English-Language Edition of 'Chinatown' by Thuận Wins US Translation Award
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- Published on 15 November 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
The 2023 National Translation Award for fiction was given by the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) to Nguyễn An Lý’s translation of Chinatown by Thuận.
'The Mountain in the Sea' Is a Meditation on Myths, Monsters, and the Mind
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- Published on 14 November 2023
- Written by Garrett MacLean. Top image by Mai Phạm.
“A myth,” said existentialist psychologist Rollo May, “is a way of making sense in a senseless world.” Humans need myths and legends to survive. And they need us to survive too; it’s how we’ve learned to escape ourselves so that we can live with ourselves.
Art Direction of Ngọt's Gieo Album Nominated for Best Package at 2024 Grammys
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- Published on 13 November 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
Over the weekend, the Recording Academy unveiled the coveted list of nominees for the 2024 Grammys. Amongst the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA, a Vietnamese name stood out, much to the delight of local netizens.
In Quện's Live Sets, Đà Lạt's Everyday Corners Turn Spontaneous Stages
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- Published on 09 November 2023
- Written by Nguyệt. Photos courtesy of Quện.
All attention was aimed towards the same direction, the one where an accident had just taken place. Near 24C, Hoàng Diệu Street in the city of Đà Lạt, two vehicles collided. The shock and chaos attracted the curious looks of pedestrians and drivers alike. Timely isolated percussion further enhance the puzzling scene that was captured from multiple angles. You can see the whole thing for yourself at 41:30 in “Quện Mix Nhã Nhạc Vol 5,” a recording of a live vinyl DJ set, at an old-school hair salon in Đà Lạt. This accidental cinematic moment of real-life spontaneity juxtaposed with a passion for good music captures well the spirit of Quện - Sound Collage
Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi
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- Published on 07 November 2023
- Written by Elise Luong. Photos courtesy of Blue Dragon.
I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.
On 'Past Lives,' Duyên, and the Complexities of Vietnamese Diasporic Identities
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- Published on 06 November 2023
- Written by Yen Vu. Top graphic by Mai Khanh.
Past Lives left me bereft, much like how the reunion of main characters Hae-sung and Nora concluded at the end of the film — that is, without much conclusion at all.
Hẻm Gems: It's Impossible to Resist Bún Riêu Cô Yến's Crispy Fried Tofu
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- Published on 03 November 2023
- Written by Elyse Phạm. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
A few years ago, my family’s Christmas Eve tradition of making gỏi cuốn was swapped out for a special competition, one that would decisively end a longstanding rivalry: who, out of the aunts and uncles, could make the best bún riêu?
Bodies of Work Shred, Re-Shaped at 'White Noise' Exhibition
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- Published on 03 November 2023
- Written by Elise Luong. Photos courtesy of Nguyen Art Foundation.
A dystopian setting where the human body appears scattered, its parts eerily dismembered, its desires and beliefs examined by the hands of a machine is fictionalized in the “White Noise” exhibition, now on show at the Nguyen Art Foundation (NAF). Within the imagined route of an ant, the gore and glory of a distant past, once dominated by humans, slowly reveals itself.
In Đà Nẵng, a Close-Knit Surfing Community Rides the Waves
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- Published on 27 October 2023
- Written by Oliver Newman. Photos by Oliver Newman.
Đà Nẵng does not feel like a surf town. The gaudy beachside nightclubs are a far cry from the bohemian vibes of Hawaii or San Diego, and the coastline is more synonymous with basket boats than surfboards. Look for it, however, and you’ll find a subculture of beach breaks, skate bowl surf shacks, board rental huts, and passionate surfers within a tight knit but welcoming community.
Hẻm Gems: Wake up Early, We're Getting Hủ Tiếu Cá for Breakfast
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- Published on 25 October 2023
- Written by Thùy Trang. Photos by Cao Nhân.
When I used to live in Hanoi, I always knew that if an eatery only opens for half a day, the food is probably certified, at least by the locals, to be not only good, but excellent. There is something written in the local traditions that specific dishes should be served at particular times of the day.
