of Hong Kong's Shop Cats
Life as a cat in Hong Kong’s shops is fabulous.
[Photos] The Discomfort of a Rush Hour Ride on Tokyo's Metro
Though it’s not (yet) a reality for Saigoneers, there are certain discomforts inherent in a rush hour commute by metro.
[Photos] This Thai Cosplayer Is the Light the World Needs
If you’re still looking for costume ideas this Halloween, look no further than Toffie, Thailand’s schoolgirl cosplayer extraordinaire.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From boats and bicycles to the epic landscapes of the Central Highlands, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] 3D-Printed Chess Set Features Famous Figures From Vietnamese History
A trio of RMIT students are turning heads after creating a custom chess set featuring famous figures from Vietnamese history.
Youth Culture Library Finds Niche in Saigon Cafe
The Youth Culture Library sets out to become an outlet of self-expression for young people and non-commercial artists through the ultimate form of alternative culture: zines.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From countryside farms to Saigon street food, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Film & TV
[Video] Mini-Documentary Weaves Visual Portrait of Ta Oi Artisan
As urban Vietnam charges into the future, connecting to the global economy during its modern development, the traditions of rural Vietnam stay alive through a handful of artisans.
