AsiaLIFE Media Vol. 99
PACK MAN DIRT BIKING CAMBODIA ZIKA UPDATE
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE
ABC International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Official
Recognised as “an outstanding school” by British Government Inspectors,
Recognised as “an outstanding school” by British Government Inspectors, the ABC International School delivers a globally valued curriculum based on best UK practice for students 2-18 valued years old. the ABC International School delivers aaged globally curriculum based on best
UK practice for students aged 2-18 years old. The ABCIS is accredited by the Education Development Trust, is a member of COBIS and FOBISIA, and an examination centre for CIE and AQA.
The ABCIS is accredited by the Education Development Trust, is a member of COBIS and FOBISIA, and an examination centre for CIE and
www.theabcis.com
CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM
JUNE 2016
VOLUME 99
AsiaLIFE Media Vol. 99
| JUN 2016
This month's cover PACK MAN
Photography: Vinh Dao Model: Kimmy Do
DIRT BIKING CAMBODIA ZIKA UPDATE
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING HOUSE
for more news and events, features, restaurant reviews and video, visit:
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www. A s i a L i f e M a g a z i n e .com For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 / +84 903 325 543 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com Director Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialifemagazine.com Editorial Director Elijah Ferrian elijah@asialifemagazine.com
Art Director
Deputy Editor
Thang Pham L.C. leo@asialifemagazine.com Photo Editor
Simon Stanley simon.stanley@asialifemagazine.com
Production Manager
Vinh Dao photoeditor@asialifemagazine.com
Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com
Commercial Director Nguyen Kim Hanh kimhanh@asialifehcmc.com Contributors Tran Huynh Cam Tu Monica Majors
FRONT EVENTS ............................................................... 0 6 TOP 5: FAMILY DAYS OUT. . ............................. 1 0 Q &A Helen and Summer Le....................................... 1 4 BUSINESS VIEW.................................................. 1 6 DAY IN THE LIFE................................................ 1 8 TRENDING.......................................................... 1 9
C OV E R STO RY VIET EATS WEST
Opening up to foreign cuisine......................... 2 0
F E AT U R E S
FOOD & DRINK FOOD NEWS
Savour ing the tastier side of Saigon............... 4 0
LOCAL EATS
Hot pot Saigon style.......................................... 4 1
PIU PIU
Laid back hip-hop and soul.. ............................. 4 2
NGON ASIA HOUSE
Five restaur ants in one...................................... 4 3
ANH TUK
Thai cuisine with class........................................ 4 4
EBISU
The Japanese enclave ar r ives in D2. . .............. 4 5
STYLE & DESIGN
PACK MAN
LARGER THAN LIFE
WINE IN VIETNAM
ART AT BIS
Vietnam’s r ucksack industr y............................. 2 6 Exploring new tipples. . ....................................... 2 8
FOREIGN FLICKS
Cultur al encounter s at the cinema................. 3 0
THE LATEST ON EL NINO
An update on the weather phenomenon...... 3 2
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Zika vir us..................................................... 3 4
T R AV E L BITING THE DUST
Dir t biking in Cambodia . . .................................. 3 6
BORNEO BOUND
Day tr ips from Kota Kinabalu. . ......................... 3 8 4 AsiaLIFE HCMC
Ar tist Nguyen Quyet Dinh’s car icatures.. ...... 4 6 Visual Ar t for the IB Diploma.......................... 4 8
COLUMNS IMBIBE ............................................................................. 5 6 FITNESS .......................................................................... 5 8 EDUCATION HUB .................................................... 6 2 PERSONAL FINANCE ............................................. 6 4 PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 6 ARTS AND CRAFTS JOURNAL .......................... 6 8 APP CHAT .................................................................... 7 2 SUB-TOPICAL HEAT ................................................ 7 6 NGO FOCUS ............................................................... 7 7 PUB QUIZ ..................................................................... 7 8
Innovative American Education True Vietnamese Heritage
HIGH SCHOOL
FREE shuttle buses from all city districts to Nha Be Campus, from August 2016
8 - 10 June 10am - 5pm
A platform for buyers and sellers to network and explore business opportunities in the buoyant coffee and dessert industry in Vietnam. vietcoffeefair.com
Imagine @Youth Cultural House, D1 Entry: From VND150,000
4-5 June
International Coffee and Dessert Fair 2016 @SECC Entry: Free
HCMC’s Dancenter presents a dance show featuring jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, contemporary, flamenco and belly dancing. ticketbox.vn
Phu Quoc International Marathon @Long Beach Resort Entry: Registration Pack your swimmers and your singlets for this early-morning event along Phu Quoc’s scenic coastline. With 5 and 10k races alongside a half, and full marathon, there’s something for every ability.
11 June 6pm - Late
Armada Night Vietnam 2016 @Celadon City Entry: From VND199,000 The next installment of this EDM event will carry a “SciFi Computing Trip” theme. Headlining DJs are Andrew Rayel and Thomas Gold. Rave on! ticketbox.vn
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sportingrepublic.com/ phuquocmarathon
11 June 5.30am
M A R L B O R O U G H C O L L E G E M A L AY S I A
A Great British Education
Located in 90 acres of South-East Asia Pupils are taught a British curriculum from British educators who know the value of heritage and tradition. For over 170 years Marlborough College has been synonymous with a first-class British education. Now in 90 acres of South-East Asia we
offer our pupils the same opportunity to learn and to grow from the wisdom of those who have gone before them. We are a co-educational Preparatory and Senior School offering an outstanding education for pupils aged 4-18.
For details of our forthcoming Admissions Events visit: w w w . m a r l b o r o u g h c o l l e g e . m y
SoGal Vietnam Summit 2016 @Edenstar Hotel Entry: From VND320,000 (early-bird) SoGal Summit is a fullday event featuring panel discussions with prominent female entrepreneurs and investors sharing their incredible stories as leaders, the challenges that they faced, and how they overcame them.
11 June 9am - 5pm
sogalvietnam.com
16 June
6.30pm - 9pm
Sunday Funday MTB Adventure Ride @The Bike Shop Entry: Free This moderate 50-60km mountain bike ride is a great chance to meet people, get some exercise, develop your off-road riding skills and, most importantly, have a great time. Limited rentals available for VND200,000. Ride lasts approximately 4 hours.
6.30am
thebikeshopvn.com
Canvas and Wine @VinSpace, D2 Entry: VND874,000 (discounts available) Imagine drawing something in a 3D space! Watch your ideas and images take shape before your very eyes as you’re shown how to bend, weave, pinch and spiral this everyday material into something beautiful. Oh, and there’s wine! vin-space.com
Oxymoron @Redbox Studio Entry: From VND200,000 (early-bird) An interactive performing arts project which combines dance and visual installation with trip-hop music. Creative Direction by Cheezy Gangztaz ticketbox.vn
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12 June
18 June 7pm - 3am
Fun Beach Festival @Bien Dong Ocean Park, Vung Tau Entry: From VND1.1 million (early-bird) Party all night with the sand between your toes at this two-dayone-night festival at HCMC’s closest beach resort.
19 June
facebook.com/ funbeachfestival
18 - 19 June VinSpace Summer Camp @VinSpace, D2 Entry: VND690,000 per day (discounts available) Summer is comingand VinSpace is ready! It’s a special one this summer as our campers will be on a world tour of creativity. With a schedule themed on a different location each week, they’ll be showing a whole planets worth of culture and arty fun! vin-space.com
Father’s Day Whether it’s a card you send, a phone call you make, or a memory that makes you smile, it’s time to remember our dads.
20 June to
26 August 9am - 12pm (weekdays)
Vietnam International Latin Fiesta @Kim Do Royal Hotel Entry: From VND600,000 A weekend of Latin music, dance, DJs and fun. vietnamilf.com
24 - 26 June 9pm - Late
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T
TOP 5 FAMILY DAYS OUT While District 2’s Snap Cafe has led the charge in providing a safe and enjoyable space for kids and their parents to let loose, relax and steer clear of yet another day in front of the TV or iPad, there’s plenty more on offer in Saigon to keep the family entertained whatever the weather. Here are our top picks. By Elijah Ferrian and Simon Stanley. Photos by Vinh Dao.
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T Van Thanh Park If you and the kids have been missing the feeling of grass between your toes, here’s the place to go. Until the Saigon Metro begins to roll along its eastern perimeter, Van Thanh Park is a sedate expanse of greenery that’s ideal for a kickabout or a lazy afternoon picnic in the shade of a tree. With private barbecue areas available for hire, a large, child-friendly pool, and a sprawling waterfront restaurant, it’s no surprise that weekends can draw a large crowd here. Pick your slot just right, however, pack the coolbag, the frisbee and the sunscreen, and watch the hours roll by in one of Saigon’s best green spaces. Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh District (opposite Pearl Plaza)
Saigon Pony Club Children of all ages can enjoy a stint in the saddle at this spacious riding school situated 35 minutes from the heart of District 1. For the under fives, guided pony rides are available from VND200,000 while ages five and up can enjoy group or private riding lessons delivered in English, French or Vietnamese. Beginners may prefer a taster session via the club’s popular pony clinics and mini clinics (from VND300,000) where instruction on feeding, grooming and care is given before the kids mount up and exercise their new four-legged friends in either of the two paddocks. Shows and competitions are also held regularly for students, and special training programmes take place during the school holidays. Plenty of shade is available for parents and spectators and if you weigh less than 60 kilograms, you’re welcome to ride too. 38, Hem 42, Le Van Tinh Street, Binh Trung Dong, D2 saigonponyclub.com
Family Garden Kid-friendly gardening education, and a convenient alcove of plants and fun is offered at this District 2 day out. We could all benefit from learning a bit more about the natural world, and what better way to teach your children than with the hands-on interaction of harvesting vegetables and sowing seeds. In addition to a crash course in gardening, tasty Vietnamese bites utilising the locally harvested fare are available on the weekends. A playground fit for all sorts of climbing will keep even the most overactive children occupied, and a coffee shop on site helps parents keep up. Admission is free. Monday-Friday 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Weekends 8:00AM to 10:00PM. 28 Thao Dien, D2
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Nado Outdoor If you have kids and you live in Saigon, Nado needs to be on your radar. In addition to their Japanese boutique home and lifestyle store in Dakao (which offers clothes, toys and accessories for the little ones) Nado Outdoor, at the opposite end of District 1, is the ideal place for them to let off some steam. Featuring an outdoor playground, an open-air cinema and a regular lineup of activity sessions for the whole family, Nado Outdoor opens to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 9.30pm, with weekdays reserved for private events and parties. From just VND150,000 per child, enter them into a weekend workshop for a spot of art, science or crafting fun, or pay the basic VND100,000 entrance fee and let them go crazy in the playground. Food and drink is available and adults can kick back on a bean bag while the kids roam free. The evening movie showings are also a great way to unwind after a day of adventure. 270 Vo Van Kiet Street, D1 nado.com.vn
SC VivoCity It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest malls in Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to bring the tots. What makes SC VivoCity unique is the select businesses and fun kids areas geared towards the younger members of the family. Whether stepping into the imagination engaging Hamley’s fine toy store, singing songs and bouncing around in the baby play area, or splashing around the rooftop fountain pool, VivoCity provides an opportunity for families to get some shopping done while keeping the young ones engaged and smiling. With a bevy of food options from McDonalds to higher-end restaurants, this megamall is a dreamland for children and parents alike. 1058 Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, D7
Q&A
HELEN & SUMMER LE Helen and Summer Le are the unofficial representatives of Vietnamese cuisine in Da Nang. Through their food website danangcuisine.com, a successful YouTube channel, and their ‘Funtastic Da Nang’ food tours, cookery lessons and hostel, these women are helping to put their city, and their country’s dishes, on the map. Elijah Ferrian sat down with Helen in her hometown to discuss how the sisters got started. Photo by danangcuisine.com
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“We wanted to be able to expose people to our home (Da Nang), because we truly feel that it is one of the greatest cities to live and eat in.”
How did you both get involved with creating all this content about food? What are your backgrounds?
It’s kind of a mystery! My sister and I both studied abroad. We both did our bachelors in different countries, and eventually I studied for my masters in Germany and worked in the marketing field. We both studied international business. I don’t know that we ever imagined spending this much time writing and talking about food.
What roles do you and your sister take on?
So, we kind of started out splitting up the type of work we do. We both have our ‘specialties’; I handle the cooking side of things, I do a lot of the YouTube channel content, recipes, showing people different techniques. I also try to give as much of the historical background behind each dish so that there’s an engaging story. I don’t want to just show people how to cook, I want to make people excited about the food in general. My sister (Summer) handles the reviews side. She’s the one going to restaurants, trying a lot of different food and compiling these great guides on where to eat for people that are unfamiliar with Da Nang.
Why did you decide to start the website?
I was living and studying in Germany and my sister was doing the same in Australia. We were both constantly getting asked by all of our friends about what
to eat in Vietnam, why they should go to Da Nang, etc. After while we realised that there wasn’t a whole lot of authentic information on the internet, especially if you don’t speak Vietnamese. So we decided that, instead of individually answering all of these questions, we should just compile all of this great insider info about Vietnam into one website. We wanted to be able to expose people to our home (Da Nang), because we truly feel that it is one of the greatest cities to live and eat in. It became more and more apparent that many people have visited Da Nang in the past, and have never really thought to come back because there just wasn’t a lot here, even just six years ago. There has been so much change, and there is so much history to tell through food and exploration that the website and channel have turned into a lot more than just your average cooking segment or restaurant review.
When you talk about this change in Da Nang, what do you want people to know about?
That my city may have previously been a place that travellers would only quickly stop by to visit My Son, or to brush up on their American War history, but now there is so much more to do here. There are phenomenal restaurants here, authentic Hue cuisine, Thai, American, almost anything you can think of. There’s a giant amusement park, there’s the beach, a great relaxed cafe culture, and so much history to explore on a motorbike ride into the mountains in either direction. I could go on, but my sister does a great job at providing the opportunity to experience the true culture of the city in her Funtastic Da Nang Food Tours. She also runs a hostel in the oldest part of the city.
What was your goal initially for the website and the channel? Obviously you wanted it to take off and become a popular source of information for people traveling Vietnam, and Da Nang specifically. I’m sure you had no idea that it would become what it is currently.
Of course when you are promoting something you want it to become popular and we definitely wished for this to happen. It requires a lot of passion and persistence on both of our parts, but we love doing it. The more I make all of these different dishes and record the recipes, the more I rekindle my love with the whole process of cooking. Over 250 dishes, and a lot of these are recipes I never would have taken on if I didn’t have people to share them with, whether online or at home with friends and family. Like the Vietnamese baguette - making it from scratch, why would you do that when you can buy one for really cheap? I did it, though! It was hard too! Everyone
that makes baguette has their own secret recipe, and they are usually very guarded about the details. I make all of these very specific things. It’s such a learning experience. I want to give people an overall view of Vietnamese cuisine. I want people to see all of the aspects of tons of different dishes, and it challenges me. It’s always good to be challenged.
Would you say that there are some misconceptions about Vietnamese food?
Yes! Obviously everyone knows pho and banh mi, but these should, in my opinion, not be the measurements of Vietnamese cuisine. The true Vietnamese dish is bun. I rarely eat pho, but I eat bun like twice a day. I tell every foreigner that asks me about food in Vietnam that if you haven’t been to Hue, then you haven’t had the best dishes this country has to offer. There is historical proof of why this is the case as well. Back when Hue was the home of the king, the best cooks would hone and perfect their signature dishes to impress him. This created a concentration of authentic, highly executed, delicious meals. Bun has a richer, deeper history than pho, and I like to highlight these historical aspects as much as possible in our content. This is also why I love to cook for my friends that aren’t from here. I make them a dish that they’ve never had before, and if they love it, it generally encourages them to be a bit more adventurous, to try things that are unfamiliar.
What are your goals for the future?
Well, this all began because of our passion for food and pride in our culture. I think initially we just really wanted to get the word out about the place we grew up in and how amazing it can be. It’s not like the website or channel is making us rich [laughs]. We do it because we love it, and fortunately it has allowed us to really carve our niche in being ambassadors for Da Nang and Vietnamese cuisine. For me, that is precisely what I would love to be. I want to be a media representative for Vietnamese food and culture, and to cross over to TV. There is such a strong cultural attachment to food and hospitality in Da Nang, and Vietnam as a whole. I think that it’s just been a development of learning how to showcase it properly. When I watch cooking shows from the West, oftentimes it feels that the presenter is, kind of, disconnected from the culture of the food because they are not a local. It’s not possible for them to be immersed in all of the history, ingredients, and dishes every day. Many people come to Vietnam to experience the food that they’ve heard about, but I think travellers need to understand that Da Nang is a great representation of a destination with many ‘hidden gems’ that unfortunately don’t get as much coverage as they should. AsiaLIFE HCMC 15
B USINESS VIEW
IMPORT OF AUSTRALIAN BEEF TO EXPAND AS DEMAND RISES
HEAD of the Animal Husbandry Department, Tong Xuan Chinh, has been quoted saying that Vietnam is one of the biggest importers of Australian cows, just after Indonesia and China. Vietnam imported over 300,000 Australian cows in 2015 alone. Vietnam would like to increase the proportion of beef in the overall Vietnamese diet to 20 percent by 2020. Also according to Chinh, Vietnamese businesses don’t necessarily want to import beef at larger weights for slaughtering, but prefer importing live animals in order to to fatten them for 100
days. The Vietnamese market is not the only one to prefer this method. The official said that cows were needed to satisfy the increasingly high demand in Vietnam, though there are always latent risks in imports. This is because Vietnam simply does not have the favorable conditions to breed cows like those in Australia. 71,000 cows were imported in the first four months of the year. Vu Chi Cuong, deputy head of the Animal Husbandry Institute, also said importing Australian cows is a must, because Vietnam, with only 5 million cows, cannot satisfy the
exploding domestic demand. However, he commented that Vietnamese businesses have been mostly importing cows to fatten and sell, while there is little thought being applied to long term strategies, mostly because it is the most profitable business in the beef import industry. Cuong was quoted, “An enterprise in Long An province I know imported three ships of cows to feed and sell after three months. Each cow can be priced at up to VND16 million.” Also according to Cuong, to date, China still has not reached any agreement with Australia on the requirements for Australian cow slaughtering. Once the two sides can reach the agreement, China may increase imports from Australia, which means that the supply for Vietnam may be less. “If relying on imports, Vietnamese would have to pay higher once the imports increase in prices. Meanwhile, the live beef in Vietnam is the most expensive in South East Asia ,” he said. Vuong Xuan Hien from Sao Do Company said his company had recently imported 3,000 cows to fatten. It was cheap at $3 per kilo. Chinh said Vietnam has been mostly importing cows from Australia, while the supplies from Thailand, Myanmar, India and Laos are getting shorter.
RUSSIA RAMPING UP TRADE WITH VIETNAM TO $10 BLN BY 2020 RUSSIA’S Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev signed a memorandum between the Economic Development Ministry and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade on joint efforts to increase trade and economic cooperation till 2020. “The signed paper is aimed at supporting the companies of Russia and Vietnam in efficient implementation of external ties in order to increase bilateral trade turnover to $10 bln till 2020,” the ministry said. Russia and Vietnam will be developing cooperation in such areas as expansion of the practice of using national currencies of the two countries, implementation of Russian-Vietnamese investment projects, backing the construction of customs stores and logistics centers for moving export and import products. Besides, the plans are to step up investment cooperation between the two partners. A detailed plan on implementation of the memorandum in line with projected areas is expected to be accorded until June 30, 2016, while the process monitoring will be included in the working program of the subcommittee on trade and investment at the Russian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission on trade and economic as well as scientific and technical cooperation. The two sides plan to hold regular consultations with participation of experts for implementation of the memorandum’s provisions.
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NEWS
IN BRIEF FARM IN SOUTH VIETNAM
SOUTH KOREAN FIRMS SHIFTING OVERSEAS BUSINESS FOCUS TO VIETNAM South Korea’s consumer goods firms are shifting their overseas focus to Vietnam as their business in China reaches its limits, increasing investment and aggressively opening new branches, according to industry sources. With a population of over 90 million, 60 percent of which is in their 30s or younger, Vietnam stands out as a market promising robust growth. A recent report by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency said the South Korean government is pursuing expansion of consumer goods exports to Vietnam to make up for the country’s slowing trade. CJ Group, whose affiliates range from entertainment to food and beverages, made an early start, opening an office in Vietnam in 1998. The group’s chairman,
Lee Jay-hyun, declared in 2012 that the conglomerate will build a third group in Vietnam. The company is engaged in seven different sectors and maintaining its top position in three of them - bakery, home shopping and movie theaters. In February, CJ Group took over Ong Kim’s, a popular kimchi brand in Vietnam. A month later, it acquired a 4.08-percent stake in the country’s meat manufacturer Vissan and is planning to obtain more. “We will be proceeding with our active investment in Vietnam across different industries,” a CJ official was quoted in Korea Times. “We will expand the scale of investment, such as increasing milling factories, to raise our market status in Vietnam.”