Hẻm Gems: On Falling Head Over Heels (Literally) for Dũng Ký's Mì Xào Giòn
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- Published on 24 October 2023
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Photos by Cao Nhân.
When Saigoneer’s office relocated from District 1’s downtown to District 3 earlier this year, one of the instantly noticeable changes was the increase in affordable eating options.
Hẻm Gems: From Cà Mau, Cô Xíu Brings Bánh Tầm Cà Ri Cay to Bình Thạnh
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- Published on 23 October 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
Recently, I’ve had the Mekong Delta on the mind. This month I made two trips down to research various elements of the watery region, and also spent time reading author Khải Đơn’s tremendous delta-focused book of poetry Drowning Dragon Slips by Burning Plain; read my review of the book here. And while I haven’t actually seen the movie adaptation Đất Rừng Phương Nam, it’s been impossible to avoid the promos that feature a stereotypical wooden boat easing along a narrow delta channel, while white herons rise and farmers trudge into the field wearing colorful clothing with black khăn rằn.
How One Saigon Gym Is Re-Inventing Fitness
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- Published on 23 October 2023
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Primal Performance Lab.
Technology has fundamentally altered how Saigoneers travel around the city, find and eat food, form and maintain relationships and make purchases. Such innovations can profoundly change how one approaches fitness here as well.
Hẻm Gems: The Best Cao Lầu Outside of Hội An Is in Tân Bình
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- Published on 19 October 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
Years ago, the first time I ate cao lầu, I committed a cardinal sin. As I gazed upon my freshly assembled bowl of noodles, without much thought, I asked the waitress for more sauce.
Hẻm Gems: What Bún Cua Gia Lai Taught Me About Vietnam's Bond With Bún
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- Published on 18 October 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Cao Nhân.
Not being a picky eater was somewhat of a personal point of pride for me growing up. I have my family to thank for this, as their immense patience and open-mindedness have encouraged me to explore as many eclectic delicacies and novel ingredients as possible during my formative years. So whenever a wild new dish comes along that challenges my palate so much I struggle to finish even one portion, I can’t help but consider it a personal blunder. Much apologies to bún cua Gia Lai, I have failed you.
Hẻm Gems: From Nghệ An, a Turmeric-Tinged Miến Lươn Feast in D7
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- Published on 17 October 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Đỗ Anh Chương.
Once upon a time, deep in the distant kingdom of District 7, there was a miến lươn place.
Hẻm Gems: A Trip to Bàn Cờ for Lạng Sơn’s Sweet and Sour Dry Phở
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- Published on 16 October 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Brandon Coleman and Cao Nhân.
There’s not much you can say about phở that hasn't already been said. From its complicated origin to its deliciousness to its ubiquity on Saigon’s streets, the subject has been covered ad nauseam. However, phở chua Lạng Sơn — mixed dry phở with sweet and sour sauce — is uncharted territory.
Khải Đơn's Poetry Debut Won't Shy Away From the Mekong Delta's Untold Complexities
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- Published on 13 October 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Graphic by Mai Phạm.
Environmental devastation, irresponsible development, economic imperilment, social ills, war legacies and the abandonment of cultural traditions and connections: these multifaceted, interconnected realities threaten Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.
AISA Games Come to Saigon
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- Published on 13 October 2023
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by AIS.
Australian International School, Saigon (AIS Saigon) is set to host students from Australian International Schools across Asia this November, for the highly anticipated AISA Games 2023.
Meet DeeDee, the Studio Behind Netflix Docuseries 'How to Become a Cult Leader'
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- Published on 08 October 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Top graphic by Mai Phạm. Images courtesy of DeeDee.
With a frantic, rabid fury flickering in his eyes, Charles Manson swerves through technicolor 1960s Hollywood streets, the passengers in his convertible terrified by the crazed maneuvering of a man who would soon become one of America’s most infamous convicted murderers.
