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.
[Video] This Animated MV Made by Local Artists Will Give You All the Feels
Animated with beautiful black and white watercolor illustrations, the music video for 00:00 not only provides a stimulating visual experience, but also shows off the creative skills of a group of youn...
[Video] Vietnamese Director’s Animated Film Makes Oscar Shortlist
Saigon-born, Paris-based director Nguyen Phuong Mai has struck gold with her professional cinematic debut. Her short film, My Home will compete with nine others for an Oscar nod this year.
Da Nang to Host First Southeast Asia Skateboarding Championships
Vietnam seems to play second fiddle to its more developed SE Asian neighbors when it comes to sporting events. In what is hopefully a signal of this trend’s reversal, the World Skateboarding Federatio...
Maison Kenji: Emerging Designers Push the Vision of Fashion in Vietnam
As one of the newest players in the town, Maison Kenji brings a Euro-Asian flare to Saigon’s fashion scene. These Japanese-inspired, modern and ethically conscious threads distinguish this new indepen...
Local Illustrator Recreates Famous Saigon Street Corners
In From Saigon, a series of colorful drawings, freelance illustrator and graphic designer Lys Bui manages to capture the charm of several well-known Saigon locales, including Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Hue...
Drone Video Shows Off the Ruins, Salt Farms and Pristine Beaches of Central Vietnam
While many of the drone videos we post capture Vietnam’s cityscapes and well-known natural wonders, every now and then we find one focused on less-traveled locations.
[Photos] 5 Vietnamese Photographers Win at International Photo Contest
Last month, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) announced the winners for their annual photo contest and five Vietnamese photographers found themselves in the top 27.
[Photos] Réhahn Returns With Another Stunning Photo Book
When we meet at a cafe nestled down the alley of 3A Station, Réhahn brings a copy of his second book with him. Based on its weight alone, you can tell how much work the Hoi An-based French photographe...
New King Kong Flick to Film in Son Doong Cave
Son Doong will soon be paid a visit by another of the world’s most exotic attractions (albeit a fictional one) – King Kong.
[Video] The Game Bored Kids Play in the Mekong Delta
Quick: what do you do with a wooden plank, a bicycle and a lot of free time?
[Video] In Case You Were Wondering What Vietnamese Prison Is Like
As a general rule, prison sucks. Anytime you're forced to wake up at a certain hour, go to sleep at a certain hour, eat cafeteria food and wear the same outfit as everyone else, life is not going your...
[Photos] $60,000 Áo Dài Sets New Record
Last month, during the second annual Vietnam International Fashion Week, the folks at PNJ Jewelry decided to kick their áo dài game up a notch by debuting the most spangly, shimmering, outrageously ex...
A Rich Guy in Thai Nguyen Dropped $135,000 on a Lucky Phone Number
When you're filthy rich, it's hard to keep a firm grasp on reality. This is why Mike Tyson owns a pet tiger and Gwyneth Paltrow is trying to sell everyone gold-plated juicers for Christmas.
[Video] Vietnam Airlines Is Bringing Its A-Game With This TV Commercial
Vietnam Airlines is really stepping up its game these days. Between a fleet of sexy new Dreamliner planes and its recent investment in international TV spots, the country's national carrier is we...
[Video] This Is How You Nhậu in the Digital Age
If you spend any time on a mobile device, you're probably aware of how technology is destroying humans. There are a whole corners of the internet dedicated to smartphone addiction and someone is ...
Zelda Goes to the Gallery: The Power of Semiosis
French-based Japanese artist Yohei Yama lights up Vin Gallery with a feast of colorful Op art canvasses during his debut exhibition, The Power of Semiosis.
'Yellow Flowers' Becomes Highest-Grossing Vietnamese Drama Ever
Over a month after its debut, Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) – the stunning, state-commissioned film by Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu – continues to rake i...
[Video] Vietnamese Sculptor Creates Stunning Wood-and-Metal Sculptures
Last month, Vietnamese sculptor Bui Hai Son and painters Le Kinh Tai and Nguyen Quang Vinh displayed their work at FILTERS: Vietnam Contemporary Art Exhibition. While the show featured substantial exh...
Saigoneer's October Art Picks
October saw several Saigon debuts of emerging, mid-career and established artists from a variety of artistic backgrounds. Here are the pieces that caught our attention over the previous month.
November Movies at Saigon's Alternative Film Venues
As award season approaches, November might be the last chance you have this year to dive into the world of alternative and low-budget films, which is dominated by French and American productions.
