Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
Review: Thịnh Suy, Datmaniac Deliver Earnestness in 'Tự,' an Experiment in Spirituality
Following the musical works of Thịnh Suy means always being on alert for sudden song drops, sometimes without even a cryptic social media status update as a harbinger. Thịnh’s latest creation, ‘Tự,’ came to be in a similar fashion: the vocal version was unveiled in August, while a few days ago, another version with a rap verse by Datmaniac came out.
Nguyễn Bình Phương's Tale of Magical Realism Revels in Absurdity
“Clip-clop, clip-clop.” So goes the sound of the water buffalo hooves pulling a wagon through the highlands against the magenta sky of an unending sunset. The wagon is guided by a nameless driver, and onboard are three travelers: a veteran referred to as “the Man” and two other younger men.
I Grew up Among Ducks in the Mekong Delta. They Always Remind Me of Home.
On a recent ritual walk around my suburb, I was held up by the sight of a middle-aged man with his “fur kid.” I introduced myself and when he heard the word “Vietnam,” his eyes lit up and with a smile as he tumbled out the words: “The Mekong Delta. Ducks.”
In Hien's Debut Album, a Self-Discovery Journey Through Vietnam, Hungary and the US
After a decade writing and gathering materials, Hien recently published her debut album, “Trăng Qua.”
‘Echoes of Tonkin’ Exhibition Challenges Clichéd Narratives of 20th-Century Vietnamese Art
“Echoes of Tonkin: Vietnamese Modern Art” opens in Hong Kong to challenge reductive narratives and clichés about 20th-century Vietnamese art.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Art Project ‘The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams’ Is a Wild Alchemy of Vé Số and Photography
Vé số ticket number 984430 yields a magenta fish contorting atop a ghostly image of an apartment high-rise in Tân Phú in “The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams – Topographies of the Unseen,” an art project by photographer Christian Berg. The experimental project, available to view in full online, employs computer technology to combine photography, numerology, and mythology and playfully reimagine how one visualizes Saigon.
In MARG1N, a Resolute Return to Print Media That Dissects Southeast Asian Cinema
The joy of reading, for most of my life, had been primarily grounded in the joy of learning, feeling, and thinking through words, independent of medium. That is, until college, when I found myself repeatedly longing for Thursday mornings, when the week’s freshly printed student newspaper would arrive neatly folded and stacked, ready to be spread over the dining-hall table like wrapping paper. I came to realize then that the joy of reading was not simply about words; it was also about the tactile touch of paper and of the inexplicable satisfaction of flipping through pages bigger than my hands could reasonably manage.
By Preserving Tradition, Honoring Creativity and Showcasing Sustainability, Young Vietnamese Chefs Excel at Ngon Challenge by Marriott International
The glossy menus, sleek decor, and iconic logos of international hotel restaurants often obscure the human stories behind each dish. While catering to global guests, these restaurants often serve meals with origins in family kitchens and regional culinary traditions. Young, local chefs balance nostalgic associations with contemporary techniques and creative expression to create these menus. Returning for its second year this past September, Ngon Challenge continued to celebrate and nurture Vietnamese culinary talent across Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Vietnam.
[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...
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...
