Nguyễn Đổng Chi's Classic Retelling of Vietnam's Fairy Tales, Now in English
Folklorist and anthropologist Nguyễn Đổng Chi dedicated decades to weaving a significant portion of Vietnam’s folklore tapestry. He collected, researched, and rewrote over 200 Vietnamese folktales from all corners of the country. His work, initially scattered across five volumes published individually and consecutively over 25 years, appeared as a complete anthology in 1982. Guided by a comprehensive treatise of Vietnamese folktale, Chi’s Kho tàng truyện cổ tích Việt Nam (Treasury of Vietnamese Folk Tales) might be daunting for readers drawn to Vietnamese folklore but disenchanted by rigorous academic discourse.
Kit Humphrey in Travel
In Thổ Hà Village, Rice Paper Spills Onto the Streets and Wraps Around Daily Life
A few hours after sunrise in the small village of Thổ Hà, Bắc Giang Province, alleyways morph into picturesque tunnels of drying rice paper, while ladies toast crackers over fire in the streets.
Carol Kim Brings to Life Rare Performance of 'Tại Vắng Anh' Thanks to Saigon Jazz Revival
The rich, bluesy ‘Tại vắng anh,’ written by Tuấn Khanh, was performed by Carol Kim this past November at Saigon Jazz Revival's inaugural concert in New Orleans.
Cliché or Parody? Orientalist Readings of Nam Le’s ‘36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem’
One may be surprised to learn that Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel The Sympathizer was rejected by 13 out of 14 publishers before its eventual publication. He describes in an interview why he believes his novel was rejected by all but one publisher he submitted to: “I knew in writing the novel that I was deliberately not doing what I was supposed to do as an Asian American writer, which is [...that] you have to end on a note of Americanization. You have to end on an embrace of the American dream, explicitly or implicitly. And the novel does not do that.” He comments elsewhere along similar lines, “I refuse[d] to subscribe to dominant American narratives and mythologies that allow someone like me a very narrow space to speak.”
Pete Walls in Travel
Watching the Sunset From Lai Châu's Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina
Conquering Mount Fansipan’s 3,147 meters was once a feat reserved for those willing to take on the potential multi-day hike from Sapa to the summit and back.
Vietnam Arrests 7 Suspects Behind Streaming Site HiAnime on Piracy Charges
As part of the current crackdown on intellectual property infringement, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security recently took down a major network of websites providing illegal anime streaming.
Dropping the Disguise: The Evolution of Punk Band Cút Lộn Towards More Radicality
In recent years, CÚT LỘN has cemented themselves as one of the most recognizable hardcore punk bands to emerge from the Vietnamese underground scene.
From TikTok to Bars, a Group of Young Artists Brings Đờn Ca Tài Tử to Unexpected Venues
“If you happen to pass by Huỳnh Mẫn Đạt Street in Hồ Chí Minh City There’s a strange bar with a Mekong theme Where cải lươ...
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...
Vietnamese Artists Highlighted At New York Origami Exhibit
Pioneering origami exhibition, “Surface to Structure,” held a showcase, “Folded Form,” at New York’s Cooper Union earlier this month, featuring the works of international artists including 5 Vietnames...
Saigon Artbook Call For Donations
Saigon Artbook is calling for donations to support the launch of the series’ 4th edition.
The Amazing Story And Art Of Chau Diem
It is fair to say that every work carries, willingly or unwillingly, the story and life of its maker.
[Photos] A Look Back at the 'Golden Age' of Vietnamese Music
Between 1960 and 1975, South Vietnam’s music scene underwent many phases, eventually culminating in a "Golden Age" of music. This rich musical ecosystem featured different genres and offered something...
A Brief History of Hunting in Vietnam Since the 19th Century
While hunting was probably popular among Vietnamese nobles before the arrival of the French, it was the colonialists who popularized big game hunting in the country when it was still a land of wildern...
Fashion Market @ The House Of Saigon
From the organizer: All about fashion, accessories, art and craft - calling brands, designers who want to exhibit and sell your products at our Fashion Market on Saturday and Sunday, July 12...
The Vietnamese Millionaires Of Angola
Wherever Vietnamese go, they strive and thrive. While the Vietnamese diaspora is best know for its success in North America, Europe and Australia, there is a small, but influential contingent in the ...
[Photos]: Vu Huu Nhung’s “Life” Exhibition
Vũ Hữu Nhung, an heir of Phù Lãng pottery experts, is holding an exhibition of his cutting-edge sculptural artwork in Hanoi.
[Photos] 1,600 Papier-Mâché Pandas Invade Asia
Artist Paulo Grangeon began making papier-mâché pandas back in 2008 to support World Wild Life Fund activities in Europe. While popular on his home continent, he had no idea the excitement they would ...
Vietnamese Model Organizes Fashion Show At NYC’s Tallest Building
Vietnamese model, Jessica Minh Anh, continues her quest to hold fashion shows at iconic locations. After erecting runways in places like the Grand Canyon and the Petronas Towers, Anh held a multicultu...
[Photos] Vietnam’s World Famous “Aquascapists”
Surprise fact: Vietnam is a perennial powerhouse when it comes to aquarium design.
Brian Letwin in Culture
This Is What Happened When A Woman Was Photoshopped In 25 Different Countries
We know that standards of beauty differ from country to country, but we never would have imagined that they fluctuated this much.
The Only Cross-Dressing Dance In Vietnam
Against the backdrop of Vietnamese gender sensitivities that are based on a feudally influenced culture, it is ironic that one of the country’s most unique dances, one that is over 1,000 years old, is...
Brian Letwin in Culture
[Video] This Japanese Kid Has Insane Yo-Yo Skills
Since I have trouble mastering even the simple things in life, watching this Japanese kid destroy gravity with his yo-yo makes me feel slightly depressed.
Trend: Vietnam’s Rich Show Off Their Wealth With Castles
Finding themselves with overflowing bank accounts, some of Vietnam’s wealthy are putting their money into real estate. But not only are they buying land, but building castles.
Local Graffiti Artists Want To Paint Saigon’s Old And Empty Walls
While in the West graffiti art is a form of anti-establishment expression, some artists in Vietnam are focusing on its visual elements, using it as a tool for beautification of city streets.
