I remember my first ever international trip. I was 13 at the time and I spotted the $399 deal to Cancun in the paper. (Yes, even at 13, I was reading the Travel Section of the Washington Post…) Without my parents knowing, I called and peppered the exasperated travel agent with questions. It wasn’t until… Read more »
An ambitious culinary tour through Indochina Text by James Pham Images by Nam Quan A restaurant with more than 120 menu items spanning five countries would seem to be a warning bell for customers, a culinary “jack of all trades, master of none.” Having lived in three of these countries and traveled to a fourth,… Read more »
Vietnam has a long history of social dancing, ranging from cha cha to waltz. But tango is the new kid on the block Text by James Pham Photos by Quinn Ryan Mattingly The couples glide across the floor, some aggressive, almost angry, others measured and regal. The music comes to a stop and the pairs… Read more »
Can Gio is a family friendly escape from the city with something for everyone Text by James Pham Images by Quinn Ryan Mattingly Heading south from the Bach Dang Pier in District 1, a cruise along the Saigon River is an exercise in serenity. City life incrementally gives way to country. Bridges get less ornate,… Read more »
A collection of talented performers have ensured that the greatest show on earth will always go on Text by James Pham Images by Quinn Ryan Mattingly Few things are synonymous with pure, unadulterated glee like the circus. For many, memorable ‘first time’ childhood experiences include airplane and carousel rides, losing a tooth, the first day… Read more »
What: Bloody Mary Challenge Where: Boomarang Bistro Saigon, 2 3-4 107, Ton Dat Tien, Phu My Hung; 11am – 2pm About: Boomarang and Russian Standard are on the hunt for the best Bloody Mary recipe in Ho Chi Minh City. So for all you mixers out there, it’s time to shake your stuff and put it on the table. Classic ingredients will be provided courtesy of Russian Standard Vodka,… Read more »
For the recent Vietnam Journalism Day, Oi editors Christine Van and James Pham headed over to the gorgeous Yu Chu restaurant at the InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel for a Dim Sum Master Class. Seeing as neither of us knew the way around a kitchen (alternatingly used for storage or decoration only in either of our… Read more »
Through simple yet poignant images, graphic artist Le Duy Nhat revisits the rivalry between Vietnam’s two great cities Star Trek or Star Wars ? Creation or evolution? Spider Man or Batman? iOS or Android? Thanks to budding graphic artist, Le Duy Nhat, 25, there’s now buzz around the greatest local eternal debate: Hanoi or Saigon?… Read more »
Time to exchange the air and noise pollution of HCMC for the sea breeze and serenity of the beach The ribbon of azure blue on the horizon imperceptibly draws closer as the sun brightens up the water, illuminating shades of aquamarine. We’re in Mui Ne, a small seaside retreat just four hours from Saigon. With… Read more »
Starting in the 17th century, when the English typically ate two meals – breakfast and a late evening, fashionably drawn out dinner – the concept of afternoon tea began to catch on, sampling the newly introduced teas from France along with small snacks to tide people over until dinnertime. What we now know as “high… Read more »