[Video] Saigon Artists Craft Beautiful, Handmade Lucky Money Envelopes
With the lunar new year just days away, everyone is scrambling to complete their last-minute Tet preparations, from getting a haircut to re-painting the house to stocking up on those ever-important lì...
The Story of Ông Táo, the Kitchen God Who Rides a Carp to Heaven
This evening, as Saigoneers continue their many Tet preparations and young revellers head out for a night on the town, Ong Tao is packing his bags for his annual trip to heaven.
[Photos] The Weird Fruits of Tet Are Coming
With Tet fast approaching, Vietnam’s array of strange, misshapen fruits is returning in full force.
[Photos] Meet Hanoi's Savvy Grasshopper Hunters
For most of Vietnam’s farming community, grasshoppers pose a real threat to fields and plantations. However for a particular commune in Hanoi’s suburban areas, these pesky insects have become a signif...
As Indonesia Modernizes, a Remote Culture Begins to Fade Away
Far removed from the rapidly modernizing cities of Indonesia, the Mentawai people are struggling to reconcile their traditional way of life with the country's development.
Vietnamese Designer Sparks Debate With Modernized National Costume
Miss Vietnam's national costume for the 2016 Miss Supranational beauty pageant, created by designer Le Long Dung, has sparked debate over its cultural accuracy.
How Your Phone Number Affects Your Fortune
“Too many nines,” Diep scoffs. “And you think it’s good? It’s not, honey.”
[Photos] The Fabulous Lives of Hong Kong's Shop Cats
Life as a cat in Hong Kong’s shops is fabulous.
[Photos] The Discomfort of a Rush Hour Ride on Tokyo's Metro
Though it’s not (yet) a reality for Saigoneers, there are certain discomforts inherent in a rush hour commute by metro.
[Photos] 3D-Printed Chess Set Features Famous Figures From Vietnamese History
A trio of RMIT students are turning heads after creating a custom chess set featuring famous figures from Vietnamese history.
[Photos] National History Museum Celebrates 90s ‘Luxury Items’ From Hanoi
In the age of Instagram, selfies and social media, it’s easy to forget how much Vietnam has changed in the last few decades.
[Photos] Inside Saigon's Vibrant Lantern Artisan Communities
In Saigon’s Chinese quarter, “lantern streets” have always been one of the most popular spots in the city come mid-autumn.
[Photos] Engl(ish) T-Shirts From Around Asia
As the nuances of English sometimes elude even native speakers, perhaps it’s no surprise that those with a less firm grasp of the language often struggle to correctly identify which words and idioms a...
[Photos] Vacuum-Packed Japanese Wedding Photos Will Take Your Breath Away
Japan continues to provide plenty of material when it comes to bizarre trends. The latest? Vacuum-packed wedding photos.
Inside Quang Nam's Bizarre Cow Beauty Pageant
Last week, a town in Quang Nam Province played host to an unusual spectacle: a cow beauty pageant.
[Illustrations] Local Artists Bring Vietnam's Eclectic Shopfronts to Life
A group of Vietnamese illustrators has created a collection of colorful artwork inspired by the architecture of modern Vietnamese cities.
[Video] Áo Dài Takes Center Stage Among Asia's Most Beautiful Wedding Dresses
When Vietnam is mentioned around the world, the country often conjures up images of phở, bánh mì, streets of jam-packed traffic and áo dài.
[Video] TV Commercial Provides Graceful Glimpse of Saigon's Outer Districts
This stunning commercial for Coca-Cola’s energy drink Samurai is a love letter to Saigon’s strange mix of urban chaos and beauty.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Foreign-Educated Academics Challenge Cultural Norms
In The Renovation Generation’s 11th episode, the Hanoi-based podcast introduces two ambitious academics, Trang Pham and Mai Thanh, both of whom are working to fight poverty and inequality in Vietnam.
[Photos] A Day in the Life of Hanoi's Last Blacksmith
As Hanoi gears up for modern mega-projects like a US$1 billion metro line and the world’s tallest broadcasting tower, one third-generation artisan holds fast to his family’s traditional craft.
