Creator

Andy Tran

Stories by Andy Tran

21 stories

Food Culture

A Food Folk Tale: Vietnam’s Unexpected Watermelon Tycoon

If you’ve been around a traditional Vietnamese household during Tet, you have probably noticed the presence of gargantuan, child-sized, dark green watermelons on the altar. These behemoths are both intimidating and delicious; that is, if one remembers to cut them up during the holiday and not leave them out for months like my mom did one year. However, not many know that the origin story behind this juicy berry – yes, watermelons are, indeed, berries – is rooted in a fascinating folk tale that takes place in ancient Vietnam during the days of the Hung Kings.

Khoi PhamMay 7, 2018

Society

Saigon, Dawn of the City of the Digital Nomads

Every profession has its own grind. For those of us who sit behind a desk, the day-to-day routine can quickly turn monotonous: you drive to work, sit at your desk, scroll through emails, make phone calls, head to meetings, go home, eat, sleep, and repeat. But as the world of business changes and technology draws us closer together, some are finding a way to work without having to commit to this daily tedium.

Maxon Pugovsky

Dec 31, 2017

Podcast

The Saigoneer Podcast Is Here!

Just in time for Christmas, Saigoneer is excited to announce the launch of the Saigoneer Podcast!

SaigoneerDec 23, 2017

Food Culture

Tracing the Lineage of Da Lat's Delicious Bánh Mì Xíu Mại

Every morning, the corner of Da Lat’s Hoang Dieu and Tran Nhat Duat streets is a mess of plastic tables and rubbish bins, bánh mì crumbs and bodies hunched over small bowls. This particular patch of sidewalk is home to one of the town’s busier bánh mì xíu mại vendors, though there are several of them scattered across the city.

Dana Filek-GibsonDec 22, 2017

Asia

North Korean Defector Given Free Lifetime Supply of Choco Pies

South Korean confectionery giant Orion has announced that it will bestow a lifetime supply of Choco Pies to a North Korean soldier who recently defected.

SaigoneerDec 14, 2017

Society

On the Vietnamese Language’s ‘Cuk Cak’ Conundrum

Is there room for improvement in the way we write Vietnamese? According to a project by a local academic, the Vietnamese language might be due for a major overhaul.

SaigoneerDec 12, 2017

Culture

Doraemon and 25 Years of Fostering Friendship in Vietnam

To a generation of young Saigoneers, there are many things that might conjure up fond memories of childhood. Those remnants of past decades could take the form of once-popular TV series about time-traveling dragon slayers or just simply crab-shaped rice chips . However, none of those come close to the national phenomenon that was – and still is – Doraemon .

Khoi PhamDec 11, 2017

Tech

A Brief History of the Internet in Vietnam on Its 20th Birthday

My first memory of the internet in Vietnam occurred in an internet café on Tran Hung Dao Street. It was the early 2000s: Walkman players were still a thing, MTV actually played music, and Britney Spears’ bubblegum chart-toppers were the “it” tunes in local hip hangouts (mind you, Britney didn’t reach Vietnam until five years after her debut in America).

Khoi PhamNov 19, 2017

Food Culture

A Food Folk Tale: How a Poor Farmer Traded Starfruit for Gold

In Vietnam, fruits, especially those of the oddly shaped variety, come with a story. From pineapple to watermelon , there’s not a snack in this country that doesn’t come with a lesson attached. The juicy, yellow-green starfruit is no different.

SaigoneerNov 10, 2017

Food Culture

A Food Folk Tale: The Savage Clapback That Turned a Girl Into a Pineapple

Growing up in Vietnam, it seems that everything – from common household objects to fruits – has an origin story. Some of these local folk tales have a decidedly romantic angle, but others – like the legend of the pineapple – serve as a cautionary tale for children who misbehave.

Khoi PhamOct 28, 2017

Society

Readers’ Choice: What Are Saigon’s Best Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods?

As Saigon continues to grow and develop by the day, the city's transformation is more visible in some neighborhoods than others. Earlier this month, we asked Saigoneer readers to let us know which neighborhoods they thought were the best destinations for eating, drinking, shopping and exploring the city.

SaigoneerOct 23, 2017

Stories

VietJet Air, Qatar Airways Sign Interline Partnership

VietJet has signed an interline partnership with Qatar Airways in an effort to create more options and convenience for passengers.

SaigoneerOct 19, 2017

Food Culture

Watch out for These 5 Vietnamese Food-Related Superstitions

Every culture has its own customs, superstitions and traditions, some of which are so time-honored that even their strictest followers aren’t really clear on where the etiquette comes from. Vietnam certainly has its fair share of food-related rules, borne out of good manners and, occasionally, superstition. While you could probably write a book on the full list of Vietnamese food superstitions, here are just a few taboos and the reasons behind them.

Dana Filek-GibsonOct 13, 2017

Society

Urban Rewilding: The Ins and Outs of Organic Food in Vietnam

Navigating the intricacies of a healthy, organic lifestyle can be complicated, ever under the best of circumstances. Today, as awareness surrounding organic produce grows both here and abroad, the countless labels and packaging terms applied to such products can be confusing at best for consumers.

Rae DoharSep 24, 2017

Food Culture

A Food Folk Tale: Mai An Tiêm, CEO of Vietnam’s First Watermelon Startup

If you’ve been around a traditional Vietnamese household during Tet, you have probably noticed the presence of gargantuan, child-sized, dark green watermelons on the altar.

Khoi PhamSep 15, 2017

Vietnam

Central Government Plans to Legalize Cryptocurrencies in Vietnam by 2019

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the establishment of a legal body that will manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Vietnam.

SaigoneerAug 29, 2017

Food Culture

Saigon’s Craft Beer Scene Strikes a Balance Between Foreign Brews and Vietnamese Tastes

“It’s bitter,” says De, a resident of Go Vap District, after taking a sip of a locally brewed India Pale Ale at Quan Ut Ut. “I’m not sure I’m ready for it,” he adds sincerely.

Alex GordilloAug 27, 2017

Arts & Culture

[Illustrations] A Colorful Collection of Saigon Landmarks

From its earliest days, Saigon has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s history, the stories of which live on in its most iconic landmarks.

SaigoneerAug 17, 2017

Vietnam

Street Cred: Trinh Cong Son, the Voice of a Generation

Earlier this week, Hanoi officials announced the conversion of the capital’s narrow Trinh Cong Son Street into a pedestrian zone featuring artistic performances as well as snacks and souvenirs.

SaigoneerAug 13, 2017

Society

Between 2 Worlds: The Dilemma of Vietnam's Foreign-Educated Grads

Every six months, Thuy* leaves Vietnam for Sydney to spend time with her two children, Ha* and Quang*. Far from the bustle of Saigon, Thuy enjoys Australia’s pristine environment and the time spent with her children, though she finds life there can grow monotonous.

Van-Quang TuongAug 6, 2017

Saigon

Street Cred: The Ill-Fated Power Couple of Vietnam's Literary Scene in the 1980s

It’s been almost three decades since that fateful day in 1988 when, in a blink of an eye, Vietnam’s literary scene was robbed off two most beloved talents. Luu Quang Vu and Xuan Quynh’s death was something of a national tragedy in the late 1980s, but their legacy has lived on through their body of work and life story.

Khoi PhamJul 30, 2017