Twenty one southern cities and provinces will colaborate in the development of a farm-produce chain to ensure safe, quality products reach the market, according to the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC). A supply-demand connectivity programme will be held in HCM City in July to promote consumption of safe produce in the localities. ITPC will invite food related businesses and vegetable and fruit stores to participate.
VIETJET TO BUY 100 BOEING Vietnam’s VietJet agreed a firm order of 100 Boeing 737 MAX 200 airplanes worth US$11.3 billion at list prices on Monday (May 23), making it one of the region’s fastest growing low-cost carriers. Delivery of the Boeing planes is expected to run from 2019 until 2023, when VietJet will have a fleet of more than 200 planes of both Boeing and Airbus to accommodate its expansion plan, the carrier said in a statement. VietJet said the deal was “the largest ever single commercial airplane purchase in Vietnam aviation.”
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
VIETNAM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS STARTS OVER 69 million voters across Vietnam cast their ballots last month in the parliamentary elections. The vote, which elects deputies to the 14th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Committee for the 2016-2021 tenure, started at 7am at 91,476 polling stations across the country. As many as 500 deputies will be elected to the 14th NA out of 870 candidates. Out of the 500, 339 candidates are female, accounting for 68 percent, while 204 candidates are from ethnic minorities, making up 23 percent, according to the list released by the National Election Committee (NEC) in April.
The results will be announced by June 20th. The first session of the 14th NA is scheduled to convene in July when the NA Standing Committee and state leaders will be re-elected. During the final session of the 13th NA, Vietnamese parliament replaced top leadership positions of the country. On March 31, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan became the country’s first NA chairwoman, while Tran Dai Quang was elected the new President on April 2, and Nguyen Xuan Phuc was elected the country’s new prime minister on April 7.
Douglass McColl, vice president of Sihanoukville Tourism Association, said Cambodia Angkor Air’s new route, due to launch on June 17, should increase hotel occupancy in Sihanoukville, but more flights were needed to match the level of development. Ho Chi Minh City was given precedence over one from Bangkok because Vietnamese tourists – and Chinese tourists who stop-over in Ho Chi Minh City – come to Sihanoukville for the beach, casinos and leisure activities.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Vietnam’s electricity need could be fully supplied via renewable energy resources by 2050, according to a new report by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The “Sustainable Scenario for the Vietnamese power sector until 2050,” report offers an overview of the country’s power sector within the global energy framework and suggests various development strategies. AsiaLIFE HCMC 17
D AY IN THE LIFE
HEAD OF SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HO CHI MINH CITY
ADRIAN WATTS By Simon Stanley. Photo by Jonny Edbrooke.
T
he International School of Ho Chi Minh City was the first international school in Saigon, having started life as the ‘International Grammar School’ in 1993. Today, ISHCMC is one of the leading International Baccalaureate schools in the country. Adrian Watts joined ISHCMC, now one of 64 schools in the Cognita group, in August 2013, coming from one of the top schools in Bangkok where he had taught for 13 years. “I felt it was time to take on a new challenge,” he says. “When I was approached by Cognita about the opportunity to move to Vietnam and work at ISHCMC, I didn’t hesitate to accept.” For many adults whose school years are far, far behind them, the role of a Head of School, in addition to a school principal, can be unfamiliar. “It is the same, in many ways, as the old term ‘Headmaster’ or ‘Head Teacher’,” explains Watts. “The role is huge in a modern 21st-century school. It starts with the monitoring of the mission and values of the school, ensuring that these are embedded throughout and are at the centre of the decision making process.” On a more day-to-day basis, Watts’s responsibility is equally broad, seeing him involved in the creation of strategic development plans, supporting academic teams, assisting the finance department, overseeing recruitment, creating school schedules and ensuring the safety, security, and social and emotional wellbeing of staff and students. And it doesn’t end there; marketing and communications, monthly and annual reports, arranging evaluation and accreditation visits both locally and internationally, and planning for ISHCMC’s new campus which is due to open in 2017. Despite the breadth of his responsibilities, the most rewarding part of his job is when he is able to step out of the office, away from the computer, and into the corridors. “When I first arrived at ISHCMC I taught an IB Diploma Economics class. I’d love to still be in the classroom today. I get most pleasure from walking around the school and observing students and teachers at work. I love to see them engaged and energised by their work.” A Head of School’s day begins at 5am. “I start with a 30 minute walk. I then eat a simple breakfast of soursop juice, natural yogurt, a banana, almonds and walnuts.” Arriving at school at around 6.15am, it’s no surprise that there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ for Watts. After checking his emails, conducting a daily air pollution test and greeting his team, Watts will head to the front gate to begin welcoming students and their parents. He also keeps an eye on the traffic flow in front of the school which can, at times, become quite a task. Once lessons begin, it’s straight into the plethora of administrative tasks that need his attention: meetings, planning, reports, follow-ups and handling any parent, teacher or student issues that have arisen.
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BIKINI PROMO PUNISHMENT
Like many of us, a large part of Watts’s day is spent answering emails, something he’ll often do over lunch. “If I’m lucky I’ll grab a few minutes to eat,” he says. When asked what the hardest part of his job is, keeping up with the non-stop flow of electronic communication is the answer. When he does have time, however, he tries to catch up on the latest educational research and articles, sharing them with administrators, teachers and parents.
An electronics store in Hanoi went viral recently when a team of bikini-clad models appeared outside its shop. Following what appears to have been a rather lewd marketing tactic, the store’s owners have since claimed that they were, in fact, there as part of a sex-ed video being filmed nearby. “Young Vietnamese people have not been provided with appropriate sex education... so we want to make a series of sex education videos,” the company told Thanh Nien News. Despite the firm’s protestations, the ‘stunt’ attracted a VND40m (US$1,800) fine from the Hanoi Department of Culture and Information.
HA LONG BOAT BLAZE 36 foreign tourists were forced to abandon ship when their sightseeing cruise boat caught fire last month. While no one was seriously injured, many were seen jumping into the water to escape the flames which soon sank the wooden vessel. According to Tuoi Tre, the fire was caused by a gas leak in the kitchens. Meanwhile, Thanh Nien reported that overnight cruises to Ha Long Bay are expected to be banned within the next five years as local authorities strive to improve safety. A programme is also being actioned to replace all wooden boats with metal alternatives.
At the end of the school day, once lessons have ended, he’ll take time to meet students and parents again as they leave the school. Any final meetings of the day will take place and twice a week he’ll put on his sports kit and head off to coach football. In contrast to holding a similar position at home in the UK, where government intervention often hampers and intervenes with the genuine efforts of its professional educators, Watts enjoys having the freedom (and time) to focus on improving the quality of teaching in his school. “[In the international school system] there is little interference by politicians. This gives a wise Head greater flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference to student learning without having to wait for a government to make a decision.” That said, overseeing a school of over 1,000 students, made up of over 50 nationalities and with an age range of between 2 and 18 years, is not without its sacrifices. “I rarely have time to fully relax in the evening as there is always some work to be completed. My relaxation comes from spending time with my son and wife over dinner and at bedtime. When I go home to Thailand my hobby is cutting the grass, planting trees and creating a sustainable farmstead.” Fortunately, the intense demands of the workplace are not something that keep him awake at night. “I have been lucky over the years. Although I care greatly about my job I can shut it out as soon as my head hits the pillow. I have become even more successful at doing this since I discovered meditation and mindfulness three years ago when I came to ISHCMC.”
EXPATS CLEAN UP The work of a collective known as ‘Keep Hanoi Clean’ went viral last month as photos of a group of foreign volunteers collecting rubbish from a heavily polluted ditch appeared on the internet. While many have shown support for the team, local authorities warned that they should have sought permission first, and added that the photos implied the ward administration did not care about keeping the area clean. Led by American English teacher James Kendall, the group had only formed two weeks prior to the event but had already attracted 3,100 members, according to Tuoi Tre.
IT RAINED! While many of us in the city may be moaning that the wet season is now upon us, the first proper downfall of the year on 17 May came as a much needed source of relief for the farmers and fishermen of the Mekong Delta who have been suffering one of the area’s worst droughts in years. Bringing with it instant relief to the sweltering heat we’d endured for the best part of a month, the afternoon downpour also left dozens of roads around the city flooded, causing traffic congestion and many of us to make a mental note to purchase our ponchos ahead of time next year.
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Breaking the barrier between Western-style restaurants and the local Vietnamese population that will provide them with longevity. Elijah Ferrian explores what’s happening with the explosion in the food and beverage scene in Vietnam. Photos by Vinh Dao.
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here’s something changing in the gastronomical landscape of Vietnam. It’s no secret that Ho Chi Minh City is a culinary playground for locals and foreigners alike. The majority of folks that venture out to the bustling street food strips and newly established brick and mortar neighbourhood joints are pleased not only with the exponential variety, but with the ability to sit down with a rack of authentic American barbecue ribs, a perfectly constructed burger, the ambience of the lunch rush at a Europeanstyle cafe, or a liquid artistic expression in the form of a craft cocktail. It allows foreigners and expats to bask in a river of nostalgic glee, sure, but that’s not what’s interesting about this trend. The real story here is how these establishments are taking off with the local Vietnamese population at break-neck speed, and how the restaurants
themselves are helping the transition. Vietnam has been transitioning into a market-based economy since the late 1980s. It has been on an ever-increasing acceleration pattern since it joined the World Trade Organization in 2007, and one of the biggest benefactors of this rapid growth has been the food and beverage sector. A perfect maelstrom of growing tourist revenue, increase in household disposable income, and a burgeoning middle class, has left the average local with more culinary opportunities than ever. With more urbanisation, busier lifestyles, and consistent growth of full-service restaurants year after year, Vietnam now has a healthy appetite for variety.
New Tastes
“Basically, I came here for this new opportunity to bring American food culture
to Vietnam,” says Jake Pulkrabek. “I haven’t really seen the type of American-style restaurants I tried to emulate when I first came here in November of last year.” Pulkrabek is from a small town in Northern Minnesota, USA. He just opened up his restaurant, Jake’s BBQ, at 50 Pasteur Street. He’s lived in different parts of Asia for years, cooking his homestyle comfort food, and has always enjoyed a warm response to his style and concept, which is like walking into a little slice of Midwestern Americana. In fact, when you sit down at Jake’s you’d be hard pressed to remember that you were sitting in Ho Chi Minh City at all. It’s a blast from some other time. He moved to Vietnam for a change of pace, and because a lot of his regulars at the old location in southern China were constantly telling him to make the move further south because of the growth and infrastructure in
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“There’s so much growth possible. I think it’s going to stay booming.” - Martijn Vermaire, Cafe Restaurant HCMC
the booming Vietnamese economy. “This city is an entrepreneur’s dream. It’s a great representation of what Vietnam is about, and America as well.” On the other side of the spectrum in this American barbecue trend are the powerhouse jokesters over at Quan Ut Ut. Tim Scott, one of the three major partners that started this restaurant group, all hailing from either Australia or the United States, sat down with me at their ‘Bacontainer’ location on the Binh Thanh side of the Thi Nghi canal. “There were American barbecue places before us that tended to be darker, dingier, and had a male-centric vibe to them,” says Scott. “Nobody had tried doing a barbecue for Vietnamese. We tried to do 22 AsiaLIFE HCMC
a lot of things to not make it so alien to Vietnamese people, and it has just worked out amazingly.” It’s apparent as I sip an ice water while sitting at a long, sturdy wooden picnic table: they have taken the Vietnamese style of dining out in large groups, and injected it with a healthy dose of smoked meat and campy humour. “One of the things that makes us interesting for Vietnamese locals is that we are not afraid to take weird risks; bacon ice cream, odd artwork on the walls like the Last Supper of man-pigs cannibalising themselves, or the hot dogs named after adult entertainment stars. We constantly have this edge”, Scott laughs. They obviously put a lot of thought into
how the Vietnamese enjoy eating out with family and friends. The beer flows freely, and the seating is open-aired with a giant tent canopy top. It feels like you’re at a friend’s home in Texas for a good, oldfashioned cookout. That’s exactly how Scott and company wanted it to feel, but with an attention to detail that is respectful and observant of Vietnamese cultural norms. “All of our restaurants are open-aired. No doors. Menus are in Vietnamese. We set the tables up neutrally, because if you are not comfortable with a knife and fork, then you should be free to set up the table in your own way.” This is the trend I keep running into while interviewing the owners of these
phenomenal restaurants: they find ways to create comfortable experiences for the local population by introducing something foreign with a gentle touch that makes the unfamiliarity the point of interest, and further utilise this tactic as the impetus to get a potential customer to walk in the door of an otherwise bizarre and potentially alienating cross-cultural experience. Much of this is accomplished with how the food is served, as Pulkrabek explains: “That’s why it’s very important that I give big portions.The portion size is something I wanted to make big, so that a family can come in and order two items and it can feed three or four people. When you order a half rack of ribs, it’s an actual half rack of ribs; it can feed two people, easily. You can take one meal and split it up. That’s how Asian cultures operate. Sharing is how dining is done, and I wanted to showcase that we do that in America as well.”
Sharing’s Caring
“Since (we) started [nearly 12 years ago] she wanted to get this sharing idea going.” Adrian “Scotty” Scott, head chef at longstanding District 2 restaurant The Deck, is recalling the early days of what is now a riverside institution, when owner Anna Craven expressed a clear desire from day one to allow guests to graze through the menu, sharing little bits from here and there while spending the entire day at the restaurant. It’s an ethos they’ve catered to more and more in recent years. “All of our starters are in two to four helpings,” he adds. “We also do a three-tier priced tasting menu. This allows us to split up a lot of great menu items into more portions. It’s actually easier for the kitchen, and more people get to try a better variety of what we love to do here.” The Deck has been busy with a majority of Vietnamese patrons for years, so it’s not even that they need to make a move like this, it’s that they want to. “The more that people are getting the chances to try a wider variety of food, the more people are getting really into it. Opening up new food to this country is received so well, and it’s so fun to do. They have such good product here. Phu Quoc squid, is one of the best I’ve ever tried.” This brings us to the aspect that I find to
be most exciting for the future of Vietnam and food: ingredients. Fresh, high quality, natural ingredients. I stopped by D1 destination eatery Soul Burger to talk to owner Gabe Boyer about the importance of what’s going in to Saigon’s food. “You really try to design the burger for the eater,” explains Boyer, “fine tuning every patty. We take a lot of pride in the meat and the bun, right down to the salt and pepper. We toast and dry Vietnamese sea salt, and import Phu Quoc peppercorns. We choose to import US beef even though Australian beef is cheaper. Just because it’s slightly better. We make everything in-house except for the ketchup on the table. We craft a luxury product. Everything is thought about to the finest detail.” These guys are obsessive not just about creating a perfect burger, but about sourcing and utilising the best possible ingredients at every step of the process, and they’re not the only ones with this mentality.
Farm to Table
Tim Scott emphatically speaks over the bustle of his restaurant as Ut Ut prepares for its evening service: “There are two things happening at the moment. One is seeing these places and thinking it’s really easy to [start a restaurant], and the other is that there’s a really big movement over the last two years for high quality, made-fromscratch products. A great example is [Pizza] 4P’s. Having their own farms, growing their own vegetables, offering consumers access to their distribution - it’s a really great sign for the future, and they’re creating a model to follow.” “Five years ago the vast majority of Vietnamese food was, ‘how do you take the cheapest ingredients possible and turn them into something flavourful?’ Turning something cheap into something great. Now, what if we take really good ingredients and do the same thing?” The access to fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the increasing interest in their utilisation, can only make the food better, as well as strengthening ties between the rural Vietnamese farmers and the urban companies looking to buy their products. It seems like a potential win-win situation. AsiaLIFE HCMC 23
The mention of Pizza 4P’s online farm-totable shop carries the conversation into the technological territory that many of these stories find themselves deeply indebted to.
The Next Generation
Martijn Vermaire and his business partner Sander Smits have an unparalleled social media presence for their beautiful NorthEuropean influenced establishment, Cafe Restaurant HCMC, on Calmette Street in District 1. This part of the restaurant game is integral to keeping up with the millennial crowd always looking for the next hip spot to lounge and sip on a cocktail, or host a meeting over a divine lunch service. “We do a ‘daily fresh’ post of our lovely dishes on Facebook,” explains Vermaire, “a nice photo and brief description. We have the Albert Calmette cocktail posts we run on Instragram. Finally, we feature our extraordinary chef Steven Long on our YouTube cooking channel for Western cooking - steaks, pasta, etc. We have a Vietnamese chef teaching Western cooking and people are watching the videos. It’s great to see.” Vermaire scrolls through the various social media profiles on his iPhone. It’s impressive, and an extremely progressive way to stay ahead, or at least on the curve in a city that has seemingly dozens of restaurants opening each month. “You look at Bangkok, Thailand… there’s approximately 10,000 restaurants there,” he continues. “Ho Chi Minh City has somewhere around 2,000. I think you look at Thailand to see where Vietnam is potentially headed. There’s so much growth possible. I think it’s going to stay booming. I do hope that the quality stays. Bad restaurants will disappear. You have all these great places coming out in District 2. I just foresee more and more growth.” Much of that growth rests on the shoulders of the future generation of
restaurant goers - the younger generation that studies or lives abroad, and comes back to Vietnam hoping to start a business, or dine at a restaurant that allows them to recapture experiences they’ve had in other countries. This multiculturalism is lending a lot to this new, genuine interest being shown for different food and beverage. A lot of these trends aren’t dissimilar to what has happened in mid-size developing cities in the United States and other Western nations. There’s a style and level of service that is being imported as well, and this is really where the experience for either Vietnamese local, or foreign expat pivots to either a positive one, or not. There’s so much growth happening in this country, and in this city, that getting a sincere greeting from a restaurant owner may seem like it’s out of place to expect at this stage in the game. But that kind of genuine attention to the guest experience is exactly the factor that separates the new establishment hoping to build itself into a longstanding fixture on a busy street corner, from the average flash in the pan that never seems to make a name for itself. Pulkrabek, the small-town Minnesota native frames it best: “Barbecue brings people together. It brings the community together. Slow cooked pork, or beef.. put it on a bun, and everyone brings their own food and gets together. I had big shoes to fill. I’m on a popular street taking over the space of a popular restaurant. I have to give one-hundred-and-ten percent every day because people have been coming here for ages. It’s my job to greet them at the door and give them the best meal they’ve ever had. Impressing people with the food is so fun. This concept has worked for over ten years, and I’m excited to bring it to Vietnam.”
Simon Stanley takes two Vietnamese members of the AsiaLIFE team, Phuong Thao and Cam Tu Tran, for their first traditional British Sunday roast. 24 AsiaLIFE HCMC
“It’s my job to greet them at the door and give them the best meal they’ve ever had.” - Jake Pulkrabek, Jake’s BBQ
W
e’ve come to Dtwo Sportspub at 55-57 Thao Dien, District 2. The Sunday roast here is already legendary for its size, value for money (VND200,000) and authenticity. Thao has spotted the mammoth meal on the menu board. “I’m a little scared,” she says. Loaded with Yorkshire puddings, plenty of fresh veg, creamy mashed potato and crisp roast potatoes, plus all the trimmings, our meals soon arrive and sit between us. The meat changes each week and today we have a mountain of beautifully blushed pink slices of beef courtesy of The Meatworks. CTT: For a family meal in Vietnam, we would prepare lots of dishes - meat, fish, vegetables, rice, and a soup - but we don’t
put them all on the same plate like this. PT: It’s so big. SS: How about the flavours? PT: I don’t like this [mashed potato]. I had it before in KFC. It reminds me of baby food. The rest is nice. But there’s so much! CTT: It’s a bit strange having a pudding on the plate [holding up a Yorkie], but I like it. British food is good. SS: Agreed, but I see you’ve added some chilli sauce to everything…
coating their roast dinners in ketchup, so you’re not the first to commit such sacrilege. In fact, compared to Asian food, there’s hardly any added spices or herbs here. It’s all about combining the flavours; getting a bit of everything on your fork, mixing it up. CTT: Peas and mashed potato works well. SS: A classic combo. PT: I can’t finish it. Do you use the leftovers for anything? SS: Yes, it’s called bubble and squeak.
CTT: I’m Vietnamese!
PT: [???]
