A Brief History of District 1's Collège d’Adran, Saigon's Oldest School
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- Published on 27 February 2023
- Written by Hương Lê.
Driving past the Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden toward Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street, many of us might not notice the presence of Võ Trường Toản Secondary School and Trưng Vương High School. The two institutions once belonged to one single entity, Collège d’Adran, which many historical sources deem the oldest school in Saigon.
Ở đó ở đây Sài Gòn — A Love-Hate Letter to the Maze of Paradoxes
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- Published on 27 February 2023
- Written by Adrien Jean.
Editor's note: Adrien Jean is a Saigon-based photographer and a frequent contributor to Saigoneer's Darkroom series. His photos often depict the precise moments in time when the visual elements of our daily life line up just right to evoke a special feeling. In this special photo collection, which contains all of Jean's favorite shots of Saigon, he penned a loving ode, titled 'Love/Hate Letter to Saigon.'
Hẻm Gems: The Midnight Hủ Tiếu Only for Saigon's Most Patient Night Owls
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- Published on 25 February 2023
- Written by Hương Lê. Photos by Cao Nhân.
As a Saigonese who has lived abroad for half of her life, I have a huge craving for hủ tiếu khô (dry noodles), my go-to breakfast meal and a dish my family always made sure to get on our way to my mother’s hometown in the Mekong Delta. Something special about the combination of the rich rice noodle, bone broth, and pork slices made us return for more. Though I later moved to the US and was exposed to other versions of dry noodle dishes and flavorful cuisines from different parts of the world, the memory of savoring a rich and topping-full hủ tiếu khô bowl from the motherland still remains in my mind.
Inside the Sawdust Alley in D8 Where Old Furniture Goes to Get Repurposed
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- Published on 22 February 2023
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên.
My lungs began to heave with raspy coughs as I ventured deeper into the alley of 124 Phạm Thế Hiển.
Amid Bảo Lộc Hills, a Wooden Cafe Floats Amongst the Clouds
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- Published on 20 February 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
In the middle of nowhere Bảo Lộc, perched on the side of an alternative national road is the wooden carapace of Nguyen Coffee, a veritable “Noah’s ark” welcoming travelers in for a short break to enjoy its drinks and spectacular view of the Đá Bàn Stream below.
What to See, Taste, and Do If You Have 3 Hours to Kill in Chợ Lớn
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- Published on 19 February 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm.
One of my favorite parts about being in a new city is dropping by any random neighborhood and just walking around until my feet get sore. Walking affords me the leisurely pace and multi-dimensional freedom to look up, look down, peek at things and places, and stop along the track to let my senses be pleasantly overwhelmed by the onslaught of urban quirks.
Hẻm Gems: Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang, a 'Secret' Hakka Feast Only for Those in the Know
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- Published on 15 February 2023
- Written by Brendan Ryan. Photos by Mervin Lee.
I first heard about Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang 寧江客家飯店 from some Hoa friends in the city.
Giang Brothers Hits Milan Streets for Sleek Fashion Shoot After Setting New World Record
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- Published on 15 February 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
After establishing another Guinness record in Milan, Vietnam’s acrobats extraordinaires, the Giang Brothers, collaborated with local photographer Quỷ Cốc Tử to produce a mesmerizing fashion shoot that marries their outstanding athleticism and the elegance of sharp suits.
A Day in the Life of Phùng Hưng, a D5 Street With Two Personalities
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- Published on 13 February 2023
- Written by Jim Selkin. Photos by Jim Selkin. Top image by Phan Nhi.
Nestled in the historic Chợ Lớn section of District 5, Phùng Hưng Street runs from the canal along Võ Văn Kiệt through to Hồng Bàng. Within its length, the street has two distinct personalities.
Hẻm Gems: From a Historic D5 Shophouse, An Duyên Serves up Tasty Chợ Lớn Classics
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- Published on 10 February 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Cao Nhân and Alberto Prieto.
An Duyên Chợ Lớn transcends Chợ Lớn quán stereotypes of rustic mom-and-pops with rickety amenities to provide a comfortable dining experience, made memorable thanks to aesthetically pleasing décor and well-crafted Hoa delicacies.
On Táo's Transformation From Rapper to Curator of Good Taste
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- Published on 09 February 2023
- Written by Tài Thy. Photos courtesy of Táo. Graphic by Phan Nhi.
"The artist can’t reflect the truths of life if they don’t live, can they?"
The Ethereal Fever Dream Inside MV 'Dung Họa' by Hanoi Indie Duo Limebócx
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- Published on 08 February 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
After years in production, Hanoi indie duo Limebócx’s long-awaited music video for ‘Dung Họa’ was finally released this month, a much-needed treat for fans who have waited years for new music from the pair.
A Visual Homage to the Water Buffalo's Practical and Symbolic Importance in Vietnam
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- Published on 01 February 2023
- Written by Adrien Jean. Photos by Adrien Jean.
The second animal sign in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac, trâu, has symbolic and practical importance in Vietnam.
Local Studio's Animated Short Gives Adorable Crash Course on Vietnam's Spiritualism
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- Published on 31 January 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
Putting up offerings on the altar, burning votive money, and lighting incense: these are just some rituals that every Vietnamese is probably familiar with during Tết or even on special occasions. A lot of us might observe or even carry out these customs, but not many are fully aware of why we do them.
In 2022, Vietnam's Domestic Tourism Flourished, but International Arrivals Lagged Behind
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- Published on 30 January 2023
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Khôi Phạm.
The most recent Tết holiday witnessed an outstanding performance by Vietnam’s domestic tourism sector, while international tourism had a year of underwhelming figures.
Living it up at The Grand Ho Tram Strip
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- Published on 18 January 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
The resurgence of tourism in 2022 has provided a strong foundation for The Grand Ho Tram Strip to build upon and get back to doing what it has always excelled at – providing the ideal environment for domestic and international travellers to create everlasting memories.
Saigoneer's Picks of Saigon's 5 Best Cafes to Poop At
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- Published on 17 January 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm. Photos by Cao Nhân. Graphic by Homicille.
What brings you to coffee shops? Novelty beverages, mellow playlists, a feeling of home, proximity, or just simply convenience — all are valid attributes that have endeared me to many of my favorite cafes in Saigon. But what about those unnerving times when you’re out and about, minding your own business, when it quickly dawns on you that your business is about to become everyone’s business if you can’t find a bathroom, stat? Which cafes would you turn to?
From Architecture to Folklore: 5 Indie Book Projects for Vietnamese Culture Buffs
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- Published on 12 January 2023
- Written by Khôi Phạm.
In our years of writing about Vietnam, Saigoneer has had the pleasure to meet many passionate, inquisitive individuals whose creative and academic projects inspired us to appreciate the many facets of Vietnamese culture. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to see this labor of love being turned into physical books for us to cradle in our hands, delicately turn the pages, and heave in that heady aroma of freshly minted tomes.
Year in Review: Saigoneer's Picks for Favorite Features of 2022
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- Published on 11 January 2023
- Written by Saigoneer.
In 2021, we decided to expand on the enduring appeal of our food series Hẻm Gems by coming up with new collections of articles zooming in on specific aspects of Vietnamese society and culture. Last year was a time for delving deeper into these series.
How a Film Turned a Historic H'Mông Homestead in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction
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- Published on 10 January 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Top graphic by Hannah Hoàng.
The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.
