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.
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.
Saigon Urban Legends: Haunted 727 Tran Hung Dao
Located at 727 Tran Hung Dao, this District 5 dwelling was once called the President Building and housed hundreds of American soldiers. Commissioned by millionaire Nguyen Tan Doi, this building, which...
New Art Initiative In Saigon: Sao La
Here is a new addition in town that art lovers will welcome with open arms. Sao La is a non-profit initiative by the well-established Gallery Quynh, located on the ground floor of the HCMC Fine Art Mu...
[Video] Tuồng: Vietnam’s Disappearing Traditional Face Painting
Tuồng is a type of traditional folk performance which is characterized in part by the use of abstract face-painting. Performers hide their real faces under a piece of art, which symbolize their charac...
Da Nang’s Dragon Bridge Gets International Praise For Lighting Design
Da Nang's world famous bridge is back in the proverbial spotlight. After winning an international engineering award back in May, the central city’s Dragon Bridge was recently honored at the Internatio...
[Photos] Local Artist Creates Beautiful Aluminum And Wood Bird Sculptures
Interweaving the arts of sculpture and installation, Thai Nhat minh’s solo exhibition last year, “The Birds” captured feelings of captivity and yearning for freedom through his wooden and aluminum bir...
A Guide To Honking In Vietnam
Saigoneer contributor, Eric van der Vorst, created this playful list to help us decipher the meaning behind the symphony of honks and beeps that echo through Vietnam's roads and cities.
22 Head-Spinning Vietnamese Tongue Twisters
Due to its six tones, Vietnamese is far from the easiest language to learn. In case you wanted to further confound yourself, here's a list of 22 Vietnamese tongue twisters that will have even some Vie...
10 Incredible Photos Of Life On Hanoi's Train Tracks
Traffic in Vietnam is crazy but the train tracks that skirt through Hanoi’s residential areas reach levels of insanity.
Brian Letwin in Culture
Vietnam’s Most Entertaining Facebook Group Hits Milestone
Part of the joy of living in Vietnam is finding humor and beauty in everyday life. Our favorite Facebook group, Another Side of Vietnam (ASOV), does just this. Its members post tongue-in-cheek ph...
Flea Market @ Khoi Thom
It's time for BIG SALES at Khoi Thom, come around to enjoy the best prices ever on amazing brands like: Harmony,La Fiancée du facteur, Nua, TuliMuli, La Petite épicerie,Nadège Simard and get ama...
Chitra Ganesh: Architectures Of Myth @ Hoa Sen University
This lecture will explore the power of key visual and storytelling devices central to mythological narrative and their particular ongoing legacy in contemporary visual and popular culture.I will begin...
Many of Vietnam's Historical Sites Are Becoming Ruins
Vietnam may be rich in history, but many of the country’s historical sites are disintegrating as local governments lack the funds to restore them.
TEDxYouth: The Transparency @ Âu Cơ Palace
Until now we have only perceived this world through our naked eyes...
[Photos] Dull Saigon Alley Gets A Graffiti Facelift
In bustling downtown Saigon, where it seems like development dictates aesthetics, alleyway 15B on Le Thanh Ton Street is among the few public places in the city where art is accessible to residents of...
Artist Paul Frank Wagner To Exhibit In Con Dao
Less than two weeks ago, I attended the opening of Sao La. While in the midst of the hustle and bustle typical of the opening of an art space, I found myself chatting away with artist Paul Frank Wagne...
4 of Vietnam’s Most Beautiful Schools
Well-known for both their elegant, classic architecture and the quality of education they provide, these 4 Vietnamese schools have stood the test of time.
Yersin Documentary To Premier In Hanoi, HCMC
To commemorate the 120-year anniversary of Alexandre Yersin’s discovery of the deadly Bacillus virus and a lifetime of devotion to science and humanity, the Swiss Embassy joined forces with filmmaker,...