SS: Don’t sweat it. I’ve seen British people
SS: Another time, maybe. AsiaLIFE HCMC 25
Pack Man When Simon Stanley spotted the ‘made in Vietnam’ tag inside his most trusted rucksack, he decided to investigate. Photos by Osprey Packs.
I
f you’ve ever gone backpacking, you’ll know this scenario well. Those times when your rucksack is bulging at the seams, overflowing with souvenir t-shirts, bubble-wrapped buddhas and baggy, one-dollar backpacker pants. The bus is leaving in five and you’ve still got to close the whole thing up. A busted zipper or strap right now could result in an embarrassing scramble on the pavement as everyone onboard watches you gather up your dirty undies into a bin bag. Having only ever been spectators of such debacles during our travels around the world, my partner and I were glad to have chosen backpacks from one of the most trusted brands on the planet, the Colorado-based company Osprey Packs. After thousands of miles and day after day of stuffing them to their limits before handing them over to airport baggage handlers to play with, they still looked (and functioned) as good as new. It was only after settling in Saigon did we finally empty those packs to reveal the ‘Made in…’ label inside. Our Ospreys, it seems, have come home. 26 AsiaLIFE HCMC
In the Beginning…
Osprey was founded by Mike Pfotenhauer in Santa Cruz, California, in 1974, when he began creating custom-made packs for a dedicated band of backpackers and travellers all drawn to his small shop by word of mouth. As a teenager in his home-state of Oregon, outdoor enthusiast Pfotenhauer had learnt to sew, with the help of his mother, and constructed his first custom pack at the age of 16. By 1987, the company was producing rucksacks for the wholesale market, and in 1990 moved to Dolores, Colorado, where a skilled workforce of sewers, primarily from the nearby Navajo reservation, were employed to work in the factory. Colorado is still home to Osprey’s headquarters today, but by the late 1990s, with domestic production costs rising and local fabric mills closing, the company’s future was in jeopardy. Moving production overseas would be vital to its survival. The decision was made and in the year 2001, Osprey’s production line arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, with Pfotenhauer, plus his wife and family, following soon after in 2003. “Ho Chi Minh City is probably the top backpack manufacturing centre in the world,” says Pfotenhauer via Skype from Mexico. “There are places in China that build them, but if you want highend, you have to go to Vietnam.” With his products going to the tops of the world’s highest mountains, gracing the backs of professional and amateur athletes, climbers, sportsmen and women and travellers, Osprey bags are, indeed, some of the best in the world. They have to be. “We only build backpacks,” adds Pfotenhauer. “We refuse to go into outerwear, like tents or clothing, because we feel backpacks are extremely complex in their design.” While the 62-year-old has since returned to the company’s HQ in Colorado, where marketing, research and distribution is handled, Osprey’s Saigon office continues to thrive. In January of this year it moved into a new, purpose-built product development complex in Thao Dien. From here, a team of 44 staff oversee the entire design and production process, utilising five Korean and Taiwanese-owned factories on the outskirts of the city, the largest of which employs around 2,500 workers, with roughly 80 percent of them working on Osprey products at any one time. It’s a scenario that’s quite unique in the rucksack industry, where most brands and their factories sit thousands of miles apart with only a limited window of development open before going into fullscale production. “The difference between us and the other famous brands is that we do our own product development,” explains Pfotenhauer. “If you need to build 20, 30, or 40 different prototypes before you get it right, you simply can’t do it if your product development is done inside the factory. Just about everybody else does it that way. [But] we control the design, so we’re able to keep a much tighter control on that, and develop it to a greater extent.”
Buying Local
With daily visits to their production sites, Pfotenhauer adds that Osprey has built relationships with them that are about much more than just getting a good product. “There’s an ability to know what’s going on in the factories,” he says. “The management and ownership is always warm and friendly so we can communicate with them on factory conditions for example.” It’s also a setup that helps to keep Osprey products from appearing at your local market alongside the usual lineup of counterfeit outdoor brands. “It’s not easy to see where counterfeiting happens - either if you’re having your product knocked off by small-time factories, or when your own product is going out the back door - but we’re just very good at keeping an eye on that. If we find out where it’s coming from, we stop it, either at the factory or we’ll go down to speak to the shop proprietors.”
Innovation and Quality
Even after 40 years in business, with his Vietnamese team having grown from one person to almost 50, and over one million units produced annually, every new product and design still passes through Pfotenhauer’s hands. Functionality, durability and fit are still top of his list. “We like to pride ourselves on both innovation and quality,” explains Osprey Vietnam’s managing director and VP of product Chris Graham. “We try and offer something unique, a better solution to an existing problem. This can be the way an item is internally organised, or the suspension that connects the product to your back. All of our products are backed up with a lifetime warranty too, our ‘All Mighty Guarantee’, so the construction needs to be durable.” While Vietnam remains a hotbed for the outsourcing of skilled labour, 15 years after first arriving in the country, Osprey shows no signs of moving on, even with the lure of cheaper labour beckoning from foreign shores. “Vietnam is developing fast but so are the employees, the suppliers and the possibilities,” says Graham. “We are fortunate to be making premium products, so price is not an absolute driver, and hope that with the completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership we can see pack production in Vietnam for a long time to come.” “I find that working with the Vietnamese is always an enjoyable experience,” adds Pfotenhauer. “They work hard, they understand what it is that you want and they’re highly skilled.” For anyone in Vietnam hoping to get their hands on what could be the last rucksack they’ll ever own, unfortunately a retail operation here is yet to be established. “Our core products are for ‘Hike, Bike and Alpine’,” explains Graham, “areas that are not yet common in Vietnam. We hope that this changes in the coming years as we enjoy supporting events such as the Tai Lai Jungle Race and the Ho Tram Triathlon. Our products are on sale in Hong Kong and Taiwan for those looking to buy nearby.” Visit ospreypacks.com for more information.
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Wine is finding its niche amidst the craft beer explosion in Ho Chi Minh City. But where exactly does it fit in? By Elijah Ferrian. Photo by Vinh Dao.
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e’re not talking rice wine. Strictly grapes here. The French colonists provided the initial introduction of wine to Vietnam, but with globalisation and a higher frequency of international travel for the country’s growing upper and middle classes, the tipple seems to be making a comeback. Through a growing number of restaurants, bars and specialist shops all over the city, Vietnamese drinkers seem to be turning their taste buds to the reds and whites of the world. Or are they? There seems to be two sides to the story of wine in Vietnam. One is the retail sector, and the other are restaurant or wholesale vendors.
The Bar Owner
Sofia Nguyen is the owner of Sofia House Wine Bar on District 1’s Ham Nghi Street. The place has been open for just six months, and her and I have been talking about the state of wine culture in Vietnam, and the difficulties that come with trying to expose more locals to wine in the context of a quiet, indoor wine bar. When I ask her who tends to show up to drink wine she tells me it’s a decent mix of Vietnamese customers and foreigners. The business tries to focus on educational wine service in a restaurant context. “We don’t close during the day, but most people don’t exactly want to drink wine then, so we offer food, coffee, Italian soda, and good conversation,” she says. “I worked in the retail side of the wine business for four years. I personally love wine. The wine market in Vietnam is really very good. People are really starting to show an interest because trends are changing. Film, and I guess media in general, is starting to spread the idea that everybody can enjoy drinking wine in Asia. Not just the wealthy class.” 28 AsiaLIFE HCMC
Despite this, as Sofia explains, there is quite the caveat when it comes to selling wine out of a restaurant rather than a retail space: “Vietnamese don’t necessarily want to come hang inside and drink wine. They want to be enjoying themselves outside in true Vietnamese cultural fashion. Wine isn’t quite thought of as being a social drink. That’s why people love beer. It’s good for the Saigon heat. People are used to drinking beer and hard liquor, but now that the availability and affordability of wine is increasing, people are slowly developing a better taste for it.”
The Retailer
Nguyen Huy works for The Warehouse Wine Merchants in District 1. They focus on appealing to the Vietnamese market by having knowledgeable staff who are not shy to pour customers a taste to get them acquainted with products they may be unfamiliar with. “The majority of people that walk into our store want to be shown the different styles of wine and get a quick education on what wine they may prefer,” he says. “Most Vietnamese come in to buy wine as a gift - for a birthday or anniversary, but especially for Tet holiday. Generally we steer these people toward the easy, entry-level Chilean wines that are extremely popular for the newer drinkers. If they come in for themselves, we generally end up having them taste a medium range Bordeaux. Some type of French red.” According to Huy, most Vietnamese that are new to wine almost unanimously prefer red over white. Huy does illustrate something that Sofia and I had been uncovering during our conversation. There’s a problem with the language of wine and its translation into Vietnamese. “It hasn’t been a part of our
culture for very long,” he says, “so it can be hard to translate the way we would for a French, or English customer. The term ‘full bodied’ doesn’t exist in Vietnamese. The best translation for the idea is ‘the thick of the wine’. ‘Dry’ translates to ‘not sweet’, which isn’t necessarily what I’m trying to say. This language barrier plays a part in bridging this gap that exists. It’s like we are teaching a whole new language in a way.” It’s a point on which both Sofia and Huy agree: that education is the absolute key to getting wine into the Vietnamese households that can afford to buy it; those looking for something a little different to the average case of Tiger beer, or want an alternate to their prized family rice wine. “It will just take time and people talking to others that are passionate and knowledgeable about wine,” says Sofia. “We are lucky to have a growing economy that is attracting the eyes of many producers. It’s only a matter of time before everyone, of every economic level, will have a wine that fits their preference.” Huy takes an approach that appeals to the average Vietnamese person’s pride in their cultural background of farming and tending to the land. “Wine’s traditionally been produced by farmers, not by the noble people that most assume. Wine is about sharing… just as how Vietnamese love to share.” I can’t see a reason why wine and Vietnam can’t be a hugely successful match eventually, no matter the translation. Time will tell, but the passionate conversation and education provided by people like Huy and Sofia will surely lead the younger generations into imbibing plenty of refreshing Chenin Blanc on the sunny sidewalks of Ho Chi Minh City in the near future.
Nha Trang and Danang are vying for the top beach spots in Vietnam. Monica Majors examines their tactics, and predicts the likely winner. Photos by Vinh Dao.
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Simon Stanley looks at Vietnam’s cinema industry and how Hollywood blockbusters are being received by local audiences. Photo by Jonny Edbrooke.
30 AsiaLIFE HCMC
I
n February 2015, the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey was released in movie theatres across Vietnam after exceptional audience demand. But it was a commercial failure. Despite the hype and excitement, a last minute cut by the censors left the film 20 minutes shorter than the original and void of the very thing everyone had paid to see. (I’ll assume you know what I’m talking about).
“Even the Trailer Was Sexier…”
As well as frustrated, audiences were left puzzled, as a vital scene towards the end of the film was also omitted, throwing viewers straight to the final moments with no idea what was happening. “It’s totally ridiculous,” one audience member told the UK’s Independent at the time. “This version is rated 16+, but it doesn’t need an age restriction; a five-year-old could watch it. Even the trailer was sexier. They’d have been better banning it altogether.” Despite the criticism, the film’s release was seen as an indication of a shift in attitudes towards sex and sexuality in Vietnam. The 2016 release of Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl - a biographical drama inspired by Danish painter Lili Elbe, the first known recipient of sex change surgery - went a long way to normalising the otherwise taboo topic of transgenderism. According to Doan Do Thuy An, PR executive at CGV, one of Vietnam’s largest cinema chains with 32 branches encompassing 210 screens across the country, the film became the most successful foreign drama ever released here. “All of the audiences here deeply sympathised with the main character of the film,” she says. Even so, The Danish Girl made just US$298,000 at the Vietnamese box-office. It may have seemed like a strange choice from a business perspective, to release such a film in a nation where action-
packed blockbusters such as Jurassic World (2015) and the Avenger series consistently dominate the charts. The Vietnamese release of 2015’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth may also have left some scratching their heads as to its commercial potential. But as An explains, sometimes it’s not all about making money: “Shakespeare is very famous in Vietnam and this film was not only nominated, but also won a lot of awards. At CGV we not only focus on [releasing] good quality titles, we also want to lead young audiences to art-house movies [like Macbeth]. We would like to diversify the genres and help audiences choose their own movies.” For those who did see
On the subject of humour, one anonymous contributor suggested that (missed cultural references aside) physical, slapstick comedy is preferred by local audiences, which often leads to rather unexpected audience reactions: “It seems that in Vietnam comedy is often portrayed in a face, if that makes sense. So in a scene where someone is breaking down and all the emotion is coming out through their expression, it seems to sometimes be understood as something to laugh at. I remember watching Les Miserables (2012) here, and when Gavorche dies on the barricade, almost the whole cinema was rolling around laughing.” Michael Tatarski, a 28-year-
“During The Jungle Book (2016), people all around me wouldn’t shut the f*** up unless there was an action scene.” Jesse Rebock, 30, USA Macbeth in Vietnam, the sight of Vietnamese audience members quietly slipping out of the movie theatre midway through was a common one. Whether they were reading the subtitles or not, imagine translating 17th-century English into 21st-century Vietnamese and you can understand why many chose to duck out early. “We have a very professional and skilful team to do the translations,” says An. “Yes, Macbeth was one of the more challenging projects, but we did it well. Of course, everything has to get the approval from studios, so with just a few cases, some customers were not satisfied and left the cinema unhappy.”
Cultural Differences
Lost in translation: it’s a phrase that came up a lot when I probed an online expat group for their memorable moviegoing experiences in Vietnam.
old American living in Saigon, recalls a similar experience when watching 2012’s Skyfall: “In the pre-title scene, Bond gets shot and falls off a train into a river at the bottom of a canyon. A fellow MI6 agent radios ‘agent down’ to HQ. It’s a pretty serious moment, but the Vietnamese audience went crazy, laughing at whatever the subtitle was for that line. I had to laugh because there was such a disconnect between what had happened on-screen and the audience reaction.” In comedy films like 2016’s Deadpool, those littered with Western pop cultural references and in-jokes, the opposite can happen, with a handful of foreigners left to bury their hysterics in their popcorn as the rest of the room sits in silence, or not.... Having to read your way through an entire film can be tiresome. It’s something that many foreigners forget when
paying to see films with English audio and Vietnamese subtitles. “During The Jungle Book (2016), people all around me wouldn’t shut the f*** up unless there was an action scene.” Jesse Rebock, 30, USA. It can be frustrating to have the conversations and Facebook browsing of your neighbours competing with your attention during a movie, but as film-fan Nguyen Dinh Thieu, 21, points out, the cinema, for many of Vietnam’s youth, is less about watching a film and more a chance to learn a bit of English, get away from the heat and hangout with friends. “And make out!” he adds.
Pure Luxury
“It’s natural that in line with [Vietnam’s] economic development, people’s demand for a quality environment for their cultural activities will increase,” says An. “So CGV is trying to cope with such positive demand of the market.” Whether you choose the double booth-style ‘Sweetbox’ seats at the back of certain screens, or go all-out for the ‘Gold Class’ experience, with giant, leather, reclining armchairs, cutting-edge sound and screen technology, plus complimentary hot drinks, CGV is certainly proof of the industry’s potential here. And it’s not just foreign films that Vietnamese audiences are eager to eat up as they relax in CGV’s decadent surroundings. Released in December of last year, director Phan Gia Nhat Linh’s Sweet 20—a remake of 2014’s Korean film Miss Granny—became the highest grossing local film of all time in February 2016, taking over $4.76 million. CGV are watching the trends: “Vietnam can become one of the top five or six markets, in terms of admission, globally,” says An, “and accordingly, in the foreseeable future, Vietnam will be able to be positioned as one of the most important film markets in the film industry in the whole world.”
On Movie Censorship…
“Films have to satisfy the government’s censorship guidelines, which forbid political or superstitious elements or excessive sex, violence, or blood. It’s not only foreign films; local films have to be censored too. Almost all of the films that are banned in Vietnam are horror films. This is a favourite genre in Vietnam. The Human Centipede is an example of a film that would be banned in Vietnam. It is not beneficial to society. It is too violent.” - Doan Do Thuy An, CGV PR Executive.
AsiaLIFE HCMC 31
THE LATEST ON EL NIÑO
Record high temperatures and devastating extreme weather are affecting the globe, not just Southeast Asia. Elijah Ferrian follows up on what’s going on with this extreme global weather.
I
n December’s issue of AsiaLIFE, Simon Stanley broke down the devastating effects of El Niño on the global climate, and forecasted the drought that South East Asia experienced as a result of the reduction (or inversion) of the east to west winds on our oceans. I’m not sure anyone expected the grade of devastation that has resulted since that report. Vietnam has been experiencing its worst drought in 90 years, and it is definitely not an isolated case.
32 AsiaLIFE HCMC
Vietnam in Crisis
Water levels in the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, and all over the southern portions of the country are the lowest they have been in almost a century. A shortened rainy season, with significantly low recorded rainfall in 2015, compounded with a surge of salt-dense sea water rushing into now parched, sponge-like earth caused by dried up watersheds, has made agriculture virtually impossible. The Vietnamese Red Cross Society estimates that over 400,000 households have been affected by the drought. 195,000 of those have absolutely no access to safe drinking water. All in all, 39 out of Vietnam’s 63 provinces have been affected. Out of that number, 12 have declared severe states of drought and saltwater intrusion at varying degrees.
A Global Heat Wave
The 2015 - 2016 El Niño event is one of the most powerful on record, and although Vietnam has been hit hard, it’s not the only country suffering through the crisis. Figures released by NASA last month revealed that the average land and sea temperature was 1.11 celsius (2F) warmer in April of this year than the entire average temperature for April between 1951 and 1980. In terms of climate fluctuations, that’s a huge leap, and virtually guarantees that 2016 will be the hottest year on record. With all this intense information to read up on, it’s sadly not a surprising turn of events. Climate scientists are sitting at their desks saying, “I told you so”. Since the 1980s they have been predicting this acceleration of global temperatures. It’s playing out exactly as imagined. Perhaps occurring even faster than original projections showed. This is all having calamitous effects on agriculture. Massive flooding in Argentina, and bone-dry conditions in Brazil, have led to a crash in soybean production. Parts of Africa, specifically Ethiopia, are experiencing their worst droughts in 50 years, resulting in a massive reduction in coffee bean production. Thailand is carefully managing the potential conflict brewing with China, which controls any water needed in an emergency situation like this one. Cambodia shares another
affliction with neighbouring Vietnam, with hundreds of thousands of fish washing up on its shores and riverbanks. Many young, sprouting economies are being beaten down by the unrelenting heat and ongoing conflicts over water availability and control. Recovering from these types of weather conditions is no easy feat. And it’s not just agriculture being impacted by the heat wave, either. Ecosystems worldwide are being tormented. The rising temperatures have initiated the third recorded global coral bleaching, and in Australia most of the 2,300 kilometre-long Great Barrier Reef has been affected. In a large swathe of the northern reef, the majority of coral is feared dead, and on some reefs over 90 percent is dying.
Human Involvement
At least in the case of Southeast Asia, there seems to be a man-made contributor to the problem, offering some semblance of a short-term solution if an agreement is made. That factor is upstream damming. Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Cambodia and Thailand all share a vast river system. These nations have been meeting to try to reach a solution on how China, Laos and Thailand choose to control water flow, seeing as they are all in the northern territory of the region and can manipulate the rapid flow of water into the Eastern Sea. We may not be able to control the weather, but we can control water diversion projects. The highest hope is that there is some reconfiguration, and that this can jump-start the process of rehabilitating the watershed in the agricultural zones. The first heavy rains in Ho Chi Minh City last month will hopefully bode well for the future, but it would be naive to view the arrival of the wet season as bringing an end to the region’s problems, especially when a lot of hard science is pointing to a 99 percent certainty that 2016 will be the hottest year on record. We can all make informed decisions every day to help combat the effects of global climate change but education is the absolute first step. Hopefully we can all start doing our best to turn back, or at least slow down the ticking clock that is climate change.
AsiaLIFE HCMC 33
BITING BACK AT ZIKA
Monica Majors assesses the situation from Vietnam’s standing. 34 AsiaLIFE HCMC
M
uch of the world is freaking out over the Zika virus disease, but should we? On a recent flight back from the US, I was bombarded with signs about the mosquitotransmission of the virus. News reports seem fewer and farther between than previous months, but recently an expat Facebook group in Vietnam posted three links, back-to-back, on the subject. As such, I have now adopted the delightful musk of DEET, and even carry an extra spray bottle in my purse.
