Hẻm Gems: In Đà Nẵng, Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng's Sauce Is Good Enough to Drink
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- Published on 07 October 2022
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
The secret is the sauce. And the sauce is a secret. The owners of Đà Nẵng’s Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng refuse to reveal the recipe for the rich, meaty, and multi-faceted sauce that falls somewhere between hex colors #A07212 and #A0522D. It elevates a familiar bánh xèo into a meal that draws in enough guests to have essentially taken over an entire downtown hẻm.
Meet Chú Hai Bạc, Saigon's Veteran Vespa and Lambretta 'Doctor'
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- Published on 04 October 2022
- Written by Vương Anh. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên.
Even in his 70s, Phan Văn Bạc — better known among friends and fans as chú Hai Bạc — is still getting his hands dirty every day working with engines, screws and bolts to take care of vintage Vespas and Lambrettas. Bạc is among a handful of veteran mechanics remaining in Saigon whose specialties are Vespas and Lambrettas.
Ngõ Nooks: Bud'mo, a Ukrainian Welcome as Warm as a Shot of Nastoyka
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- Published on 02 October 2022
- Written by Linh Phạm. Photos by Linh Phạm and Trang Hip.
“O sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil’s kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself…You will not, you son of a bitch, make subjects of Christian sons; we've no fear of your army, by land and by sea we will battle with thee, f*** your mother.”
Vietnam's Cultural Diversity via 3 Versions of Sọ Dừa in Kinh, Chăm, Raglai Folklore
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- Published on 29 September 2022
- Written by Yui Nguyễn. Illustrations by Hannah Hoàng and Hương Đỗ.
On Sọ Dừa’s birth certificate, how should one fill in the “ethnic group” field?
Be Gay, Do Pride: Hanoi Pride Week Ends on Cheery Notes Last Sunday
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- Published on 28 September 2022
- Written by Linh Phạm. Photos by Léo-Paul Guyot and Linh Phạm.
Last Sunday, Hanoi Pride Week 2022 came to a conclusion with thousands of people joining in the festivities.
Hẻm Gems: Café Slow Cultivates a Natural Habitat for Creature Comforts
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- Published on 24 September 2022
- Written by Charlie Harper. Photos by Đỗ Anh Chương.
It's incredibly challenging to set yourself apart in Ho Chi Minh City's overcaffeinated café scene. The city's narrow streets and hẻms are brimming with beans.
How a Plane Carcass Became a Museum and Community Hangout in Hanoi
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- Published on 22 September 2022
- Written by Linh Phạm. Photos by Linh Phạm.
The massive chunk of metal greeted me as soon as I stepped through the gate.
A Saigon Restaurant Poisoned Dozens of Stray Cats. What Happened to Those That Survived?
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- Published on 20 September 2022
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên, Đỗ Anh Chương and Lê Hoàng Nguyên Anh.
Almost 10 months ago, my life was turned upside down as our household welcomed a new feline member.
Hẻm Gems: The Secret Realm of Good Vibes Behind the Doors of Passengers Cafe
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- Published on 19 September 2022
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Photos by Đỗ Anh Chương. Graphics by Hannah Hoàng.
Like any person born after the year 1990, I am chronically affected by the condition of dawdling at a coffee shop for a supposed boost in productivity and “the vibes” when the clock strikes close to a due date.
Review: 'Cù Lao Xác Sống' Is the Worst Movie I've Ever Watched. I Love It to Death.
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- Published on 18 September 2022
- Written by Khôi Phạm.
When we entered the auditorium to watch Cù Lao Xác Sống, no theater attendant was there to check our tickets. Perhaps the telling emptiness of the room made them realize they could be doing better things with their life than shepherding unsuspecting watchers to such a vulgar display of cinematic abhorrence.
The Curious Subculture of Vietnamese New Wave
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- Published on 14 September 2022
- Written by Michael Tatarski. Top image by Hannah Hoang.
You never know where a story idea is going to come from.
Meet Humm, the Music Collective Blending Soft Tunes With Orchestral Instruments
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- Published on 13 September 2022
- Written by Ann Ann. Top image by Simona Nguyễn. Photos courtesy of Humm.
Though palpably yearning in nature, Humm's music invites listeners to embark on a journey where healing is the quintessential experience.
'Bronze Drum,' an Entertaining, TV-Ready Reimagining of the Legend of Hai Bà Trưng
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- Published on 12 September 2022
- Written by Paul Christiansen.
Turning a beloved but brief legend based on scant historical evidence into a page-turning novel is no easy task. But Phong Nguyen’s book Bronze Drum succeeds in depicting the upbringing and rebellious triumphs of Hai Bà Trưng as a gripping epic that hits conventional storytelling beats.
Short Film 'Don't' Dreams of a World With an All-Asian Crime-Fighting Squad
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- Published on 09 September 2022
- Written by Linh Phạm. Photos courtesy of Sally Tran.
One day, Sally Tran realized that many of her friends in New York City were going to self-defense classes and buying weapons to protect themselves in the city they call home.
Đợi Kiều: A New Creative Project Examines 'Truyện Kiều' With Fresh Eyes
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- Published on 09 September 2022
- Written by Saigoneer.
In an effort to facilitate new discussion and appreciation of Vietnam’s national epic poem The Tale of Kiều, this September, the team behind YUME - Art Project is launching a series of events titled “Đợi Kiều” (Waiting for Kiều). The initiative comprises the minishow “Thư gửi cung mây,” the seminar “Truyện Kiều - Ca dao & Hồn Việt,” and a contemporary cải lương performance titled “Đợi Kiều.”
The Peculiar Gender Dynamics of Hanoi's Male-Dominated Cờ Tướng Scene
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- Published on 06 September 2022
- Written by Elise Luong. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
On a sunset wander through Hanoi, you may be surprised by the peculiar sight of men haphazardly perched in nooks and crannies playing the ancient game of xiangqi.
Illustration Series 'Phố Trong Hộp' Preserves Our Street Corners in a Tin Can
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- Published on 05 September 2022
- Written by Khang Phạm. Illustrations courtesy of Khánh Băng.
The cheeky illustration project “Phố Trong Hộp” (City in a Box) was conceived when its author Khánh Băng started merging Vietnam’s quaint street corners with some of the country’s most iconic FMCG products.
Hẻm Gems: Quán Ba Hí's Comfort Food Is Perfect for Eating Your Feelings Away
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- Published on 28 August 2022
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên.
I've always found comfort food to be the most authentic passage to experience any type of global cuisine. Yet, when I try to find the word for it in my native tongue Vietnamese, the semantics just seem to fall flat.
On the Tourist Trail Across Vietnam in 1996
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- Published on 23 August 2022
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos courtesy of Tobeytravels.
In 1996, it had been one year since Vietnam officially joined ASEAN, the first legitimate volume of Doraemon was released, and some of us at Saigoneer were actually alive.
A Study of the Mekong Through Stories Told on the River
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- Published on 23 August 2022
- Written by Michael Tatarski. Top image by Hannah Hoàng.
Much like humanity, great systems of the natural world rely on connectivity to thrive.
