Review: 'New Wave' Documentary Is a Surprisingly Personal Dissection of 1980s Nostalgia
Melodic synth-lines and steady electronic drums. Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated. During its high point during the 1980s, however, new wave was hailed as music of the future.
On the Cusp of a Modern New Year, Reflections on a Simpler Tết 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 Tết. Tết in my memory begins with my childhood in a small house nestled under a coconut grove on the outskirts of Bạc Liêu in the Mekong Delta. Those were days of hardship, yet my parents worked hard so that Tết could bloom magnificently for all of us.
A Damaged Masterpiece Reveals How Much We Take Our Cultural Heritage for Granted
A once-damaged national treasure remains on view as if nothing had happened, while other works are displayed with little context — what does this tell us about how art museums preserve Vietnam's cultural heritage and shape our art history narratives today?
In 'Đêm Giao Thừa' EP, a Đàn Tranh Artist Offers Novel Twists on Nostalgic Tết Sounds
Indie đàn tranh artist Brian Bùi has just released Đêm Giao Thừa, an EP containing energetic covers of three classic Tết songs and an original track that pays homage to styles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
Unraveling the Mystery Behind the 'Mùi Việt Kiều' of My Childhood
My favorite candy used to be Hershey’s Kisses. Wrapped in colorful, sparkling foil, these little nubs of decadence made me feel special as a child, not just because of their sugary sweetness, but also because, for much of Vietnam’s contemporary history, you could only enjoy them if you have relatives abroad.
When Lịch Bloc Is Gone, What Will Vietnam Use to Keep Discarded Fish Bones?
I have never bought a lịch bloc, or tear-off calendar, for personal use, because every new year, I'm bound to be gifted a brand-new one. In Vietnam, a calendar is often something one purchases as a present for others.
The Year of the Horse Gallops into The Grand Ho Tram
Inspired by the spirit of the horse, The Grand Ho Tram encourages you to have a year of success, confidence, and new horizons. Traditional Tết performances and activities alongside special feasts and opportunities for revelry will usher in a year of remarkable achievements and memorable moments.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
The Vibrancy of Vietnam's Mundane Depicted by Illustrator Chan-Nhu Le
“I miss that. When I was young, on the motorbike with my friends, it was like ’hey, you have 15 minutes?’ and we just met up [...], had some street food and did literally nothing; just street watching. It was fun,” Chan-Nhu Le shared with Saigoneer about the inspiration for her illustrations.
Fantastic Beasts of Vietnam's Mythology Reimagined by Local Student Project
Drawing from Vietnam’s myths and legends, a young artist has created a series of illustrations of figures that pay tribute to the country’s supernatural beliefs.
At Huyen Trang Pagoda, Spirituality, Charity Campaigns and a Home for Stray Kittens
Huynh Tan Phat, spanning many kilometers paralleling the river in District 7, is typical of many bustling streets, filled with the cacophonous rhythms of Saigon. However, cross the bridge at Pham...
Meet Tô Đậm, the Young Artists Bringing Mural Arts to Schools in Rural Vietnam
Tô Đậm is a non-profit organization founded by artists who share one thing in common: they all love to paint and travel. Their collective works cannot be found at any galleries or museums, even if you...
Linh Pham in Music & Arts
On ‘Ếch Ếch Vol. 1,’ a Mosaic of Hanoi’s Underground Music Scene
Hardcore, indie, metal, folk? The latest compilation album emerging from the capital is as multifaceted as the city itself.
Kiên, the Happy-Go-Lucky Soul Who Makes 'Children's Music for Adults'
Music gives Kiên confidence, and he chooses to make joyful songs to share positive energy with people.
Over 130 Artworks by Mai Trung Thứ Will Be on Display in France in June
It will be the first time many of Mai Trung Thứ's oil on canvas, paintings on silk, drawings, photographs, and lithographs will be available for public viewing.
Mầm in Quãng 8
The Tenderness and Intimacy of Mademoiselle's Quiet Lullabies
Mademoiselle has become a familiar face in the indie music community for her signature soft voice and delicate melodies, which fans say typify the singer as a person. Although she isn’t as well-known ...
Nha Trang's Whale Worship Festival, as Portrayed in This Stunning Graduation Project
The Cầu Ngư Festival, a whale-worshipping tradition that takes place every February on the lunar calendar, has become a source of inspiration for artist Tường Vân’s graduation and illustration project...
18-Year-Old Alexandra Huynh Named US' Next National Youth Poet Laureate
The second-generation Vietnamese-American 18-year-old who considers poetry a matter of self-expression and social justice will help spread and advocate for poetry in America.
Vietnamese Agency Wins Dieline Design Award for Guta Rebranding Campaign
The masterminds behind the eye-catching brand identity of homegrown cafe chain Guta have been bestowed a shiny new award.
Q&A: Shades of Hanoi, a Diary of Many Authors Writing Their Own Version of the City
For Long, Sơn and the young millennials penning Shades of Hanoi, writing is a brave act of self-reflection.
An Ode to Vietnam’s Identity Amidst Modernization via 28 Years' Worth of Photos
Comprising 28 years' worth of photos, the Punk Dragon exhibition makes older visitors feel nostalgic and younger ones pause and think about changes.
Tuyết Nhi in Culture
Fall in Love With the People of Hai Phong, One TikTok at a Time
Being a late-bloomer who is slow to catch up with social media trends, I only just got TikTok installed on my phone about a month ago. As I've found that the majority of the clips on this platform are...
Saigoneer Podcast: Vietnamese Brands Abroad; TV Show Pitches
The latest Saigoneer Podcast episode is out now!
Vietnamese Film 'Taste' Wins Berlin Film Fest Award, Is Fined at Home
This is why we can't have nice things.
Event Series Photo Hanoi ’21 Celebrates Storytelling Through a Camera's Lens
A major series of events dedicated to photography will be available to Hanoians interested in the craft starting this month.
Rapper Wowy Auctions off Blood Portrait to Raise Funds for Children's Hospital
A joint exhibition by rapper Wowy and artist Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn began last month with an auction that yielded hundreds of million of dong that will go towards humanitarian causes.
Vietnam's Traditional Indigo Dyes and Kimono Come Together in Kimono Ơi's Designs
Will there be a day when the image of a woman wearing a helmet, clad in a kimono with ripped jeans while driving around the streets of Saigon becomes the next trend?
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Pull up a Plastic Stool, Break out the Watercolor, We're Painting Saigon
What is worthy of being painted?
Mầm in Quãng 8
Dzũng Phạm, the Progressive Metal Guitarist Enamored With Folk Music
“I want to elevate Vietnamese traditional music to the most glorious and heralded position. There, it's the center of attention, not merely something added just for the sake of embellishment.” Buildin...
