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Culture
One summer day, I made a trek into suburban Hanoi to Thạch Thất District. Walking along the dirt road surrounded by green maturing rice fields, I reached Chàng Sơn Village.
Sponsored Listings
Ho Chi Minh City, June 1, 2023 _ M Village Joint Stock Company launches two addresses of Signature By M Village - a lifestyle hotel in the downtown area with a total capacity of up to 200 rooms, marking an experiential and unique accommodation model for the young people.
Eat & Drink Partner
Unripe mangosteen chicken salad has been all over Vietnamese social media during the past few weeks, though we didn’t expect to find it at an upscale hotel dinner buffet. But across from the sushi and beside a spread of European cheeses at Mai House, there it was: the newest trend ready for tasting. The semi-sweet fruit generously spread amongst moist chicken and fresh vegetables was an interesting item indeed, but the biggest surprise was finding it at a style of dining one typically associates with conventional recipes. The dish thus exemplifies Mai House’s creativity and responsiveness.
Eat & Drink
Despite being the world’s second-largest coffee exporter with cafes and vendors filling its streets, Vietnam is rarely recognized for the quality of its coffee. But anyone who has strolled around Saigon and noticed the proliferation of sleek establishments that prioritize carefully grown, roasted and prepared beans know that distinction could be a thing of the past.
Music & Arts
“When you write, you go inside yourself, when you paint, you go outside,” said poet and painter ng. anhan.
Sponsored Listings
Located at an ideal location about 15 minutes from Hoi An, New World Hoiana Beach Resort, situated on the beach side and overlooking the refreshing blue sea and peaceful village environment, is the ideal choice for you to create memorable experiences in your life with family and friends.
Film & TV
At the 76 th Cannes International Film Festival, Phạm Thiên Ân's Bên trong vỏ kén vàng (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell) was awarded the Camera D'or while Vietnamese-born French filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng won the best director prize for The Pot-au-Feu .
Dishcovery
With over 30,000 tons produced a year, Vietnam is the world’s third-largest cinnamon supplier. Native to Central and Northern Vietnam, the dried tree bark adds a complex layer of flavor to traditional soups and broths. It is also increasingly popular in Saigon’s cocktail scene. Busy Saigoneers looking to unwind after a hectic day can find a perfect example of the trend paired with a stunning sunset at Sheraton Saigon’s Level 23 Wine Bar .
Saigon Hẻm Gems
It would be a grave sin to discuss Saigon’s street food scene without a proper mention of vịt lột.
Branded Content
From a small restaurant with only one oven in the basement of Syktyvkar in Russia's far north, Dodo has become the fastest-growing pizza chain in the world. It now has its sights set on Vietnam.
Dishcovery
If you lived in Hanoi, is there a breakfast you would fly down to Saigon for the day to enjoy? Le Trung, the Executive Chef at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection told Saigoneer that one family regularly makes that one-day round trip just to enjoy his Landmark Pho.
In Plain Sight
Amidst the dull, grey buildings of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a giant dinosaur model stands out. The T-Rex was guarding the entrance to the Vietnam National Museum of Nature (Bảo tàng Thiên nhiên Việt Nam), and as I approached it I felt a sense of childlike wonder wash over me. I thought I would learn much about Vietnam’s natural history; I was wrong.
Education
“When you learn a language, you don’t just learn the language, you learn new attitudes, ways of thinking, culture and history,” explains Aline Nguyen, the Principal of La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh .
Health Partner
The greatest source of stress for foreigners living in Vietnam is often obtaining a work permit. Complicated and frequently changing regulations coupled with long wait times and burdensome paperwork make the entire process difficult to navigate. Saigoneer’s foreign staff quickly admits that work permits are number one on our short list of complaints with residing here. So over the years, we have developed some strategies that have helped. Typically, an individual’s employer will be the contact person to help arrange the submission of necessary documents including authorized and notarized diplomas, background checks and proof of relevant work experience. It is important to prepare these original documents as authorized and notarized by relevant authorities before arriving in Vietnam. The easiest paperwork one will be required to submit when applying for a work permit is the health check. Issued by a certified facility, it ensures that one is healthy enough to live and work in Vietnam and we have found CarePlus to be a great choice. Each of the several branches are located in convenient locations including the city center. They are clean, professional and efficient with an enthusiastic English-speaking staff that can provide in-depth consultations, explain health issues in detail and offer peace of mind at a reasonable price. After the fast examination process, CarePlus prepares everything one will need to submit for work permit’s health check element and go above and beyond the basics to provide a comprehensive diagnosis so one can make wise health and lifestyle decisions. Even with the support of one’s employer and a visit to a great medical facility, such as CarePlus, submitting all the required forms for a work permit can involve traveling to numerous agencies and offices. Thus, it's good to start the process early and provide some cushion in one’s schedule to accommodate unexpected delays. And remember, although it can be a hassle, having a fully compliant work permit is the only responsible way to enjoy living and working in Vietnam comfortably. CarePlus International Clinic's website CarePlus International Clinic's Facebook 1800 6116 CarePlus International Clinic | 66-68 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City CarePlus International Clinic | 2nd Floor, Crescent Plaza, 105 Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City CarePlus International Clinic | 107 Tan Hai, Ward 13, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Asia
On a steamy evening in downtown Phnom Penh, Rebecca Chan takes the stage. The crowd — mostly Cambodian millennials and Gen Z's — is riled up from previous performances, but Chan’s composure tames their energy. She prowls around the raised platform in knee-high boots. Her skin-thin dress flaunts the contours of her body. She circles calmly and seductively to tantalize the hushed audience below. They track her every move in anticipation of what’s to come.
Dishcovery
Seafood buffets in Saigon are all about the lobster. Anyone who has visited an upscale buffet here knows that the fresh crustaceans are the star attraction and often the first item guests place on their plates. Understanding that, how does one decide which venue to visit to enjoy them? Saigon Café , located on the second floor of the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, seeks to set itself apart via freshness and one particularly luxurious sauce.
Hanoi Ngõ Nooks
“The lotus is our national flower, and lotus tea is regarded as the national tea.”
Saigon
One of the most elegant means to observe the textured heft and untethered strength of otherwise-invisible wind — there is plenty one could say about the poetry of flying kites.
Education
The amount of international schools available in Ho Chi Minh City seems to be outnumbered only by the many acronyms prospective families must memorize to make sense of the differences in curriculum and learning between them. One important acronym, IGCSE, appears at only a few institutions including the British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC) and is a prime example of how the school’s blended curriculum, academic rigor and personal responsibility set it apart.
Dishcovery
As summer draws closer, bringing with it a sweltering sun and drenched T-shirts, one's mind can't help but drift to the incomparable delight of a snowy treat that can ward off the season's heat.
Snack Attack
In Saigon, trà đá vendors don’t exist, simply because every single eatery is in itself a trà đá vendor.
Dishcovery
Even during the summer, when the sun bares its teeth and snarls at passing clouds, one must eat. But lugging a belly stuffed with hot, heavy soup, rice and meat through days devoid of shade sounds horrible. So I often settle for lighter fare. Fruit, salads, cold noodles. One of my favorite items for supplying nutrients without overburdening the little thermal factory that is my metabolism is rice paper rolls.
Film & TV
I was prepared to hate A Tourist’s Guide to Love on sight. As a movie setting, Vietnam has been burned by foreign productions one too many times, so I often find myself dry-heaving whenever any international project announces its intention of portraying Vietnam on screen.
Dishcovery
From cơm tấm to thịt kho to giò thủ to bún chả, Vietnamese cuisine has perfected pork preparations. Saigon’s pork enthusiasts thus enjoy many options when deciding where to enjoy the protein for lunch. BARSON , the sleek new bar that specializes in a breezy tropical ambiance and emphasis on upscale foods, proves that pork doesn’t need to follow a specific, traditional recipe to stand out.