Transmission
The virus is primarily spread through mosquitoes, technically only through the females of the Aedes specie of the hematophagous buzzers. It can also be transferred sexually. Most infected people show little or no symptoms, and may not even feel the need to visit the doctor. Rarely fatal, the most common symptoms include red eyes, skin rash, fever and pain in the joints. Overall the virus passes with mild ailments over the course of several days to a week. Currently there is no vaccine, but it is believed that after being infected, one is unlikely to contract the virus again. Sounds mild? Well, it can be, when contained within a male population. Even still, Zika has been linked to developing the neurological disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome. Of note. however, are the potential health impacts among the pregnant population. Contracting the virus while expecting a child has serious birth defect implications, specifically to the brain and head.
Taking it Seriously
Central and South America are currently the most concentrated zones for Zika. Between October 2013 and March 2014, more than 30,000 cases were estimated in French Polynesia, according to Dr Stephen Berger, an expert on infectious diseases. Reuters also reported that between February and April 2016, Brazil registered 91,387 likely cases of the virus. With first-ever human cases reported in 1952, the virus has most recently skyrocketed to the forefront of the media, grabbing more than its fair share of attention from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pasteur Institute, largely due to the linked birth defects, specifically microcephaly. Brazil is the hardest hit, with 4,908 cases as of late April 2016, reports Reuters. By comparison, in the same month, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long confirmed the first two cases of the virus in Vietnam. Much of the western hemisphere is fighting it on the front lines. US President Obama has proposed to Congress a US$1.9 billion
be found for emergency funding to combat Zika. The Major League Baseball Association relocated its exhibition games due to take place in Puerto Rico after players expressed their fears over transmission of the virus (Puerto Rico has nearly 800 confirmed cases). Some nations are even considering pulling their Olympians from the summer Rio games, as the country’s populous southeast registered the most diagnoses of any region, with 35,505 likely cases according to Reuters. Others, like South Korea, have rolled out uniforms covering as much of the body as functionally possible, and include built-in repellant to dispel mosquitos. While there is not yet an outbreak of Zika in Asia, the CDC does warn, “Zika virus will likely continue to spread to new areas.” Unfortunately, Vietnam’s trifecta of a dense population, sexual activity and sometimes less than hygienic practices, seem to offer a pretty easy in-road for the virus. This is, of course, pretty speculative. I spoke with Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Serge Gradstein at Ho Chi Minh City’s Family Medical Practice...
Expert Advice
Dr Gradstein met me outside the clinic in a maelstrom of bug spray. “It’s not news to have a few cases,” he tells me calmly. “We’re seeing and hearing a lot about the potential of the virus because of its strong concentration in Brazil and the associated cases of fetal defects. The eyes of the medical community are trained on Central and South America at the moment, not Asia.” I lower my spray can. It seems there have been only a handful of tested cases for the virus here in Ho Chi Minh City, and, perhaps, the clinics are happy for a much needed break from such viruses after last year’s outbreak of Dengue Fever (a reported 40,000 cases within the first nine months of 2015). “The concern over Zika is relative to transmission in pregnant women,” adds Dr Gradstein. “While we don’t yet know how long after exposure someone can transmit the disease, the general rule is to keep a safety period of two months from
exposure. The virus can live in semen for more than a month.”. He concludes our discussion with this advice: “If you are ever sick while pregnant, you must see a doctor, and be sure to avoid exposed areas while pregnant.” He’s not the only one saying this. The CDC and most embassies have such warnings, and will highly advise you travel or work elsewhere if planning to head into the mozzie’s den.
Dress Not to Impress
The above information is all about what happens when you’ve contracted the virus, but an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, said Benjamin Franklin. Avoiding transmission from an infected male during intercourse is easy – just wear a condom. If there wasn’t already enough reasons to wear one, Zika is another. All that’s left is the daunting task of avoiding mosquito bites. Much of this is within our control: wear long sleeves and pants and use mosquito repellant that contains at least 20 percent DEET (or lemon and eucalyptus oil if you prefer an all-natural version). Shower regularly after excessive sweating mosquitoes carrying Malaria are more drawn to those who have had sweat on their body for a day or two. Some of this is, unfortunately, outside of our control. Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide emissions, which we all breathe out; some of us more than others, especially pregnant women or larger individuals. Additionally, a 2004 study revealed that type O blood types are 20 percent more likely to be bitten over type B, and even more likely than those with type A blood. Drinking beer in copious amounts is also linked to increased skeeter attention, either because of the increased body temperature or increased output of carbon dioxide while intoxicated. Simply put, protect yourselves. In Vietnam it’s a bit of a watch-and-wait mentality, but you can still take all necessary precautions to be part of the prevention, not the transmission.
AsiaLIFE HCMC 35
BITING THE DUST Wanting to explore the Cambodian countryside with a hit of adrenaline attached, Marissa Carruthers tries her hand at dirt biking.
A
look of surprise flickers across Kickstart Dirt Bike Adventures co-owner Dave Scott’s face when I reveal I’ve never sat in the driving seat of a scooter, let alone a motorbike, in my life. The sheer shock on mine is evident when he rolls out the beast of a dirt bike on which I’m about to spend the next five hours hurtling around Siem Reap’s countryside. To even the semi-seasoned pro, my bike – a Honda CRF 150F – is a baby reserved for amateurs. To me, as I watch it being loaded onto the back of the truck, it’s intimidating, and as I climb into my protective gear and squeeze into the chunky helmet, I quickly start to question what I’ve got myself into. A 10-minute drive later to a dusty track on the outskirts of Temple Town and it’s time to swallow my nerves. Scott, a British bike fiend, talks me through the basics, making it sound so simple, before letting me loose. My first attempt sees me tootle, very slowly, not too far into the distance before losing control as I try and step down a gear to turn around. With a skid, surrounded by a large cloud of orange dust, I land with a thud on the floor – a move I was to become familiar with during the next 30 minutes as I drove up and down the track, gaining confidence with changing gears and picking up the pace. “Safety is number one,” Scott says as he pulls up next to me, seemingly comfortable that I’m ready to hit the roads. He then runs through a list of ride rules, such as hand signals, slowing down when passing through villages, keeping to single file and, most importantly, respecting the roads. “We don’t want to ruin the dirt bike reputation, and Cambodia is not the place to get injured,” he adds. 36 AsiaLIFE HCMC
Kick-starting Dreams
Hailing from the congested English capital of London, Scott harboured a passion for motorbikes from a young age. But it wasn’t until he moved to Cambodia more than 15 years ago and went on a trip with a Khmer friend to Anlong Veng in Oddar Meanchey province that he first dabbled with dirt bikes. “I started getting more and more into it and started using them to explore the country,” he says. Within a year, he had travelled to all four corners of Cambodia, and everywhere in between, via dirt bike, and was hooked. After spending several years working for a dirt bike tour operator, Scott and Cambodian biking buddy and experienced mechanic, Jek Keyla – commonly known as Mr La – decided to follow their dream. In March last year, they launched their own dirt bike business in the form of Kickstart. Offering a series of bikes, from the robust and reliable Honda XR 250 and Honda CRF 230 used for standard tours, to the high performance Yamaha WRF 250/450, Honda CRF 250/450 and KTM EXC 250/450, the rides range from half-day to intense 11-day trips, depending on the group and experience. “Cambodia is a dirt biker’s paradise and is so unique,” says Scott. “It’s got some of the best roads in the world and such a variety of conditions, from flat fast single tracks through the forests to technical mountain trails on the border regions. You’ve also got the Khmer hospitality and the amazing culture.”
Adrenaline Adventure
We pull up at our first stop-off – a crumbling temple about a one-hour ride from Siem Reap city centre – and the adrenaline’s pumping through my veins. I’ve managed to get the hand of the gear changes, and it feels like I’m racing along the tracks that twist and turn through dense jungles and open paddies, swerving to avoid giant potholes that taint the roads, and slowing down on slippery, sandy paths. As we wind through villages children scream “hello” as we overtake them on their push bikes. “Living in Siem Reap, you can be on great trails within 10 minutes,” Scott says, adding popular afternoon and weekend rides take in the Tonle Sap Lake floodplains, around Phnom Krom Mountain and on to Koh Ker. Longer tours go as far afield as the jungle tracks of the Cardamom Mountains, which Scott says has the most technical rides, and Kampot and Kep, with a day for rest and recuperation on Rabbit Island. Exhausted after almost five hours on the road, we take a short break at an expanse of water. “Do you see Angkor Wat,” Scott asks, pointing across the shimmering West Baray towards a faint silhouette on the horizon before adding that the haze usually hampers the view. Feeling lucky to both have seen the temple at such a distance, and having successfully explored Siem Reap’s countryside at an exhilarating pace, with just a few minor bumps under my belt we return to Kickstart’s HQ to dust down and enjoy a refreshing and much-needed cold beer. For more information on Kickstart Dirt Biking Adventures, visit kickstartcambodia.com. AsiaLIFE HCMC 37
Borneo Bound Malaysian Borneo is teeming with travel opportunities according to Monica Majors. Photos by Monica Majors.
A
fter falling in love with Penang, I decided to have another go at one of Malaysia’s islands. This time my travels took me to the island of Borneo, which Malaysia shares with Brunei and Indonesia. It’s the third-largest island in the world, and the Malaysian state of Sabah, with its sister state Sarawak, make up only about one quarter of the island. Borneo is well known for its flora and fauna and nature lovers can easily spend a month traipsing through jungles, over mountain peaks or exploring underwater. Throughout my few days there I was able to do just a little bit of this, taking advantage of the convenience of Sabah’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu, colloquially known as KK.
Chillin’ in the KK
Located on the north-western shore of Borneo, KK is accessible via flights from Kuala Lumpur. If you’re looking to head out into the other parts of Malaysian Borneo, you’ll likely fly into KK first. The capital city was originally called Jesselton, a name that remains on the harbour today. It has been under Bruneian, British and Japanese occupation, before joining Malaysia in 1963. In 1967 its name was changed to Kota Kinabalu, though there is some confusion over whether the etymology refers to ‘mountain city’, or its ancient meaning of ‘revered place of the dead’. Both Lonely Planet and the New York Times call the city “quaint and genuine,” but also “bustling with markets, and fiery sunsets.” And they are absolutely correct. The city runs along the shoreline and is bookended by verdant jungle. Its market is extensive and pushes up against the shore, knocking its shoulder with the lively harbour. Seafood is the ubiquitous cuisine on offer here, and I highly recommend you seek out a local delicacy known as hinava. Each part of Malaysia abounds with its own signature dish, and in Sabah this is a must-have. Raw mackerel is mixed with salt, shallots, lime juice and chilli and served fresh, usually as an appetiser. You can find it either in the market stalls or in the more expensive restaurants, but be sure you don’t leave without having experienced it. Unlike most visitors to Borneo, I had only a few days, and so chose to take day excursions from the city rather than hop around. I dived locally rather than heading to the underwater heaven of Sipadan, 38 AsiaLIFE HCMC
following strong “do not travel” advisories from several embassies. I also had a lovely hotel bed in which I was more than happy to hide while it was pouring outside, plus access to the hotel’s executive lounge for free drinks and all the hinava I could handle
Chugging Along
There are many day-trips out of the city to consider. I only had time for a few. The first was to the most historic remnant in the state: the North Borneo Railway. Established in 1896, the line was constructed during British rule, commissioned by William Clark Cowie of the British North Borneo Chartered Company as a way to tap into internal resources like timber, tin and lands for cultivating tobacco and pineapple and transport it to the port. Heavily damaged during Allied bombings in World War II, it was reconstructed by the 1960s in time for steam power to be ruled obsolete by the 1970s. It was reopened in the year 2000 as a tourist attraction and currently runs twice-weekly on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. As you board, you’re provided with a delicious local breakfast, setting the tone for a leisurely half-day of travel. The train passes through five townships, stopping at two of them where travellers can de-board and explore. The journey is scenic and inspiring, often catching glimpses of the jungle, Buddhist temples, grazing water buffalo and more lush greenery. While returning to Tanjung Aru station, travellers are treated to a traditional tiffin set lunch, most definitely the highlight of the trip. More
hinava, followed by stir-fried fern shoots with prawns, a fish curry with okra, BBQ chicken with steamed Sabah brown rice and local fruits; the perfect way to round out the journey.
Eerily Human
Even if you’re staying put in the city, a trip to Borneo isn’t complete until you’ve seen orangutans. We share just about 97 percent of our DNA with these hyperintelligent mammals, and they are almost certain to go extinct in our lifetime. It’s a sad story placated by a few sanctuaries dotted around the world. There are two in the state of Sabah: Shangri-la Rasa Ria Nature Reserve and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Only the former is accessible via KK without having to take an internal flight. While I cannot speak highly enough about taking any opportunity you get to see orangutans in their natural environment, I would recommend you instead head to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve one state over in Kuching, Sarawak. At Rasa Ria I was severely disturbed by the number of obnoxious tourists and propaganda issued by the palm-oil partner of the centre. Regardless of my experience, they house two baby orangutans and it was refreshingly emotional to watch them bumble around the canopy and smack one another on their adorably fuzzy bottoms.
Nature by Numbers
About a two-hour drive from KK is Mount Kinabalu. Surrounded by a state park, many visitors travel here to summit the
4,095-metre-high peak. It’s a reasonable overnight hike, and does require prior booking. The 75,370-hectare park is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its immensely important ecosystem. The park contains more than 5,000 vascular plants, including representatives from more than half the families of all flowering plants. There are 1,000 orchid species, 78 species of Ficus and 60 species of ferns. A walk through the botanical garden is both informative and picturesque, and will offer you a glimpse at the infamous pin-head orchid and Rotschild’s Slipper Orchid, considered the most expensive in the world.
Additionally, many threatened or vulnerable species of mammals, amphibians and invertebrates live there alongside 326 species of birds. Not far from Mount Kinabalu is the heavily-trafficked Poring Hot Springs. Exceptionally popular as a local hangout, there’s a great canopy walk and treks to nearby waterfalls. Other than the canopy walk at Rasa Ria Nature Reserve, this is the closest one to KK City. While tame in comparison to those of the Danum Valley, it’s a thrill nonetheless. However, the real reason to venture here is to see the world’s largest (and stinkiest) flower, the rafflesia.
It can measure up to 100 centimetres in diameter, and opens only for one to three days. Many locals make their living by selling admission to their land where flowers happen to be in bloom. You’ll pay a pretty penny for a chance to gaze at it from across a cordoned off area, but is exceptionally funky to look upon, and exists only in sporadic areas of Southeast Asia. If you ask me why I keep travelling to Malaysia, I’ll first tell you that it’s the best mash-up of worldly cuisine in Asia. Secondly, it’s super convenient to and from Ho Chi Minh City. And third, it’s simply gorgeous. AsiaLIFE HCMC 39
FOOD NEWS Savouring the tastier side of Saigon life
Healthy Food To-Go with La Holista
As part of her ongoing mission for a healthier Saigon, La Holista’s founder, certified health coach and nutrition consultant Chiara Squinzi, opened a new kitchen in Thao Dien last month. Located in the funky Hoa Tay cafe (74/1a Nguyen Cu, D2 - next to HAGL), the holistic health and wellness company now serves four breakfasts and four lunch dishes each day (from 8am onwards - closed Sundays), plus cakes, light bites and their existing lineup of super-healthy, super-convenient superfoods and snack boxes. Available to eat-in,or boxed to take-away and eat at work, breakfast options include an organic chia seed mango pudding, and a doublechocolate ice cream cake - yes, really, and it’s healthy (both VND99,000). Snacks and cakes are on-hand (VND69,000) to keep you going until lunchtime when a variety of curries, sandwiches and stews will be served (VND99,000). With all dishes available to pre-order, and full ingredients and nutritional information displayed, it’s never been easier to get (and stay) healthy. laholista.com
Saigon’s TV Dinners
Sometimes you just want a home cooked meal. If you’d rather not have the multi-stopshop-hop around town to track that one final, elusive ingredient for your creation, help is at hand. In recent months, two separate prospective restauranteurs have introduced a ‘cook-it-yourself’ concept to the city. Chef Royale, an at-home catering company, are offering a taste of its founders’ home country with part-cooked Polish dumplings - otherwise known as pierogi. Stuffed with a delicious filling of homemade cottage cheese, potatoes, onion, bacon and a dash of seasoning, the parcels of organic whole-wheat flour dough are delivered to your door ready to be reheated whenever hunger strikes. They can also be frozen, though fresh is best, says co-founder Leszek Mitraszewski. For pizza lovers comes Gusto Saigon, offering part-cooked slices of freshly made al taglio pizza, a traditional Italian creation consisting of an airy, light and bubbly style dough cooked in a large rectangle then cut into slices. Prices start at just VND23,000 a slice and varieties include diavola, Honolulu and a vegetarian special. Delivered to your door in vacuum packs, chef Gianfranco Stella’s creations can be refrigerated for over three weeks, frozen for up to a year, or cooked immediately in the oven (no microwaves allowed!) in just seven minutes. fb/chefroyalevn - fb/gustosaigon
New Openings
First it was McSorley’s, then it was Zombie BBQ. Now the villa at number 4 Thao Dien has been transformed into a magnificent Japanese mansion, complete with ornate bridges, authentic roofing and, of course, those giant entrance gates. The Pho Dinh empire has arrived in D2 with aplomb, adding table-top Japanese BBQ and hotpots to the D2 menu. For desserts, the famous US ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery is expected to have opened its first branch in Vietnam on 1 June at 1-3-5 Tran Hung Dao Street, a waffle’s toss from Ben Thanh Market. Once you’ve chosen your combo, watch as all manner of naughtiness is hand-mixed into the homemade ice cream on an ice-cold marble counter. Finally, Pop Fries now delivers via Vietnammm.com and Marou Chocolate’s first shop has opened at 167-169 Calmette in D1. #micdrop.
18 June is International Sushi Day. Along with Pocari Sweat and Family Mart, sushi is one of Vietnam’s favourite Japanese imports. Grab a sake or a Sapporo and celebrate at AsiaLIFE’s favourite spots:
Sushi Ko - 122/37/15 Vinh Khanh, D4. Now boasting two (neighbouring) addresses in the heart of Saigon’s seafood street, this has quickly become a favourite of locals and Japanese expats. Don’t let the low prices fool you. This is the real deal. Robata An - 15c Le Thanh Ton, D1. Whether you choose the informal bar area downstairs, or the private booths on the first floor, this remains one of Le Thanh Ton’s standout sushi venues. Manmaru - 71 Mac Dinh Chi, D1. It’s loud, it’s fun and the tavern-like vibe is great for hanging out with friends over mugs of whisky soda and plate-uponplate of the good stuff, and the sushi platters are almost as big as the welcome you’ll receive. Ichiba Sushi - 204 Le Lai, D1. TripAdvisor’s favourite and a Saigon institution. Blanchy Street - 74 Hai Ba Trung, D1. This downtown spot delivers style, class and top-end sushi with flare.
Oz Coffee House
This is a beautifully decorated cafe with four floors of different seating setups to choose from. They have an open-air rooftop - the perfect chillout spot - and a cosy nook for when you want to read a good book. They offer a wide range of drinks such as a rum coffee, cocktails, summer drinks, ice blended coffee and so much more. If you’re planning a celebration, Oz will take care of it for you, complete with photos, balloons and bunting. Must try: The Bailey’s Coffee or Saigon’s famous peach tea. 30 Huynh Tinh Cua Street, D1.
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LOCAL
EATS by
TRISTAN NGO
The Hot Pot
Hi everyone. I hope you’ve had a fantastic month of May and survived the blistering heat which was much warmer than usual. Well, here’s hoping for a better and a cooler month of June. We have to be positive, but I can’t promise that it will be any cooler. Many visitors often ask me what most locals do in Saigon? We go cruising. Cruising the streets of Saigon is what locals do on a daily basis. Besides work, we’re always on the go on our scooters, mopeds and motorbikes in search of something fun to do. Fun in Vietnam has always meant eating, chit-chatting and drinking coffee. What I’ve found to be one of the most popular crowd pleasers amongst Saigonese (besides coffee and karaoke) are hot pots and shell fish. The reason is that these popular foods are meant to shared, and the bigger the crowd the better. The conversation, the atmosphere, the food; everything seems to be better when there are more people around. I’ve previously written about shell fish so I figure hot pots deserve their moment as well. Hot pot, also known as ‘steamboat’ in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and China, originated over 1,000 years ago in Mongolia during the Jin Dynasty. Later it was spread to China during the Song Dynasty and also continued during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. A simple metal pot of various seasoned stocks simmering in the centre of the table while ingredients are continuously added to the mix. Nothing is off the cards where hot pots are concerned; seafood, thinly sliced beef, assorted leaves and vegetables, mushrooms, beef balls, fish balls, tofu. Everything is cooked at the table in the broth. Egg noodles or vermicelli are commonly served with the hot pot and, of course, a nice dipping sauce. Here are some notable hot pot places to start your journey: Lau Dau Ca Dan Ich 99 Chau Van Liem, D5 // 08 3856 5240 //4pm - 10pm The name literally means ‘fish head hot pot’. This popular place specialises in fish head and is located on Chau Van Liem near Nguyen Trai Street in District 5. It can get very busy in the evenings. Quan Lau Dong Xuyen 407 Nguyen Chi Thanh, D5 // 08 3856 6376 // 3pm - 11pm Lau Dong Xuyen offers an assortment of hot pot styles (though mainly Chinese), such as a mushroom loaded option for vegetarians, seafood, Thai (for that extra spicy kick), and a combination of all of the above. Restaurant 13 13 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 // 08 3823 9314 // 8am - 10.30pm This long-standing eatery is popular for both locals and expats for their simple family-style meals in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Despite their popularity for large family meals, they also have some outstanding hot pots. One in particular is called lau mam (fermented fish hot pot). You might have to get used to the smell, but believe me... it is good. See you next month! AsiaLIFE HCMC 41
8
CITY DRINKS
Piu Piu 97 Hai Ba Trung, D1 // fb: piupiusaigo 5pm - 2am // 0163 603 3222
Fun hip-hop and soul at the newest club for an international crowd. By Elijah Ferrian. Photos by Piu Piu.
