Paul Christiansen

in Travel

'Chuyện Của Pao' Turned a Historic H'Mông Home 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.

in Culture

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.

in Music & Arts

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 Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated.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.

in Culture

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.

in Music & Arts

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 Music & Arts

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.

Back Arts & Culture

in Culture

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.

in Culture

[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.

in Culture

[Video] BMX: Saigon Style

The age of the fixie may have dawned on Saigon but another bicycle fad is becoming increasingly popular in the city – BMX.

in Culture

[Video] A Vietnamese Critique Of Social Networking

The Phở Team, which brought us "What does the Phở Say?" and "Differences Between Hanoi vs Sai Gon" is back with a new video critiquing the social network experience.

in Music & Arts

Vietnamese Photographer Wins Award At International Competition

Vietnamese photographer, Ly Hoang Long, was selected as the top photographer from the Asia-Pacific region at the recent CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year competition.

in Music & Arts

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Resume Horse Racing On New Track

Vietnam to resume horse racing on new track [Thanh Nien] Company builds road without permission in Ha Long Bay’s peripheral areas [Tuoi Tre] Young man creates street library in Danang [DTI]

in Music & Arts

[Photos] Event Rewind: Saigoneer Photo Walk With Adam Robert Young

Last Sunday, Adam Robert Young led the October Saigoneer photo walk, taking a group of participants around a bustling local market in District 2.

in Music & Arts

Saigon Artbook 1 Year Anniversary Fundraiser

After 4 successful releases of the Saigon Artbook, the team is launching a special 1 year anniversary edition at an open fundraising event at 3A Station on Thursday, October 23 from 5pm – 11pm.

in Music & Arts

Wednesday Jameson Jam: Acoustic Open Mic @ Saigon Outcast

From the organizer: Candlelight, cool breeze, and acoustic music, the perfect way to ease into the weekend!

in Music & Arts

Epic Drone Video Shows Vietnam’s Beauty From Great Heights

If you ever needed proof that Vietnam and drones are a natural fit, look no further than this video made by Duong Dang Dop.

in Culture

85-Year-Old Saigon Man Bootstraps His Way Across Vietnam

Nguyễn Văn Ngọc, an 91-year-old man from Ward 26 in Bình Thạnh District is known among his neighbors as a shoe repairman and part-time fortuneteller. Little do they know that at the ripe old age of 85...

in Music & Arts

American DJ Lil Jon To Headline The HCMC Prisma Run In November

Kelly Clarkson isn’t the only American star on their way to Vietnam later this year. American DJ, Lil Jon, will be headlining the November 22 Prisma Run in District 2, greeting runners at the finish l...

in Arts & Culture

2 Year Anniversary Of Last Call Bar @ Last Call

From the organizer: Ladies and gentelmen's, early birds and sun chasers, cocktails lovers and just lovers, LAST CALL bar is going to be happy to see on this special day, day of 2 years since the ...

in Arts & Culture

[Video] Saigon Artbook Anniversary Party Teaser

It’s been a year since the first edition of the Saigon Artbook was launched at La Brasserie. 12 artists and 4 editions later, the team has planned a special anniversary party at 3A Station on October ...

in Music & Arts

Kelly Clarkson To Play Miss Vietnam 2014 Finale

Kelly Clarkson, winner of American Idol 2002 and performer of formulaic pop ballads, will make her way to Vietnam in December to entertain crowds at this year’s Miss Vietnam pageant finale in Phu Quoc...

in Music & Arts

Saigoneer Presents: Photo Walk With Adam Robert Young

The Saigoneer Photo Walk is back!

in Film & TV

[Video] Short Film “16:30” - A Day In The Life Of A Saigon’s Child Lottery Ticket Sellers

16:30 is a 17-minute short film by Vietnamese director Tran Dung Thanh Huy which made an appearence at the Cannes film festival in 2013. The film tells the story of a group of young Saigon boys who se...

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!