Pete Walls

in Travel

Watching the Sunset From Lai Châu's Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina

Conquering Mount Fansipan’s 3,147 meters was once a feat reserved for those willing to take on the potential multi-day hike from Sapa to the summit and back.

in Film & TV

Vietnam Arrests 7 Suspects Behind Streaming Site HiAnime on Piracy Charges

As part of the current crackdown on intellectual property infringement, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security recently took down a major network of websites providing illegal anime streaming.

in Quãng 8

Dropping the Disguise: The Evolution of Punk Band Cút Lộn Towards More Radicality

In recent years, CÚT LỘN has cemented themselves as one of the most recognizable hardcore punk bands to emerge from the Vietnamese underground scene.

in Music & Arts

From TikTok to Bars, a Group of Young Artists Brings Đờn Ca Tài Tử to Unexpected Venues

“If you happen to pass by Huỳnh Mẫn Đạt Street in Hồ Chí Minh City There’s a strange bar with a Mekong theme Where cải lươ...

Khôi Phạm

in Culture

Home Is Where the Bum Gun Is

In the 2010s, my journey to study abroad took me to Singapore. Being a tiny person in an enormous city was a huge undertaking for a teenager, as I had to adapt to countless changes, from minute to major, at once: living in a different language, academic pressures, foreign customs and cuisines, and being away from my family. Gradually, things fell into place. The public transport worked well; the accent got more familiar; and I didn’t miss bánh mì and cơm tấm nearly as much as I thought I would; but there was one thing I never managed to entirely overcome — the bum gun-shaped void in my heart.

in Film & TV

Review: From Czechia, ‘Trường Hè, 2001’ Bridges Family Divides, Both Onscreen and in Real Life

Summer School, 2001, directed by Czech-Vietnamese writer and director Dužan Duong, was first released last year and has received critical acclaim within the Czech Republic and Europe. Now, the film has come to Vietnam, where it is available in Galaxy, Cinestar, and Beta theaters across Saigon, Hanoi and Đà Nẵng.

in Music & Arts

This Wedding Is Too Boring to Nhậu, Let's Put on Some Miền Tây Remix

While phasing in and out of sleep on a coach in the Mekong Delta, have you ever been jolted awake by the bouncing beats of a Vinahouse version of ‘Quê em mùa nước lũ’ (Flooding Season in My Hometown)? Or, a mindless TikTok scroll would bring up the catchy tune of ‘Lấy cây kim may đồ’ (Pass Me the Sewing Needle) that’s trending nationwide.

Back Arts & Culture

in Music & Arts

Altars, Lucky Packets and Votive Dollars: Suboi's New Video Goes Back to Basics

Sleek? Inspiring? Sexy? Slick syllable-massaging? The newest video from Vietnam's rap queen delivers on all fronts.

in Music & Arts

[Video] In 'Sông Trăng,' a Celebration of Dance and the Vietnamese Physique

Shimmering pig brains, karst-adjacent acrobatics, Hanoi flame-twirlers, "Why don't you embrace me like when we first met?"

in Film & TV

[Video] Hanoi Circus Acrobats Show Mesmerizing Moves in Short Film 'Sông Trăng'

Shimmering pig brains, karst-adjacent acrobatics, Hanoi flame-twirlers, "Why don't you embrace me like when we first met?"

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Vietnam's Reading Culture and Another Viewpoint on Folk Wisdom

It's our 50th episode!

in Arts & Culture

Action Blockbuster 'Hai Phuong' Will Be Released on Netflix on May 22

Hai Phuong (Furie) follows a former gangster, played by Ngo Thanh Van, trying to save her kidnapped daughter.

in Film & TV

[Video] Saigon's Sneakerheads Kick It up a Notch in New Documentary

While relatively unknown in Vietnam, Nike's iconic Air Max sneakers are some of the most popular shoes in the world.

Paul Christiansen

in Postcards

Saigon Postcard No. 15: Birthright Balance

Navigating traffic with absurdly overburdened motorbikes comes as second nature to Saigoneers.

in Music & Arts

Vietnam's Lacquer Masterpiece Damaged by Dish Soap During Cleaning

Nguyen Gia Tri's lacquer painting 'Vuon Xuan Trung Nam Bac' was named a national treasure by the Department of Cultural Heritage in 2013.

Kit Humphrey

in Music & Arts

[Video] Ha Giang Rap Video is an Earnest Call for Mental Health Awareness

In 2012, Ian Paynton’s catchy rap track ‘Oi Gioi Oi’ went viral. Now he’s back with a cinematic video, shot in Ha Giang, that calls out for mindfulness in the age of digital addiction.

in Arts & Culture

[Video] Adorable Animated Short Captures the Life of a Tet Flower Farmer

For some, the true joys of Tết disappear before the actual holiday arrives.

in Music & Arts

[Illustrations] Japanese Artist Reimagines Marvel Heroes as Ukiyo-e Artworks

By now, many Saigoneers may have already seen Avengers: Endgame, the ultimate puzzle piece of a 22-film narrative. Undoubtedly a global cultural phenomenon, Endgame and the Marvel Cinematic Universe h...

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Overseas Vietnamese Laborers & What If a Zombie Apocalypse Hit Saigon?

Happy short work week!

in Music & Arts

[Video] New Music Video 'Boy' Depicts Contemporary Hanoian Love, With a Twist

In the music video for indietronica artist Hien’s ‘Boy,’ a classical romantic narrative unfolds. Within a modern Hanoian setting, two lovers battle against themselves, their peers and society as a who...

in Culture

[Video] Stop-Motion Animation Project Retells Vietnam's Starfruit Tale With a Hint of Horror

As a common saying goes: "tham thì thâm" (grasp all lose all).

in Music & Arts

Thai Indie Sensation Phum Viphurit to Perform at Music Festival in Saigon This May

Right on the heels of his new single release, Thai-New Zealander indie sensation Phum Viphurit will play his first-ever music festival in Vietnam this May.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: A Reckoning on Child Harassment; That Burger King Ad; & 'Startup Vietnam' Author Andrew Rowan

We're back from a two-week break!

in Music & Arts

German, Vietnamese Sound Artists to Hold Workshops, Perform in Hanoi

Starting this weekend and continuing through next week, Hanoians will have the opportunity to attend a combination of workshops and live performances from both German and Vietnamese sound artists.

in Music & Arts

Matca Opens New Photography Space With 'A Little Bit of This and That' Exhibition

Photography and visual arts magazine Matca expanded their horizons last week with the opening of a new exhibition space in Hanoi.

Kit Humphrey

in Music & Arts

[Video] Introducing Rooftop Concerts, Saigoneer's New Live Music Series

It is with unrelenting pride and excitement that we can finally introduce Rooftop Concerts, our new live music video series inspired by the likes of Tiny Desk Concerts and La Blogotheque. 

in Music & Arts

New Hoi An Music Residency Opens Call for Applicants

Following a pilot initiative at Hanoi’s Phu Sa Lab this January, British Council is now looking for up to 10 Vietnam-based contemporary musicians to take part in a new FAMLAB music residency program i...