Khôi Phạm in Literature
5 Indie Bookstores in Saigon for Those Who Are Addicted to the Scent of Paper
Most Saigoneers who spent their formative years in the 2000s and 2010s probably grew up amongst the aisles of bookstores, not because we were particularly bookaholic, but because they were pretty much the only third place around with free air-conditioning.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Review: Saigon Soul Revival Returns to Familiar Inspiration on 3rd Album ‘Chốn Ta Về’
More ambitious and self-assured than ever, Saigon Soul Revival (SSR) embraces their own sound and its many influences on their latest album, “Chốn ta về.”
Phương Mỹ Chi's Latest MV Tells Eternal Love Story in Vietnam's Khmer Community
After forays into the worlds of reality TV and cinema, Vietnam’s folk pop princess Phương Mỹ Chi has returned to her roots with a fresh new full-length album, pioneered by the lead single ‘Thiên đường với người thương’ (lit: In heaven with my beloved).
Tracing My Family's Fondness for French Tunes, From Colonial Times to Vietnamese Versions
“Tombe la merde; tu ne viendras pas ce soir [Shit is falling; you’re not coming tonight]”: an outburst of laughter and applause would inevitably fill the room as my dad, in his deep, mellifluous voice, put his own profane twist on Salvatore Adamo’s ‘Tombe la neige.’ This track, like ‘Paroles… Paroles…’ by Dalida or Christophe’s ‘Aline,’ are widely known and adored in both France and my family in Vietnam. My childhood unfolded against these rhythms, melodies, and lyrics, whose origins were so far removed from me, both temporally and geographically.
But What Even Is an Expat: Unpacking the Highly Contentious Term, in Vietnam and Abroad
“Expat is a racist as hell term” — this is the take of Misan Harriman on the popular internet show SubwayTakes. The ...
Adrien Jean in Travel
The Enigmatic Neon-Lit World in the Mist of Sapa
Is there a more atmospheric place in Vietnam than Sapa on a misty night?
Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
Review: Pieces of Me | Nao Yoshioka (feat. Mỹ Anh)
Mỹ Anh has come a long way since becoming the runner-up of The Heroes in 2021. Five years later, now with a full-length album and a spectrum of singles and extended plays under her belt, the Hanoi-based artist has proven to be one of the most dynamic singer-songwriter-producer of her generation.
Art Exhibition ‘Limerence’ Explores Where Romantic Desire Distorts Into Obsession
Thom Nguyen utilizes portraiture and depictions of mushrooms and organic objects to explore the concept of limerence in a solo exhibition at Permanently Closed Gallery in Thảo Điền, beginning Friday, August 28.
Optimist Club 100 - 2 Year Anniversary
Optimists! We made it to no.100 [and it's also our 2nd anniversary!
October Movies At Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
With Halloween coming up soon, expect some horror and gothic films at Saigon’s alternative film venues this month. Alongside titles that pay homage to the much-loved remembrance of the dead, these pro...
Should The Firing Range At Củ Chi Be Closed?
Over at his excellent blog, Rusty Compass, Mark Boyer argues that it may be time to close the firing ranges at the Củ Chi.
An Illustrated Guide to Vietnam's Motorbikers
The streets of Vietnam is home to many colorful personalities.
[Video] Sơn La Children Use Highway Water Drain As Water Slide
Highway 6 is a busy truck route connecting Hà Nội and Sơn La. But when it rains, local children take to the slippery, moss-lined water drains along its side, creating an impromptu water slide.
2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam Comes To HCMC This Weekend
After a successful launch in Hanoi last Saturday in Hanoi, the 2014 Canon Photo Marathon Vietnam, “which aims to accentuate Vietnam’s natural and cultural charm,” will arrive in HCMC this weekend.
16 Pictures Of Vietnam’s Peckish Urban Chickens
In many developing countries the line between urban and rural is often blurred. If you live in Saigon or Hanoi, the lack of this distinction is typically manifested in the great number of chickens tha...
Event Rewind: The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2014
On the afternoon of September 28, 300 bikers on approximately 200 bikes took to Saigon’s Streets in formal attire in support of charity.
Creator Of “Humans Of New York” Visits Vietnam
Last week, Brandon Stanton, the photographer behind the bestselling photo book, Humans of New York paid a visit to Vietnam with stops in Hanoi and HCMC.
[Video] Rap Video Shows an Expat’s Life in Saigon
A week after the release of “The Mì Quảng Song,” another expat has taken to rapping to show their love for Vietnam.
[Video] Interview With Afro Funk/Disco DJ Frank Gossner Who Returns To Saigon Tomorrow
Frank Gossner has one of the largest West African funk and disco records around. He’s a collector, a DJ and a promoter. He runs the website Voodoo Funk, which is recommended by the Beastie Boys.
The 10 Unholy Driving Commandments Of Vietnam
On his website, On A Bike Vietnam, Alex Sinclair Lack presents his list of the 10 driving commandments for Vietnam. While a tad less scandalous than Biggies 10 crack commandments, keeping Lack’s list ...
[Photos] Event Rewind: Saigoneer Photo Walk With Lee Starnes
Last Sunday, Lee Starnes led the second monthly Saigoneer photo walk, taking a group of amateur photographers around the streets and alleys of District 1, capturing images of the area’s street life al...
[Photos] French Photographer Highlights Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Groups
These photos of Vietnam’s ethnic groups are the work of French photographer, Sébastien Laval, who has been lugging his camera around the country since 1995. His works, along with those of his Vietname...
[Photos] The Simple Differences Between Hanoi And Saigon
As Hanoi and Saigon are constantly compared to one another, graphic designer, Nhat Le, created this illustration book, The Difference Between Hanoi and Saigon.
[Video] An Giang - Back To Motherland
Produced by Tam Bui and Tung Phan, this ode to the northwestern Mekong Province of An Giang should help you escape the stresses of life for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Modernization Of A Holiday: The Mid-Autumn Celebration In Saigon
Today’s Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) has become a “modernized” affair with plastic lanterns vendors and mooncake shops sprouting up on every corner, selling their wares a month beforehand. But ther...
Saigoneer Presents: Photo Walk With Lee Starnes
Kick off your Sunday morning with some coffee and a friendly chat. Then take a slow walk through a local neighborhood and discover the beauty in the every-day details of local life.
Vietnamese Film Takes Top Spot At Venice Film Festival
Dap Canh Giua Khong Trung (Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere), the work of Vietnamese female director, Nguyen Hoang Diep, beat out 7 other foreign debut features to win “Best Film” at the 2014 Venice ...
X98: Hanoi’s Zone 9 Version 2.0?
When Zone 9 was closed late last year, it was a major loss for the complex’s patrons, shop owners, artists, and more generally, the city’s cultural scene. After months of mourning, it looks like Zone ...
