Draw Of The Wild

Artist Dao Van Hoang speaks about the importance of wildlife conservation through his art Wildlife artist Dao Van Hoang is sitting next to his easel in his 10th floor apartment overlooking the Saigon River. Despite his impressive oeuvre, the 52-year-old conservationist is quick to downplay his artistic credence. “I don’t consider myself as an artist,” … Read more

Built For Change

Meet Amazin LeThi, former bodybuilder and global advocate Amazin LeThi is an actress, author, fitness coach, and former bodybuilder, but that’s not all the strings to her bow. She also campaigns against LGBTQ and HIV/ AIDs discrimination, and bullying within the Asian community. Born in Vietnam, her mother left her at an orphanage in Saigon … Read more

Smooth Sailing

High hopes for yachting in Vietnam With 3,260 kilometers of stunning coastline, Vietnam seems a natural fit for yachting. Countless bays are carved into the spindly country, and its rivers are easily accessible. Why then, are yachts still a rare sight? Besides the obvious point that not everybody can afford a multi-million dollar vessel, boating … Read more

Someone Special

Teachers, charities and parents are fighting to improve education for children with disabilities Three years ago, a deaf-blind toddler who self-harmed was brought out of a psychiatric hospital and into The Kianh Foundation, a charity for children with disabilities in the central province of Quang Nam. The bright girl’s behavioural issues challenged staff, but eventually her … Read more

Mekong Mania

With its meandering waterways and flourishing farms, the Mekong Delta is a place not to be missed The Mekong Delta is a maze of rivers, arroyos and canals, providing a much calmer alternative to transport than the roads. This complex network spirals off a split in the river in Cambodia and fertilizes the lush landscape on … Read more

The Barefoot Boogie

Expressing yourself through dance If you find opening up to your friends and family a sometimes daunting experience, then opening up to a group of strangers through the medium of dance should be a definite no-go. Except if you’re at The Movement Kitchen (Facebook: The Movement Kitchen), a twice-monthly workshop challenging and inspiring people of … Read more

The Roof of Indochina

An easy 20-minute cable car ride versus an arduous two-day trek to Mt. Fansipan I was wiping the sweat off my brow, scanning the jungle canopy we had just broken through, when the old Australian took his first fall. Seventy-two-year-old Will missed his footing and the pull of his backpack threatened to send him crashing … Read more

Bia Culture

Beer giant reaches for Asia Pacific growth with its first Vietnam brewery The world’s leading brewer has given beer lovers in Vietnam something to celebrate by opening a large brewery in southern Binh Duong province. AB InBev Vietnam, whose parent company AB InBev is known for brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Beck’s, Leffe … Read more

Restaurant Review: Five Oysters

Cheap beers and bus tours are not the only treats found along Bui Vien. Lined alongside numerous other restaurants and bars in District 1’s famous backpacker area is an oyster place that’s delighting curious travelers on a budget and impressing the most seasoned expats with its eclectic menu. Five Oysters (234 Bui Vien, D1) immediately … Read more