Open for just over a month, Piu Piu is the club and bar for people that don’t take themselves too seriously - in the best ways possible. Whether it’s rubber ducks hanging from the ceiling, the laid-back no dress code vibe, or the fact that owner Lee Lam wants this to be a place where anybody feels comfortable. Lee’s from Paris, and spent nine years in China operating clubs there. He came out to Vietnam because of the young, vibrant energy that has been taking over the club and music scene. “We keep a relaxed vibe with no dress code,” he says, “but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get rowdy. There’s just a positive vibe with the people that come here. Every night is like a party with a bunch of close friends.” If that’s what they’re aiming for, then it’s being nailed down solid. Lee and I have a drink and stand at the bar. I observe the small dance floor with a uniquely Vietnamese DJ booth housed in a food cart. The music this evening is a great mix of classic hip-hop jams mixed well with current rap bangers that has everyone moving for all the 42 AsiaLIFE HCMC
right reasons. “It’s like 50/50 Vietnamese to foreigners here. Every night,” he tells me. I look around and sure enough it certainly seems to be exactly that. We manoeuvred up to the rooftop bar and lounge where there was a belting track from the King of Soul himself, James Brown, hollering its way out into the warm Sunday night air. They have found a nice balance here. You can really get into dancing and losing yourself in the party atmosphere, or camp out at the rooftop bar and continue a conversation that was battered out by the decibels downstairs. Perhaps most interesting, beside the fact that Piu Piu also just started serving roasted chicken, is that they specifically feature Vietnamese musicians twice a month. Most recently they showcased a set by popular South Side rapper Suboi. This city is alive with the energy of a young, creative brand of artists for a new generation. Piu Piu is doing a really great job of capturing that feeling, and using it to power a proper club that has its arms open for everybody.
NGON ASIA HOUSE Saigon Garden, 99 Nguyen Hue, D1 // FB: ngonasia // email: sales@ngon-asia.com // 10am - 11pm, 7 days // 08 3821 3821
Another new restaurant has arrived on Nguyen Hue, but is it a case of quantity before quality? By John Clarke. Photos by Jonny Edbrooke.
From the owners of Saigon’s famous Nha Hang Ngon, the D1 institution that placed Vietnam’s entire street-food menu under one roof, comes Ngon Asia House, a three-storey, 700-seat emporium bravely serving the cuisine of not one, not two, but five entire countries, covering Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and, of course, Vietnam. Unlike Ngon’s other establishments, Asia House is more of a multi-storey dining complex than a restaurant. Boasting a maze of five countryspecific kitchens and dining areas, each featuring its own unique contemporary design and quirky thematic touches, Asia House feels almost like a grown-ups culinary playground. From the giant Japanese
lanterns to the small, easyto-miss design details like the hanging bamboo ceiling, it’s a restaurant that invites as much physical exploration as it does culinary. “It’s also good exercise!” adds sales manager Nguyen Tranh Dinh Loc. The Vietnamese area on the top floor, in particular, is worth a visit. Resplendent with birdcage-esque booths and dripping in golden fairy lights, it’s nothing short of spectacular. Although each seating area centres around one of the five kitchens, with full a-la-carte table service now available you’re welcome to sit wherever you please and order from whichever country’s menu that takes your fancy. As we browse the 350 dishes
on offer, I ask Loc if there’s a risk of Asia House falling into the ‘quantity over quality’ trap. “We think of it as five restaurants in one place,” he says. “The kitchens are different. The chefs are different. They each specialise in Japanese dishes, or Korean dishes, for example. We like to think of it as five small restaurants in one place.” Having ordered something from each menu, seven items in total, my three dining companions and I are left with a table heaving with food for just VND720,000 in total. And despite having been generated from five separate kitchens, it all arrives pretty much at the same time. And the verdict? Yes, it’s good. Very good. The Korean
bibimbap is excellent for just VND75,000. A five-piece sushi selection is a bargain too at VND90,000, and the Chinese char siu pork (VND85,000) is sweet, sticky and moreish. Pad thai, Chinese dumplings, Korean dumplings… it’s hard to fault any of it, or the service. Whether they can keep this up when the place is at full capacity, will be one of the deciding factors in the success of Ngon Asia House. With so much variety, it’s great for large groups and with such low prices it’s an ideal venue for trying a few new or unfamiliar dishes alongside those you already know and love.
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ANH TUK 23 Dong Khoi, D1 // FB: Anh Tuk // 11am - 11pm, 7 days // 08 3828 2288
Simon Stanley discovers what happens when authentic Thai flavours blend with contemporary style and elegance. Photos by Vinh Dao.
Since opening at the start of 2016, Anh Tuk has quickly gained a solid reputation for its stunning interior and delicious Thai fare. “We wanted to create a modern, upscale Thai concept while reflecting the personality of Thai people by staying friendly and down-toearth,” says the restaurant’s marketing manager Nguyen Phuong Lien, who adds that the cool, monotone colourscheme was conceived with the food in mind. “Thai cuisine is very colourful, so the designers used a lot of black and white to help it really pop.” We take a table in the spacious dining area at the rear of the restaurant. With the clever use of mirrors and arched ceilings, its size seems almost infinite. A lumb 44 AsiaLIFE HCMC
crabmeat dip with crispy sticky rice (VND65,000) arrives alongside our drinks. It’s a great way to start a meal, or to be simply enjoyed midafternoon with one of Anh Tuk’s many wine offerings, all of which have been chosen specifically to complement the aromatic flavours. As Lien promised, Anh Tuk’s staff are indeed friendly and down-to-earth. Professional, attentive, not overbearing; it’s just as you’d expect from the same team that gave us Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro. So how is this Thai restaurant different from the last? “We’ve kept the traditional tastes,” replies, Lien, “and you’ll find all of the popular dishes of Thailand here. But we’ve also made some new adjustments. The
presentation, for example, is very modern, and some ingredients in the dishes, as you will see, are new.” The tom yum soup with tiger prawns and mushrooms (VND235,000) is one of Anh Tuk’s traditional items. As with many of their dishes, our server asks how spicy we would like it. “Medium” turns out to be a good choice. The heat is just right, subtly coming and going with each mouthful rather than building and building. The flavours are dynamic and fragrant, hinting at the many ingredients that go into such a dish. Ignoring the crisp white linen and polished tableware for a moment, this is a really authentic tom yum soup! An Australian rib-eye served with sticky rice (VND235,000)
comes next and is an example of Anh Tuk’s innovation on tradition, comprising a beautifully chargrilled piece of beef coated with a zingy tamarind sauce. The combination of smokiness, sweetness and spice is both familiar and exotic, with the accompanying corn cobs and asparagus adding a refreshing counterpoint to the meat. The culinary twists don’t end before the desserts. The black rice pudding creme brulee (VND75,000) takes inspiration from all over the world and is as pleasing to crack as it is to eat. The knockout, however, comes from the lemongrass panna cotta (also VND75,000). The portion is large and decadent, but you really won’t want to share it.
EBISU 66 Song Hanh, D2 // 08 6276 8787// facebook.com/ebisuhcmc // 11am – 2pm Mon – Fri, 11am – 10pm Sat & Sun
Monica Majors gorges on sushi and curry udon for your benefit. Photos by Vinh Dao.
When the opportunity arose to review Ebisu’s newest branch, now open in An Phu Ward, D2, I jumped at the opportunity, and fought off the other journalists with my personal set of chopsticks. There is little in this city that I let stand between me and my favourite style of udon: curry with beef gristle (VND85,000). Aside from the dishes you may already be familiar with, from Ebisu’s original branch on Mac Dinh Chi in District 1, the Japanese dining institution has arrived in D2 with a slightly different menu and a more modern design. Of note is the addition of sushi to the menu, and future plans are to add more family friendly dining experiences. This duplex-style restaurant certainly has plenty of space for
large groups, in true Japanese fashion. When I was smoked out by a group of locals on their umpteenth bottle of beer and chicken heart yakitori (which is absolutely delicious, by the way), I headed to another corner and found solace. I knew to come here hungry, and it was difficult for me not to revert to my signature dish. Luckily, before I had the opportunity to choose I was already presented with my first dish: beef with kimchi maki (VND118,000). Eating beef in my sushi is a new experience for me, and I loved the smokiness that came from the fish flakes on the dish. This was followed by deep fried sardines (VND68,000) and topped off with a raw salmon and salmon roe bowl (VND180,000). There are plenty of vegetarian options too, and I
insisted on stuffing myself even further by trying the thick fried tofu with kimchi (VND 68,000). The recipes all come from Tokyo, and have not been diluted to Vietnamese tastes, but the selections on the menu are certainly geared more toward the palates hanging out in D2 (The original location in D1 is predominantly visited by Japanese). I’m aware that some expats find the food salty, which is somewhat deliberate because it’s all meant to be accompanied by a frosty glass of beer or sake. Trying to blend in, I asked for the most commonly ordered cocktail and was treated to the soda with shochu and peach (VND98,000), a delightfully refreshing drink that went down way too smooth. I was told that iced matcha or oolong tea also works well to cut
the salt. It seems that between the two locations, Ebisu has done an excellent job of keeping true to their rich flavours while offering the right choices for the clientele. Prices are somewhat cheaper in the D2 location and you’ve got nearly all the same items on the menu, plus the option of sushi and sashimi. As one of the newest Japanese joints in D2 (it’s only been open a month) Ebisu is sure to be a hit, especially with their set lunch option (VND98,000-148,000). It’s exactly what An Phu needed, and I’m glad I got in before the rush.
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Simon Stanley meets the Saigon-based artist who mixes traditional caricature with fine art. Photos by Simon Stanley and Sansi Studio.
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N
guyen Quyet Dinh always knew he wanted to be an artist. “My parents took me on a trip by train when I was very young,” he says. “The first thing I wanted to do when I got off was to get some paper and draw. That was when I knew.” At around 11 years-old, Dinh began copying the portraits hanging from the walls of his family home in Tay Ninh province, creating stunning pencil drawings of President Ho Chi Minh and other notable leaders and politicians. His talents even attracted the attention of a local newspaper which came to interview the youngster. But like many parents, Dinh’s were keen to see him focussing on maths, science and literature at school. Art was not seen as a ‘proper’ subject and without an art school or club in his hometown, his creative pursuits were pushed aside. “They wanted me to do something that would ensure I could make money,” he says. After high school, and with a family background rooted in government service, Dinh, somewhat reluctantly, entered the police force university. “But I wasn’t happy,” he recalls. After much deliberation and several years in a position he didn’t like, his parents eventually allowed him to leave the police force and join the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts where he had been offered a scholarship. Now aged 29, Dinh continues to visit his old university—as a teacher rather than a student— and provides further lessons through Sansi Studio, an art school and gallery space founded by Dinh and two friends in a quiet hem in Binh Thanh District. In recent years, Dinh’s trademark has emerged. While he also focusses on cartoon-like illustrations and drawings, alongside more traditional styles, his caricatures are what draw many to his work. “I try to capture more of the personality,” he explains, “or the feelings I have when I see a person, or watch them in a film. I want to make them bigger and exaggerated.” It seems nobody is immune from getting the Dinh treatment; paintings of his sister and girlfriend rub shoulders with Mick Jagger, Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Michael Jackson, all hugely comical, expressive, and clearly coming from a place of love and respect rather than as a means to insult and offend. For Dinh, his paintings are a way of acknowledging all that he admires in a person, be it physical or otherwise. Elsewhere in his studio, Dinh’s other works prove that his talents know no boundaries, and bold, immensely expressive charcoal pieces hang alongside fantastical illustrative paintings plucked straight from his playful imagination.
The 21st-Century Sketchbook
It’s when Dinh pulls out his tablet computer that things get interesting. He explains that he’ll often use it to sketch a portrait before committing it to canvas. Using drawing software and a stylus, the pieces Dinh creates here—his so-called ‘rough sketches’—are artworks in their own right, expertly ‘painted’ with colour, rendered with delicate shading and looking almost identical to a physical painting. Of course, they’re also ready to be e-mailed or posted online immediately. “Paper and pencil is quicker, but with the tablet I can add colour more easily,” he says. “It’s also more convenient to carry around. But if I get an idea for something, I’ll just use whatever’s nearby at the time.” Having stretched, warped and blown his subject’s facial features and body parts into comical semi-obscurity, Dinh notes that it’s in the eyes and subtle physical cues that ensure the subject remains recognisable. “If I’m painting a singer, I’ll watch a lot of videos of them to decide what parts of their character or body language are the most vital in order to capture their spirit,” he says. Asked if any of his subjects have ever taken offence to his work, Dinh is certain that the answer is no. “They always know what to expect!” he says. Dinh will be showing his work alongside that of fellow artist Phan Vu Linh from 18 to 26 June at 55 Tran Nhat Duat Street,Tan Dinh Ward, D1. Visit sansistudio.com for more information.
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Visual Art students at the British International School have recently completed their portfolios of work for the IB Diploma course. The work explores themes that have been developed independently by each student and range in medium from oil painting to photography.
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Gin To AsiaLIFE HCMC 49
MAI LINH DAO
NAM ANH NGUYEN TRAN
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NATHALIE SIM
STEPHEN MOK AsiaLIFE HCMC 51
listings
hotel & travel CON DAO Con Dao Resort 8 Nguyen Duc Thuan Tel: 06 4830 939 www.condaoresort.com Modern hotel with 45 rooms and seven villas set on 2km of private beach. Onpremise facilities include restaurant, bar, beach-view swimming pool, tennis court and volleyball. Organizes outdoor activities and tours. Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist, Ba Ria Tel: 064 3831 222 www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao The first 5 star resort with 50 villas stretch across a mile-long beach, each villas has its own infinity-edge pool facing the ocean and a stunning restaurant.
DALAT Ana Mandara Villas Resort & Spa Le Lai, Ward 5, Dalat Tel: 063 3555 888 www.anamandara-resort.com Luxury 35-acre resort encompasses 17 restored early 20th-century villas and 65 rooms set in the rural highlands. La Cochinchine Spa offers wide range of treatments. Le Petite Dalat Restaurant serves Vietnamese and fusion cuisine. Heated swimming pool, art gallery and cooking classes in organic garden. Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat Tel: 063 383 1515 www.dalatedensee.com Nestled in the heart of the “Black Forest of Vietnam” and discretely hidden along the waterfront of Tuyen Lam Lake, this resort is a perfect launching point for exploring the Highland region. It has two fine-dining restaurants, a café and terrace, a cigar lounge, and golfing and tennis. Sofitel Dalat Palace 12 Tran Phu, Dalat Tel: 063 3825 444 www.accorhotels-asia.com Stately lakeside hotel was built in 1920s and retains the period’s aesthetic. It encompasses 38 rooms, five suites, a gourmet restaurant, brasserie, piano bar and Larry’s Bar. Golf can be arranged, and there’s tennis, boules, snooker and billiards on premise.
HANOI
Intercontinental Westlake Hanoi 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Tel: 04 6270 8888 www.intercontinental.com Located on the waterfront with contemporary Vietnamese design, restaurants, business services, fitness centre including exercise classes and pool. Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi 83A Ly Thuong Kiet Tel: 3822 2800 www.moevenpick-hotels.com Conveniently located in the heart of
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Hanoi’s business district, a 40-minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport and only 5 minutes from the city centre, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi is the latest five-star hotel in town, tailored to meet the needs of discerning guests and especially corporate travellers. Sheraton Hotel Hanoi K5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho Tel: 04 3719 9000 www.starwoodhotels.com “Resort within a city” boasts 299 spacious guest rooms with panoramic views, fitness centre, international restaurant and Hemisphere Vietnamese restaurant.
HO CHI MINH CITY
Caravelle Hotel 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 www.caravellehotel.com One of the city’s most prestigious venues. Features a casino, Reflections Restaurant and al fresco 9th-floor Saigon Saigon Bar. Equatorial 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 www.equatorial.com/hcm On the intersect of 4 districts, with 333 rooms, Orientica Seafood restaurant and bar, Chit Chat café, pool (swim-up bar), gym. InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9999 saigon@interconti.com www.intercontinental.com/saigon 305 rooms/suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, five restaurants/bars, meeting/ banquet facilities, spa/health club and lounge with panoramic view. New World Hotel 76 Le Lai, D1 / Tel: 3822 8888 www.newworldsaigon.com Located in the city centre, with gym, outdoor pool, tennis court, event space and Dynasty Chinese restaurant. Renaissance Riverside 8-15 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 0033 www.renaissancehotels.com 349 rooms/suites with panoramic views over Saigon River. Conference/banquet facilities, rooftop pool, gym, two restaurants. Sheraton 88 Dong Khoi, D1 / Tel: 3827 2828 www.sheraton.com/saigon Luxury downtown hotel: Level 23 bar, Mojo café, Li Bai Chinese restaurant, fine dining at The Signature on the 23rd floor. Sofitel Saigon Plaza 17 Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3824 1555 www.sofitel.com/2077 One of the city’s top hotels with in-room Wi-Fi, two restaurants with international cuisine, two bars, six conference rooms, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre. Villa Hotel at Thao Dien 195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 2222 www.thaodienvillage.com Colonial-style boutique hotel and spa with fine dining on the banks of the Saigon River in expat enclave.
HUE, HOI AN & DANANG
Indochine Palace 105A Hung Vuong Street, Hue City Tel: 054 393 6666 www.indochinepalace.com Surrounded by the lush exotic garden, the hotel has is designed to appeal to the affluent, up-market leisure and business travellers with facilities offering for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.
Premier Village Danang Resort
Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang City, Viet Nam Tel. (+84)511/3919999 Fax. (+84)511/3919998 Email: H9530-RE@accor.com Website: http://premier-village-danang.com
Situated on a private stretch of the picturesque My An Beach, Premier Village Danang Resort Managed by Accorhotels is the perfect beach retreat. The resort house 111 villas, divided in 3 room types to suit different tastes and budgets with two swimming pools, a spa and wellness center and a range of sport activities.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula Tel: 0511 393 8888 danang.intercontinental.com A world of poetic experiences and jungle-clad romance in a place that cloaks you with luxury. The mastery of traditional Vietnamese design meets modern architectural flair in this distinctive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain. Nam Hai Tel: 0510 3940 000 www.ghmhotels.com/en/namhai/ Luxury resort accommodation from single villas to sumptuous five-room dwellings with private pools. Facilities include 8 private spa villas; 3 beachfront swimming pools; library; and tennis, basketball and badminton courts.
NHA TRANG
Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Beachside, Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 3522 222 www.sixsenses.com Beachside resort set in 26,000 square metres of tropical garden, with 74 guest villas, three restaurants, Six Senses Spa. InterContinental Nha Trang 32-34 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang Tel: +84 058 388 7777 www.Ihg.com A luxury beachfront retreat located in the heart of the city, the resort overlooks the stunning coastline. From there getting around the city is convenient as shopping, attractions, restaurants and bars are easily accessible within walking distance of the hotel. Mia Resort Nha Trang Bai Dong, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa / Tel: 58 398 9666 www.mianhatrang.com Ultimate luxury resort with 50 rooms, divided into villas and condos, catering by well-known restaurant Sandals and Mojito's bar.
PHAN THIET
Princess D’Ânnam Resort and Spa Khu Hon Lan, Tan Thanh, Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan. Tel: 062 3682 222 www.princessannam.com Located on Ke Ga Bay with 57 exclusive villas, eight swimming pools, two restaurants and 1,800 square metres spa complex.
