Dispatch From Udine: Vietnam's Cinema Reaches the World Stage While Rooted in Local Culture
Vietnamese cinema experienced a watershed moment at the 28th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
Short Story Collection 'Gills' Pieces Together a Raw and Complex Portrait of Saigon
Saigon’s landscape looks dramatically different from how it did three or even two decades ago. As the country’s economic powerhouse, Saigon has seen rapid urban development: new highrises like Landmark 81 and the Bitexco Financial Tower that now define the city’s skyline, new urban infrastructure like the Ba Son Bridge and Saigon’s first metro line, as well as the city’s expansion into areas like District 7’s Phú Mỹ Hưng and District 2’s Thủ Thiêm. If the west has long viewed Saigon under the shadow of war, it is clear that such a rigid frame fails to contain the Saigon of today, whose entropic inner life seems to constantly overflow; with motorbikes onto sidewalks, loud honks through windows, and rainpour over Saigon’s riverbeds.
Paul Christiansen in Culture
Whale Worship: Exploring the Role of Whales in Vietnam's Coastal Lore
In 1799, the ferocious Tây Sơn army forced the first Nguyễn Emperor, Nguyễn Ánh, and his troops to flee to the sea. While making their escape, a great storm engulfed the retreating army. As their ship’s mast shivered and the hull shuddered, threatening to break it into splinters, a great whale rose from the depths. It lifted the emperor's boat and carried him and his men to safety. To thank the animal, Ánh bestowed upon whales the official title of "Nam Hải Cự Tộc Ngọc Lân Thượng Đẳng Thần," which was shortened to Cá Ông, or “Lord Fish.”
A Special 'Doraemon' Episode Taking Place in Vietnam Will Be Released in May
After decades of watching Doraemon and his close friend groups adventure to all sorts of strange lands from the deepest trenches on Earth to fantastical planets, fans of the beloved cat robot in Vietnam will finally see our country in the cartoon series.
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
An Ode to Saigon’s Chò Nâu Trees
It’s too cold for chò nâu to grow where I’m from, but we still gave it an English name: dipterocarp.
Mầm in Music & Arts
Vietnamese Painter Một Quả Tắc Creates an Intimate and Gentle World on Silk
Silk is an inherently finicky, demanding medium. Yet from the very first encounter, Quế Hương had chose to embrace its temperament and has devoted herself to it for nearly a decade.
Mầm in Ton-sur-Ton
Into the Earthy, Quirky World of Kramahan's Accessories and Clothing
We paid Nhật, the founder of Kramahan.Clothing , a visit on a windy day in Saigon. This room in the heart of the city has ...
ACV Proposes Moving 90% of Saigon's Overseas Flights to Long Thành
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has proposed plans to transfer flight operations in Hồ Chí Minh City from Tân Sơ...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Music & Arts
French Hip-Hop Meets Viet Rap in New Piu Piu Collaboration
As Vietnam’s underground hip-hop scene begins to emerge into the spotlight, one of its rising stars joins forces with an up-and-coming foreign artist to create a track for worldwide release.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Hue's intricate lanterns to a Saigon dusk, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] Kiyohiko Azuma’s Intricate Sketches of Tokyo’s Urban Landscapes
This manga artist creates backgrounds with such extreme attention to detail that they could pass for standalone works of art.
Vietnamese Film Wins Top Honors at ASEAN Film Festival
A Vietnamese film named The Way Station won Best Film, Best Lead Actor and Best Director of Photography (DOP) at the 2017 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA).
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From a fishing village in Tam Giang to Hanoi's Long Bien Bridge, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
[Photos] This Artist Creates Ukiyo-e Paintings of Basketball Stars
Edo-ball is what happens when one combines Japanese culture, professional basketball and ukiyo-e paintings.
Hoa Van Dai Viet: A Very Vietnam Take on Adult Coloring Books
As globalization transforms Vietnam’s cultural landscape, a group of young history aficionados have taken it upon themselves to keep old traditions alive.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From amused fishermen to forlorn coracle, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Local Artist Challenges Japan's Stigma Against Tattoos in Modern Era
In tattoo-averse Japan, a case heading to court in Osaka could help determine whether anybody will be able to get their body inked in the country in the future.
[Video] Vietnamese Animator Creates Wistful Reel of Saigon Memories From Pencil Sketches
Sometimes our childhood memories exist as little pieces of wonder.
[Photos] Vietnamese-American Artist Helps Create and Share 'Made by Refugee' Stickers
If you’ve come across a “Made by Refugee” sticker in Saigon, know that they’re the brainchild of artist duo Kien Quan and Jillian Young, created in an effort to raise awareness of the global refugee c...
Brian Letwin in Music & Arts
City Rising: Richie Fawcett’s Intricate Saigon Panoramas Hit L’Usine This Week
Saigon-based artist Richie Fawcett is back with an extensive new collection of drawings that will soon be on display at L’Usine Dong Khoi.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Saigon street at dusk to traditional Chinese decor, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Gambling and Globalization in Old Saigon: A Brief History of Số Đề in Vietnam
Since Vietnam started opening up its economy decades ago, the country has been developing at an impressive rate thanks to the effects of globalization, foreign investment and a constant exchange of cu...
Indonesia's 'Islamic Punk' Movement Marries Religious Faith With Musical Rebellion
In Indonesia, music aficionados are combining two elements that appear to be in complete contrast – Islamic faith and punk – to create positive changes in their community.
[Photos] Masashi Wakui's Colorful Tokyo Vision
There are a lot of things to love about Tokyo: the food, the quirky fashion and the rich history. However, for photographer Masashi Wakui, it’s the city’s nightscapes that fascinate him the most.
[Photos] A Group of History Buffs Have Recreated a Royal Costume From Scratch
A group of young history buffs recently accomplished an impressive feat: reconstructing an old Vietnamese royal costume by referencing an image.
[Photos] A Post-Apocalyptic Look Into 3A Station on Its Last Legs
A month after receiving its closing notice, 3A Station has gone from hip youth culture alley to post-apocalyptic wasteland.
#WeAreSaigoneer: Instagram Shots of the Week
From Hoi An's night lanterns to a spectacular Saigon sunset, this is what we saw through our lens this week.
Passenger in Infamous United Airlines Video Was an Accomplished Pre-1975 Musician in Saigon
As the story of David Dao, the doctor who was forcefully removed from United Airlines Flight 3411 last Sunday, continues to unfold, Vietnamese media outlets have recounted the Vietnamese-American pass...
