The ISHCMC Advantage: Lifelong Learning Begins in Early Years
“Each morning, the gates open to the joyful rhythm of footsteps and confident smiles. Students independently stroll in, waving to friends and familiar adults, ready to begin the day. With great enthusiasm, they engage in conversations, unpack their bags, tuck away their belongings, and proudly ‘check in’ before eagerly venturing off to discover what learning awaits them. This sense of confidence, independence, and joy isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a thoughtfully designed environment and an intentional approach to learning that nurtures essential life skills through meaningful play.”
Khôi Phạm in Travel
Bask in the Morning Sun in the Green Heart of Huế Along the Hương River
As tourists, it's in our built-in compass to seek out novelties and excitements, if anything, to remind us that our daily humdrum is not everything, and there exists a world out there with multitudes to explore.
More Than Just Prosperity, Ông Địa Is My Personal Patron Saint of Misplaced Things
I was maybe seven when I first clasped my hands and whispered a plea to Ông Địa.
The Charming 1990s Nostalgia in the Phim Mì Ăn Liền Cinematic Universe
If you lurk around online discussions of Vietnamese cinema, you probably have stumbled upon the term phim mì ăn liền, or “instant noodles films.” This popular Vietnamese expression describes local motion pictures with low-effort production value. But the term is not merely a common moniker. It dates back to the 1990s, when a specific type of commercial flick got audiences flocking to the cinema.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
An Homage to the Sounds of Saigon Past That Are Going Extinct
After someone or something reaches the end of their days, which aspects of their existence in the minds of those who remain would be the first to succumb to the erosive brush of time? Is it sight, smell, touch, taste, or sound?
Chùa Một Cột in Thailand Reminds Me of the Familiar in an Unfamiliar Land
On my last full day in Khon Kaen, Thailand, I was on a mission to catch the sunset, although the cloudy and gloomy sky didn’t give me much hope. Instead, I randomly stumbled upon a gate with signs written in Vietnamese. Out of curiosity, I decided to walk in, and the farther I walked, the more clearly I spotted a familiar image from afar: a one-pillar pagoda standing right on the edge of the reservoir.
I Grew up With Print Newspapers and Magazines. Now, They're Disappearing.
Print media was a crucial part of my childhood and a friend that opened a window into a vivid world of knowledge that was fascinatingly strange in the eyes of young me. But right at this moment when I hit the streets as an adult, the newspaper vendors of those days seem to have vanished, their colorful spread of magazines gone amid the busyness of today. A quiet transformation and farewell has begun.
Xuân Phương in Culture
In Tây Hồ, an Artisan Community Holds Fast to Their Lotus Tea Traditions
Every sip of lotus tea encapsulates all the essences of the natural landscapes of Tây Hồ.
Event Rewind: Saigon Artbook Party
Last Thursday's Saigon Artbook Party was a hit. From 6 – 11, La Brasserie de Saigon, on the corner of Hai Ba Trung and Dong Du was packed with both locals and foreigners who turned out to support this...
Words: Loaned by the French, Borrowed by the Vietnamese
From pho and banh mi to motorbike culture, elements of French influence can still be found throughout Vietnamese society. The Vietnamese language also contains dozens of French 'loan words' that, whil...
Wine for Cats now Available in Japan (Yes, Really)
It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with our Japanese neighbors who always seem to be one-upping the world when it comes to whacky products. We present to you – cat wine.
Slideshow: On the Red Carpet of "Am Muu Giay Got Nhon"
On Monday, Saigoneer attended the premier of the highly anticipated film, "Am Muu Giay Got Nhon" ("How to Fight in Six Inch Heels"). Since the movie was directed and produced by Viet Kieu and focuses...
Manga and Cosplay in Vietnam
Vietnam is a melting pot for Asian culture and loves to imitate the trends of its neighbors. From economics (China/South Korea) to music (South Korea/Japan) Vietnamese are truly masters of emulation, ...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Street Signs: Nguyễn Huệ - Part 1
In this edition of “Street Signs,” we take a closer look at Nguyen Hue, one of Vietnam’s most prominent folk heroes and successful military commanders. While he died before his vision for Vietnam was ...
Escape Party: Enchanting Circus
From the organizer: a dOSe of ESCAPE – Summer Dance Music Festival in June 2013 at Diamond Island was considered a great music Festival with more than 10,000 participants, and it has created a ...
Behind the Cover: Saigon Artbook
Should art be luxurious or cool? Should it be for the masses or limited only to the educated elite? Should it be displayed only by established galleries or be exhibited in various venues around the ci...
Brian Letwin in Film & TV
Win up to VND20 million for Your Short Film on Vietnamese Street Food
If you enjoy making short films and have a place in your heart for Vietnamese street food, a new competition, "Vietnamese street cuisine" should be right up your alley. Oh, and the winning films will ...
Interview with Award-Winning Filmmaker Ham Tran
"Am Muu Giay Got Nhon" ("How to Fight in Six Inch Heels") is an upcoming, fashion-focused romantic comedy directed by Viet Kieu filmmaker, Ham Tran, his first in Vietnam. Saigoneer sat down with Ham d...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Mayhem: The Age of the Thrift Shop Begins in Saigon
In Vietnam, the land of cheap clothes, western-style thrift shops have yet to take off. Mayhem, a new shop located just behind Ben Thanh Market is looking to change this, offering up stylish, imported...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Vietnam to Remove Ban on Same Sex Marriage
A new government decree, set to go into effect on November 11, 2013, will remove the current fines associated with same-sex marriages in Vietnam. While an important step for LGBT rights in the country...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Interview: Pierre Ogeron, Creator of the 'Saigon Sail' Time Lapse
Yesterday, we posted Pierre Ogeron’s awesome time lapse film of Saigon which proved to be quite a hit. We got in touch with Pierre who was kind enough to answer some of our questions about his motiva...
Opening Exhibition - "Red Thread" by Bui Tien Tuan @ Craig Thomas Gallery
Women in Vietnam are often depicted in art wearing the traditional Ao Dai and conical hats, or at least this is what misleading collective imagination and popular culture want us to believe. This ste...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Profits and Contradictions: Inside SE Asia’s Dog Meat Trade
Though eating dog has long been part of Vietnamese culture, the illicit dog meat trade in SE Asia has been growing rapidly over the past few years. Recently, cross-border smuggling of the animals has ...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Video: Perhaps the Best Saigon Time Lapse Yet
We've seen a number of great Saigon time lapse videos recently. With the city's streams of constant movement, it's a natural location for this cinematic technique. A new time lapse by Pierre Ogeron g...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Video: The Differences Between Saigon and Hanoi
Earlier this year, Graphic designer, Nhat Le created a book depicting the many cultural differences between Hanoi and Saigon. Now, the Pho Team has taken the regional battle a step further with the h...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Can Vinyl Make a Comeback in Vietnam?
According to online retailer, Amazon.com, vinyl is its “fastest growing music medium.” With a 745% increase in sales since 2008, many are proclaiming the comeback of our favorite analog audio (sorry 8...
Brian Letwin in Film & TV
Short Film: My Journey to Work
As many of us struggle with motivation on Mondays (or any weekday for that matter), it’s not always easy to get yourself going. Sometimes, it takes a dose of external inspiration, like the video below...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Vietnamese Airlines Struggle with Cigarette Smoking, Mobile Phone Using Passengers
So, apparently smoking on flights is a thing in Vietnam. Vietnamese airlines are struggling with flagrant abuses of standard, in-flight safety regulations as customers have been found smoking in bath...
