Introducing the '2 Years of Memories' Travel Writing Competition
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- Published on 27 October 2022
- Written by Saigoneer.
To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Urbanist Travel, we are excited to invite you to participate in Saigoneer’s first-ever writing competition, “2 Years of Memories,” to look back at the most historic years of Vietnam’s tourism industry during the pandemic and the following recovery period.
Urbanist Travel is an international travel agency that came into existence to further realize Saigoneer’s long-enduring aspiration to “explore Vietnam and beyond.” Read our interview with Urbanist Travel Co-Founder Châu Cecilia Nguyễn here for the company's origin story.
Meet Urbanist Travel, Saigoneer's Sister Company Bringing the World Closer to Vietnam
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- Published on 26 October 2022
- Written by Yui Nguyễn. Top photo by Đỗ Anh Chương.
Loyal readers might know Saigoneer as a home where all things fascinating, whimsical and insightful about Vietnam are celebrated, but not many are aware that for the past years, we have been a tiny bit more than just writers. Two years ago, we officially welcomed our sister company Urbanist Travel into the family.
The Hanoian Artisan Carving Intricate Reliefs From Leather to Make Book Covers
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- Published on 25 October 2022
- Written by Hải Yến. Photos courtesy of Diệu Linh.
The enduring pages in our history deserve book covers that match their significance.
Need a Sign From the Universe? Lương Hữu Khánh Street Has Every Color, Shape, and Size.
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- Published on 24 October 2022
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên.
Saigon is filled with addresses you aren’t looking for, announcements not aimed at you and signs for businesses you have no plans to frequent. Sign street demands delving into the oft-ignored.
A Brief History of Paris by Night, the Anchor of Vietnamese Culture Abroad
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- Published on 18 October 2022
- Written by Quynh H. Vo. Graphic by Hannah Hoàng.
If home cuisine could satiate exilic tongues that resist strange flavors, art might condole with nostalgic hearts. Paris by Night is one such therapeutic art, or the hallmark of performing arts for Vietnamese communities across the globe.
Losing Myself (and My Work Stress) in the Wacky World of Jazz Dance
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- Published on 17 October 2022
- Written by Lê Thanh Nhiên. Photos by Lê Thái Hoàng Nguyên. Graphic by Hannah Hoàng.
Since I started my foray into jazz dance, the most common question I’ve gotten has been “What, you can dance to jazz?”
In Đà Nẵng, a Vintage Money Aficionado Forgoes Professorship for Life in the Night Market
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- Published on 15 October 2022
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
What gives one’s life meaning? For some, it’s faith, family or art. For Trần Văn Nam, it’s money, but not in the way you probably imagine.
'Đông Nam Bộ' Project Invites 14 Young Artists to Draw the History of Their Hometowns
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- Published on 12 October 2022
- Written by Mầm and Khóa Fa.
“Đông Nam Bộ” is a collection of illustrations reflecting the culture, history and local charms of provinces in the Southeast Region of Vietnam. The artworks were all created by artists who live or grew up in the region.
From North to South, Glimpses of Street Life in Vietnam in the Early 1990s
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- Published on 11 October 2022
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos courtesy of Laurent KB.
If there’s a thing this writer remembers distinctly about the early 1990s, it would be nothing, because I was barely a person that could eat and survive by myself.
What Creating a Sign Language App Taught Me About the Hardships of Vietnam's Deaf Community
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- Published on 07 October 2022
- Written by Phạm Ninh Giang. Graphic by Hannah Hoàng.
In neighborhood communities, deaf children are often bullied by their hearing friends, according to my classmate Nguyễn Tài Minh.
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.
