Composer Hoàng Việt and a Radical Romance Across the North-South Border
In a country fractured by ideology, Hoàng Việt's love for his wife Ngọc Hạnh persisted like a secret melody carried across closed borders by weak radio signals, and letters that had to circle the glob...
I Know Where the Caged Bird Sings: The Joy of Saigon's Birdsong Competition
One by one, motorbikes arrived, carrying the tell-tale cages covered with cloth and parked in the gravel lot beside the coffee shop where Saigoneer sat listening to the caged birds suspended above a p...
Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
The 1st Vietnamese Song With 1bn Views on YouTube Is About Ducks
It’s not Hoàng Thùy Linh’s catchy dance track ‘See Tình’ or the crossover Mekong Delta hit ‘Con gái miền Tây,’ the first Vietnamese song to amass one billion — or bill-ion, if you will — on YouTube is...
Weddings, Birthdays, Business Meetings, Master Classes and Community Gatherings: Villa Song Excels at Event Hosting
Sleek white flowers accented by flickering candles contrasted the lush patch of trees across the river as the sun set and the couple exchanged their vows, alternating between laughter and near-tears.&...
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.
Villa Song's Masterclasses Address Vietnam's Hospitality Challenges
Vietnam is facing something of a hospitality crisis.
On Táo's Transformation From Rapper to Curator of Good Taste
"The artist can’t reflect the truths of life if they don’t live, can they?"
The Parlor at Villa Song Adds Intimate Option to Thao Dien’s Culinary Landscape
You may have noticed the elegant space filled with refined architectural details, inspiring furniture, artwork and fresh flowers. The sunlight-graced scene has been used as the background for numerous...
Khôi Phạm in Quãng 8
Hồ Trâm Anh Writes Music for Those Who Walk City Streets Yearning for the Open Sky
When I begin my interview with Hồ Trâm Anh, a light shower starts sprinkling over Saigon’s overcast maudlin sky. I apologize if any errant pitter-patter might distract our call, but Trâm Anh brushes i...
From Rapper to Singer-Songwriter: Minh Đinh and the Trials to Find Himself
Minh Đinh's journey of self-discovery is one that represents the effort of the multi-talented artists in the Vietnamese indie community.
Meet Humm, the Music Collective Blending Soft Tunes With Orchestral Instruments
Though palpably yearning in nature, Humm's music invites listeners to embark on a journey where healing is the quintessential experience.
Controversy Brews Over 'Minh Mạng' Herbal Tea Brand's Song Joong-Ki Packaging
A tea product featuring the face of a South Korean celebrity has turned into a royal pain for its manufacturer.
Vũ Thanh Vân Makes Staying at Home Seem Effortlessly Cool
Vũ Thanh Vân is not a new name among indie music lovers, as she's well-known for her soothing voice in past singles like ‘Tori,’ ‘Hát Ru’ or ‘Lấy Chồng.’ When I finally meet Vân, I feel her quiet pres...
Villa Song Pivots Towards Local Communities
When you picture one of Saigon’s luxury hotels, you likely imagine it occupied by international business travelers and families indulging in dream vacations. The last year has changed that image, and ...
A Staycation to Explore in Saigon
The dawn rays of sun falling on the Saigon River resembled miraculous flames as we approached. Across the water, green palms trees shimmered as the occasional bird flicked across the surface, singing ...
[Photos] The Retro Artistry of Vietnam's Hand-Drawn Song Sheet Covers
Does a song have a color?
The Virtues of Cruising on the Saigon River
With sunlight shimmering on skyscrapers that stretch proudly above the horizon across from untrammeled patches of green space, Saigon appears most attractive when viewed from the river.
Khôi Phạm in Film & TV
Review: Despite Laughable Jump Scares, 'Bắc Kim Thang' Is Surprisingly Smart and Topical
With lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta as the background, Bắc Kim Thang is surprisingly wicked and intelligent, but most importantly, it provides feminist advocates a new way to topple the patriarch...
Khoi Pham in Film & TV
Review: When Indie Music Meets Indie Cinema on a Grab in Saigon
In today’s aggressive stream of Marvel blockbusters, doll- and shark-themed horror flicks, and gratuitous comedies, Troi Sang Roi, Ta Ngu Di Thoi (Good Morning and Good Night) is like a stubborn wild ...
A Visit to Hanoi's Birdsong Clubs: Have You Heard the Call of the Oriental White-Eye?
Birdsong clubs, a tradition originating from China, are one of Hanoi’s hidden gems. If you’re willing to really look for them, it’s possible to find huge collections of birds kept in finely decorated ...