The Sailing Club 24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3847 440 www.sailingclubvietnam.com Open bar overlooking the sea, spacious rooms, restaurant, swimming pool and day spa. Victoria Phan Thiet Resort and Spa Mui Ne Beach Tel: 84 62 3813 000 Located on a private beach, 60 cosy bungalows, natural spa experiences among other great activities on offer at the resort.
SCUBA DIVING
Note: AsiaLIFE only lists dive centres recognized by international dive training programs, such as the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI). We strongly advise against diving with unaccredited dive centres in Vietnam. Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 0908 781 756 www.divevietnam.com Diving tours and career/instructor development offered by Vietnam’s first PADI centre. established in the mid-90s. Operates dive centres in Nha Trang, Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Octopus Diving 62 Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 826 528 www.divenhatrang.com PADI/SSI dive centre based in Nha Trang and affiliated with the Sailing Club Co. with additional centres in Mui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a range of services.
VUNG TAU
Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa Ho Tram Village, Xuyen Moc Tel: 06 4378 1525 www.hotramresort.com Located about 45km from Vung Tau in the Phuoc Buu Reserve Forest, Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa boasts uniquely designed bungalows and villas. The Grand-Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Tel: +84 64 3788 888 www.thegrandhotramstrip.com The Grand - Ho Tram Strip is Vietnam's first large scale integrated resort and ultimately will include an 1,100-room five-star hotel, a world-class casino, restaurants, high-tech meeting space, an exclusive VIP area, as well as a variety of beach-front recreation activities. The first 541-room tower of this development opened with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Buffalo Tours Agency HCMC: Level 8 157 Pasteur, D3 Tel: 3827 9170 Hanoi: 94 Ma May, Hoan Kiem District Tel: 04 3828 0702 www.buffalotours.com Tailor-made itineraries, community-based tourism, cultural tours, adventure trips, golfing and premium trips offered by locally run and well-respected travel agent. Exotissimo HCMC: 20 Hai Ba Trung St, D1 Tel: 3827 2911 infosgn@exotissimo.com HANOI: 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3828 2150 infohanoi@exotissimo.com www.exotissimo.com
CHUDU24 hotel booking service 12th floor, 242 Cong Quynh St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008. Indochina Ventures 40 Truong Quyen, D3 Tel: 3820 2563/3820 2564 Fax: 3829 2565 info@indochina-ventures.com Tour operator that specializes in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Can tailor packages to suit customers’ time frames and interests. iTravel www.itravel-online.com trung@itravel-online.com Operated out of Le Pub (Hanoi/HCMC) offering a wide range of tour and accomodation options throughout Vietnam, as well as custom-made tours tailored to customer specifications. iViVu www.ivivu.com Offering the traditional services of a travel agent – airline tickets, tours, packages and hotels - as well as tips and up-todate travel news on Vietnam. Terraverde 12/20 Nguyen Canh Di, Tan Binh Tel: 3948 4754/56 info@terraverdetravel.com www.terraverdetravel.com German-owned travel agency specializing in tailor-made tours combining nature experiences; site visits; cultural encounters; biking, boating and trekking expeditions. Mixes cultural experience with light adventure tourism.
AIRLINES
Air Asia 223 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3838 9811 www.airasia.com Asia’s largest low-cost airline operates one daily flight between HCM City-Hanoi, as well as international flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Air France 130 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 0981 Fax: 3822 0537 www.airfrance.com.vn An airline with a vast and effective global network. Now flies direct to Paris. Cathay Pacific 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Tel: 3822 3203 www.cathaypacific.com
Hong Kong-based airline makes three flights daily to HCM City and two flights daily to Hong Kong’s international airport. Jetstar Pacific www.jetstar.com Budget branch flies into Can Tho, Danang, Hanoi, Hai Phong, HCM City, Hue, Nha Trang and Vinh and operates cheap flights from HCM City to Siem Reap and Bangkok. Check out Friday Fare Frenzy online promotion every Friday. Malaysia Airlines Unit G8 Ground floor, SG Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3824 6663 www.malaysiaairlines.com Offers daily flights from Hanoi and HCM City to Kuala Lumpur for about $200 round trip, with four economy class fare levels: low, basic, smart and flex. Philippine Airways Fl#2 Saigon Royal 91 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3822 2241 www.philippineairlines.com Operates daily service from HCM City to Manila, offering fare options through the PAL Econo Light Class. Royal Brunei Level 4, 129A Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3914 6868 www.bruneiair.com Royal Brunei provides scheduled service across Asia, the Middle East, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Thai Airways Ground Floor Suite 101 29 Le Duan, D1 www.thaiair.com Bangkok-based airline connects twice daily between the Thai capital and HCM City and Hanoi. Multiple daily flights are also operated from both to Phnom Penh and Phuket. Turkish Airlines 8th floor, AB Tower 76A Le Lai, D1 Tel: 3936 03600 www.turkishairlines.com Awarded as the Best Airline in Europe offers the brand new Comfort Class to Economy class: 46inch leg room, personalised entertainment screen and globally awarded cuisine on-board.
KIM FRESH BUTCHERY FOR A FULL RANGE OF IMPORTED BEEF, LAMB, PORK, SAUSAGES, CHICKEN AND SEAFOOD
Vietnam Airlines Hanoi: 25 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem Tel: 6270 0200 HCM City: 16th Floor, Sun Wah, 115 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3832 0320 www.vietnamairlines.com The domestic route map is extensive, with several flights daily between major and less touristed cities throughout Vietnam. Flies internationally throughout Asia and to Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Sydney, Melboure, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
ONLY5,000 VND99,000 PASTA ND8 IZZAV P
73 Le Thi Hong Gam, District 1, HCMC Tel: 3914 4376 - Email: infokimhai@kimhai.vn Open from Monday to Saturday Delivery service available
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Tel: 3825 1311 This restaurant has been around since the mid-1990s, which offers an insight into its enduring quality. Specializes in American grain-fed steaks, hamburgers and salads served in a pleasant atmosphere.
listings
food & drink
Phatty’s 46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 0796 www.phattysbar.com Jaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’s sports bar has five widescreen TVs, a large drop-down screen and lots of pub grub and beer for fans looking to take in a game or two.
BAR RESTAURANTS
Dublin’s Gate D1 19 Thai Van Lung, D1 This authentic Irish pub in downtown Saigon has a large wine list, a wide selection of single malt whiskey and local and imported beers, including widgets of Guinness. It also has a western and Asian menu.
Buddha Bar D2 7 Thao Dien, D2 // Tel: 3744 2080 An Phu institution serves up tasty meals and good drinks in a friendly, chilled environment. Plenty of room to relax inside or out, plus a pool table on premise.
Bia Craft 90 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 083 744 2588 A cozy bar serving beerthemed snacks and some of the best craft ales in Saigon. Constantly buzzing with the friendly chat of local expats in the area. Chilli Pub 89 Ton That Dam, District 1 Tel: 098 376 33 72 Located in the heart of the nightlife area of District 1, Chilli pub is a cozy bar full of fun. Hosting regular events such as quiz night, darts, live music and live sports on the big screens. Menu revolves around Chili dishes with chili dogs and of course big bowls of Chilli. Corso Steakhouse & Bar Norfolk Hotel, 117 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Located in the chic Norfolk Hotel Corso Steakhouse & Bar is well known for its steak imported from the US and Australia. D2 5557 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 35 194 138 Stylish nonsmoking sports bar offering all the latest action on a choice of widescreen TVs.Perfect for sports fans who are looking for a cold pint and big portions from a tempting pub grub menu. Mogambos 50 Pasteur, D1
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Shrine 64 Ton That Thiep Tel: 08 39 142 817 ShrineBarSaigon.com A sleek cocktail bar on a street full of beer and football, Shrine is a standout for its décor and drink menu. Shrine offers everything from wine to drinks and snacks to full-blown meals, its cocktails are the reason to visit. The Tavern R2/24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7 Tel: 5410 3900 Boasts good international food, a pool table, dartboards and sports coverage on large screens. Outdoor seating on mutiple levels. Second floor sports lounge hosts DJs at the weekends.
Imperial-styled restaurant named after a famous Chinese poet. Nightly à la carte menu with dishes going from 100k VND. Lotus Court 1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 ext. 168 www.moevenpick-saigon.com Dim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisine in a unique and elegant setting. Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688 Beautiful wood paneling, colourful hanging lanterns and a sparkling mineral gallery make for a relaxing dining experience at the Windsor. Feast on roasted Pi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamed king prawns. Be sure to check out monthly specials. Royal Pavilion Reverie Saigon Hotel, 4th Floor, 22 36 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 08 3823 6688 Located in the Reverie Saigon Hotel, the Royal Pavilion serves up classic Cantonese cuisine in fine dining style. Featuring a menu of epic proportions, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Vasco’s Bar 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3824 2888 Chic bar decked in deep reds that gets packed to capacity on weekends. Open Monday to Saturday with live music on Fridays. Food menu by chef with over 10 years experience at La Camargue. Also does excellent pizza.
Shang Palace Restaurant Norfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3823 2221 www.shangpalace.com.vn An upscale Chinese restaurant with a spacious and welcoming atmosphere. The menu boasts a wide range of Hong Kong Cantonese cuisine, including both dim sum, a la carte and set menus, regularly changed by the creative chefs.
Game On Sport Pub 115 Ho Tung Mau, District 1 Tel: 08 62 51 98 98 www.gameonsaigon.com A great place to catch all the latest live games while enjoying some great food and a few drinks with friends. The two big screens showing the games via satellite means you will never miss a minute of the action, while the kitchen serves up some truly hearty pub grub.
Yu Chu InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Specializing in authentic Cantonese and Peking cuisine. Award-winning chef prepares dishes including handmade noodles, dim sum and wok-fried items. Wide selection of live seafood. Five interactive kitchens.
CAFES
FRENCH
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 12-14 Thai Van Lung, D1 94 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Nowzone, 235 Nguyen Van Cu, D5 Metropolitan Bldng, 235 Dong Khoi, D1 International café chain with a wide variety of coffees and teas, as well as light snacks and food. Also sells freshroasted coffee beans and tins of whole leaf tea. Guanabana 23 Ly Tu Trong, District 1 Tel: 09 09 82 48 30 Guanabana brings a California approach with its all-natural range of healthy smoothies. The smoothies are available in three varieties and are priced between VND 45,000 and VND 65,000. Mojo 88 Dong Khoi, D1 www.sheratonsaigon.com A top-end café with an attractive interior, outdoor terrace at street level and comfortable lounges upstairs. Good business coffee or lunch venue.
CHINESE
Li Bai Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828
Camargue 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 08 35 20 48 88 One of the first western restaurants in Saigon, Camargue offers a great selection of French food and wine in a romantic, rustic French villa. Le Bouchon de Saigon 40 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3829 9263 This French diner-style restaurant has an emphasis on hearty home cooking, courteous service and a relaxed atmosphere. Chef David Thai is a wellknown industry figure, and this venue can hold its own among the city`s many French restaurants.
INDIAN
Saigon Indian 73 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 5671 Popular venue with an enormous menu. Serves both southern and northern Indian dishes like tandoori, biryani, dosa and idly snacks, plus a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Offers a set lunch menu. Cater service is available. Tandoor 39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke, D1 www.tandoorvietnam.com
Part of a chain of restaurants covering Hanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features a large selection of standard northern Indian dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Excellent cheap set lunches and reasonable prices all around. Will organize catering for events. Malt 46 – 48 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 1848 4763 American-style bar that offers good beer, shuffleboard and an interesting pub grub menu in a casual setting.
INTERNATIONAL
Al Fresco’s 21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 8427 27 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3823 8424 D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093 www.alfrescosgroup.com Theme restaurant boasting a range of Tex-Mex, Italian and Australian-style BBQ dishes. Huge portions and tasty Australian ribs coupled with a good atmosphere and helpful staff. Good lunch menu. Au Parc 23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772 Lavishly decorated brasserie borrowing from Moroccan and French styles and popular during lunchtime with expats. Specializes in Middle Eastern and North African food. The salad menu is a favourite, and a great range of lush smoothies and juices are on offer. Bamboo Chic Le Meridien, 3C Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 086 263 6688 Slick, minimalistic restaurant boasting a stunning view of the Saigon River as well as a menu of highquality cuisine that mixes Japanese and coastal Chinese styles. Worth a visit, even if it’s just for a cocktail. Beets Salad Bar 111 Ham Nghi, District 1 Tel: 08 38 211 282 Arguably the city’s only salad bar, this fresh new spot provides healthy options for downtown diners by sticking to the basics. Black Cat 13 Phan Van Dat, D1 Tel: 3829 2055 Tiny but popular District 1 restaurant serving up an excellent selection of Western and Vietnamese fare and an extensive range of sandwiches and burgers. BoatHouse 40 Lily Road, APSC Compound, 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6790 Riverside restaurant with umbrellashaded tables spread across outdoor deck and small indoor dining room. With revamped menu which includes a mix of family-style meals with Mexican featuring predomominately, followed by Italian and Asian fare. Con Bo Map 178/4B Pasteur, D1 Tel: 08 38 246 607 A small, modest space hidden down an alley off Pasteur serving some of the best burgers in town. Jake’s BBQ 50 Pasteur Street, D1 Tel: 08 3825 1311 Genuine, warm service from Chef Jake himself sets this American Barbeque joint apart. A true slice of Americana in Vietnam. Large portions, smoked meats, and the only ‘Jucy Lucy’ burger in town! Jaspa’s 33 Dong Khoi, D1
Tel: 3822 9926 www.alfrescosgroup.com Unpretentious brasserie-style restaurant specializes in Australian-influenced international fusion cuisine. Full range of drinks including Australian and French wines and good cocktails. Hosts monthly Spam Cham networking event. Koto 3rd Floor Rooftop, Kumho Link Plaza, 39 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, D1 Tel: (+84) 3822 9357 This is the Saigon arm of the renowned organisation that began in Hanoi a decade ago. Vietnamese food is prepared with innovative twist by young people Koto are helping get a start in the hospitality industry and on a path for a better life. May Restaurant & Bar 19-21 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 6291 3686 may.restaurant19@gmail.com We have over 20 years experience in hospitality business in Vietnam with some famous Brand such as Shodow Bar & Café and MAY Restaurant & Bar. MAY- short for ‘Me and You’, it is all in one premium casual kitchen & bar downtown. Located centrally on the historic Dong Khoi street with a fusion of Western and Asian cuisine and pride themselves in their wine list and international standard of service. Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Seven interactive live kitchens offering French, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisines, including a bakery, French patisseries, pancakes, tossed salads, grilled steak, seafood, wokfried items, noodles and pasta dishes. Mekong Merchant 23 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 4713 Set in a courtyard, this rustic Australian-style brasserie has brought modern international cuisine to suburban An Phu. Popular for weekend brunches. Weekly specials and seafood flown in from Phu Quoc. OMG 15-17-19 Nguyen An Ninh, D1 Tel: 09 37 20 02 22 Perched on the ninth-floor rooftop of a hotel adjacent to Ben Thanh market, OMG has superb views over downtown Saigon and food to match. The menu is focused but includes enough choices to satisfy everyone across hot and cold starters, pasta and risotto, mains and dessert. Quan Ut Ut 168 Vo Van Kiet, D1 Tel: 08 39 14 45 00 American-style barbecue meets Vietnam-style dining with big wooden tables and benches that are reminiscent of an open-air quan. Serving a wide range of smoked and barbecued meats. Reflections Caravelle Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Contemporary fine dining that combines Asian flavors with classic Mediterranean cuisine in an ambiance of understated elegance and European style. Special culinary events include guest chefs from Michelin-star establishments around the world. Private rooms are available. Relish and Sons 44 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 012 07 214 294
105-107 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 90 900 4294 Facebook.com/RelishAndSons Burgers are the stars of the show in Relish & Sons, with six varieties, all composed of different but expertly combined ingredients. Skewers 9A Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 4798 www.skewers-restaurant.com Rustic Mediterranean restaurant where subtle colours and exposed brickwork combine with jazzy tunes. Serves tabouleh, falafel, couscous and kebab. Highly rated for its grilled meats, bread and dip combos, soups and pastas. Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar 44 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 090 729 2725 District 1 venue with spacious bar downstairs and upstairs dining room. Serving a full selection of home aged US and Australian beef complimented by a delicious sides. The Deck 38 Nguyen U Di, D2 Tel: 3744 6632 Serves upmarket takes on regional specialties made with fresh local and imported products. Well-designed, minimalist dining space and bar on the river are a serious draw. The Elbow Room 52 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3821 4327 elbowroom52@yahoo.com American-style bistro offering a wide range of appetisers, soups, salads, sandwiches, mains and desserts, plus an extensive wine menu. Open daily 7.30 am to 11 pm. Breakfast served all day. The Refinery 74/7C Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3823 0509 Authentic bistro with cane furniture outside, informal indoor restaurant section and a bar area. Cuisine is light, modern European. The menu spans a price range to suit most budgets. Urban Kitchen + Bar 18 Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 62 506 363 UrbanKitchenBar.com Urban Kitchen takes a nuanced approach to Western cuisine, producing an eclectic compilation of regional North American dishes – whether it’s comfort food of the American south, Quebecois specialties or East Coast-inspired. Viva Tapas Bar & Grill 90 Cao Trieu Phat, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 08 54 106 721 Tucked away on a quiet street in Phu My Hung, Viva is colourful and welcoming and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Tapas make up the bulk of the menu and cover traditional dishes as well as a few house specialties that put a quirky twist on things. Pop Fries 14M Quoc Huong, D2 Tel: 09 3875 4251 French fries topped with a range of fresh ingredients inspired by dishes across the world.
ITALIAN
Basilico InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Ground Floor, corner of Nguyen Du and Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Contemporary and casual trattoriastyle restaurant specializing in authentic Italian dishes and homemade desserts. Wood-fired pizza oven and a wide
selection of Italian wines. Good Morning Vietnam 197 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3837 1894 Popular authentic Italian restaurant with additional outlets around the country. Specializes in thin-crust pizza, pasta and a range of Italian dishes. Good selection of Italian wines.
By Richie Fawcett
IMBIBE PUNCH DRUNK, THE BIRTH OF THE COCKTAIL AND CELEBRITY BARTENDER The route of the modern cocktail, as we know it today, started in India a long time ago. In fact, the earliest known use of the word ‘punch’ dates back to 1632, For this story however, we will explore the influence of the merchant conglomerate called the East India Company, which formed in 1600, when it was spice, not gold, that drove the dreams of men. Nutmeg alone started four wars. It also commanded an impressive markup when sold back to European buyers, of upto 60,000 times the purchased value, with cloves, mace and pepper not far behind. This made the race to the ‘spice islands’ of the Far East and Western tropics the top priority for England. The establishment of the East India Company monopolised the trade routes and dominated the competition from Spain, Holland and France. From the date of its founding, and for the next 90 years, the company would fight for supremacy in the East and West Indies. This ongoing fight evolved the Western taste for spice, war, liquor and the linking drink of the day – punch. It’s commonly believed that the etymology of the word punch is taken from Hindustani, meaning ‘five’, referring to a beverage containing five key elements of sweet, sour, alcohol, water and spice. The sailors of the time brought back the recipes of the exotic drink and by the 56 AsiaLIFE HCMC
18th century it had well and truly arrived, with everyone drinking it. The man to thank for that was actually a cheese merchant, James Ashely, and in 1731 he opened the ‘London Coffee and Punch House’ on Ludgate Hill. With his love of rum, brandy and arrack-based punches, he inadvertently became the world’s first celebrity bartender. The subsequent popularity of the drink, and other mixed drinks that followed, changed according to the laws and social norms throughout the years. By the mid 18th century a young English colony called America was soon to declare independence. The founding fathers established a brave new world where the old punch would find its new home, provide the inspiration for a new drink known as the cock- tail, and with it, the next generation of celebrity bartenders, as the classic cocktails we all know today, were born. Shri Restaurant and Lounge manager Richie Fawcett is an artist who sits on Asia’s 50 best bars voting panel. He is hosting invitation only ‘private viewings’ of his latest works every Thursday in the Shri Whisky Library, along with offerings of bottled and signature cocktails. Those interested can call Shri on (08) 3827 9631 and he will invite you personally if numbers allow.
LovEat 29 Hai Trieu, D1 Tel: 08 62 602 727 Facebook.com/LovEatRestaurant Chic downtown bistro LovEat occupies a prime spot opposite the Bitexco Financial Tower, serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian twist. The restaurant prides itself on organic local ingredients and offers full meals as well as coffee, drinks and Italian pastries. Open from 9am til late. Romeo and Juliet Times Square Building, 57 – 69F Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 08 38 236 688 TheReverieSaigon.com Underground restaurant of the newlyopened Reverie Saigon, Romeo and Juliet is reinventing local dining to encourage the kind of slower, savourthe-moment experience that allows guests to enjoy the space’s ambiance, food and top-notch service.
