Paul Christiansen in Literature
Meet Dạ Ngân, the Author of the Most Important Vietnamese Novel You've Never Read
When the wind strafes Dạ Ngân’s window, seedpods shake and rattle like spent bullet casings in the tamarind tree that Americans planted decades ago. They also built the large apartment complex where she now lives. It’s an ironic place to call home, considering Dạ Ngân was a resistance fighter in the south during the American War.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
What Can Vietnamese License Plates Tell You About the Vehicles and Who Drives Them?
There was a game I used to play with my dad whenever we would stop at a traffic light. He would point to a random license plate in front of us and quiz me on where it came from.
Mũi Né Among Top 10 Trending Travel Destinations Globally in 2026, Booking Says
Travel site Booking.com dubbed Mũi Né “one of 2026’s trending travel spots,” reflective of the international attention and domestic emphasis the beach city is currently receiving.
Euphoria, Ruin, Nostalgia: Tracing Hanoi's Changing Skyline by Its Soundtrack
From loudspeakers broadcasting construction anthems during wartime to melancholic ballads mourning vanished street corners, Hanoi's soundtrack reveals a city that has never quite learned to live in its present tense.
Paul Christiansen in Rewind
In 'Cú Và Chim Se Sẻ,' a Director's Radical Empathy for Saigon's Less Fortunate
“They can do what they want. The city owns the zoo. They could sell all the animals here. They could turn it into a golf course. We’re just little people — you and me.”
In 'No Man River,' Dương Hướng Highlights the Raw Pain of Postwar Survival
Dương Hướng’s No Man River (Bến không chồng) was first published in 1991 and won the Vietnam Writers' Association Prize for Fiction. Translated into English by Quan Manh Ha and Charles Waugh, it captures the brutal reality of conflict in Vietnam from 1945 to 1979.
Nguyễn Đức Tín Weaves Spirituality, Faith, Everyday Life Altogether in His Paintings
Can a painting reflect who we are, even if we can’t see ourselves thoroughly? And how does faith guide us forward in life?
Liên Bỉnh Phát Makes History as 1st Vietnamese to Win Best Male Lead in Taiwan
Vietnamese actor Liên Bỉnh Phát recently made history at one of Taiwan’s most prestigious national award ceremonies.
Today is Vulan, the Day of Mother Worship and Welcoming Ghosts
If you're wondering why the Buddha flags are out and why all your Buddhist friends are eating vegetarian today, that's because it's one of Vietnam's coolest holidays - Vulan.
Brian Letwin in Culture
Saudi Man, Exiled for Being Too Đẹp, on His Way to Vietnam
You may recall hearing the story of Omar Borkan Al Gala, a Saudi man deported from his home country for being too handsome. Well, luckily this is no crime in Vietnam and the exiled, really, really ri...
Brian Letwin in Film & TV
Films Coming to Vietnam This August
We know we’re a few weeks late, but here’s a list of films being released in Vietnam this month. Descriptions from IMDB.
Beautiful, 100-year-old Water Paintings of Vietnam
You know how much we love to post old photos of Vietnam. But every now and then it's nice to switch up the medium a bit, so today, we present some beautiful, turn-of-the 20th century water color paint...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Vietnam in the Frame for New Season of BBC World News Programmes
The BBC will be televising a number of stories relating to Vietnam starting August 24.
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
The Flaming Lips - Zaireeka Listening Party --AND-- a Special Screening of the Rockumentary, The Fearless Freaks
An evening of music and cinema.
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Lush Pajama Party
From the organizer: Time to dress up again! Ladies and gentleman get ready for the sexiest and funnest pajama party ever. Join us for an amazing evening as Mr. Jolly and the Pajama Jam Sexy Dancers ...
South East Asian Portraits - A Documentary Series
Sunday 5 p.m - I have just finished work and I look outside the window like a child on Christmas morning, hoping that the rain has stopped. No luck. I prepare myself for yet another ride under the rai...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Event: Japandroids Bringing Euphoric Rock to Saigon
From the Organizer For the 4th installment of Loud Minority, the Saigon based club night will host acclaimed Canadian rock-duo, Japandroids at Cargo Bar.
Awkward Allies: North Korea and Vietnam
A recent article from NK News examines the slightly awkward relationship between North Korea and Vietnam since the beginning of the Cold War. Starting in the 1950s, Hanoi and Pyonyang became uneasy al...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Event: PechaKucha Returns on August 15th
PechaKucha is exactly the kind of event Saigon needs - a place for forward thinkers to meet other like-minded indiviguals, share expierences and network.
Creative Shakes - Where Art Comes to Life
Who defines art? Who can make art? Who is an artist? These questions have been explored, dealt with and talked about by artists and critics since the beginning of the 20th Century. The perception and ...
Brian Letwin in Culture
Casinos in Vietnam: Boom or Bust?
As Vietnam continues to hand out investment licenses for massive casino projects, some wonder whether they will help boost tax revenues as the government hopes or become development albatrosses, sitti...
The Saigonese
When it comes to the city’s moniker, the people here prefer ‘Saigon’ to ‘Ho Chi Minh City’ since ‘Saigon’ evokes greater emotion and connection to the city’s history. As an introduction, may I take th...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Insane Timelapse of Saigon Traffic
This insane time lapse video, created by Rob Whitworth, is a culmination of 10,000 RAW images and multiple shoots and perfectly captures the energy and spirit of our fair city. The film won Best Expe...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Video: A Little Vietnamese Hip Hop For Your Thursday Morning
Check out this dope cut, Resurrection Cypher Pt.1, from DC, YunoSk, V-Soul, BlackMurder and Pain. The flow is definitely there but our Vietnamese isn't quite good enough to catch the lyrics. If anyon...
Event: Pow Annual Graffiti Competion this Sunday
Sunday, 4th August 2013 8:00 - 21:00 Saigon Outcast | 188/1 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Thảo Điền, Quận 2 It has been 6 years since party Reborn, the last Graffiti battle at Saigon. Since then, Graf...
Why You Should go to Future Shorts Tonight
Don's miss out on Future Shorts, tonight at Decibel. Our Arts & Culture contributer, Zelda Rudzitsky, caught the first showing last weekend at Snap Cafe. Here's what she though of this month'...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Old Songs and Album Covers from Vietnam's Musical 'Golden Era'
Vietnamese pop music in the 60s and 70s was awesome. Inspired by folk, country and rock & roll, scores of local singers created their own, Vietnamese take on these genres with fantastic results. ...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
Silk Painting Exhibition at Phương My
From the organizer: ‘PAEONIA DREAM: LE HOANG BICH PHUONG’ is the inaugural exhibition launching ‘San Art Productions x Phuong My’ in Ho Chi Minh City – connecting the local cultural community through...
