in Literature

Viet Thanh Nguyen Memoir 'A Man of Two Faces' Releases Today

A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, a History, a Memorial, the new book by Pulitzer Prize-winner Viet Thanh Nguyen arrives from Grove City Press on October 3. 

in Music & Arts

How Richie Fawcett's Saigon Sketches Illuminate a Decade of Change

It’s been hidden right there in the heart of Saigon for over half a decade. 

in Culture

Phan Thiết's Vibrant Whale Worship Festival Reflects Vietnam's Rich Animist Traditions

Whale worship started from a folk belief harbored by fishermen seeking help from the gods to endure the arduous days spent at sea, but over time, it grew to become one of the most prominent spiritual practices of Vietnam’s fishing communities, especially in Phan Thiết. This reverence of whales reflects the people’s fervent passion for life, and a benevolent coastal culture that seeks harmony between mankind and nature.

Paul Christiansen

in In Plain Sight

Shrimp Fishing in Thanh Đa Is Fun Even When You Don't Catch Anything

If it weren’t for shrimps, developing taste buds would have been an outrageous waste of evolutionary time and resources. Truly, without the potential for boiled, grilled, fried, baked or even raw shrimp, I find little point to getting out of bed with my tongue still in my mouth.

Khôi Phạm

in Film & TV

Review: 'Bến Phà Xác Sống' Is the 2nd-Worst Movie I've Ever Watched. I'm Sad It's Over.

The day when the Saigoneer team organized a little get-together to watch Bến Phà Xác Sống in the cinema, I was running seriously late.

in Travel

In Gò Vấp, a 'Floating Temple' Stands the Test of Time and River Currents

On an isle amid the Vàm Thuật river in Gò Vấp District, Phù Châu Temple, colloquially known among locals as the “floating temple,” has welcomed religious practitioners looking for a serene quarter in fast-paced Hồ Chí Minh City for over three centuries.

in Culture

On the Hunt for One-of-a-Kind Treasures in Saigon's Thriving Thrift Shops

In the summer of 2021, Hương Nguyễn decided to pivot away from her office job and launch an online thrift store called Vintage Hearts. She was motivated by how difficult it was to find clothing in Saigon that reflected her personal style — what she used to describe as “inspired by foreign pop singers on Pinterest,” she tells me, but what is now known as “Y2K,” or “year two thousand.” 

in Arts & Culture

Ocean Vuong Brings Vietnamese Text, Original Photos to Helmut Lang Collection

Peter Do, the recently named Creative Director of the storied fashion brand Helmut Lang, enlisted writer Ocean Vuong to provide text and photos for his debut collection.

Back Arts & Culture

in Culture

[Photos] The White Prince Of Saigon

No one loves white more than this Saigon man.

in Culture

[Photos] Vietnam Celebrates The 60th Anniversary Of Hanoi’s Liberation

On October 10, 1954, French troops folded up their flags and withdrew from their colonial capitol. As they left, Vietnamese communist forces entered the city, official ending 67 years of French occupa...

in Music & Arts

Optimist Club 100 - 2 Year Anniversary

Optimists! We made it to no.100 [and it's also our 2nd anniversary!

in Film & TV

October Movies At Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues

With Halloween coming up soon, expect some horror and gothic films at Saigon’s alternative film venues this month. Alongside titles that pay homage to the much-loved remembrance of the dead, these pro...

in Culture

Should The Firing Range At Củ Chi Be Closed?

Over at his excellent blog, Rusty Compass, Mark Boyer argues that it may be time to close the firing ranges at the Củ Chi.

in Culture

An Illustrated Guide to Vietnam's Motorbikers

The streets of Vietnam is home to many colorful personalities.

in Culture

[Video] Sơn La Children Use Highway Water Drain As Water Slide

Highway 6 is a busy truck route connecting Hà Nội and Sơn La. But when it rains, local children take to the slippery, moss-lined water drains along its side, creating an impromptu water slide.

in Music & Arts

2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam Comes To HCMC This Weekend

After a successful launch in Hanoi last Saturday in Hanoi, the 2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam, “which aims to accentuate Vietnam’s natural and cultural charm,” will arrive in HCMC this weekend.

in Culture

16 Pictures Of Vietnam’s Peckish Urban Chickens

In many developing countries the line between urban and rural is often blurred. If you live in Saigon or Hanoi, the lack of this distinction is typically manifested in the great number of chickens tha...

in Culture

Event Rewind: The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2014

On the afternoon of September 28, 300 bikers on approximately 200 bikes took to Saigon’s Streets in formal attire in support of charity.

in Music & Arts

Creator Of “Humans Of New York” Visits Vietnam

Last week, Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind the bestselling photo book, Humans of New York paid a visit to Vietnam with stops in Hanoi and HCMC.

in Music & Arts

[Video] Rap Video Shows an Expat’s Life in Saigon

A week after the release of “The Mì Quảng Song,” another expat has taken to rapping to show their love for Vietnam.

in Music & Arts

[Video] Interview With Afro Funk/Disco DJ Frank Gossner Who Returns To Saigon Tomorrow

Frank Gossner has one of the largest West African funk and disco records around. He’s a collector, a DJ and a promoter. He runs the website Voodoo Funk, which is recommended by the Beastie Boys.

in Culture

The 10 Unholy Driving Commandments Of Vietnam

On his website, On A Bike Vietnam, Alex Sinclair Lack presents his list of the 10 driving commandments for Vietnam. While a tad less scandalous than Biggies 10 crack commandments, keeping Lack’s list ...

in Music & Arts

[Photos] Event Rewind: Saigoneer Photo Walk With Lee Starnes

Last Sunday, Lee Starnes led the second monthly Saigoneer photo walk, taking a group of amateur photographers around the streets and alleys of District 1, capturing images of the area’s street life al...

in Music & Arts

[Photos] French Photographer Highlights Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Groups

These photos of Vietnam’s ethnic groups are the work of French photographer, Sébastien Laval, who has been lugging his camera around the country since 1995. His works, along with those of his Vietname...

in Culture

[Photos] The Simple Differences Between Hanoi And Saigon

As Hanoi and Saigon are constantly compared to one another, graphic designer, Nhat Le, created this illustration book, The Difference Between Hanoi and Saigon.

in Music & Arts

[Video] An Giang - Back To Motherland

Produced by Tam Bui and Tung Phan, this ode to the northwestern Mekong Province of An Giang should help you escape the stresses of life for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

in Culture

Modernization Of A Holiday: The Mid-Autumn Celebration In Saigon

Today’s Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) has become a “modernized” affair with plastic lanterns vendors and mooncake shops sprouting up on every corner, selling their wares a month beforehand. But ther...

in Music & Arts

Saigoneer Presents: Photo Walk With Lee Starnes

Kick off your Sunday morning with some coffee and a friendly chat. Then take a slow walk through a local neighborhood and discover the beauty in the every-day details of local life.