Văn Tân in Culture
A Brief History of Ông Đồ, Vietnam’s Scholars Whose Calligraphy Is Highly Sought After
To say that Tết gathers together everything most beautiful in Vietnamese culture would not be an exaggeration. More than a threshold between the old year and the new, it is also a time when people feel they can return to, and relive, the traditional values that define them.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
From Dark to Dawn, an Early Morning at Hội An's Duy Hải Fish Market
At 3am, Hội An’s streets resemble dog-gnawed pork bones, licked clean of all scent and viscera. No light, no noise, no movement. But that’s the time you must venture out to witness the Duy Hải Fish Market in action.
Review: 'New Wave' Documentary Is a Surprisingly Personal Dissection of 1980s Nostalgia
Melodic synth-lines and steady electronic drums. Today, the signature sounds of new wave music feel perhaps a bit old and outdated. During its high point during the 1980s, however, new wave was hailed as music of the future.
On the Cusp of a Modern New Year, Reflections on a Simpler Tết Past
Every year, as the pages from my block calendar peel off, bringing me towards another Vietnamese New Year, my mind once again fills with nostalgia about an old Tết. Tết in my memory begins with my childhood in a small house nestled under a coconut grove on the outskirts of Bạc Liêu in the Mekong Delta. Those were days of hardship, yet my parents worked hard so that Tết could bloom magnificently for all of us.
A Damaged Masterpiece Reveals How Much We Take Our Cultural Heritage for Granted
A once-damaged national treasure remains on view as if nothing had happened, while other works are displayed with little context — what does this tell us about how art museums preserve Vietnam's cultural heritage and shape our art history narratives today?
In 'Đêm Giao Thừa' EP, a Đàn Tranh Artist Offers Novel Twists on Nostalgic Tết Sounds
Indie đàn tranh artist Brian Bùi has just released Đêm Giao Thừa, an EP containing energetic covers of three classic Tết songs and an original track that pays homage to styles from the 1960s and 1970s.
Khôi Phạm in Culture
Unraveling the Mystery Behind the 'Mùi Việt Kiều' of My Childhood
My favorite candy used to be Hershey’s Kisses. Wrapped in colorful, sparkling foil, these little nubs of decadence made me feel special as a child, not just because of their sugary sweetness, but also because, for much of Vietnam’s contemporary history, you could only enjoy them if you have relatives abroad.
When Lịch Bloc Is Gone, What Will Vietnam Use to Keep Discarded Fish Bones?
I have never bought a lịch bloc, or tear-off calendar, for personal use, because every new year, I'm bound to be gifted a brand-new one. In Vietnam, a calendar is often something one purchases as a present for others.
'The Sorrow of War' Author Bao Ninh to Release Part of New Novel
The excerpt will be released on December 25.
[Photos] Giant Caves and Animatronic Santa: Saigon Goes All out on Festivities
By this time of year, many expats living in Saigon have made the annual decision: return home to catch up with loved ones, or stay put in Vietnam. Those who stay in Saigon for Christmas may try to cel...
Saigoneer Podcast: Korea's Presence in Saigon; the Darker Side of K-Pop
A special episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is out now!
Cong Tri Collaborates With 10 Artists to Showcase 20-Year Fashion Career
One of Vietnam’s most prominent fashion designers, Nguyen Cong Tri, will celebrate some of his best works from the last 20 years this month.
An Opera Lover’s Introduction to Cải Lương
“How would you like to see a performance of cải lương — traditional Vietnamese folk opera?” my local friend asked. “Great opportunity for photos, and I think we can go backstage.” Knowing my love...
Son Tung M-TP Is Launching His Own Social Network for Fans in 2020
Forget Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, 2020 will be the year of SkySocial.
Thi Nguyễn in Culture
How Vietnam's Pop Culture Leaves Behind Past Stigmas to Embrace Queerness
The recent rise of music videos and pop culture products that feature androgynous idols and same-sex love has invited mixed responses and debates in the media, which open a window into Vietnam’s histo...
Khoi Pham in Music & Arts
A Young Hanoi Orchestra Brings Symphonic Disney Nights to Saigon
Growing up with the touching stories of Walt Disney Studios, many Saigoneers have formed a personal connection with the cheery tunes of songs like The Little Mermaid’s ‘Under the Sea’ or the icon...
Hanoi Students Win Prize at Asian International Children's Film Festival in Japan
The students won the Excellent Prize for their emotional film about friendship.
Film Adaptation of Comic Series 'Than Dong Dat Viet' to Hit Theaters Next Year
One of Vietnamese youth’s biggest childhood icons is coming to the big screen.
Adrien Jean in Culture
[Photos] The Evolution of Saigon Residents in an Ad, Ad, Ad World
Exploring Saigon’s streets through my lens has helped me to understand the city in a deeper way and to be a witness of its development.
Kit Humphrey in Culture
[Photos] The Naked Truth Behind Hanoi's 'Banana Island' Nudists
Hanoi is a conservative capital where young couples rarely kiss in public, yet along the banks of the Red River, a men's nudist club thrives.
Saigoneer Podcast: A SEA Games Deep Dive; Restaurateurs Phuong Ngo & Jerome Buzenet
Our latest episode is available now!
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 20: Ephemeral Holiday Feelings
Soft lights illuminate Saigon's dark alleys and streets the way holiday cheer brightens the lamentations for another year passing.
Đen, Mỹ Tâm, Vũ. Are the Most-Streamed Vietnamese Artists of 2019 on Spotify
As 2019 draws to a close, music streaming platform Spotify has released its year-end statistics.
Khoi Pham in Music & Arts
Year in Review: Saigoneer's 20 Picks for Best Vietnamese Music of 2019
In a nutshell, 2019 has been a year of milestones, blurring of genres and retrospection for Vietnamese music.
Saigon Independent Art Space San Art Launches Fundraising Exhibition This Month
Founded in 2007 by four artists including Dinh Q. Le, Tiffany Chung, Tuan Andrew Nguyen and Ha Thuc Phu Nam, the space is one of Saigon’s pioneer independent, non-profit and artist-initiated art platf...
Michael Tatarski in Music & Arts
What's Inside the Eclectic Sets of Coracle Music Festival's 2nd Edition?
Perfect weather, a beautiful setting and great acts — what more do you need from a music festival?
[Video] Loss and Sacrifice Permeate Every Minute of New MV for ‘Canh Chim Trang’
A profound sense of loss, longing and rueful self-awareness pervade every minute of a new music video for ‘Canh Chim Trang,’ sung by Pham Thuy Dung.
[Photos] Road Safety Campaign Pokes Fun at Vietnam's Traffic Offenses
Titled “Traffic in Wonderland,” a road safety campaign features a series of photos taken on Vietnam’s streets, with added cheeky drawings.
