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.
[Photos] Color and Lights: Tet Trung Thu on D5's Lantern Street
Every fall, District 5’s Luong Nhu Hoc Street becomes a melee of lanterns, kids’ toys and dragon dance paraphernalia ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
[Video] When Studio Ghibli's Totoro, Kiki and No-Face Roam Our World
Ever wondered what your life would be like if characters from Ghibli movies exist in the real world?
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
Board Game Van Tich Turns Vietnamese Legends Into Action Figures
Step into Nguyen Huu Tu’s office, and it’s pretty clear from the get-go how he feels about action figures. Running along one side of the room are several display cases, each housing an array of superh...
Vietnam Among First Countries to Screen Van Gogh Biopic 'Loving Vincent'
Local lovers of Van Gogh rejoice as Loving Vincent is announced to be released in October in a number of countries, including Vietnam.
[Photos] Vietnam's National Film Studio Is the Perfect Backdrop for a Horror Flick
Once the country’s most prestigious film institution, the Vietnam Feature Film Studio (VFS) is now a shadow of its glorious past self.
[Photos] Local Designer Puts International Pop Divas on Retro Saigon Album Covers
Vietnam’s crop of sterling photo manipulators strike again with a retro makeover of today's chart-topping female artists.
Katy Perry Showcases 3 Outfits by Local Designer Cong Tri During 'Witness' Tour
Vietnamese fashion designs are getting more and more attention on the international scene recently.
[Photos] Saigon’s Glass Paper Lantern Makers Are Back in Business
In an age where more than a few traditional Vietnamese handicrafts face extinction, a slew of orders have revived District 11’s Phu Binh lantern-making community ahead of this year’s Tet Trung Thu.
With Cambodian Release, ‘First They Killed My Father’ Could Be Eligible for Oscar Submission
As buzz grows around Angelina Jolie’s most recent directorial effort, First They Killed My Father, the film could become this year’s Oscar submission from Cambodia.
Award-Winning Vietnamese Graphic Novel ‘Long Than Tuong’ Released as English E-Book
The first volume of Vietnam’s award-winning graphic novel Long Than Tuong is now available as an English-language e-book.
Vietnamese Artisans, US Designer Collaborate for New York Fashion Week
Last weekend, as fashion-forward Saigoneers were lining up around the block to catch a glimpse of Vietnam’s first-ever H&M, one of the country’s own fashion businesses was making waves at New York Fas...
Thich Nhat Hanh Documentary 'Walk With Me' Out This Month in Global Theaters
Walk With Me is a new documentary centered on Vietnamese Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh. The feature, spanning one hour and twenty-eight minutes, focuses on Hanh's three years of monastic life b...
CGV Opens 50th Cineplex, Plans $200m Expansion in Vietnam by 2020
CJ CGV, the South Korean cinema chain that dominates Vietnam's theater market, plans to invest US$200 million in more outlets by 2020.
The Curious Recent Cases of Plagiarism in Vietnamese Art
Plagiarism not only runs rampant in Vietnam’s online creative industry, but also in more traditional art forms such as oil paintings and lacquer.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
[Video] Coi: A Creative Plea for Less Horn-Honking on Saigon’s Streets
Vietnamese traffic has a bad reputation among both local and foreign drivers for its chaotic nature. From sidewalk driving to texting behind the wheel and creative interpretations of local street sign...
[Video] There's Now a Mekong Delta-Style Remix of 'Despacito,' Because Why Not
Who would have thought that merging ‘Despacito’ with Vietnamese bolero influences would make a great Khmer-sounding hit?
Vietnam's Representative Wins Mrs. Universe 2017
A Vietnamese-American woman was recently crowned Mrs. Universe 2017, making it the first time a Vietnamese participant has ever achieved the title in such a pageant.
[Photos] Japanese Artisan Creates Meticulous Animal Sculptures From Sugar Syrup
These handmade Japanese confections are almost too exquisite to eat.
Khoi Pham in Arts & Culture
Young Saigoneers Encapsulate the Charm of Ben Thanh Market in Mini Wooden Model
There’s no doubt that Saigon is a charming city. From internationally produced films such as The Quiet American to colorful art projects by local illustrators, the city’s landmarks seem to be popular ...
[Photos] Chinese Photoshop Genius Reimagines 'Game of Thrones' Characters as Street Vendors
The most recent season of 'Game of Thrones' may have ended on Sunday, but fans of the show can now visit their favorite characters in China - through Photoshop, that is.
