The Tale of 2 Vietnamese Christmas Songs: 'Hai Mùa Noel' and 'Bài Thánh Ca Buồn'
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- Published on 23 December 2023
- Written by Ngọc Hân. Graphic by Yumi-kito.
When it comes to local Christmas music, any Vietnamese will hear the melodies of either ‘Bài Thánh ca buồn’ or ‘Hai mùa Noel’ a couple of times every holiday season. Though Christmas is not a native holiday, we adore celebrating it. And of course, Christmas cannot be without music. Though the country has no shortage of festive songs, these two remain pillars of the holiday season. So why not take a trip down memory lane and revisit the songs, or be prepared to have your neighbors karaoke it down memory lane for you.
On the 12th Day of Christmas Saigoneer Gave to Me: 12 Birdcalls From Across Vietnam
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- Published on 23 December 2023
- Written by Alexander Yates. Photos by Alexander Yates. Top image by Monbu Mai.
Almost everywhere we go in the world, birdsong abounds.
On Searching for Rươi Vendor Street Calls, Hanoi's Harbinger of Autumn
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- Published on 22 December 2023
- Written by Thùy Trang. Graphic by Monbu Mai.
Embedded in the street call of rươi vendors is the conjuring of autumn, when delectable cuisines from across the land of Vietnam come together on a dinner table.
How an ABBA Classic Becomes the Anthem of Vietnam's New Year Celebration
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- Published on 20 December 2023
- Written by Uyên Đỗ. Top image by Yumi-kito.
Somewhere along the way, an ABBA’s sleeper hit ‘Happy New Year’ has emerged as the go-to musical choice for Vietnamese broadcasters and countdown parties when a new year rings in.
Something About Xe (Đạp): Olivier Flora's Knack for Fun, Flamboyant Remixes
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- Published on 18 December 2023
- Written by Nguyệt. Images courtesy of Olivier Flora.
The saxophone riff in ‘Careless Whispers’ is not only instantly recognizable due the popularity of the original song by George Michael but has since become an internet fixture — a classic meme.
Hem Hem Lights up Saigon With the Electrifying Riffs of Japanese Ska
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- Published on 18 December 2023
- Written by Jae Shin. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
The cheerful ska tunes combined with insanely energetic and quirky dance moves packed every inch of the indoor space of Indika with heat and pure joy.
Meet the Saigon Man Whose Home Is an Archive of Traditional Musical Instruments
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- Published on 16 December 2023
- Written by Khang Nguyễn. Photos by Cao Nhân and Alberto Prieto.
“These instruments serve our everyday life, or even our spiritual life. For example, they mark the transitions of life. When a baby is born or a person passes away, people play these instruments to welcome or bid farewell to these moments. They also use music to pray for good weather, good business, and happiness for future generations,” Đức Dậu, a seasoned collector of Vietnamese traditional instruments, shares how these antique musical devices are more than just merely tools used for entertainment.
Saigon, East of New Orleans: The Surprising Global Roots of Vietnam's Funeral Kèn Tây
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- Published on 15 December 2023
- Written by Craig Duncan. Photos by Lee Starnes.
Of all the forms of music one hears on the streets of modern-day Saigon, the sounds of the marching bands accompanying funeral processions stand out as absolutely unique.
Crickets Are More Than Just Chirpy Reminders of Our Childhood
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- Published on 15 December 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Graphics by Yumi-kito.
Cricket song. You read the words and immediately hear the chirping. That thrilling trill of strummed air. Humans have been hearing that quivering echo since we first came into existence. And over time, we’ve attached a variety of meanings to it and the creature that makes it.
DJ Pia and Tumie, the Duo Blending Violin, EDM, and Vietnamese Culture
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- Published on 14 December 2023
- Written by Garrett MacLean.
A black and red “Slave 2 Rave” flag ruffles in the distance while an abundance of laser beams, bubble streams, fireworks, and confetti clouds filled the night’s sky at Ravolution Musical Festival last Sunday. RAVO X DIMENSION welcomed a premiere lineup for its 10th Edition celebration consisting of international artists from around the US, Europe, and Asia, as well as local artists, including a musical duo from Vietnam.
