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.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Plaaastic, Fashion Blogger Extraordinaire and Queen of Virtual Emo
In this installment of Renovation Generation, the Hanoi-based podcast team sits down with Plaaastic, the mysterious mind behind one of the region’s most popular fashion blogs.
Saigon Dance Crew Breaks It Down on Nguyen Hue
Since opening in April 2015, Nguyen Hue walking street has become the “it” place for young Saigoneers to take a stroll and hang out with friends. But for Good Morning Vietnam, a group of six energetic...
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From shipyards to fishing villages, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] National History Museum Celebrates 90s ‘Luxury Items’ From Hanoi
In the age of Instagram, selfies and social media, it’s easy to forget how much Vietnam has changed in the last few decades.
[Photos] Saigon Stormaggedon Gives Birth to Epic Memes
As torrential downpours flood the city for the third straight day, Saigoneers are finding solace – or, at the very least, entertainment – by way of the internet.
Brian Letwin in Arts & Culture
‘Co Hau Gai’: Horror as a Vessel for History
Vietnamese cinema is entering a new stage of development, one in which Vietnam-based directors are seeking to create compelling storylines that keep up with the industry’s ever-increasing production q...
[Photos] Photographer Highlights Tokyo’s Surrealistic Neon-Lit Nightscape
The first time Liam Wong visited Tokyo, he was captivated by the buzzing energy of the Japanese capital. Enamored of its crowded streets and lively nightlife, Wong returned to Tokyo for a second trip,...
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Hoang Duc Minh’s Socially Conscious Startup
In its most recent episode, Hanoi’s Renovation Generation podcast profiles techie Hoang Duc Minh.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From waterfalls to power lines to a sea of umbrellas, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
After Curatorial Shift, Saigon Artbook Delivers Best Exhibition to Date
Founder Dang Thanh Long and curator Shyevin S’ng talk about the work behind Saigon Artbook’s sixth edition and what the future holds for the local nonprofit art initiative.
Vietnam Submits 'Yellow Flowers' to Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film
Will Vietnam’s wistful childhood film do as well on the Oscar stage as it did at home?
[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.
