Street Art

On creating an artists’ community in Hoi An The fate of Hoi An’s craftsmen and artists has long waxed and waned with the prosperity of the town itself. Starting in the 15th century, artists from all over the country moved to the bustling port town, hoping to tap into the international market created by traveling … Read more

It’s a small world

It is often said that the best things come in small packages so, with this in mind, VinGallery hosts its third annual Small Things (VinGallery, 6 Le Van Mien, D2) art collection. All the works displayed are USD500 or less and 50x50cm or smaller, and have been produced by 22 Saigon-based international artists in a … Read more

Flying Colors

Traditional flags and their meanings in Vietnam Flags have been used to communicate meanings, directions and identities for over 6,000 years. The earliest known flag is a bronze relic from Iran dated around 4,000BC. I never thought much about the meanings of flags until I moved to Vietnam where they are far more common than … Read more

Meet Sapa’s Ultimate Guide, Mama Zu

A few dozen groggy tourists shuffle off the sleeper train and board a transfer bus to Sapa, one of Vietnam’s top destinations. Inaudible slurs on the bus develop into excited chatter as they beam at guidebook photographs of terraced rice paddies swirling around lush green hills, a trademark image of the country’s north. Seconds after … Read more

Snap decisions: Collecting photography

Someone recently asked me: “Are photographic prints collectable? Can collecting photography be an investment the same way as art?” My answer is absolutely! And right now is a very good time to start collecting, right here in Vietnam. Across the world, 19th, 20th and 21st century photography have occasionally sold for millions of dollars at … Read more