Neighborhood Vibes and Modern Comforts Combine at Hotel Indigo Saigon The City
Staying in a local neighborhood means surrounding yourself with the sights, styles, routines, traditions, and history of a locale. Hotel Indigo Saigon The City, a new boutique lifestyle hotel, tells the stories of the iconic Ba Son area via its details, decor, atmosphere, and experiences, so checking in feels like taking part in a celebration of the city.
Uyên Đỗ in Arts & Culture
Strangevisuals Is an Archive of Daily Life on Postcards of Rice and Dó Papers
What are our memories made of?
Paul Christiansen in Loạt Soạt
Within the Shocking Brutality of Queer Novel 'Parallels' Rests Poignant Poetry
Parallels by Vũ Đình Giang shocked me. While I refrain from spoiling its plot, allow me to share my experience when reading this novel, as translated by Khải Q. Nguyễn, to better explain how the book jolted me from expectations and why the experience provides a unique and valuable addition to the array of Vietnamese novels translated into English.
‘129BPM’ Carries the Contemporary Hip-Hop Heartbeat From Vietnam to Malaysia
Under the shared heartbeat of “129BPM,” the dancers channeled their emotions through movement, navigating between individuality and collectivity both on and off stage. Extending beyond Vietnamese audiences, the piece has now been presented on an international platform at George Town Festival 2025 in Penang, Malaysia, marking a significant milestone for Vietnamese contemporary hip-hop performance on the international stage.
Trần Dần, the Literary Maverick Teaching Us How We Should and Can Be an Artist
In the mind of many Vietnamese readers, the name of writer Trần Dần has been inextricably linked with artistic experimentation and innovation. His poetic voice feels nothing like those of writers I learnt back in high school: there is something so different, refreshing and oddly contemporary about it. As I consider every page of his bulky posthumously published anthology Thơ (Poetry), I find his legacy remains inspirational even for contemporary readers — especially other young Vietnamese — on what it means to “be an artist.” This does not only entail one’s appreciation and production of Vietnamese art, but also their adoption of an artist’s mindset into daily life.
A Tribute to the Incredibly Eye-Catching, Organic Signage of Sa Đéc
Signs are like voices.
Linh Phạm in Travel
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.
In 1920s–1940s Paris, Vietnamese Artists Painted Through the Interwar Period as the 'Others'
How did Vietnamese artists navigate the complex tides of social and political changes, and mark their own position in the art world as the “Others” during interwar Paris — which was celebrated as the “City of Lights,” yet also a stage for both colonial propaganda and a ground for anti-colonial resistance?
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Event Rewind: Saigon Artbook Edition 4
After three successful releases of the Saigon Artbook, the team held a launch event at The Cube last Thursday to celebrate the 4th edition of the book that celebrates local artists.
Where to Find Disappearing Old Books in Saigon
There is a German proverb – "Alle guten dinge sind drei" – which refers to the joy gained from one’s efforts. Living in the digital age, we are blessed – or cursed, depending on your point o...
[Photos] Wealthy Yen Bai Man Builds Extravagant Mountain Tomb
Taking a page out of the book of the Egyptian Pharaohs, a Yen Bai man is constructing a massive, VND15 billion tomb on the side of a mountain.
[Video] Local Students Make Impressive 3D Film On Retro Saigon
This local indie film, “Balloon” is worth 4 minutes of your eyes, ears and mind.
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Finger Food: Sushi Nail Art Is A Thing In Japan
Recently Nails have become a popular canvas for artistic expression, displaying everything from circuit boards to Grumpy Cat. But leave it Japan to take things to the next level.
Brian Letwin in Culture
[Video] A Day in the Life of a Saigon Street Masseur
You’ve no doubt heard ringing bottle caps, the calling card of Saigon’s street masseurs, outside your door in the evening hours. These men ride around the city till the morning light, hoping to put a ...
[Photos] Optimus Prime Appears In Saigon In Motorbike Form
On the morning of August 3 at a coffee shop on Trần Phú Street (District 5), pedestrians were shocked to find a transformer disguised as a Yamaha Exciter.
Brian Letwin in Film & TV
[Video] Help Fund A New Documentary On Hanoi’s Zone 9
You’re probably familiar with Zone 9, a group of former factory buildings that were converted into shops, bars and art spaces early last year. But just as the complex was hitting its stride, all of it...
Narrow The Gap: Increasing Access To Education In Vietnam
Founded to support local not-for-profit organizations, volunteers and donors to have an equal chance to contribute their time to improve ongoing social issues, Narrow the Gap Community Fund is LIN’s (...
Brian Letwin in Culture
[Video] Day Dreamers: A Day in the Life of a Saigon Hipster
As Vietnam becomes increasingly connected to global trends, the country’s 20-somethings have embraced everything from rap to graffiti art.
Startup Seeks To Change The Way You Experience Hanoi And Beyond
Soundwalk is a location-based audio tour: as you walk around the city, you hear sounds as you pass through the streets, presenting a fundamentally different urban experience.
[Video] "Memories Of Vietnam" Shows The Country Through A Poetic Lens
Earlier this yeah, Léo Bigiaoui and his friends traveled across Vietnam for a month, filming in Sapa, Hanoi, Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Phu Quoc.
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
5 Funky Illustrated Maps of Vietnam
They Draw & Travel is a website for artists to express that passion, and for readers to discover their creations by creating their own artistic maps.
[Photos] Saigon’s Rooftop Bonsai Gardens
Growing bonsai trees is becoming an increasingly popular business in Saigon. The Japanese plants, revered around the world, can fetch billions of đồng but take 2 to 3 years to grow.
Live Music - Jeremy Ginsburg @ deciBel
Jeremy is back to rock the house at Decibel for another performance.
A Short History Of Vietnam And Palestine
Israel is (yet again) attempting to bomb Palestine back into the stone age. At the time of writing, the Palestinian death toll is at least 98 (the Israeli death toll is 0), which leads me to suspect t...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
[Photos] Propaganda Postage Stamps From North Vietnam (1965 – 1972)
With the American War escalating in the 60s and 70s, North Vietnam produced its famous propaganda posters (which have become popular purchases for tourists) to win the hearts and minds of the people.
[Video] This Old Vietnamese Woman Can Dance Better Than You
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen old Vietnamese women get down, but it’s definitely the most sensual dancing display we’ve encountered. We can only hope that we're this energetic when at her age.
Brian Letwin in Film & TV
10 Movies Set To Hit Vietnamese Theaters This Month
Tired of watching crappy DVDs from local shops or torrents of cam rips? Here are 11 movies that are making their way to Vietnamese cinemas this month with short descriptions and ratings courtesy of IM...
[Photos] The Erotic Animal Art Of Thái Nhật Minh
The progressive works (both in inspiration and material) of Vietnamese contemporary artist, Thái Nhật Minh, have made their first public appearance at Manzi Art Space (14 Phan Huy Ích, Hà Nôi) where t...
