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.
When Lịch Bloc Is Gone, What Will Vietnam Use to Keep Discarded Fish Bones?
I have never bought a lịch bloc, or tear-off calendar, for personal use, because every new year, I'm bound to be gifted a brand-new one. In Vietnam, a calendar is often something one purchases as a present for others.
The Year of the Horse Gallops into The Grand Ho Tram
Inspired by the spirit of the horse, The Grand Ho Tram encourages you to have a year of success, confidence, and new horizons. Traditional Tết performances and activities alongside special feasts and opportunities for revelry will usher in a year of remarkable achievements and memorable moments.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
The Vibrancy of Vietnam's Mundane Depicted by Illustrator Chan-Nhu Le
“I miss that. When I was young, on the motorbike with my friends, it was like ’hey, you have 15 minutes?’ and we just met up [...], had some street food and did literally nothing; just street watching. It was fun,” Chan-Nhu Le shared with Saigoneer about the inspiration for her illustrations.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
The Unquenchable Spirit of Artist Lê Triều Điển
“Điển is like a flower; there is no question of growing or not growing.”
Saigon International Music Week Arrives At Cargo This Month
Cargo Bar continues to raise the bar for live music in the city with the launch of Saigon International Music Week later this month.
Comic Con Is Coming To Saigon Next Month
Comic Con, one of the World’s largest gaming, technology, comic book, anime, manga, and cosplay events is coming to Saigon for the first time next month.
[Video] Daily Café Hustlin': A Digital Nomad’s Life In Saigon
There are plenty of digital nomads in Saigon, those who tote their laptop from coffee shop to coffee shop instead of sitting in a cubicle. But it’s not a life of glamour. It’s a hustle.
[Photos] 21 Outrageous Photos of Vietnamese Vehicles
If you’re from Vietnam, or have lived here for a while, you’ve probably come across some pretty outlandish things on the local roads. But if you think you’ve seen everything, this collection of photos...
November Movies At Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
If you believe that humanity is the essential aspect of cinematic endeavours, you will find plenty of it in this month programme from Saigon’s alternative film venues.
Vintage Vespa: The Extinction Of The Classic
Sadly, Vintage Vespa is now becoming an endangered species. Gregg Mitchell, a Vespa renovator, moved to Saigon where he found an abundance of ‘Vintage Vespas’. He stated sadly, “They just don't make t...
Vintage Vespa: A Design That Stands The Test Of Time – Part I
When Enrico Piaggio first saw the newly designed Vespa scooter, he exclaimed, “Sembra un Vespa it resembles a wasp!”. (The Vespa means wasp in Italian.) Out of a designer’s personal loathing for...
15 Awesome Drone Images of Downtown Hanoi
We’re all about seeing Vietnam from different vantage points, from street level to outer space. But perhaps the perfect middle ground are photos taken from drones which give the viewer a birds eye per...
Vietnamese Artist Wins Top Prize For Illustrations Showing The Plight Of Circus Animals
In April, Hong Kong-based animal welfare organization, Animals Asia, launched a painting competition about the lives of wild animals in the circus. Hanoi artist, Dương Đoàn Anh Minh, took first prize ...
Chart: Explaining Vietnamese Culture Using The Lewis Model
In Vietnam’s cities, where foreigners and locals interact on a daily basis, both socially and professionally, gaps in cultural understanding are common.
The 2014 Vietnam Salary Guide: How Much Should You Make?
HR Research firm, Adecco, has released its 2014 Vietnam Salary Guide which provides salary information for key positions in various sectors.
14 Incredible Satellite Photos Of Vietnam
There are plenty of hi-tech ways to show Vietnam’s beauty – time lapses and drone panoramas to name a few. But a less common vantage point is from above. Way above.
[Video] This Adorable Kid Washing A Motorbike Will Make You Smile
Not much to see here, just an adorable, chubby little kid having the time of his life washing a motorbike.
Event Rewind: Saigon Artbook 1 Year Anniversary Fundraiser
After 4 editions and parties over the past year, the Saigon Artbook team held their 1 Year Anniversary Fundraiser at 3A Station last Thursday.
[Video] Da Nang Hair Dresser Uses Samurai Swords In Place Of Scissors
Getting a haircut is an exercise of trust as it may be the only situation where one willingly allows a stranger to wield sharp blades around their head. But if you sit in the chair of this Da Nang bar...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
[Photos] HCMC: City of Contrasts
One of the things that makes life in Saigon interesting is the blurred line between the city and the countryside. This lack of distinction is most obvious when it comes to the city’s urban animals, bu...
Expat Survey: Vietnam A Great Place To Live, With A Few Exceptions
HSBC Expat recently hired research company YouGov to conduct their annual Expat Explorer Survey in which almost 9,300 expats based in over 100 countries were questioned between April and May 2014.
The Peaceful Corners Of Bustling Hanoi
Although modernization has forever altered the skyline of Vietnam’s ancient capital with gleaming skyscrapers, one can still find moments of tranquility and escape from the city’s traffic-clogged stre...
21 Outrageous Photos Of Vietnamese Motorbikers
If you enjoyed our original illustrations of Saigon motorbikers, you’ll get a kick out of these real-life daredevils.
[Photos] Floods Bring Seasonal Specialties To The Mekong Delta
While few Saigonese smile at the sight of flooded streets, their Mekong Delta brethren welcome high waters with open arms.