In Remembrance of Saigon Street Calls Past
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- Published on 11 December 2023
- Written by Như Quỳnh. Graphic by Hannah Hoàng and Phan Nhi.
Drowned out by the noises of modernization, sounds that once served as the background to a simpler time have begun to shrink, and eventually become lost in the wheel of progress. Tiếng rao, or street calls, happen to be one of those dying noises, but they remain a poignant reminder of the past for many.
Hẻm Gems: Hủ Tíu Mực Ông Già's Squid Game Is to Die For
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- Published on 10 December 2023
- Written by Ngọc Hân. Photos by Cao Nhân.
It’s safe to say that one of the most authentic culinary experiences one could have in Vietnam is to sit on a stool, in an eatery that feels very much like someone’s house, and slurp on a bowl of piping hot noodles. The noodles here can be any dishes from the plethora of noodle dishes so dominant in Vietnamese cuisine, and this hủ tiếu mực, or squid vermicelli, establishment has got all of the above to offer.
In Dialogue With Trần Nữ Yên Khê on Her 'White Blank' Art Exhibition
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- Published on 09 December 2023
- Written by Thùy Trang. Images courtesy of Galerie Quynh.
Tran Nu YênKhê may be most well-known to Vietnamese audiences because of her unforgettable performances in Tran Anh Hung’s Vietnam Trilogy. However, in recent years, YênKhê has become increasingly established as a contemporary artist. In 2019, her sculpture ‘Borderline’ became the first contemporary artwork from Southeast Asia shown at Paris’s Guimet Museum. Upon returning to Vietnam this year, she continues her artistic journey with the solo exhibition “White Blank” at Galerie Quynh in Saigon from October to December of 2023.
In Tây Hồ, an Artisan Community Holds Fast to Their Lotus Tea Traditions
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- Published on 08 December 2023
- Written by Xuân Phương. Photos by Xuân Phương.
Every sip of lotus tea encapsulates all the essences of the natural landscapes of Tây Hồ.
The People Building a Virtual Vietnam in the Pixelated World of Minecraft
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- Published on 04 December 2023
- Written by Văn Tân. Images courtesy of Team Fuho.
Minecraft is now a modern classic world-building game allowing players to construct elaborate buildings using isometric cubes. Thanks to this endless stream of materials, one can theoretically build anything in the game world if they have enough patience and attention to details.
Hẻm Gems: Reading Cabin Sells Stationery, Serves Drinks, and Builds Friendships
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- Published on 02 December 2023
- Written by Lê Minh Tú. Photos by Cao Nhân.
If I had to describe Reading Cabin in one phrase, it would be “every cafe in Saigon all at once.”
Inside the Bình Thạnh Depot Where Retro Military Knick-Knacks Live
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- Published on 30 November 2023
- Written by Khang Nguyễn. Photos by Cao Nhân.
“This furniture has been around for many decades, but you can use them normally without the fear of breaking them. Because they are industrial equipment made for the military or office buildings, they were manufactured to be hard as a rock,” explains Hoàng, a vintage military interior enthusiast. This durability is one of the many qualities that made Hoàng fall in love with the furniture, going so far as to set up a unique shop dedicated to them.
The Haunting Beauty in Một Mét Studio's Vintage Photography Experiments
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- Published on 28 November 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Một Mét Studio.
“With the wet collodion process, when you get your portrait shot, it really cannot lie; it really reveals the story of your life on your face. You will see through your make-up, through the tattoos; there are no wrinkles, no scars that can be hidden. People really see themselves in a new light,” Hugo Armano, the assistant at Hội An’s Một Mét Studio, explained to Saigoneer.
At Bá Tân Bookstore, a Home for Vintage Books, Readers, and Goodness
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- Published on 27 November 2023
- Written by Như Quỳnh. Photos by Alberto Prieto.
I got to know Bá Tân Bookstore thanks to a friend’s suggestion.
Did You Know That There's a Mummy on Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Boulevard?
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- Published on 26 November 2023
- Written by Paul Christiansen. Photos by Paul Christiansen.
Why is there a mummy on display in Saigon?
