The ISHCMC Advantage: Lifelong Learning Begins in Early Years
“Each morning, the gates open to the joyful rhythm of footsteps and confident smiles. Students independently stroll in, waving to friends and familiar adults, ready to begin the day. With great enthusiasm, they engage in conversations, unpack their bags, tuck away their belongings, and proudly ‘check in’ before eagerly venturing off to discover what learning awaits them. This sense of confidence, independence, and joy isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a thoughtfully designed environment and an intentional approach to learning that nurtures essential life skills through meaningful play.”
Khôi Phạm in Travel
Bask in the Morning Sun in the Green Heart of Huế Along the Hương River
As tourists, it's in our built-in compass to seek out novelties and excitements, if anything, to remind us that our daily humdrum is not everything, and there exists a world out there with multitudes to explore.
More Than Just Prosperity, Ông Địa Is My Personal Patron Saint of Misplaced Things
I was maybe seven when I first clasped my hands and whispered a plea to Ông Địa.
The Charming 1990s Nostalgia in the Phim Mì Ăn Liền Cinematic Universe
If you lurk around online discussions of Vietnamese cinema, you probably have stumbled upon the term phim mì ăn liền, or “instant noodles films.” This popular Vietnamese expression describes local motion pictures with low-effort production value. But the term is not merely a common moniker. It dates back to the 1990s, when a specific type of commercial flick got audiences flocking to the cinema.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
An Homage to the Sounds of Saigon Past That Are Going Extinct
After someone or something reaches the end of their days, which aspects of their existence in the minds of those who remain would be the first to succumb to the erosive brush of time? Is it sight, smell, touch, taste, or sound?
Chùa Một Cột in Thailand Reminds Me of the Familiar in an Unfamiliar Land
On my last full day in Khon Kaen, Thailand, I was on a mission to catch the sunset, although the cloudy and gloomy sky didn’t give me much hope. Instead, I randomly stumbled upon a gate with signs written in Vietnamese. Out of curiosity, I decided to walk in, and the farther I walked, the more clearly I spotted a familiar image from afar: a one-pillar pagoda standing right on the edge of the reservoir.
I Grew up With Print Newspapers and Magazines. Now, They're Disappearing.
Print media was a crucial part of my childhood and a friend that opened a window into a vivid world of knowledge that was fascinatingly strange in the eyes of young me. But right at this moment when I hit the streets as an adult, the newspaper vendors of those days seem to have vanished, their colorful spread of magazines gone amid the busyness of today. A quiet transformation and farewell has begun.
Xuân Phương in Culture
In Tây Hồ, an Artisan Community Holds Fast to Their Lotus Tea Traditions
Every sip of lotus tea encapsulates all the essences of the natural landscapes of Tây Hồ.
An Interview With 2 Vietnamese Dog Thieves
Dog theft has become a major issue over the years in Vietnam, especially as the country develops and people form deeper bonds with their pets. Any local dog owner lives with the knowledge that there a...
The Little-Known Hero’s Tomb Next To Bà Chiểu Market
Located at the intersection of two bustling streets in Bình Thạnh District – Phan Đình Phùng and Đinh Tiên Hoàng – and a few steps from the crowded Bà Chiểu market, is a temple dating back to the city...
Vietnamese Model To Hold International Fashion Show On Eiffel Tower
Vietnamese model, Jessica Minh Anh, has clearly found her niche - organizing fashion shows at some of the world’s most iconic locations.
An Ode To Saigon’s Rain Showers
Despite the inconveniences that unpredictable rain showers bring to Saigon, they are an essential part of the city’s character.
[Video] Viet Teens Use Mosquito Larva As Inspiration For Amazingly Awkward Dance
Well, not much to say about this video other than: prepare yourself for 4 minutes of wonderful, jaw-dropping awkwardness.
[Photos] Honda Chalys That Have Undergone Extreme Makeovers
Though they’re becoming increasingly rare on Vietnam’s roads, Honda Chalys remain a favorite for local mechanics who out their own spin on the diminutive motorbikes.
What’s So Special About Vietnamese Sơn Mài (Lacquer Painting)?
Sơn mài, or traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting, is not only unique in its fusion of local and French techniques, but also challenging due to the level of complexity and detail needed to create it...
Dan Nguyen and 3A: Organizing the Artifacts of Trauma
Vietnamese American artist and music composer, Dan Nguyen has left yet another mark on the South East Asian art scene; this time, at the rapidly growing 3A Alternative Art Area.
[Video] Saigon Hustlers
For many in Saigon, life is a hustle. From street vendors to motorbike ice delivery boys, everyone is trying to eek out a living. This video, made by Luke Penders, does a great job of capturing those ...
3 Thrilling Vietnamese Games To Play During The Month Of Ghosts
Small trays of colorful cakes are popular offerings for superstitious Buddhists during the Month of Ghosts. But Vietnamese children have a number of other ways to make contact with spirits, including ...
Photographer Spotlight: An Interview With Cuong Do Manh
This is a continuation of our series that presents some of the most influential and prolific Vietnamese photographers. Whether photojournalism or fine art photography, their work investigates Vietname...
Sidewalk DJ Becomes A Hit In Saigon
The motorbike karaoke singers and Michael Jackson impersonators have run into some stiff competition in the form of sexy sidewalk DJs, reports Zing.
[Photos] Event Rewind: Saigoneer Photo Walk With Quinn Ryan Mattingly
Last Sunday, photographer, Quinn Ryan Mattingly led the first monthly Saigoneer photo walk where participants traveled along Thái Văn Lung, Lê Thánh Tôn, Tôn Đức Thắng, and Lý Tự Trọng Streets to capt...
Masters Of Recycling: Saigon Technicians Turn Old Computer Screens Into TV Sets
If you needed anymore proof that Vietnamese are the masters of recycling and reuse, here it is. At District 10’s Nhật Tảo Market, technicians spend their day stripping down old computer monitors to cr...
The Fixie Fad Takes Off In Saigon
Well, it was only a matter of time. After confirming earlier this month that the hipster subculture is alive and well in Saigon (in addition to flying whales, apparently), it looks like one of its def...
4 Unique Saigon Markets
Saigon is full of markets, with each having its own characteristics. Together, they form a kind of community, comprised of everything from the aesthetically pleasing but overpriced Bến Thành to the ub...
The 90-Year-Old Lumberjack Of Hanoi
Though nearly a century old, 90-year-old Hanoi man, Lê Văn Sâm still amazes people with his incredible health and work ethic. Every day for over 70 years, Sâm has cut and transported large trees to ma...
The Differences Between Girls In Saigon And Hanoi
These illustrations, created by blogger Mèo Lười show her view of the differences between girls in Sài Gòn and Hà Nội. From reactions to breakups to eating habits, one can view them as astute obs...
[Video] Professional Vietnamese Tennis Players Trade In Rackets For Stools, Wine Bottles
Having mastered the tennis racket, a group of players in Saigon have decided to replace their normal frames with wine bottles, wooden chairs and even pieces of pattern tile.
[Photos] Architecture Student Builds Sweet Custom Bike
This badass custom, motorcycle-scooter hybrid was not built by a professional mechanic, but rather a student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture.
