How Vietnam's Muslims Celebrate Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr in Mekong Delta's Châu Đốc
Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, yet Vietnamese Muslims represent as little as 0.1% of the country’s population. Most are ethnic Chăm, while a few are foreigners and a few converts. After traveling to Châu Đốc in An Giang Province, where the majority are located, I was mesmerized by the unique cultural mix this community represents.
Văn Tân in Culture
A Brief History of Ông Đồ, Vietnam’s Scholars Whose Calligraphy Is Highly Sought After
To say that Tết gathers together everything most beautiful in Vietnamese culture would not be an exaggeration. More than a threshold between the old year and the new, it is also a time when people feel they can return to, and relive, the traditional values that define them.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
From Dark to Dawn, an Early Morning at Hội An's Duy Hải Fish Market
At 3am, Hội An’s streets resemble dog-gnawed pork bones, licked clean of all scent and viscera. No light, no noise, no movement. But that’s the time you must venture out to witness the Duy Hải Fish Market in action.
Review: 'New Wave' Documentary Is a Surprisingly Personal Dissection of 1980s Nostalgia
Melodic synth-lines and steady electronic drums. Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated. During its high point during the 1980s, however, new wave was hailed as music of the future.
On the Cusp of a Modern New Year, Reflections on a Simpler Tết Past
Every year, as the pages from my block calendar peel off, bringing me towards another Vietnamese New Year, my mind once again fills with nostalgia about an old Tết. Tết in my memory begins with my childhood in a small house nestled under a coconut grove on the outskirts of Bạc Liêu in the Mekong Delta. Those were days of hardship, yet my parents worked hard so that Tết could bloom magnificently for all of us.
A Damaged Masterpiece Reveals How Much We Take Our Cultural Heritage for Granted
A once-damaged national treasure remains on view as if nothing had happened, while other works are displayed with little context — what does this tell us about how art museums preserve Vietnam's cultural heritage and shape our art history narratives today?
In 'Đêm Giao Thừa' EP, a Đàn Tranh Artist Offers Novel Twists on Nostalgic Tết Sounds
Indie đàn tranh artist Brian Bùi has just released Đêm Giao Thừa, an EP containing energetic covers of three classic Tết songs and an original track that pays homage to styles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
Unraveling the Mystery Behind the 'Mùi Việt Kiều' of My Childhood
My favorite candy used to be Hershey’s Kisses. Wrapped in colorful, sparkling foil, these little nubs of decadence made me feel special as a child, not just because of their sugary sweetness, but also because, for much of Vietnam’s contemporary history, you could only enjoy them if you have relatives abroad.
Event Rewind: Saigon Artbook Edition 5
The first 2015 edition of Saigon Artbook was released last Thursday at the 3A Alternative Art Area, attracting a crowd of more than 800 people.
A Guide To The Secret Sign Language Of Vietnamese Drivers
Drivers in every country seem to have their own set of signals to communicate with one another.
[Video] People Try Thuốc Lào for the First Time
Youtubers Trong Trắng recently conducted a bit of a science experiment, giving a group of Vietnamese 20-somethings their first experience with a tobacco bong (điếu cày).
[Video] Bún Riêu Chợ Nổi: A Life Spent Selling Bún Riêu In Can Tho’s Floating Market
This short documentary centers on Co Be, who sells soup to the busy workers at the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho.
[Photos] Saigon Mechanics Unveil The “Mammoth”
A homage to the aesthetics of a classic vehicles, this customized bike, dubbed the “Mammoth,” has been getting a lot of attention for its elephantine look.
Hanoi Declares War On Public "Profanity"
Hanoi’s Deputy Chairman, Le Hong Son, has ordered relevant ministries to crack down on public profanities on the streets of the capital.
[Photos] The Origins Of Caodaism, Vietnam’s Hybrid Religion
Here’s a look at the early days of Caodaism, based on the writings of a French educated Vietnamese during the colonial period. This is all that is known about the author who was deported from Indochin...
[Photos] Behold: The Vietnamese Avengers
25-year-old artist, Nguyen Quang Huy, has put a Vietnamese twist on some of Marvel’s most popular characters.
Behind The Cover: Saigon Artbook Edition 5
The next edition of Saigon Artbook is hot off the press and ready for the art-hungry masses. The book will be officially launched this Thursday evening at the 3A Alternative Art Area, but before you a...
[Map] Vietnamese Is One of the World’s Most Spoken Languages
While there are about 7,000 languages spoken on Earth, more than half of the world’s population speaks one of 23 languages. Where does Vietnamese rank amongst the world’s most spoken languages? Pretty...
Designer Spotlight: Linda Mai Phung
The last couple of months have been exciting for Saigon-based fashion designer, Linda Mai Phung. The young French-Vietnamese designer recently celebrated the 5th anniversary of her eponymous bran...
[Video] Hanoi Road Rage Leads To Epic Jump Kick
Driving can test the patience of even the most cool and collected individuals. For one Hanoi driver, the poor directional choices of a motorbiker led to an epic jump kick to the chest.
[Video] Sài Gòn...Sài Gòn...!
In a departure from Vietnam road trips and timelapse videos, Sài Gòn...Sài Gòn...! shows the city from the perspective of a group of young locals.
5 Totally Reasonable Explanations For The Broken AAG Cable
While officials have blamed everything from sabotage to poor quality materials for its inconsistency, we’ve come up with five completely reasonable, alternative explanations for why the Asia-America G...
[Video] Heartbreaking Film Shows The Hopes And Dreams Of The Mekong’s Boat Children
Last week, Mai Huyen Chi released “Down the Stream,” a short film that explores the lives of boat children in the Mekong Delta.
84% Of Vietnamese Students Admit To Plagiarism
At a conference on academic integrity in Vietnam held on May 29, a university official announced the results of a survey that found 84% of students have plagiarized significant portions of their writi...
Vietnam’s Cities Are Losing A Lot More Than Their Old Buildings: Experts
“A city is enriched by accumulation over generations. Accumulation incorporates destruction but keeps enough fabric to retain cultural identity, while obliteration erases everything includin...
June Movies at Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
This month’s films show us that it’s possible to make a great sequel from an 80s classic, that Twilight has accidentally done something good for cinema and that Hollywood producers can’t always constr...
Check Out This Hardcore American War-Era Board Game
As the US scaled up their military presence in Vietnam during the mid-1960s, anti-American propaganda followed suit throughout communist nations in Asia. While much of this was manifested in well-know...
[Video] Russian Daredevils (Illegally) Climb China’s Tallest Building
If you’re unfamiliar with On the Roofs (OTR), a group of Russian photographers who double as adrenaline junkies, you need only know one thing – they’re not afraid of heights.
