But What Even Is an Expat: Unpacking the Highly Contentious Term, in Vietnam and Abroad
“Expat is a racist as hell term” — this is the take of Misan Harriman on the popular internet show SubwayTakes. The ...
Adrien Jean in Travel
The Enigmatic Neon-Lit World in the Mist of Sapa
Is there a more atmospheric place in Vietnam than Sapa on a misty night?
Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
Review: Pieces of Me | Nao Yoshioka (feat. Mỹ Anh)
Mỹ Anh has come a long way since becoming the runner-up of The Heroes in 2021. Five years later, now with a full-length album and a spectrum of singles and extended plays under her belt, the Hanoi-based artist has proven to be one of the most dynamic singer-songwriter-producer of her generation.
Art Exhibition ‘Limerence’ Explores Where Romantic Desire Distorts Into Obsession
Thom Nguyen utilizes portraiture and depictions of mushrooms and organic objects to explore the concept of limerence in a solo exhibition at Permanently Closed Gallery in Thảo Điền, beginning Friday, August 28.
How Vinahouse Fosters Sonic Belonging in Modern Saigon's Queer Collectives
If you spend a night wandering along Bùi Viện Walking Street and its dense concentration of bars and clubs, you will almost certainly hear the same sound spilling from multiple directions: fast, pounding basslines layered with Vietnamese pop melodies, punctuated by dramatic buildups and explosive drops. If you fall into the right algorithm on TikTok, you might encounter these same sounds circulating as background audio. This music is Vinahouse. Its ever-presence in both physical and digital spaces makes it one of the most recognizable yet least critically examined musical forms in contemporary Vietnam.
Xuân Phương in Culture
Inside Tế Tiêu, Home to Vietnam's Rare 'Land Puppet' Performances
Bidding goodbye to central Hanoi, I took the National Road 21B to reach Tế Tiêu Neighborhood, a small community in Đại Nghĩa Township of Hanoi’s Mỹ Đức District. This fertile patch of land by the Đáy River is the cradle of a unique form of traditional folk art: Tế Tiêu puppetry.
How Quy Nhơn's Old Cemetery Slowly Expands up Vũng Chua Mountain
You might miss it if you were driving past, but once you walk down a small hẻm off Quy Nhơn’s main Tây Sơn Street, the massive cemetery sprawls in all directions.
All Aboard the Languorous 35-Hour Train From Hanoi to Saigon
The train connecting Vietnam’s largest cities takes 35 hours. Yet even after the first time I finished the trip, I was already coming up with excuses for why I needed to do it again. For me, the journey is much more than a chance for great views and time to reflect. It’s an exploration of life itself.
[Photos] An Homage to the Colorful Characters of Hanoi
There you are, waiting on the edge of the sidewalk.
[Photos] In Their Downtime, Superheroes Undertake Household Chores for This Malaysian Artist
Deadpool watering plants, Batman mopping the floor, Hulk helping moving a mattress and Superman pulling fresh underpants from the clothesline: rarely do we get to see superheroes in the domestic spher...
Saigoneer Podcast: Fast Fashion, Bubble Tea Madness Returns and Urban Tales Cholon
Happy Monday! It's time for the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode.
Review: 'Song Lang' Is a Cải Lương Tribute for the Ages
Asia is well-known for its rich history and diverse cultures, with many countries taking pride in distinct styles of traditional art performances.
Vietnamese-Canadian Author Kim Thuy Among 4 Finalists for Nobel Prize Substitute
Vietnamese-born Canadian Kim Thuy joins the ranks of Vietnamese diasporic writers like Thi Bui and Ocean Vuong who are getting recognized by international literary awards.
[Video] A Very Vietnam Guide to Escaping Ghostly Exes and Your 'Forever Alone' Fate
This quirky Vietnamese short video, titled Secret Fate, explaining that ghosts are the cause for Vietnam's "forever alone" community has gone viral.
Khoi Pham in Culture
How Dép Tổ Ong Goes From Timeless Family Keepsake to Millennial Icon
Back in 2014, amid the weekly cycle of news, a particular image was more striking than most: Doctor and Professor Ngo Bao Chau stood in the middle of a makeshift classroom in a rural village in Thai N...
New Excavation Mission in Da Nang Yields Rare 1,000-Year-Old Cham Artifacts
Elephant, snake and bird statues, as well as pieces of a tower, are amongst the 1,000-year-old relics discovered during the third archaeological endeavor in the area.
In Hanoi, a Home for Vintage One-Piece Swimwear Slows Down Fast Fashion
Ellen Downes is on the hunt for bathing suits. She trawls the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter for vintage and second-hand shops, scours the aisles of the used market on Dong Tac Street, and hops off ...
[Illustrations] The Collection of Isometric Puzzle Pieces That Makes Saigon
These playful, perspective-skewering illustrations focus on everyday Saigon scenes.
Saigoneer Podcast: The Asian Olympics, Saigon's Museums and Travelfish Co-Founder Stuart McDonald
We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend - we're back with the latest Saigoneer Podcast episode!
[Photos] The 3D Ribbon Embroideries That Turn Nature Into Wearable Art
For these incredible creations, monochromatic silk garments serve as canvases, upon which the colorful ribbon renderings of Vietnamese animals and plants are sewn.
Paul Christiansen in Literature
Vietnamese-American Author Thi Bui Wins High-Profile US Literary Award
An American Book Award is the latest accolade for Thi Bui's esteemed graphic novel The Best We Could Do.
Kit Humphrey in Culture
[Photos] Wild Celebrations Follow Vietnam’s Quarter-Final Victory Against Syria
Last night, Vietnam beat Syria 1-0, taking them into the semi-finals of the Asian Games for the first time in history.
[Video] Laidback, Retro-Style Clip Saunters by Hanoi’s Landmarks and Side Streets
At just over a minute long, this soothing video pays tribute to the quotidian pleasures of exploring Hanoi’s landmarks, alleyways and side streets.
Saigoneer Podcast: Gender Roles in Vietnam, Public Indecency, and Human Geographer Michael Waibel
We're back with episode 26!
Kit Humphrey in Culture
[Photos] Manga Costumes and Virtual Idols at Japanese Cosplay Festival
Last weekend, the Ichigo Ichie 2018 Japanese Culture Festival - Kamisama & Yokai, which took place at Hanoi Children's Cultural Center, brought gloriously eccentric cosplay characters to the capital.
Kit Humphrey in Music & Arts
Interactive Art Installation ‘Synescape: Please Touch’ Enthralls the Senses
Anita Wilczęga sits on a stool in Tinh Dau art studio, trying to explain the final project she’ll curate in Vietnam before departing for Italy. Behind her, ten white boxes hang from the rafters, swayi...
[Video] This Tongue-in-Cheek Short Film Imagines a World Without Bum Guns
Empty toilet paper holder, not a single tissue or scrap of useless paper in your pocket and no one else in the bathroom to head your calls for help: its a nightmare we all understand.
Hanoi Autumn Book Fair Taking Place This Week
The event will be held from August 22 to 26 at Thong Nhat Park, running from 8am to 10pm every day.