JAPANESE
Kissho 14 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3823 2223 Fax: 3823 3343 kissho.wmcvietnam.com Saigon’s newest Japanese restaurant boasts a multi-concept cuisine set in a cutting edge interior. Specialties include teppanyaki, yakiniku, sushi and sashimi crafted by expert chefs. The freshest imported meats and seafood round out the menu, accompanied by an extensive selection of fine wines and Japanese spirits. Open 11.30 am to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 10 pm. Manmaru 71 Mac Dinh Chi, D1 Japanese izakaya with a solid lineup of affordable beers, sakes and whiskies. Whether you choose the casual, publike experience downstairs, or the formal dining terrace upstairs, expect excellent food and even better prices. Nishimura Mövenpick Hotel Saigon, 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 Exquisitely prepared sushi and sashimi from a globetrotting chef with three decades’ experience. A wide range of cooked dishes and monthly meal promotions are also available. The Sushi Bar 2 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8042 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3911 8618 This brightly lit Japanese-style restaurant serves over 40 varieties of sushi at reasonable prices. Sit at the sushi bar or in private rooms upstairs. Open until 11.30 pm, delivery available on request.
KOREAN
Kim Bab Chun Gook R4 42 Hung Phuoc 2, Phu My Hung Tel: 6296 9057 Korean boonshik/snack food eatery serving up a wide variety of light but substantial foods including dumplings, rameyon and fish cakes. Kumdo 6A Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3824 3253
Korean beef barbecue served in small, welcoming dining rooms with barbecues built into tables. Large selection of raw meat specialties.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN
Lac Thai 71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506 An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleyway, decorated with art-deco furniture. Authentic Thai cuisine prepared by two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but less spicy than you’d find in Thailand.
The Racha Room 12-14 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 08 791 412 RachaRoom.com.vn With street and hawker specialties from Thailand prepared under one roof – and in one room – The Racha Room is a restaurant-cum-lounge fit for a king. Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro 17/11 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 08 35 21 85 13 Tuktukthaibistro.com Tuk Tuk, a chic new modern Thai bistro. With three floors of seating, an open-air roof area and an array of Thai dishes to excite your palate.
VEGETARIAN
Hoa Dang 38 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1 Swish vegetarian restaurant on a quiet street that serves up nutritious dishes, including meatless versions of bun bo, pho and steamboat. Cosy bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, fruits and other sweets. Viet Chay 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3526 5862 Upscale vegetarian restaurant specializes in fake meat dishes. The attractive dining room is suffused with natural light. Located within the walls of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.
VIETNAMESE
Cha Ca La Vong 3 Ho Xuan Huong, D3 Tel: 3930 5674 36 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3915 3343 Two HCM City ouposts of the legendary Hanoi original serve only one dish: the eponymous and delicious cha ca la vong, fish pan-fried at the table with turmeric and dill and served with cold noodles and peanuts. Com Nieu 19 Tu Xuong, D3 Tel: 3932 6288 The house specialty, com nieu (smashed rice), comes with a shattered-crockery and flying-rice show at this well-known restaurant, prominently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour. An extensive and tasty selection of southern Vietnamese cuisine rounds out the menu. Circus Kitchen 232 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Outdoor barbeque covered by colorful awning, dishing out allyoucaneat deals every Thursday plus a combination of grills and a la carte every day of the week in an ambient environment. Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua 381 Vo Van Tan, D3 www.LienHua.com.vn Lien Hua has been serving Chinese Khmer noodle soup on this spot for over forty years. Pork and shrimp set hu tieu Nam Vang apart from your average pho while the house speciality dim sum selection is unmissable.
Mountain Retreat 36 Le Loi, D1 Tel: +84 90 719 45 57 A rustic restaurant perched above downtown offering a secluded getaway and tasty traditional food.
Ngon Asia House
D1 99 Nguyen Hue, D1 // Tel: 3821 3821 The contemporary bistro welcomes and leads you into a house of sumptuous colorful food cultures with over 350 savory dishes from Korea, Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam coming together in one home.
Quan Bui Add 1: 17A Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 38 29 15 15 Add 2: 55 Ngo Quang Huy, D2 From the team behind Quan Bui, the popular casual Vietnamese eatery on the north edge of District 1, is this four-floor fine-dining restaurant in downtown Saigon. The chic design and ambience, as well as its rooftop garden, are designed to attract a more up-market clientele.
nightlife See bar restaurant listings for more popular watering holes. The Library InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Unwind with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. The Library provides a welcoming atmosphere for those in search of calm, comfort and personalized service. Purple Jade InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 Chic lounge blends the stylistic influences of contemporary design and opium dens. Hosts live music and serves special drinks, including Shaoxing and Maotai rice wines and an exclusive selection of luxury spirits. Saigon Saigon Bar Rooftop via 9th floor, Caravelle Saigon Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 A great iconic bar to watch the sun go down over the city skyline, or dance the night away. The panoramic views of the city are spectacular, particularly in the evenings. Live entertainment nightly with Cuban band Q’vans except Tuesday from 9:00pm till late.
at home BAKERIES
Harvest Baking 30 Lam Son, Tan Binh
Tel: 3547 0577 harvestbaking@yahoo.com This authentic bakery offers a range of specialty baked goods for delivery. Offering bagels, scones, breads, desserts,cakes, tarts and more. Chocolate fudge cake and cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing highly recommended. Pat A Chou 65 Hai Ba Trung, D1 25 Thao Dien, D2 The home of the long and crusty baguette. Supplies many restaurants but also sells wholesale. The miniature patisseries such as crème brulée and cheesecake are worth a taste. Opens at 6.30 am. Schneider’s Finest 27 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 1998 www.schneiders-finest.com Traditional German bakery bakes 45 different kinds of breads, rolls and baguettes and a wide range of danishes, pastries and cakes. Catering available. Tous Les Jours 180 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Part of the Korean bakery chain, Tous Le Jours stocks a superb range of freshly baked good from sugary treats like pain au chocolat to superior quality baguettes and loafs. Voelker 17 A7 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 7303 8799 39 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6296 0066 Small bakery turns out sweet and salted pies and mousses in addition to baguettes and a range of Western sweets. Le Padam – Saigon 230 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 090 704 6281 Cheese fanatics can indulge in delicious French imports amid a spacious, airy bistro that also serves wine and desserts. The homemade bread is crisp and soft, attracting many locals to buy baguettes daily.
DELIVERY
Food Panda www.foodpanda.vn Online delivery service with over 500 popular restaurants available. www.vietnammm.com A free website that allows users to order delivery from dozens of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Simply provide your address and phone number and pay the delivery driver in cash when he arrives
GROCERIES
Annam Gourmet Market 16-18 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 9332 41A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2630 www.annam-gourmet.com Boutique grocer with wide selection of foreign foods; Annam-brand coffee, tea and spices; and household products. Wine and premium beer, full deli counter, produce, dairy-frozen and baked goods on second floor. Cosy café serves coffee, drinks and sandwiches. Big C Floor B1, Cantavil An Phu Building, D2, Tel: 3740 7105 www.bigC.vn This ‘supercentre’ offers a clean, comfortable shopping environment with a wide assortment of goods, including fresh food and home accessories, available at reasonable prices. Classic Fine Foods 17 Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 7105
www.classicfinefoods.com Luxury food primarily imports for wholesale, but also takes orders for its range of dry goods, cheese, meat, poultry and seafood from private clients. Kim Hai Butchery 1, Street 2, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 3744 2565 This town is definitely big enough for two Australian butchers. Reasonably priced imported beef, fish, chicken, and more at this original neighbourhood fixture. Meatworks Butchery 1, Street 2, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 3744 2565 Imported meats from Australia, including top-quality beef and lamb, and locally sourced pork and chicken.. Proudly Australian owned and managed. Metro An Phu, D2 Tel: 3740 6677 www.metro.com.vn Warehouse wholesaler located just off the Hanoi Highway in D2 between the Saigon Bridge and the tollbooths. Sells bulk food, fresh fruit and vegetables and meat, as well as paper products, cleaning supplies, housewares--basically everything. Organik 11A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 090 273 3841 arlene@organikvn.com www.organikvn.com Online grocer based out of Dalat selling a range of organic vegetables and groceries, as well as imported all-natural products.
aged food, cheese, meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and fine wines. Veggy’s 29A Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8526 Sky Garden Pham Van Nghi, Bac Khu Pho, D7 Riverside Apartments 53 Vo Truong Toan, Thao Dien, D2 Popular expat market with a walk-in fridge area stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and a range of meats. Imported canned and dried foods, wines, beers, soft drinks, spirits and snacks also available.
Lavastone D1 96B Nam Ky Khoi Nghia // Tel 6271 3786 Modern Japanese yakiniku restaurant combined with a creative cocktail bar located right in the heart of buzzing Ho Chi Minh City. Delicious japanese dishes from juicy BBQ to freshest sashimi and mindblowing signature cocktails, you can find them all at Lavastone BBQ & Cocktail House.
Phuong Ha 58 Ham Nghi, D1 Tel: 3914 1318 A mini-supermarket that sells an extensive assortment of imported pack-
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listings
By Phil Kelly
FITNESS HAVE YOU GOT THE STOMACH FOR IT? Did you realise that you have more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body! 100 trillion microorganisms… 10 times more bacteria than the combined number of cells in the human body. In this knowledge you could really say that we are more bacteria than human. Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut” and it’s taken us 2000 years to realise that he was correct. Optimal gut function is crucial for your health and fat loss. A lot of people go their entire lives with joint pain, sleep disturbances, arthritis, fever, skin irritations, fatigue, night sweats, headaches, depression, an so on. A lot of the time I find people accept the fact that they feel ‘crappy’ and believe “such is life”. But this is not the case… All these symptoms or feelings are, for the most part, a result of poor diet and lifestyle. Ryan Andrews of Precision Nutrition puts it like this: “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Substitute ‘gut’ for ‘mama’ and you pretty much get the picture”. Poor gut health is a big problem in modern day society yet one of the easiest to counteract. Have you got the stomach to achieve optimal health and wellbeing? The majority of modern day food products were unknown to our systems just 100 years ago. If you think 100 years is a long time, when we are talking about the evolution or the development of humans it’s actually like a blink of an eye. Our guts simply can’t handle these new foods (this is not to say that some time in the future we can’t adapt to them),and experts reason that the introduction of these new or modified foodstuffs explains the 58 AsiaLIFE HCMC
increase in allergies and food intolerances now commonplace in society. There is now a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). Cases are increasing but the scary thing is that a lot of people have this issue and don’t even know it. LGS is caused when there is irritation or inflammation of the gut wall, where the tight junctions between the stomachs cells loosen up and allow compounds to pass through when they shouldn’t. Hence, the gut is leaking compounds into our system/body. Food additives, such as MSG can influence the junctions of the gut and weaken their bonds, exposing you to all types of nasty pathogens. Stress is another major player in the cause of leaky gut syndrome along with antibiotics, malnutrition and foodstuffs like gluten, casein, lectins, and fructose. Experts agree that a healthy gut barrier depends on good levels of intestinal bacteria, intact mucosa, and a healthy immune system. All of which are influenced through your diet and lifestyle choices. The bottom line is that something as simple as taking care of your gut health could improve your overall health, feeling of wellbeing, and appearance. Have you been nice to your gut lately? Phil is a health practitioner and expert in body transformation. His services are available at Star Fitness (starfitnesssaigon. com), online or at your home. Contact him through his website phil-kelly.com or facebook.com/ BodyExpertSystemsVietnam.
sports & leisure Sport Street Huyen Tran Cong Chua, D1 between Nguyen Du and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Services include mending and restringing broken tennis rackets. Products range from badminton birdies and rackets to basketball hoops, free weights, roller blades, scooters, soccer jerseys and all manner of balls.
CRICKET
Saigon Cricket Assocation Social cricket league plays 25 overs a side matches Sunday mornings at RMIT’s District 7 pitch. Season runs November through May, with friendly games throughout the pre-season. Practice on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Australian Cricket Club Terry Gordon terrygordoninasia@yahoo.com.au saigonaustraliancricketclub@yahoo.com www.saigoncricket.com English Cricket Club Richard Carrington Richard.carrington@pivotalvietnam.com info@eccsaigon.com www.eccsaigon.com Indian Cricket Club Manish Sogani, manish@ambrij.com United Cricket Club Mr. Asif Ali, asif@promo-tex.net keshav.dayalani@rmit.edu.vn
DANCING
DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, District 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Purpose built studio with foreign trained dance instructors. Classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, yoga, zumba, belly, hula, capoiera and more. Kids can start from 4+ and adults of all ages and levels are welcome. Schedule and news on events available on-line. Salsa Dancing at La Habana 6 Cao Ba Quat, D1 www.salsaigon.com salsaigon@gmail.com Salsa package for single persons and couple, run by Urko. Lessons every Tuesday (beginners L.A. style at 7.30 pm; intermediate L.A style at 8.30 pm). Registration required.
FITNESS & YOGA
AIS Sports Centre 36 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6960, ext 126 sportscentre@aisvietnam.com www.aissportscentre.com Six-lane, 25-metre pool, basketball and netball courts, astroturf hockey/football area and outdoor gym equipment. Available for party hire - BBQ included on request. Membership packages available. Kids swim club and adult masters programmes. Rainbow Divers offers scuba diving courses for children and adults. Free morning yoga.
California WOW Xperience Parkson Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, D5 28/30-32 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6291 5999 The world’s biggest fitness centre chain is one of Saigon’s most modern places to get your sweat on. Located in Hung Vuong Plaza, CWX offers a huge workout area and all kinds of classes including spinning, KickFit, yoga and more. Caravelle Club Spa 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Modern and stylish gym with lots of cardiovascular machines and free weights. The swimming pool is a great place for a dip, and the massage parlour, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are there for winding down. Equinox Fitness & Leisure Centre Equatorial Hotel, 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 Decent-sized 3rd-floor gym with modern cardio and weights machines, sauna, steambath, jacuzzi, and large 4th floor pool great for swimming laps. Hollywood Fitness World H3 Building, 384 Hoang Dieu, D4 Tel: 3826 4639 One of the latest & best workout environments in the city, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Personal training is offered. L’Apothiquaire Fitness Centre 64A Truong Dinh, D3 Tel: 3932 5181 www.lapothiquaire.com Internationally-certified teachers offer daily classes in Sivananda, Iyengar, Power, Yoga, Abdo-Pilates, Taebo and Aqua-Aerobics. Peaceful swimming pool, sauna and steam room. La Cochinchine Rex Hotel, 146 Pastuer, D1 Tel: 3825 1812 (ext 7477) New and affordable fitness centre located in the heart of the city. This gym has a wide range of weight machines, as well as many cardio machines, including treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes. A good variety of classes are available, including yoga and aerobic dance. NTFQ2 Spa 34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3744 6672 Therapeutic massage with a focus on sports massage to increase circulation, remove lactic acid build-up, restore flexibility and relieve back pain. Sheraton Fitness Level 5, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 sheraton.saigon@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/saigon Sheraton Fitness features a team of trained professionals and new Technogym equipment. Members have full use of leisure facilities and receive discounts at hotel bars and restaurants and Aqua Day Spa. Star Fitness Gym Manor Apartments, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0255 This 1,600sqm gym is apparently the biggest in Vietnam. Has a good range of machines for any type of workout. Membership involves one time entry fee plus monthly subscriptions and gives free access to regular fitness classes. Saigon Yoga Tel: 090 835 2265 info@saigonyoga.com www.saigonyoga.com A yoga centre with highly qualified instructors offering hot yoga, Hatha Flow, restorative yoga, kids’ yoga, pre and postnatal yoga and injury rehabilitation. Also does corporate team building and yoga teacher training as well as organising yoga retreats.
FOOTBALL & RUGBY
Australian Rules Football Tel: 093 768 3230 www.vietnamswans.com vietnamswans@gmail.com The Vietnam Swans play regular international footy matches around Asia. Training sessions are held weekly in HCM City (2.30 pm Saturday, RMIT D7) and Hanoi (midday, Saturday, UN International School, Ciputra). All skill levels and codes welcome. RMIT Vietnam sports.recreation@rmit.edu.vn A new player on the SIFL scene with a team made up of students from the University. They have their own football ground on-site consisting of two brand new pitches. Contact Landon Carnie. Saigon Raiders jon.hoff@saigonraiders.com Sociable football side who are always on the lookout for new talent for their weekly matches and training sessions. The team participates in the Saigon International Football League and also has regular fixtures against local teams in the outlying provinces and also participates in international tournaments. Saigon Saints chris@saigonsaints.com www.saigonsaints.com Expat football club of all ages, which has been running since 1995 and plays in the SIFL. Regularly venture on international tours especially to Bangkok and Manila and play in other local and international tournaments. The players train weekly, and new players are encouraged to join.
GOLF
Dalat Palace Golf Club Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat Tel: 063 3821 101 dpgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com The most beautiful course in Vietnam, combining the crisp mountain air with an environment of stately pine trees. Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the 7,009-yard course is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. Dong Nai Golf Resort Trang Bom Town, Trang Bom Tel: 061 3866 288 / 3677 590 www.dongnaigolf.com.vn Large golf resort with 27 holes, plus a villa complex, bar, sauna. jacuzzi and billiards. The resort sits on 160 hectares of land in Dong Nai Province, about 50 kilometres from the city. Ocean Dunes Golf Club 1 Ton Duc Thang, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3821 995 odgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com Designed by Nick Faldo, the 6,746-yard par-72 course winds through seaside dunes, with the variable coastal breezes changing its character each day. An enjoyable and eminently playable course and has become a favourite venue for expatriate tournaments. Saigon South Golf Nguyen Van Linh, Tan Phu, D7 Tel: 5411 2001 sgs.golf@yahoo.com.vn Nine-hole mini golf course and driving range set amongst attractive gardens just behind FV Hospital. Club, shoe and umbrella hire is also available. Song Be Golf Resort 77 Binh Duong Blvd, Thuan An Tel: 0650 3756 660 info@songbegolf.com www.songbegolf.com Located 22 kilometres from the city centre, the premier golf course in the area features an 18-hole, 6,384-metre course. Also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium.
Vietnam Golf and Country Club Long Thanh My Village, D9 www.vietnamgolfcc.com This facility consists of two courses of 18 holes each, one of which is designed in a more traditional Asian style, and the other in international style. Has other attractions such as boating, tennis and a restaurant area.
LEISURE
Phun Runner info@phun-run.com Social running group that meets Saturdays at 7 am for a scenic run around Saigon before breakfast. Great way to explore the city, meet fellow runners and get fit for future events. Check website for rendezvous points. Rangers Baseball Club Isao Shimokawaji isao.shimokawaji@sapporobeer.co.jp A baseball club always looking for additional players of any age, race or experience level. Plays Saturdays or Sundays, often against Korean or Vietnamese teams. Saigon International Dart League www.thesidl.com A highly popular group in town, the darts club runs a competitive year-long league for 16 pub-based teams. There are some excellent players in this sociable and international group. See website for details of how to join and latest 180 scores. Saigon International Softball League sisl@saigonsoftball.info www.saigonsoftball.info The league plays slo-pitch softball every Sunday (usually at the Taiwanese School in Phu My Hung) and always welcomes newcomers. Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 A standout facility offering pony rides, riding lessons, horse clinics and pony rentals. Also hosts events and birthdays. Squash The Landmark, 5B Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 2098 ext 176 www.thelandmarkvietnam.com One of three squash courts in town. Membership is open to non-Landmark residents and drop-in players. Lessons and racquets are available for additional fees. Balls are provided. Book in advance or phone for further information. Ultimate Frisbee RMIT, 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 www.saigon-ultimate.com Join in this exciting popular sport every Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm in Saigon South. Pan-Asian competitions also organised for the more experienced. Contact David Jensen at 0909458890 Vietwings Paragliding info@vietwings-hpg.com Promoted by a local advertising executive turned test pilot, paragliding, hanggliding, trike plane can be performed in several locations across southern Vietnam including Dalat, Phan Thiet, Tay Ninh. Call Loco on 0903 825607 for more information. X-Rock Climbing Phan Dinh Phung Sport Centre 75 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 Tel: 6278 5794 503A Nguyen Duy Trinh, D2 Tel: 2210 9192 www.xrockclimbing.com Offering safe and professional climbing for anyone aged 4 and up. Featuring mountain climbing routes rated from beginner to advanced, climbing and belay-safety courses and training, birthday parties, corporate team building. Excellent facilities for children and annual membership for kids.
