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.”
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).
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.
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.
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.
[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...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From the effects of rainy season to renowned Cham poet Inrasara, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Vietnam’s Largest Wax Museum Opens in Ha Long
If you have a free afternoon next time you’re waiting to board a Ha Long Bay cruise, look no further than Vietnam’s largest wax museum for your entertainment.
Meet Inrasara, the Poet Keeping Cham Culture Alive
Born in the oldest Cham village in Vietnam, poet and literary critic Inrasara has been keeping Cham literature alive for over 30 years. From textbooks to poetry, literary criticism to publishing, the ...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From national monuments to one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lagoons, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Video] Local Orchestra Performs World’s Most Organized Flashmob in Hanoi
In a country where most parts of your day can feel like a flashmob, sometimes an organized performance is even more surprising.
[Video] Chilling South Korean Zombie Flick Hits Vietnamese Screens Next Week
While Vietnamese cinema is just starting to ramp up its production of horror flicks, South Korean filmmakers have long been fans of the genre, creating some truly spine-tingling movies.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: The Incredible Talents of Mew Amazing
For their latest episode, the crew behind Hanoi-based The Renovation Generation made a trip down to Saigon for a coffee with Mew Amazing, the singer-songwriter behind Truc Nhan’s pop hit “That Ba...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From frenetic traffic to historic cathedrals, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Video] Áo Dài Takes Center Stage Among Asia's Most Beautiful Wedding Dresses
When Vietnam is mentioned around the world, the country often conjures up images of phở, bánh mì, streets of jam-packed traffic and áo dài.
[Video] TV Commercial Provides Graceful Glimpse of Saigon's Outer Districts
This stunning commercial for Coca-Cola’s energy drink Samurai is a love letter to Saigon’s strange mix of urban chaos and beauty.
[Video] Vietnam Gets Its Close-Up in Kong: Skull Island Trailer
The folks behind Kong: Skull Island, the Hollywood blockbuster filmed in Vietnam earlier this year, just released the film’s first trailer, and Vietnam plays a starring role in the action.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Foreign-Educated Academics Challenge Cultural Norms
In The Renovation Generation’s 11th episode, the Hanoi-based podcast introduces two ambitious academics, Trang Pham and Mai Thanh, both of whom are working to fight poverty and inequality in Vietnam.
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From epic storms to street corner motorbike repairs, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Video] Indonesian Teen Rapper Dons Fanny Pack, Spits Hot Fire
When a 16-year-old puts his homemade rap video on YouTube, you don’t really expect it to go viral.
Dislocate: Artist Bui Cong Khanh Deconstructs Vietnamese Identity
A beautiful large-scale recreation of a fortress, a photographic essay and a documentary video feature in Bui Cong Khanh’s latest exhibition, Dislocate, an impactful reminder of Vietnam’s heritage and...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Music & Arts
[Videos] Hanoian Rappers Take Center Stage on Pan-Asian Music Platform
Staring straight into the camera, Emcee L addresses his viewers with confidence.
Quach Phong’s Monumental Take on Vietnamese History
An ambitious and essential art project, Sketching Vietnamese History – the first major solo exhibition by established artist Quach Phong – is a tribute to Vietnam’s history and its people. It is a wor...
[Photos] #WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From street vendors to old-school shipyards, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Video] Inside Saigon's Chicano-Style Barbershop, Part 2
Last month, we introduced Saigoneers to Liem, the man behind Saigon’s only Chicano-inspired barbershop.
