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.
Vietnamese, English Versions of Acclaimed Art Book 'The First Journey' Now Available for Order
Fans of 'The First Journey' will be glad to find out that both the Vietnamese and English versions of the book are now available to order.
Popular EDM Duo The Chainsmokers to Play Saigon in September
Pop duo The Chainsmokers will perform in Saigon on September 14 as a part of the Asian leg of their “Memories…Do not open” world tour.
Ariana Grande Cancels Saigon Concert 4 Hours Before Showtime
Saigon’s Arianators must be feeling devastated at the moment.
Michael Tatarski in Arts & Culture
How Virtual Life Is Transforming Saigon's Public Spaces
Observe public spaces in Saigon for any amount of time and you'll quickly notice many interactions take place in both the physical world and within the virtual sphere. Whether it’s teenagers taking In...
How Widespread Art Fraud Could Tarnish Vietnam’s Reputation on International Market
The popularity of Vietnamese art is on the rise internationally, but its reputation is in jeopardy as more and more incidents of art fraud are being uncovered.
[Illustrations] A Colorful Collection of Saigon Landmarks
From its earliest days, Saigon has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s history, the stories of which live on in its most iconic landmarks.
[Illustrations] Osaka Illustrator Turns Hometown Into Manga Backdrop With Quirky Sketches
An Osaka-based illustrator turns his hometown into detailed ballpoint sketches that could pass for the backdrop of a manga series.
'Dunkirk' Director Christopher Nolan Was in Saigon During the Weekend
Some hopeful fans were wondering if he was in the country to find inspiration for a Dunkirk 2.
[Photos] Squeeze Through Hanoi's Tightest Old Quarter Alleys
If you think Saigon’s hẻms are narrow, these Hanoi alleys shown below will make you question your notion of personal space.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Arts & Culture
The Renovation Generation: Exploring What It Means to Be Young and Vietnamese
In the years after 1986, Vietnam’s Doi Moi economic reforms transformed one of the world’s poorest countries into a dynamic, fast-growing nation, shaping a generation of young Vietnamese into bright, ...
Art Photographer Explores Vietnam's Spirituality Through Muted Conversations
In his latest exhibition, Muted Conversations, Vu Tien Dat invites his audience to explore the unspoken in Vietnam’s spirituality and superstitions.
Vietnamese Cineplex Galaxy Cinema Looking to Exit Movie Market
Vietnam’s movie fans will be disappointed to find out that one of their favorite cinema chains is leaving the market.
[Podcast] Renovation Generation: Suboi's Hard-Earned Wisdom
For Renovation Generation’s latest installment, the Hanoi-based team took a trip down to Saigon to speak with the country’s "Queen of Hip-Hop", Suboi.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Music & Arts
With Ariana Grande, International Pop Culture Comes to Vietnam
When Ariana Grande takes the stage at Saigon’s Quan Khu 7 Stadium on August 23, it will be one of the many nights she’s done so during her Dangerous Woman tour. The American pop star will sing her cha...
Vietnamese-French Playwright Uncovers Vietnamese Immigrants' Lives on Stage
Saigon, Caroline Guiale Nguyen's new play, taps into the untold stories of Vietnamese exiles and their struggles to settle themselves abroad.
Ha Giang Artisan Brings Mong Flax Brocade to International Markets
An entrepreneurial artisan from Ha Giang province recently made the list of the top 50 most influential women in Vietnam in 2017 because of her contribution in bridging the gap between her hometown’s ...
Saigon Spaces: Reuse, Recycle and Reinvent
In a slightly tired traditional tenement block in District 1 is Huong Nguyen’s latest renovation project, a studio apartment overlooking Nguyen Du. Shaded by an old tamarind tree, the building was ori...
[Video] Slick Short Film Highlights the Vibrant Life in Modern Hanoi
This beautifully shot and edited short video showcases a diverse range of activities and panoramas, capturing snapshots of life in Vietnam's bustling capital.
Khoi Pham in Music & Arts
Sketching Saigon: Charming Indie Cafes Through the Eyes of Taiwanese Illustrator
In Shao-Chen Lin’s new sketchbook, On-the-spot Sketching at Cafes in Saigon, Vietnam, the southern metropolis is defined by its most charming aspect: a robust coffee culture that permeates every ...
Cambodia’s Craft Tile Industry Is Going Extinct
Introduced by French colonists over a century ago, tile-making continues throughout Cambodia despite having been abandoned decades ago in France.
