Nguyen Phan Que Mai in Culture
On the Cusp of a Modern New Year, Reflections on a Simpler Tet Past
Every year, as the pages from my block calendar peel off, bringing me towards another Vietnamese New Year, my mind once again fills with nostalgia about an old Tet. Tet in my memory begins with my childhood in a small house nestled under a coconut grove on the outskirts of Bac Lieu in the Mekong Delta. Those were days of hardship, yet my parents worked hard so that Tet could bloom magnificently for all of us.
Saigoneer in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 21: The Year of the Rat Wedding
They say it's bad to get married during your year on the Lunar Calendar.
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
Art Platform S.E.A. Focus Brings Together 20 Galleries From Vietnam, Asia
In its second year, the art platform brought together 20 galleries from across Asia and beyond, highlighting a diverse range of contemporary Asian artists in one space.
Thi Nguyen in Music & Arts
Fashion, Contemporary Art Ruminations Intermingle in Designer Cong Tri's 'Cục Im Lặng'
Cuc Im Lang, the latest exhibition from renowned fashion designer Nguyen Cong Tri, presented ten collections spanning his 20-year career through the lens of ten contemporary artists across different mediums and practices.
Khoi Pham in Culture
[Illustrations] The Mythological Race That Created Vietnam's Zodiac, Retold in Watercolor
After 12 years, Vietnam’s zodiac cycle will once again reset to welcome the Year of the Mouse, the first animal in the dozen.
Michael Tatarski in Travel
Saigoneer Getaways: To a Saigoneer, Phnom Penh Is Same Same, But Different
Is it possible to even recognize everything that has changed after 10 years?
Zula Rabikowska in Culture
[Photos] A Night With Kim Lee, the Only Vietnamese Drag Queen in Poland
There are only around 30 drag queens in Poland, and just one of them has Vietnamese roots: Kim Lee.
Raquel Guerra Aragonés in Music & Arts
The Masterful Urban Symbolism of 'Turn Left, Turn Right' Author Jimmy Liao
Jimmy Liao is a prolific Taiwanese illustrator and author who has expanded readership of picture books beyond children to general audiences. With sensitivity and creativity, he crafts each of his stories to become a journey through human feelings, a pathway towards Liao’s inner world, a world worth reviewing.
Saigoneer in Film & TV
[Photos] China's Massive Film Studios Are a Full-Fledged Alternate Universe
“Across the country, entire towns have been constructed around making movies. Moreover, movie sets in China are not mere plywood facades, but monumental fortresses, maze-like palaces, and complete urb...
Saigoneer in Music & Arts
Singapore Biennale Features Works by Vietnamese Artists Ngoc Nau, Le Quang Ha
If you happen to be in Singapore in the next few months, check out the works of Ngoc Nau and Le Quang Ha as part of the Singapore Biennale 2019.
Thi Nguyen in Music & Arts
In 'Method,' Performers Explore Contemporary Dance's Universe of Movements
On the day of my visit, the dancers of ‘Method’ were practicing an exercise that involves many people crashing into each other before they all proceed to fall to the ground; their movements resemble v...
Saigoneer in Culture
[Video] The Effortlessly Cool Longboarders Conquering Saigon Sidewalks in Áo Dài
Have you ever seen something so effortlessly kickass?
Saigoneer in Travel
Bamboo Airways Is Vietnam's Most Punctual Airline in 2019 (So Far)
But do they play 'Hello Vietnam' on endless repeat while taxiing?
Michael Tatarski in Film & TV
[Video] A Day in the Life of an Ordinary Schoolgirl in Saigon
What might life be like for a public school student in Saigon who hails from a less well-off family?
Saigoneer in Arts & Culture
Saigoneer Podcast: The Air Pollution Problem; the Bubble Tea Bubble Bursts
Episode 70 is out now!
Saigoneer in Literature
3 Vietnamese Authors Honored With Southeast Asian Writers Awards
Nguyen The Quang, Tran Hung and Le Minh Khue were each honored for their work at the Southeast Asian Writers Awards in Bangkok.
Paul Christiansen in Literature
Saigoneer Bookshelf: Americana Through a Vietnamese Lens in 'Butterfly Yellow'
“Read what you don’t know because if you can already imagine it, then you can already imagine it; but if you can’t, then open up something that reveals a world you can’t imagine and then suddenly you’...
Saigoneer in Travel
Hoi An Inches Closer to 'Bicycle Town' Goal With New Pedestrian-Only Street
Another major street in Hoi An has been approved to become a walking plaza in the future.
Saigoneer in Arts & Culture
Saigoneer Podcast: Alternative Medicine in the Modern World; Can Netflix Dethrone YouTube?
A new episode is out now!
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
How Saigon Brought Together Skeleton Goode, the City's Latest Psych Rock Band
While some may find it hard to explore Saigon's music scene given the dearth of live venues, record labels and media coverage, bands like Skeleton Goode ensure that Saigoneers can enjoy a wide range o...
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
A Young Violist's Take on Performing in Saigon's All-Vietnamese Orchestra
Notes leap and prance out of bamboo flute the way a cricket prances between stalks of grass.
Saigoneer in Film & TV
'The Third Wife' Nominated for 3 Independent Spirit Awards
The controversial film got nods for Best Cinematography and Best Editing, while director Ash Mayfair was nominated as 'someone to watch.'
Khoi Pham in Film & TV
Review: Despite Laughable Jump Scares, 'Bac Kim Thang' Is Surprisingly Smart and Topical
With lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta as the background, Bac Kim Thang is surprisingly wicked and intelligent, but most importantly, it provides feminist advocates a new way to topple the patriarch...
Saigoneer in Travel
Vietnam's Latest Tourist Attraction Is a Glass Bridge and Elevator Near Sapa
At least it's not another cable car?
Nhi Nguyen with photos by Alberto Prieto in Culture
[Photos] Inside Nhat Tao Market, Saigon's Biggest Informal Recycling Center
The areas around Nhat Tao Market, spanning the border of District 10 and District 11, are well-known for their bustling economy of second-hand electronics and machines.
Saigoneer in Music & Arts
[Video] Saigon Studio Creates Endearing Tribute to Teachers in Animated Video
Today, at public schools across Vietnam, a festive mood fills the atmosphere as students and teachers take part in the national celebration of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day.
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
In November, Two Music Festivals Set to Rock Southern Vietnam
The next two weekends will be huge for live music in southern Vietnam.
Saigoneer in Arts & Culture
Saigoneer Podcast: Our Nguyen Hue Upgrades; We're Loud Fest Organizer Peter Menchetti
A new Saigoneer Podcast episode is out now!
