Saigon Kitsch probably found its ideal new owner when Audrey Tran picked up the business five years ago. Half French, half Vietnamese, this highly charismatic entrepreneur seems to exist in a permanent state of inspiration – and she’s spent much of the time since acquiring the store turning her flashes of brilliance into unique souvenirs for sale. “Yes, I’m… Read more »
One of the chief complaints of foreigners living throughout this region concerns the limited supply of English-language books. In this city at least, Artbook has been working on solving the problem since 2004, when it opened as a highly specialized book boutique stocking technical volumes on furniture and graphic design. This move, of course, was a dream come true… Read more »
To the hipster city dwellers out there, the name L’Usine needs no introduction. It’s known as a retail and café space for the young and trendy. “The concept behind L’Usine is a place where people go to be inspired. One can be inspired by one’s environment, by what one eats, what one wears, or even simple items one decorates… Read more »
Secluded in a tiny alleyway deep in Go Vap District is an eclectic studio and workshop belonging to an eccentric artist by the name of Nguyen Van Binh. Inspired (or perhaps obsessed) by Renaissance art, Binh has hand-painted images of the style on everything from masquerade masks, room signs, cups and pots, candles, albums, guitars, paper holders to traditional paintings,… Read more »
The rich history of Vietnamese chocolate In its 4,000 year history, it’s been used as currency and tribute. It’s been drunk as an alcoholic beverage and a bitter foamy elixir in gold cups by Mayan elites. It’s been presented as an offering at the funerals of noblemen and played a part in ancient New World religious rituals. It’s spawned saints and… Read more »
A husband and wife team combine love and fitness to open their own gym For most couples, living and working together is a bridge too far – blurring the boundaries between work and play, and bringing office stress home is something to be avoided at all costs. But for Sylvie and Joao, who have been working together since they met at… Read more »
Christine Almeida is an interior decorator by profession and she knows that visuals are important but the sense of smell can equally lend a hand in setting an ambiance. So three years ago, after learning about essential oils, she opened Vscential. It all began with selling essential oils to California Wow Fitness & Yoga, and now she’s expanded her line… Read more »
The word “secret” is a bit of a misnomer because this local brand is quickly gaining both fame and a solid reputation for selling handmade soaps, balms and other assorted items for your grooming and beauty needs. Former banker, Nguyen Quynh Le, founded the brand just shy of a year ago. “I was still working as a banker then… Read more »
A unique project brings international artists to Vietnam A dozen chatty Korean ladies are gathered around a large wooden table laden with tapas-sized snacks. The mood is jovial, fueled by copious amounts of makgeolli, a milky Korean rice wine. The small crowd has gathered for an art talk and exhibition by Korean artist, Andy Khun, whose ink drawings range from whimsical to disturbing… Read more »
The Myth: Is it true that in Vietnamese culture one should avoid soy sauce after surgery because it will make the scars darker? It’s a prevalent belief that consuming dark soy sauce while recovering from any major surgery or during pregnancy, which involves stretch marks, will result in dark spots or scars. The idea is that the dark pigmentation will somehow seep into one’s skin… Read more »