Great Vietnam Resurrects Nguyễn-Era Fashion, One Traditional Costume at a Time
In the last four to five years, ancient Vietnamese costumes have gained more visibility, becoming a welcome sight among young locals thanks to the efforts to reproduce and promote historic fashion from a number of designers, brands, and interest groups that appreciate the country’s history and traditions.
In the Mekong Delta, Đồ Bộ Is Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
Despite its humble beginning as something worn just for convenience’s sake, đồ bộ has entered every minute of life in the Mekong Delta as a staple fashion choice that’s both flexible and colorful. Đồ bộ means “set outfit” in Vietnamese, a type of female casualwear made of soft, thin fabrics that often comes in a top and long bottom combo. They’re sometimes referred to as “Vietnamese pajamas,” but these comfortable sets can be worn at any time of the day and even outside, not just reserved for sleep like pajamas.
Nguyễn Đổng Chi's Classic Retelling of Vietnam's Fairy Tales, Now in English
Folklorist and anthropologist Nguyễn Đổng Chi dedicated decades to weaving a significant portion of Vietnam’s folklore tapestry. He collected, researched, and rewrote over 200 Vietnamese folktales from all corners of the country. His work, initially scattered across five volumes published individually and consecutively over 25 years, appeared as a complete anthology in 1982. Guided by a comprehensive treatise of Vietnamese folktale, Chi’s Kho tàng truyện cổ tích Việt Nam (Treasury of Vietnamese Folk Tales) might be daunting for readers drawn to Vietnamese folklore but disenchanted by rigorous academic discourse.
Kit Humphrey in Travel
In Thổ Hà Village, Rice Paper Spills Onto the Streets and Wraps Around Daily Life
A few hours after sunrise in the small village of Thổ Hà, Bắc Giang Province, alleyways morph into picturesque tunnels of drying rice paper, while ladies toast crackers over fire in the streets.
Carol Kim Brings to Life Rare Performance of 'Tại Vắng Anh' Thanks to Saigon Jazz Revival
The rich, bluesy ‘Tại vắng anh,’ written by Tuấn Khanh, was performed by Carol Kim this past November at Saigon Jazz Revival's inaugural concert in New Orleans.
Cliché or Parody? Orientalist Readings of Nam Le’s ‘36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem’
One may be surprised to learn that Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel The Sympathizer was rejected by 13 out of 14 publishers before its eventual publication. He describes in an interview why he believes his novel was rejected by all but one publisher he submitted to: “I knew in writing the novel that I was deliberately not doing what I was supposed to do as an Asian American writer, which is [...that] you have to end on a note of Americanization. You have to end on an embrace of the American dream, explicitly or implicitly. And the novel does not do that.” He comments elsewhere along similar lines, “I refuse[d] to subscribe to dominant American narratives and mythologies that allow someone like me a very narrow space to speak.”
Pete Walls in Travel
Watching the Sunset From Lai Châu's Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina
Conquering Mount Fansipan’s 3,147 meters was once a feat reserved for those willing to take on the potential multi-day hike from Sapa to the summit and back.
Vietnam Arrests 7 Suspects Behind Streaming Site HiAnime on Piracy Charges
As part of the current crackdown on intellectual property infringement, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security recently took down a major network of websites providing illegal anime streaming.
Kit Humphrey in Postcards
Hanoi Postcard No. 9: The Turtle God of Hồ Gươm
Hanoi's lakes, including Hồ Gươm, are brimming with fish, debris and memories of historical lore.
Saigoneer Podcast: The Evolution of Pets in Vietnam; the Significance of 'Ghost Month'
We're back with a new episode!
[Short Story] 'Deviate' by Tran Thi NgH
The interplay between lust and creativity, origins of capricious desires and the relationship between art and artist: 'Deviate,' by Vietnamese-writer Tran Thi NgH explores a multitude of themes a...
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 18: The Legend of Turtle Lake
The name "Turtle Lake" has more mythic origins than merely suggesting the presence of aquatic reptiles.
'Deviate' by Tran Thi NgH
The interplay between lust and creativity, origins of capricious desires and the relationship between art and artist: 'Deviate,' by Vietnamese-writer Tran Thi NgH explores a multitude of themes a...
Kit Humphrey in Music & Arts
[Photos] Sixty Square, Hanoi's Beloved Art Quarter, Reopens After Closure Earlier This Year
Upon opening at the beginning of 2018, Sixty Square thrilled Hanoi's young creative crowd. When it suddenly closed earlier this year, it left hearts broken. Now, they're back once again.
This Set of Rare 20th-Century Đông Hồ Paintings Depicts a Society in Flux
The well-known woodcut folk paintings have always offered unique insights into the times during which they were produced.
Tiny Giant on New EP ‘Flying Mouse’ and Bringing Light Into Hanoi’s Greyness
The Hanoi duo’s debut release is so strong you’ll want to shout their name from the rooftops.
Saigoneer Podcast: Deciding Where to Study Abroad; a Ride-Hailing App Update
The latest Saigoneer Podcast episode is out now!
Kit Humphrey in Music & Arts
LAKES’ Debut EP Is an Ambient Homage to Life in Hanoi
LAKES’ debut album draws inspiration as much from American electronic composer Tycho as it does from instrumental post-rock outfits, yet remains, thematically at least, firmly rooted in the Vietnamese...
Michael Tatarski in Arts & Culture
'Reinvent Saigon' Asks Visitors to Reimagine the City and Themselves
Through tomorrow, the week-long Reinvent Saigon festival is taking place at five locations across the city.
To Bring Nature Into the Spotlight, an Architecture and Urbanism Festival Looks to Binh Quoi
Across Asia, urban landscapes are booming. The space they claim spreads further than ever, avidly consuming new land to cope with the influx of inhabitants and enterprises they must house.
Kit Humphrey in Postcards
Hanoi Postcard No. 8: The Golden Hooves That Formed Ho Tay
Do you know how Hanoi’s greatest lake was formed?
Limebócx: The Hanoi Duo Combining Hip-Hop, Beatboxing and Traditional Đàn Tranh
The music of Hanoi based duo Limebócx can be quite difficult to define. By taking elements of modern musical genres such as drum & bass, hip-hop, beatboxing and dub and combining them with t...
[Illustrations] The Retro, Neon Japan of Kyoko Nakamura
These eye-catching illustrations articulate Japan's hyper dualities.
Saigoneer Podcast: The Food Authenticity Debate
The latest podcast episode is available now, and we've got a new recording sound!
Vietnamese Version of Michelle Obama’s Memoir Released in Vietnam
On July 16, First News - Tri Viet officially released the Vietnamese version of Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming.
[Illustrations] The Illusory, Colorful Retro Japan of Kyoko Nakamura
These eye-catching illustrations articulate Japan's hyper dualities.
Turn Over a New Page in Hanoi's Hidden Libraries
I focused my attention on an amplifier lying on the shelf behind Hieu, the founder of Go West Library. He left his seat to retrieve a cable, and after returning he plugged his phone into the machine, ...
[Video] Watch the Cheeky Anti-Plastic PSA That's Taking Vietnam's Cybersphere by Storm
A plastic bag’s life is five times that of an average human.
