How Colonial Steamship Transport Transformed into Casual River Cruises in Southeast Asia
The relaxed, historic-looking river cruise ships emblazoned with the Pandaw name that you may witness meandering up rivers in Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and even India have a much stranger backstory than you’d suspect.
All Aboard the Languorous 35-Hour Train From Hanoi to Saigon
The train connecting Vietnam’s largest cities takes 35 hours. Yet even after the first time I finished the trip, I was already coming up with excuses for why I needed to do it again. For me, the journey is much more than a chance for great views and time to reflect. It’s an exploration of life itself.
Short Film 'Mud Below, Sun Above' Reveals Daily Trials of Hanoi's Scrap Collectors
Đồng nát translates to “junk; broken materials,” but it is also a term used in northern Vietnam to describe the recycling workforce, 90% of whom are elderly women, that operate in a nation that produces 68,000 tons of solid waste every day.
Inside the Vivid, Soothing Art Realm of Vietnamese Illustration Artist Phuongsongdep
Using her keen observation and sensitive art intuition, Minh Phương creates a colorful realm through her brushstrokes, w...
Paul Christiansen in Culture
Learning to Ngồi Chồm Hổm Is a Simple Way for Anybody to Feel More Vietnamese
What is culture? For someone who writes for an arts and culture publication, you’d think I’d have a quick and clean answer, but the more I ruminate, the more I realize it comes down to a sloppy assemblage of habits, ephemera, and minutiae: eating preferences, holiday attire, styles of sneezes, methods for counting on one’s fingers, variety of fruits to gift and an endless string of social norms. Pile enough of these choices together, and you end up with a distinct culture.
Great Vietnam Resurrects Nguyễn-Era Fashion, One Traditional Costume at a Time
In the last four to five years, ancient Vietnamese costumes have gained more visibility, becoming a welcome sight among young locals thanks to the efforts to reproduce and promote historic fashion from a number of designers, brands, and interest groups that appreciate the country’s history and traditions.
In the Mekong Delta, Đồ Bộ Is Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
Despite its humble beginning as something worn just for convenience’s sake, đồ bộ has entered every minute of life in the Mekong Delta as a staple fashion choice that’s both flexible and colorful. Đồ bộ means “set outfit” in Vietnamese, a type of female casualwear made of soft, thin fabrics that often comes in a top and long bottom combo. They’re sometimes referred to as “Vietnamese pajamas,” but these comfortable sets can be worn at any time of the day and even outside, not just reserved for sleep like pajamas.
Nguyễn Đổng Chi's Classic Retelling of Vietnam's Fairy Tales, Now in English
Folklorist and anthropologist Nguyễn Đổng Chi dedicated decades to weaving a significant portion of Vietnam’s folklore tapestry. He collected, researched, and rewrote over 200 Vietnamese folktales from all corners of the country. His work, initially scattered across five volumes published individually and consecutively over 25 years, appeared as a complete anthology in 1982. Guided by a comprehensive treatise of Vietnamese folktale, Chi’s Kho tàng truyện cổ tích Việt Nam (Treasury of Vietnamese Folk Tales) might be daunting for readers drawn to Vietnamese folklore but disenchanted by rigorous academic discourse.
February Movies at Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
This year's controversial awards season is drawing to an end. With the BAFTAs and the Oscars still to come, Saigon's February program includes two long-awaited biopics, one of the most revolutionary a...
Vietnam's Hottest Tet Gift: Lucky Buddha Pears
Forget hoverboards and lightsabers: Vietnam's hottest gift this holiday season is the nature-defying Buddha-shaped pear.
Saigoneer’s December and January Art Picks
Between Christmas and Tet, everything slows down in Saigon's art world, but a few venues have still found time to put on new shows. Here is some of our favorite work from the holiday season's exhibiti...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Film & TV
City of Mirrors: A Local Filmmaker's Crowdfunding Quest
For his first-ever feature film, Truong Minh Quy spent two months waiting around for it to rain.
[Video] There Is Now a Vietnamese Cover of 'Hotline Bling'
Oh, YouTube. You have brought us such joy: from turtle sex to the “apparently” kid, countless bad lip readings to one Antoine Dodson, the entertainment never ends. And now, through the power...
Cambodia's Stunning Angkor Panorama Museum...Built by North Koreans
Last month, Cambodia opened the doors to a brand-new Angkorian attraction.
Morrissey May Play Saigon in April
Good news for everyone with a love of 1980s British indie music: Morrissey is coming to town.
Vietnamese Actress Makes Hollywood Debut in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel
Vietnamese actress Ngo Thanh Van, star of several local blockbusters including Dong Mau Anh Hung, Clash and the forthcoming film Sieu Trom, will be making her Hollywood debut next month.
[Photos] Saigon Just Got a Fancy New Pedestrian Book Street
While Saigon faces a major deficit when it comes to public space, it looks like the city has recognized its value following the success of Nguyen Hue's pedestrian boulevard.
Japanese Artist 3D Prints 'International' Homes for Hermit Crabs
In 2009, Japanese artist Aki Inomata began creating clear, plastic hermit crab shells with the help of 3D printing. Inspired by different cities around the world, the artist brought her creations to l...
[Video] Filmmaker Merges Vietnam Footage With Poetry
There are an abundance of beautiful travel videos on the internet, many of them as visually stunning as the next. But whether you're touring Myanmar, watching Vietnam from above or getting l...
[Video] Check out David Bowie's 1983 Tour of Southeast Asia
If you're at all human – or, for that matter, alien – you heard of the passing of David Bowie last week. The prolific musician was not only celebrated for his unique sound and chart-topping hits ...
[Pictograms] Chinese-German Graphic Designer Captures What Happens When East Meets West
When she was 13, Yang Liu moved from China to Germany. Ever since, the graphic designer has been learning to navigate the myriad differences that exist between eastern and western culture.
Vietnam Filming of 'King Kong' to Begin in February
Next month, Vietnam will once again prepare for its Hollywood close-up, as filming for Kong: Skull Island is set to begin.
January Movies at Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
With both the Golden Globes (you can find a full list of nominations here) and the Oscars looming, it is an (almost) all-American program this month at Saigon's alternative film venues. From a sci-fi ...
Vietnamese Model Confesses to Plagiarism, Doesn't Care
We've all seen our fair share of “Chanel” and “Gucci” floating around this city. In the world of contemporary Vietnamese fashion, imitation – or out-and-out plagiarism – is the sincerest form of flatt...
Bollywood Is Coming to Vietnam
India and Vietnam may be seeing a lot more cooperation between cinematic industries in the coming year.
American Film Seeking Vietnamese Actress to Star Alongside Matt Damon
Think Matt Damon is dreamy? We have good news for you.
Zelda Goes To The Gallery: Hope
From social critique and political satire to the celebration of human strength, Hope – the inaugural exhibition of Craig Thomas Gallery's new downtown location – is the most personal exhibition to dat...
Here's What Vietnam Googled This Year
Looking back on 2015, Vietnam's internet search history suggests we could all use a good cry and a hug.
