Local Studio's Animated Short Gives Adorable Crash Course on Vietnam's Spiritualism
Putting up offerings on the altar, burning votive money , and lighting incense: these are just some rituals that every Vie...
On a Walking Tour, Mulling Over the Glorious Past and Odious Present of Tô Lịch River
We began our journey in front of a bank where the street Trần Nhật Duật turned into Chợ Gạo.
Khôi Phạm in Literature
From Architecture to Folklore: 5 Indie Book Projects for Vietnamese Culture Buffs
In our years of writing about Vietnam, Saigoneer has had the pleasure to meet many passionate, inquisitive individuals whose creative and academic projects inspired us to appreciate the many facets of Vietnamese culture. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to see this labor of love being turned into physical books for us to cradle in our hands, delicately turn the pages, and heave in that heady aroma of freshly minted tomes.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
How a Film Turned a Historic H'Mông Homestead in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction
The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.
On Its 12th Birthday, a Brief History of Hanoi Rock City, a Bastion of the Indie Spirit
Hanoi Rock City (HRC) is even more than a household name for the youth of Hanoi, especially anyone who’s fond of the “Rock n Roll” culture. Twelve years after its founding, HRC has become a special cultural realm, one that brings musicians and fans closer to one another on its storied stage.
New Board Game Set Puts an Aesthetic Feline Touch on Bầu Cua Tôm Cá
In two weeks’ time, we can temporarily put down our laptops, shut away documents, and set up holiday auto-replies to slip into a bánh chưng-induced coma for a week.
Vietnamese Historical Gay Romance Wins Bronze at Japan International Manga Award
A gay-themed comic from Vietnam recently won a bronze award at the Japan International Manga Award.
Saigoneer's Favorite Original Photography of 2022
If our Saigoneer moments in 2021 were marred by catastrophes and heart-breaking departures, 2022 has been a year of rediscov...
On the Other Side of the Window: a Peek into Different Worlds
[Illustrations] 20th Century Vietnam by Thang Trần Phềnh
Time for a bit of history.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Saigon Designer Envisages Classic Vietnamese Transportations With Some Pizzaz
What if your motorbike had rocket propulsion?
14-year-old Vietnamese Painter Earns $23K from NFT Painting
Xèo Chu, a 14-year-old Vietnamese artist, recently auctioned his first non-fungible token (NFT) painting on the platform Binance with the winning bid of US$22,899.
The Flob, a Band of '6 People Playing Together'
The Flob — a band of six guys who are still in college — has chosen to turn the most memorable chapter of their lives into music.
It All Started With 100 Boxes of Cookies
Food is anything but apolitical.
Paul Christiansen in Loạt Soạt
Saigoneer Bookshelf: 'Luminous Nights' Explores the 20th Century Literary Landscape
Why haven’t some of Vietnam’s most famous early 20th-century short stories been translated into English?
Covid-19 Propanganda Posters Re-imagined as Đông Hồ Paintings
Sourcing inspiration from the traditional art of Đông Hồ, a group of young artists put a modern spin on classic paintings to deliver anti-pandemic messages through cheeky illustrations.
Phạm Gia Quý, the Gen Z Film Maker who Took on International Festivals
Phạm Gia Quý is a young filmmaker born and raised in Saigon and an alumnus of the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design.
Paul Christiansen in Arts & Culture
[Illustrations] Mesmerizing Modern and Mythic Vietnam Re-Imagined
Saigoneer Podcast: Tourist Attractions & Who They're For; The Debate Over 'Essential' Goods
A new episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is now available!
How Vietnam's Street Artists Have Made a Global Medium Their Own
Graffiti, street art, urban art…living in Paris before settling in Vietnam, they were part of my daily life and wonder. Riding the metro, graffiti is everywhere along the way. Wandering around the Fre...
To Celebrate the Olympics, Japanese Artists Reimagine National Flags as Anime Fighters
As nations gather in Tokyo for the summer Olympics, a group of Japanese artists have shown their support by creating anime characters based on the participating countries' flags.
Chris Humphrey in Music & Arts
Review: On Debut EP 'Low,' Ho Tram Anh Sings Like a Poet Laureate for the Disconnected
Is anyone else in Hanoi creating music as stark and affecting as Ho Tram Anh?
Giang Còi, Hanoi's Beloved Actor and Comedian, Passes Away at 59
Last night, beloved actor Lê Hồng Giang, commonly known by his stage name Giang Còi, passed away after months of battling with cancer.
The World at Your Fingertips: How Vietnamese Studios Lead the Art of Artisan Keycaps
Although custom keycaps are somewhat of a recent development in Vietnam, some local artisan studios have become key players in making these tech-art fusions that bring the world to your fingertips.
Vietnam's Art Spaces Find Silver Linings in Moving Online Amid Pandemic
When in February 2020, Đỗ Tường Linh’s exhibition "Foliage III," a celebration of Global South-led art, wrapped up at the Vincom Centre for Contemporary Art, so did most other events in Vietnam’s art ...
Vietnam's Female Comics Show How to Unapologetically Be Yourself on Stage
In recent years, Vietnamese women have gained a foothold in Vietnam’s comedy scene, despite it largely being dominated by men. But as the industry grows, the evidence of a gender gap seems to be incre...
Hanoi Indie Band Bluemato Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for First-Ever Music Video
Following the release of their first album “Gió Thổi Mạnh” earlier this year, Bluemato is reaching out to fans and friends again with a crowdfunding campaign to make their first-ever music video for '...
This New Vietnamese Lo-Fi Video Is Making Us Feel All Sorts of Emotions
After countless hours spent doing assignments alongside the OG Lofi Girl, Vietnamese netizens might find this new study companion an especially poignant addition to their daily routine.
