The Paper Tigers

CW-Top: Gui Da Silva, Greene Yoshi Sudarso, Peter Sudarso, Roger Yuan An independent kung fu film about three guys who are one kick away from pulling their hamstrings In making his martial arts film The Paper Tigers, Vietnamese- American writer/director/editor Tran Quoc Bao is thinking about more than just who punches who. The film’s fighters … Read more

Turning The Tables

Homegrown Vietnamese DJs are stepping up to the international stage thanks to a DJ contest called Mix Us Happy Six months ago, 20-year- old Duc Hoang started learning how to DJ for the first time as a hobby, a nice change of pace from his work as a public relations student. Last weekend, he performed under his stage name Dazed P playing for … Read more

Preserving Traditions

Created from a passion and commitment to preserve Vietnam’s identity, founders Huyen and My established Viethnic. Both were born in the mountainous province of Hoa Binh, which allowed them to understand the richness in traditions that the ethnic minorities of northwestern Vietnam have to offer. Huyen and My hope to encourage the younger generations in … Read more

Past Reflections, Future Considerations

After the success of the exhibition Waging Peace – U.S. Soldiers and Veterans Who Opposed America’s War in Vietnam, which opened in March at the War Remnants Museum storied diplomat, Madam Ton Nu Thi Ninh, the current president of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace & Development Foundation (HPDF), sat down with Oi to discuss facets of her career, her work at … Read more

Restaurant Review: Ngon Asia House

It’s difficult to put into words the incredible amount of detail that went into designing and creating Ngon Asia House (99 Nguyen Hue, D1). From dark wood furniture and red curtains separating various dining spaces to exposed light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, the restaurant is like an interior design showroom. And with greenery and … Read more

Inside the World of Work

A glimpse into the working lives of everyday Vietnamese. Sooner or later, every visitor to Vietnam has that moment of realization. The trigger might be the casual ring of a bicycle bell signaling a mobile massage. Or the late night tap-tap-tapping of a noodle seller. Or a woman wanting to measure your weight and height … Read more

A Wake Up Call

How Westerners and Vietnamese differ on the method of putting their children to bed Text by Michael Arnold Image by Quinn Ryan Mattingly If there’s anything that’s a universal heart-warmer, it’s the sight of a sleeping kid snuggled up warmly beneath the blankets. No grumpy parent can resist that completely relaxed and totally intent expression … Read more

Eating VIETNAM

We are what we eat – literally. As we consume food, it becomes a part of us, sculpting away at the physical shape of our bodies. But food also binds us to others. Food takes us back in time, linking us to the recipes and rituals of previous generations. Food ties us to our family, … Read more

The French Factor

How Vietnam’s colonial period has influenced some of the country’s signature dishes… ONE NIGHT MY Vietnamese husband surprised me with a new dish. “La goo,” he pronounced proudly, “It’s French.” His la goo was a flavorful stew of pork, potato and carrot, served with rice. “La goo,” I repeated, incredulously. “That doesn’t sound very French.” … Read more