The Art of Upcycling

Blue Dragon would probably be just another souvenir store if it weren’t for the perfect marriage right at its core. Any couple would find inspiration in Binh and Lisa’s easy affection for each other, but it’s in their family business that their respective backgrounds and skills find a perfect accord. “When Binh was growing up here,” says Lisa, … Read more

Natural Beauty

Inspired by Vietnamese and Cambodian culture, Mekong Creations features beautifully handcrafted items by locals in the Mekong region. The ethos behind the company is to “support community development in poor remote villages.” ““It is also a Vietnamese enterprise with the highest quality standards and designs for modern tastes. All products are handmade for higher quality and with a very special … Read more

Dressed to the Nines

To any and all male fans of impeccable dressing, calling Massimo Ferrari simply a fashion shop or even a boutique is selling it short. Opened since 2006, Massimo Ferrari is the brainchild of an Italian-American couturier who won’t ever stop at anything short of perfection. “People say that luxury clothes can’t be made or sold in Vietnam. I’m glad they … Read more

In Good Company

What began as a T-shirt enterprise that celebrated the character and spirit of the Vietnamese as well as promoting local culture became a stage for local and foreign artists in Vietnam to display their unique creations. The Ginkgo Concept Store lends some of its space to non-profit organizations such as Maison Chance with their soft toys for children; Mekong … Read more

Fit to a T

We speak to Benjamin Grepinet, the brains behind the locally-based Ginkgo T-shirt brand about copycats, fair trade and his new concept store Why did you pick T-shirts as a business to go into? BG: Seven years ago while I was traveling in Vietnam, I was looking for nice graphic T-shirts with Asian-themed designs, but all I could find were low … Read more

Mid Century

Mid century shapes are everywhere this season and the key is to go big. Voluminous skirts, layered cocktail dresses and fitted day dresses are all iconic looks of the time, and can be found all the way over here in Saigon. We have rounded up some of our favorite mid-century looks, designed here in Vietnam Dress | Ha Nhat … Read more

Sun Worship

The recently abandoned area of Thu Thiem is littered with debris, a bare landscape providing little shelter from the fierce Saigon heat. In the near future this area will transform into a new development, expanding the tight confines of Ho Chi Minh City, and a stripped back place where it is impossible not to meet … Read more

Valentine’s Day

Educator and fashion designer Valentine Vu spends most of his time arming his students for the realities of the fashion industry Valentine’s family left Vietnam in 1993 with very little to try for a new life in Canada. Both parents worked tirelessly with ambitions their son would become a doctor or a lawyer, a future … Read more