Khôi Phạm

in Literature

5 Indie Bookstores in Saigon for Those Who Are Addicted to the Scent of Paper

Most Saigoneers who spent their formative years in the 2000s and 2010s probably grew up amongst the aisles of bookstores, not because we were particularly bookaholic, but because they were pretty much the only third place around with free air-conditioning.

Paul Christiansen

in Music & Arts

Review: Saigon Soul Revival Returns to Familiar Inspiration on 3rd Album ‘Chốn Ta Về’

More ambitious and self-assured than ever, Saigon Soul Revival (SSR) embraces their own sound and its many influences on their latest album, “Chốn ta về.”

in Music & Arts

Phương Mỹ Chi's Latest MV Tells Eternal Love Story in Vietnam's Khmer Community

After forays into the worlds of reality TV and cinema, Vietnam’s folk pop princess Phương Mỹ Chi has returned to her roots with a fresh new full-length album, pioneered by the lead single ‘Thiên đường với người thương’ (lit: In heaven with my beloved).

in Music & Arts

Tracing My Family's Fondness for French Tunes, From Colonial Times to Vietnamese Versions

“Tombe la merde; tu ne viendras pas ce soir [Shit is falling; you’re not coming tonight]”: an outburst of laughter and applause would inevitably fill the room as my dad, in his deep, mellifluous voice, put his own profane twist on Salvatore Adamo’s ‘Tombe la neige.’ This track, like ‘Paroles… Paroles…’ by Dalida or Christophe’s ‘Aline,’ are widely known and adored in both France and my family in Vietnam. My childhood unfolded against these rhythms, melodies, and lyrics, whose origins were so far removed from me, both temporally and geographically.

in Culture

But What Even Is an Expat: Unpacking the Highly Contentious Term, in Vietnam and Abroad

“Expat is a racist as hell term” — this is the take of Misan Harriman on the popular internet show  SubwayTakes. The ...

Adrien Jean

in Travel

The Enigmatic Neon-Lit World in the Mist of Sapa

Is there a more atmospheric place in Vietnam than Sapa on a misty night?

Khôi Phạm

in Music & Arts

Review: Pieces of Me | Nao Yoshioka (feat. Mỹ Anh)

Mỹ Anh has come a long way since becoming the runner-up of The Heroes in 2021. Five years later, now with a full-length album and a spectrum of singles and extended plays under her belt, the Hanoi-based artist has proven to be one of the most dynamic singer-songwriter-producer of her generation.

in Music & Arts

Art Exhibition ‘Limerence’ Explores Where Romantic Desire Distorts Into Obsession

Thom Nguyen utilizes portraiture and depictions of mushrooms and organic objects to explore the concept of limerence in a solo exhibition at Permanently Closed Gallery in Thảo Điền, beginning Friday, August 28.

Back Arts & Culture

in Culture

Inside Nhật Tảo 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.

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.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Our Nguyen Hue Upgrades; We're Loud Fest Organizer Peter Menchetti

A new Saigoneer Podcast episode is out now!

in Culture

Cà Phê, Stork, Dragon: What Should Miss Universe Vietnam's National Costume Be This Year?

Can this year’s national costume top last year’s perfect bánh mì tribute?

in Film & TV

How Hanoi’s Queer Film Week Bridges LGBTQ Communities With Wider Society

The third annual Hanoi International Queer Film Week (HIQFW) is all about love.

in Film & TV

Japanese Anthology Film 'Angel Sign' Adapts 2 Comics by Vietnamese Manga Artists

A new cinematic anthology by Japanese author Tsukasa Hojo will feature storylines by two Vietnamese manga artists.

in Music & Arts

An Introduction to Hanoi's Flourishing Independent Music Scene

From fusion bands to pianists and close-knit young collectives, Hanoi’s independent music scene is blooming.

in Culture

[Video] Nas Daily Is in Vietnam to Remind Us Why We're Happy

If you’re not content with your life right now, fret not, for travel video blogger Nas Daily is here in the flesh to remind you why Vietnam is a deliriously happy country.

in Film & TV

HBO Film on Vietnamese Cuisine Pulled From Schedule Over Racy Sex Scenes

A Vietnam-themed HBO Original feature was recently pulled off air, shocking local fans who were looking forward to seeing local culinary creations in an international project.

Paul Christiansen

in Postcards

Saigon Postcard No. 19: Learning to Swim

Folk wisdom offers a unique way to achieve aquatic efficiency. 

Khoi Pham

in Music & Arts

With Debut Album 'Họa Âm Xưa,' Saigon Soul Revival Brings Back Old-School Cool

From covers of old songs from the 1960s and 70s, Saigon Soul Revival now presents their own original music in an exciting debut album, a continuation both in spirit and execution of the silvery vein o...

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Traditional Vietnamese Culture's Role in Pop Culture; Dessert Fight

The latest episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is out now!

Khoi Pham

in Film & TV

6 Vietnamese TV Classics That Should Be on Netflix Instead of 'Hậu Duệ Mặt Trời'

Gone were the days of timing one’s bathroom dash exactly during commercial breaks and gathering around a neighbor’s old television set, the only one in the entire alley, to relish every minute of a ho...

in Music & Arts

[Illustrations] An Emptier Side of Tokyo in Naoki Tomita's Oil Paintings

One thing that can safely be said about Tokyo is that it is not under-represented visually.

in Culture

In 'Ba Lan,' a Photographer Maps the Diverse Identities of Poland's Vietnamese Diaspora

Poland is a largely mono-ethnic country with a negative immigration rate and has one of the lowest rates of foreigners in the European Union. Even migration specialists are often shocked to hear about...

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: The Lure of the 'Promised Land' and the Collapse of Mon Hue

We're back after a little break!

Michael Tatarski

in Music & Arts

District 105 Leads Saigon's Metal Scene Into a Bright, Loud Future

"You don't listen to music like this usually, right?" Huynh Hoang Huy asks before he and his bandmates rip into another hard-driving song from their catalogue.

in Culture

Vietnamme Project Explores How Vietnamese Culture Transformed Through the Eras

The Vietnamme Project aims to reinterpret ancient Vietnamese cultural traditions with a contemporary outlook, via artistic and visual practices. Ahead of our first major event on December 15, we'd lik...

Thi Nguyen

in Music & Arts

Review: On Ngọt’s Newest Album, Urban Loneliness Lingers on Mellow Strings

Ngot’s latest album brilliantly captures the band’s most appealing quality: the ability to walk the fine line between playful brightness and bitter profundity.