The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market
Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where lo...
The Story of Quách Đàm, the Man Who Shaped Modern Chợ Lớn — Part 1
Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Boulevard (the former quai Gaudot) in central Chợ Lớn preserves several elegant old colonial shophouse buildings, but perhaps the most interesting of all is the one at No. 45, once ...
The Story of Quách Đàm, the Man Who Shaped Modern Chợ Lớn — Part 2
By the 1920s, the old Bình Tây Market and much of the surrounding land had belonged to Quách Đàm, so he proposed to the colonial authorities the demolition of the existing building and the constructio...
Abandoned Temple in District 2
Abandoned Temple. Parts of central District 2 are currently a mish-mash of leveled neighborhoods where all that remain are the skeletons of old buildings.
An Early View of a Barely Developed Saigon in the 1860s
Dropping a modern Saigoneer into the 1860s version of the city would be a wildly disorienting experience.
Contrasting Past & Present
Old bridge. Photo by Khánh Hmoong If you love old Vietnam photos as much as we do, you’ll get a kick out of these which contrast the present and past of some of Vietnam’s most famous sites.
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Chill Outdoor Lounge Brings Serene Buzz to Thảo Điền
Thảo Điền is filled with trendy cocktail spots and cozy dinner joints, but one new venue aims to stand out like a beacon in the dark.
A Culinary Revelation Unveiled at Le Méridien Saigon with Executive Chef Phi Công
In the heart of Saigon, Chef Phi Công, the Executive Chef at Le Méridien Saigon recently unveiled an innovative, sensory-driven dining experience.
Bringing Beauty into Event Experiences at Villa Song
“If you think you’re beautiful, but you are not in a beautiful place; it’s not perfect,” explained Arief Gunawan, Villa Song’s General Director, to a gathering of business leaders last month.
How An Lam Retreats Saigon River is Revolutionizing Wellness
Though wellness continues to be a common refrain offered by resorts in Vietnam and around the world, it’s often used to describe services like spas, steam rooms and saunas at far-flung resorts. A 25-m...
Modern and Traditional Flavors Intertwine in Miss Thu’s Exciting New Dining Concept
Truly new dining concepts are few and far between in Saigon with typical fine dining and set menus occasionally being joined by the likes of “night brunches.” Some venues choose to be a bit more darin...
An Lam Retreats Saigon River: An Oasis for Families to Reconnect and Recharge
For professionals with families, living in Saigon poses a number of challenges, especially a lack of public spaces and fresh air. For many parents, a trip to a verdant cafe or kids club is the mo...
