Nguyễn Bình Phương's Tale of Magical Realism Revels in Absurdity
“Clip-clop, clip-clop.” So goes the sound of the water buffalo hooves pulling a wagon through the highlands against the magenta sky of an unending sunset. The wagon is guided by a nameless driver, and onboard are three travelers: a veteran referred to as “the Man” and two other younger men.
I Grew up Among Ducks in the Mekong Delta. They Always Remind Me of Home.
On a recent ritual walk around my suburb, I was held up by the sight of a middle-aged man with his “fur kid.” I introduced myself and when he heard the word “Vietnam,” his eyes lit up and with a smile as he tumbled out the words: “The Mekong Delta. Ducks.”
In Hien's Debut Album, a Self-Discovery Journey Through Vietnam, Hungary and the US
After a decade writing and gathering materials, Hien recently published her debut album, “Trăng Qua.”
‘Echoes of Tonkin’ Exhibition Challenges Clichéd Narratives of 20th-Century Vietnamese Art
“Echoes of Tonkin: Vietnamese Modern Art” opens in Hong Kong to challenge reductive narratives and clichés about 20th-century Vietnamese art.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Art Project ‘The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams’ Is a Wild Alchemy of Vé Số and Photography
Vé số ticket number 984430 yields a magenta fish contorting atop a ghostly image of an apartment high-rise in Tân Phú in “The Lottery of Forgotten Dreams – Topographies of the Unseen,” an art project by photographer Christian Berg. The experimental project, available to view in full online, employs computer technology to combine photography, numerology, and mythology and playfully reimagine how one visualizes Saigon.
In MARG1N, a Resolute Return to Print Media That Dissects Southeast Asian Cinema
The joy of reading, for most of my life, had been primarily grounded in the joy of learning, feeling, and thinking through words, independent of medium. That is, until college, when I found myself repeatedly longing for Thursday mornings, when the week’s freshly printed student newspaper would arrive neatly folded and stacked, ready to be spread over the dining-hall table like wrapping paper. I came to realize then that the joy of reading was not simply about words; it was also about the tactile touch of paper and of the inexplicable satisfaction of flipping through pages bigger than my hands could reasonably manage.
By Preserving Tradition, Honoring Creativity and Showcasing Sustainability, Young Vietnamese Chefs Excel at Ngon Challenge by Marriott International
The glossy menus, sleek decor, and iconic logos of international hotel restaurants often obscure the human stories behind each dish. While catering to global guests, these restaurants often serve meals with origins in family kitchens and regional culinary traditions. Young, local chefs balance nostalgic associations with contemporary techniques and creative expression to create these menus. Returning for its second year this past September, Ngon Challenge continued to celebrate and nurture Vietnamese culinary talent across Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Vietnam.
Review: ‘Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell’ Is a Soul-Searching Mission in the Lâm Đồng Mist
On the pastures of slow cinema where Andrei Tarkovsky, Tsai Ming-liang and Theo Angelopoulos reside, Phạm Thiên Ân's debut feature, Bên Trong Vỏ Kén Vàng (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell), has made its mark as a notable entry for its distinctly Vietnamese vistas, tones and essence.
Sixty Square: Crumbling Colonial Buildings House Hanoi’s Hippest New Art Quarter
Ever since the closure of Zone 9, Hanoi’s young artists have been longing for a new spot to rise from the ashes and fill the hole the defunct art hub left in the capital's creative landscape. Creative...
[Photos] In Minimalist Street Photography, Good Frames Come to Those Who Wait
Photographer Victor Morante is all about the little details in a frame.
Hanoi Queer Film Week Provides Platform for Vietnam's LGBTQ Voices
Starting today and running until Friday, August 17, Hanoi International Queer Film Week 2018 (HIQFW), will include 14 film screenings followed by audience discussions.
Saigoneer Podcast: Seafood Fight, Traditional Medicine and L'Arrange Rhum
We're a quarter of the way to 100 episodes!
[Illustrations] Minimalist Pastel Renditions of Hanoi’s Historic Landmarks
Local illustrator Nguyen Minh Trang brings calming colors and geometric aesthetics to some of the capital’s most striking architecture.
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
[Video] Saigon-Based Directors Feature Abandoned Hue Waterpark in New Music Video
A small boat reaches shore and an adventure begins at the wild, abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Waterpark outside of Hue.
Ahead of Its Premiere Next Week, 'The Bachelor Vietnam' Reveals the Bachelor in New Trailer
The Vietnam adaptation of American reality TV show The Bachelor will premiere this month.
Vietnam's Cinema Industry to Receive $50m Financial Boost
Lack of funding has always been an issue for Vietnam's film industry.
Saigoneer Podcast: Exercise in Vietnam, Street Cred and Hanoi Zine Library
Episode 24 is out now!
[Video] Suboi Makes Saigon Nightscapes Her Playground in Latest Music Video for 'N-Sao?'
Saigon's color-streaked nighttime streets serve as background for the hip-hop star's latest music video.
[Illustrations] Hanoi Typography Project Turns Classic Food and Drink Names into Vibrant Designs
When paired with artistic creativity, common food and drink names can become symbols of cultural re-imagination. The following illustrations successfully capture the past while also appearing youthful...
Kit Humphrey in Literature
Alain de Botton Visits Vietnam: 'What I Want to Argue Is That Romanticism Has Been a Disaster for Love.'
It’s not often that a philosopher of Alain de Botton’s status visits Vietnam, so it was no surprise that all 50 seats on the upper floor of Toong Coworking Space were occupied, with most tickets snapp...
Vans x Van Gogh Museum Collection Will Also Be Available in Vietnam
Some of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh’s most iconic works have been turned into everyday apparel.
[Video] Korean Filmmaker Creates Charming Video Postcard of Hanoi
This short video of Hanoi is vicarious tourism at its finest.
[Photos] Malaysian Artist Encapsulates the Timeless Charm of Asia's Mom-and-Pop Shops in Mini-Models
“There are many ways to help you keep something in mind, through a memo, a voice recorder, or a photo. But miniature is something you can touch and see, to recall your memories.”
[Photos] A Converse-Royal Costume Mashup for Vietnam's History Buffs and Sneakerheads
‘Tis the time for wearable history.
Saigoneer Podcast: Decadent Vietnamese Dishes and Marriage in Modern Vietnam
The latest Saigoneer Podcast episode is ready for your listening pleasure!
Paul Christiansen in Literature
Indigenous Species: Poetry Book Connects Vietnam and Indonesia
Massive fish die-offs, sewage-smothered lakes, natural parks gashed by cable cars, soot-sullied skies and overflowing landfills — when considering environmental issues, it is easy to view them fr...
[Video] Dreamy Slow-Motion Clip Depicts Hanoians Embracing Life on a Rainy Day
Of the countless video montages shot in Vietnam, how many of them are worth a click? This dreamy, slow-motion clip of daily activities near Hoan Kiem Lake certainly is.
Japanese Mega Girl Group AKB48 to Launch Vietnam Sister Group SGO48 This Year
Are you a big fan of Japanese mega girl group AKB48? Now you can be part of the collective right in Saigon.
