Khôi Phạm in Music & Arts
Review: Thịnh Suy, Datmaniac Deliver Earnestness in 'Tự,' an Experiment in Spirituality
Following the musical works of Thịnh Suy means always being on alert for sudden song drops, sometimes without even a cryptic social media status update as a harbinger. Thịnh’s latest creation, ‘Tự,’ came to be in a similar fashion: the vocal version was unveiled in August, while a few days ago, another version with a rap verse by Datmaniac came out.
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.
#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...
[Video] This Is What Happens When You Merge Cai Luong and Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean?'
Do: watch this video to improve your cải lương skills. Don’t: use this video to practice English pronunciation.