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health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
American Chiropractic Clinic 161 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3939 3930 www.vietnamchiropractic.com A chiropractic, physiotherapy, foot care clinic staffed by American-trained chiropractors speaking French, English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Treatsback pain, neck pain, knee pain, also specializing in sports injuries, manufacture of medical grade foot orthotics. Ciro Gargiulo CARE1 Executive Health Care Center The Manor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0757 care1_reception@vietnammedicalpractice.com www.care1.com.vn A holistic approach is used by this acupuncturist and traditional medicine practitioner to rebalance the body’s energy fields. A wide range of ailments are treated including back pain, allergies and insomnia. Institute of Traditional Medicine 273-275 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Dr. Le Hung is the man to see at this well-established traditional hospital & training centre. He speaks good English and provides excellent treatments in a clean environment. The Institute also provides acupuncture lessons.
DENTAL
Family Medical Practice HCMC Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 7848 95 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2000 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com Leading international primary healthcare provider, with a 24-hour state-of-the-art medical centre and highly-qualified multilingual foreign doctors. Extensive experience in worldwide medical evacuations with car and air ambulance on standby. Also in Hanoi and Danang. HANH PHUC, International Hospital Binh Duong boulevard, Thuan An, Binh Duong Tel: 0650 3636068 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. 260 –bedder, provide a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services: Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Immunization, IVF, Health checkup, Parentcraft, Woman Cancer, Cosmetic Surgery… Just 20- minute driving from HCMC. HANH PHUC International Hospital Clinic 97 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3925 9797 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. The clinic is located at the center of Dist. 1, provides a comprehensive range of services specializing in Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Peadiatrics, Immunization, General Practice and Emergency. Open hours: Weekdays: 8am to 5pm; Saturday: 8am to 12pm.
Accadent 39 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 08 6267 6666 A clinic that brings leading German dentistry to Vietnam. All dentists here were trained in Germany and all equipment comes from Germany to ensure proper hygiene and quality.
International SOS 167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3829 8424 www.internationalsos.com Globally-renowned provider of medical assistance and international healthcare. Specializes in offering medical transport and evacuation both within and outside of Vietnam for urgent medical cases.
Starlight Dental Clinic Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists 24 Thao Dien, D2 2Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, D1 Tel: 3822 6222 With 14 years’ experience providing dental treatment to expat and Vietnamese patients, this well-known dental surgery is staffed by both foreign & local practitioners. Au fait with the latest treatments and techniques, the surgery prides themselves on their high standard of equipment & sterilization.
Victoria Healthcare 135A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3910 4545 79 Dien Bien Phu, D1 Tel: 39104545 Well-regarded clinic offering general examinations and specializing in pediatrics, digestive diseases, cardiology and women's health. Offers a membership program and cooperates with most insurance companies in Vietnam and abroad. Open with doctors on call 24/7.
Minh Khai Dental Clinic 199 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 08 3925 3399 nhakhoaminhkhai@gmail.com www.nhakhoaminhkhai.com No.1 Dental Clinic 51 Ba Thang Hai, D10 Tel: 08 3929 0909 nhakhoano1@gmail.com www.nhakhoano1.com
MEDICAL Centre Medical International (CMI) 1 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3827 2366 www.cmi-vietnam.com Located downtown next to the cathedral,
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the centre provides a high standard of medical care from qualified French and Vietnamese physicians. Its range of services include general and tropical medicine, cardiology, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, psychology, psychiatry, osteopathy, acupuncture and psychomotor therapy. .
SKINCARE The Body Shop 87 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 3683 www.thebodyshop.com International cosmetics retailer with strong commitment to environment sources natural ingredients from small communities for its line of more than 600 products. The Face Shop 294 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3820 2325 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.thefaceshop.com Local retailer for the South Korea-based international brand of natural body, bath and skincare products. The company offers hundreds of products for different skin types. Also has kiosks at in Phu My Hung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza.
listings
family By Poppy NguyenEastwood
EDUCATION HUB SCHOOL UNIFORM The question every student asks themselves at least once is ‘‘Why do we need a school uniform?’’ or ‘‘Why don’t we have a school uniform?’’ It is a debatable subject. Some see it as an item of unity, arguing that it is what makes the school a community, whilst others perceive it to be a pointless part of education and is seen as a rather useless tradition. It all began in England, around the 13th century, when Cambridge University adopted a dress code, despite protests from their students. It became an acquired status symbol. In the United States, the concept was taken up by private schools around the 1900s and used in public schools in the 1980s. The world followed, save from a few countries like France. A fair number of students complain about their uniform. They want to be able to choose their own clothes and style and not resemble everyone else. What you wear is usually a demonstration of personal identity. Some studies have found that uniforms supress students’ freedom of expression, and encourages conformity rather than uniqueness. However, believe it or not, being dressed like everyone else has its advantages. School uniforms can eliminate bullying and can help equality among peers. Some have been teased for not wearing brand-named clothes, or for adorning something cheap and un-trendy. Being a 62 AsiaLIFE HCMC
student of the French School, I don’t wear a school uniform, and I feel lucky to report I have never noticed or been subject to ridicule of fashion. Also, funnily enough, wearing a uniform has its benefits on a student’s aptitude in class. It is said that it can be linked to them working harder as they are ‘dressed for the part’. Indeed, some research shows that because a student wears a school uniform, it encourages them to study. It sets a serious state of mind and puts them in the mood. There are often ‘dress codes’ for different aspects of our lives, whether it be professional or social. For example, I wouldn’t go to a wedding in a pair of jeans! So, what about school? I have never worn a school uniform so I don’t really know what it’s like. However, I really enjoy wearing what I choose, and wearing it the way I want, but within reason! Even without a uniform, we still have ‘rules’ on what is considered acceptable and unacceptable. For girls, and possibly boys, wearing a uniform could definitely solve the problem of not knowing what to wear in the mornings! Poppy Nguyen-Eastwood is a Grade 10 student at Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras.
ACTIVITIES
Conservatory of Music 112 Nguyen Du, D1 The established training centre for professional musicians offers private piano and violin lessons to foreigners in the evenings. DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, D 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Children and teenagers from age 4+ can enjoy jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, acro dance and break dance classes at this professionally run, newly built dance studio. Schedule and news on events available on-line. Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 Close to X-rock climbing centre, kids from three and upwards can ride one of the stable’s 16 ponies. Lessons with foriegn teachers last 45 minutes for kids from age six.
BABY EQUIPMENT
Maman Bebe L2-11, Vincom Quang Trung, Go Vap 3rd Flr Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza, D5 L2-11K, Vincom 72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.mamanbebe.com.vn Stocks an assortment of modern strollers and car seats. Also sells various utensils and practical baby products. Small selection of clothing for ages newborn to 14 years. Me & Be 230 Vo Thi Sau, D3 52-54 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 191 Hoang Van Thu, Phu Nhuan S11-1 Sky Garden 1, Phu My Hung, D7 The closest thing to Mothercare the city has to offer. Stocks a substantial range of apparel for babies including bottles and sterilizers, cots (including travel cots), clothing, toys, safety equipment and more, all at reasonable prices.
CLOTHES
Albetta 32 Tran Ngoc Dien D2 58 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong, D7 Albetta is a British family owned company, with a factory in Saigon, which produces beautifully designed and handcrafted clothes, gifts, shoes and accessories for children. Their new Lucky Luca collection shown are available in Albetta shops now. DLS Paris Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 A superb range of unique and beautiful clothing for young children (from newborns to pre-school age) at high to midrange prices. The quality compensates for the price. Bedding, baby equipment and furniture and organic and natural supplies also kept in stock. Little Anh – Em 41 Thao Dien, D2 A French brand made in Vietnam offering a wide selection of colourful, simply packaged and thoughtfully collated “sets” of garments for girls and boys
from newborn to 10 years old. Lifestyle pieces also available include sleeping bags, bedroom accessories and bags. Ninh Khuong 42 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 7456 71B Dong Khoi, D1 22 Nguyen Trai, D1 344 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 343 Hai Ba Trung, D1 27 Le Van Sy, Phu Nhuan www.ninhkhuong.vn Well-known hand-embroidered children’s clothing brand using 100% cotton. Newborn to 10 years old (girl) and fourteen years old (boy). Also stocking home linens. Prices are reasonable.
EDUCATION
ABC International School 2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833/34/35/36 office@theabcis.com www.theabcis.com Judged “an outstanding school” by British Government Inspectors, the ABCIS is accredited by CIE, AQA and Education Development Trust and members of COBIS and FOBISIA. Serving 2-18 year olds in a caring environment, it delivers a globally valued curriculum based on best UK practice. This culminates in the award of IGCSEs and A levels from the Cambridge and AQA examination boards. These “gold standard certifications” afford entrance to the very best universities around the world.
American International School 220 Nguyen Van Tao, Nha Be, HCMC Tel: 08 3780 0909 www.ais.edu.vn info@ais.edu.vn Established since 2006, American International School is a private school serving students from Preschool through grade 12. Operate on 3 campuses, the school offers innovative American curriculum with true Vietnamese heritage. All students are well prepared for academic success appropriate to their needs and aspirations in the US and around the world. The Australian International School Xi Campus (Kindergarten) 190 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 35192727 Thao Dien Campus (Kindergarten & Primary School) 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6960 Thu Thiem Campus (Kindergarten, Primary, Middle & Senior School) 264 Mai Chi Tho (East-West Highway) An Phu ward, D2 Tel: 3742 4040 www.aisvietnam.com The Australian International School is an IB World School with 3 class campuses in District 2, HCMC, offering an international education from Kindergarten to Senior School with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Cambridge Secondary Programe (including IGCSE) and IB Diploma Programme (DP). British International School Primary Campus 43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3 225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Secondary Campus 246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 2335 www.bisvietnam.com BIS is the largest international school in Vietnam operating from three purpose built campuses in HCMC catering for students from pre-school to Year 13. The school operates within the framework of the National Curriculum for England and is staffed primarily by British qualified and trained teachers with recent UK experience. Students are prepared for both IGCSE & the IB Diploma
programmes. BIS is a member of FOBISSEA & is fully accredited by the Council of International schools EUROPEAN International School 730 F-G-K Le Van Mien, Thao Dien. Tel: 7300 7257 www.eishcmc.com jura.cullen@cantab.net The EUROPEAN International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) offers an international education from Early Years through Primary and Secondary School. EIS is committed to educating students to become creative critical thinkers and problem solvers. In small student centred classes, students are immersed in a multicultural learning environment which values multilingualism. The language of instruction throughout the School is English; the language program includes Spanish, German, French and Vietnamese. International School HCMC 28 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9100 www.ishcmc.com One of 136 schools around the world to be accredited as an IB World School. Offers all three of the IB programmes from primary through to grade 12. The school is fully accredited by CIS and NEASC and has a strong focus on community spirit and fosters an awareness of other languages and cultures. The International School HCMC American Academy 26 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9098 www.aavn.edu.vn The International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy is a worldclass middle and high school for children aged 11 to 18 years old. Offering a comprehensive academic program built upon the principles and standards of the American education system.. International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh District Tel: 2222 7788/99 www.issp.edu.vn The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is a world-class Elementary School for children aged 18 months to 11 years old offering a full American school curriculum in Vietnam. With a custom built primary campus ISSP’s ethos is centered on building caring relationships with each child and family. Montessori International School International Program 42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, D2 Tel: 3744 2639 Bilingual Program 28 Street 19, KP 5, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6281 7675 www.montessori.edu.vn Montessori utilizes an internationally recognized educational method which focuses on fostering the child’s natural desire to learn. The aim is to create an encouraging environment conducive to learning by developing a sense of self and individuality. A wide array of curriculum/extra-curricular activities are on offer including Bilingual programs.
Renaissance International School 74 Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Tel: 3773 3171 www.rissaigon.edu.vn An International British school providing inclusive curriculum based upon the British curriculum complemented by the International Primary Curriculum and International Baccalaureate. The school has made a conscious decision to limit numbers and keep class sizes small to ensure each student is offered an educa-
tion tailored to meet his or her individual learning needs. It is a family school providing a stimulating and secure learning environment with first-class facilities including a 350-seat theatre, swimming pool, mini-pool, play-areas, gymnasium, IT labs, music and drama rooms, science labs and an all-weather pitch. RMIT 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 Tel: 3776 1369 Australian university located in District 7, offers a highly regarded MBA and undergraduate courses in various fields. SmartKids 1172 Thao Dien Compound, D2 Tel: 3744 6076 www.smartkidsinfo.com An international childcare centre that provides kindergarten and pre-school education for children aged between 18 months and 6 years. A fun and friendly environment, the school focuses on learning through play. Saigon South International School Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7 Tel: 5413 0901 www.ssis.edu.vn An International school environment offering an American/international program in a large, spacious campus, to children from age 3 to grade 12. Great facilities, extra-curricular activities and internationally trained teachers giving unique opportunities to learn.
ENTERTAINMENT
Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan, D1 The top floor arcade and bowling alley is bound to keep your little ones entertained for hours with an impressive array of video games. Some child-friendly dining options too, with Pizza Hut on hand, a KFC and a New Zealand Natural ice cream concession. Gymboree Play & Music Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3827 7008 The Gymboree Play & Music offers children from newborn to 5 years old the opportunity to explore, learn and play in an innovative parent-child programmes.
PARTIES
Beatrice’s Party Shop 235 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A lovely little shop selling everything you need to throw your little ones a good party. A catalogue of entertainers showcases a number of party favourites such as magicians, circuses and more. Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong 131C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 A curious shop stocking a range of hand-made fancy dress costumes such as masks, superman outfits and much more. The stock changes seasonally, so this is a good place to stock up on Halloween, Christmas and other costumes. Bibi Clown - Chu he Bibi Tel: 0933 131 012 bibiclown.blogspot.com Does exactly as his name suggests.Great service has earned him a reputation for turning up almost instantly with a superb selection of balloons and games in both English and Vietnamese. The Balloon Man Mr Hoat 0903 837 326 Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons. He will come to your place for decoration but English not as good. Also provides helium balloons. The Balloon Man Mr Hoat 0903 837 326 Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons. He will come to your place for decoration but English not as good. Also provides helium balloons.
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living By Paul McLardie
PERSONAL FINANCE SAILING AWAY ON A CHOCOLATE BISCUIT A good friend of mine loves going on cruise holidays a couple of times a year, specifically in this region, using Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. He’s never been much into investing in stocks or shares, but asked me about the benefits of holding their stock, using their benefits, and whether it would work out favourably for him. What he would get for holding a minimum of 100 shares would be anything from US$50 to $250 credit on the ship depending on how long the voyage was for. The kicker is, the shares are valued at roughly $77 each at the time of writing. Let’s say he could take two cruises, twice a year, for over 14 days at a time, getting him the maximum benefit of $250 each holiday. This means that he would have to hold the shares for 15-and-a-half years to get his money back. That is, if they continue to pay a dividend, and that he used that to pay the fees for holding them. This way is not direct investing, it is a method of long term borrowing to purchase stocks, and carries the inherent risks similar to borrowing (leveraging) money from a bank, let alone, a bank loan for 15 years that holds you to using the same company for some of your
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biggest annual expenditure. If it is your first time purchasing shares, it is always good to buy something that you know about or enjoy, because you will not make money from it. But, it will let you understand the process behind how to buy shares and how they are held by you or someone else, and then how to sell them or swap them. In the same way you take your first bet on the horses, going on the name of a horse or the colour of the jockey’s silks, only gamble with what you can afford to lose. Stay away from personal bias if you want your portfolio to work as it should. If I didn’t take that on board, my portfolio would be heavily balanced in the favour of BARR (A.G.) PLC (makers of IrnBru), Yildiz Holdings (makers of McVities Chocolate Digestives) and SABMillar (makers of Nastro Azzurro beer). If you do hold shares, have a look at the company’s investors website. There may be some benefits that you do not know about, especially if you hold shares in certain insurance or leisure companies.. Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management. Contact him at Paul.mclardie@t-wm.com.
BUSINESS GROUPS
AmCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 323 Tel: 3824 3562 www.amchamvietnam.com AusCham TV Building, Suite 1A, 31A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3911 0272 / 73 / 74 www.auschamvn.org British Business Group of Vietnam 25 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 8430 info@bbgv.org / www.bbgv.org CanCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 305 Tel: 3824 3754 www.canchamvietnam.org Citi Bank 115 Nguyen Hue St, D1 Tel: 3824 2118 Citibank Vietnam offers a wide range of banking services to both consumer and corpo-rate. Services include Corporate and Investment Banking, Global Transaction Services, and Consumer Banking. In Vietnam for 15 years, Citibank has a presence in both HCMC and Hanoi. Eurocham 257 Hoang Van Thu, Tan Binh Tel: 3845 5528 www.eurochamvn.org German Business Group 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 www.gba-vietnam.org Singapore Business Group Unit 1B2, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3823 3046 www.sbghcmc.org Swiss Business Association 42 Giang Van Minh, Anh Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6996 Fax: 3744 6990 Email: sba@hcm.vnn.vn www.swissvietnam.com Hong Kong Business Association New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 322 Tel: 3824 3757 / 3822 8888 www.hkbav.com NordCham Bitexco Building, 19-25 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3821 5423 www.nordcham.com
CAMERAS
Hung Hai 75 Huynh Thuc Khang, D1 A good place to purchase hard-to-find gear and some rare equipment, mainly auto focus lenses.
Shop 46 46 Nguyen Hue, D1 Small shop run by photographer and collector. The owner’s more collectible pieces are pricey, but entry-level manual focus SLRs from the 70s and 80s are affordable.
COMPUTERS
Computer Street Luong Huu Khanh, D1 between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nguyen Trai This stretch of District 1 is literally wall to wall with small shops selling computers, printers, monitors and everything computer related, more so toward the NTMK end of the drag. iCenter 142A Vo Thi Sau, D3 Tel: 3820 3918 Professional, polished Apple retailer and repair centre with an attractive showroom featuring some of the latest in accessories and audio. English-speakers on staff. Honours Apple service plans. Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards. Phong Vu Computer 264C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3933 0762 www.vitinhphongvu.com The biggest and busiest of the PC stores in town. Known for good, efficient service, in-house maintenance and aftersales repair on the second floor. SYS Vi Tinh Saigon 96C Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1 www.vtsaigon.com A superb place with an excellent reputation for after-sales service with competent English speaking staff and a wide range of products and services. Freeware and shareware also available on the store website.
CONSULTING
Concetti 33 Dinh Tien Hoang, D1 Tel: 3911 1480 www.concetti-vn.com Consulting and research company for technology transfer and investment. Embers Asia Ltd. 4th floor, 04 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3822 4728 www.embers-asia.com As the first team building provider established in Vietnam, Embers specializes in making teams better in globally competitive markets. Embers’ HR performance management services include: team building excursions, strategic planning retreats, conference facilitations and training workshops. Ernst & Young Saigon Riverside Office Center, 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3824 5252 www.ey.com Professional service firm specializing in advisory, assurance, tax, transactions and strategic growth markets.
Le Duc 5B Huynh Tinh Cua, D3 A shop for all your professional accessory needs. From lighting equipment to tripods and reflectors, the shop offers the best equipment and service in HCM City.
Grant Thornton Saigon Trade Centre, 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 9100 www.gt.com.vn International business advisors specializing in auditing, management consulting, corporate finance, risk management and information technology.
Pham The 11 Le Cong Kieu, D1 An authorized service centre for Nikon camera that also specializes in repairing all camera makes. Measurement equipment and spare parts also available.
IF Consulting IBC Building, 3rd Floor 1A Me Linh Square, D1 4th Floor, 5 Ba Trieu Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: 3827 7362 Fax: 3827 7361 Email: pascal@insuranceinvietnam.com Private insurance and finance. Indochine Councel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law firm specializing in legal services to corporate clients in relation to their business and investment in Vietnam. Inspired Image 42/2A Ho Hao Hon, D1 Tel: 091 635 2573 www.inspiredimage.co.uk Image consultant and personal stylist. Previous clients include business leaders, TV presenters and busy professionals. International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV) info@imiv.org www.imiv.org The International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV), a non-profit initiative within VinaCapital Foundation that promotes excellence in business leadership and management by bringing to Vietnam proven international executive education and professional development programmes. Phuong Nguyen Consulting TPC Business Center, 92-96 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3829 2391 www.pnp-consulting.com Specializing in business facilitation, conferences, education counselling, market-entry research and IT/business consulting. TMF Vietnam Company Limited Unit 501, 5th Floor, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2262 ext. 113 Fax: 3910 0590 www.tmf-group.com With headquarters in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, TMF Vietnam specializes in accounting outsourcing and consulting. Total Wealth Management 66/11 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3820 0623 www.t-wm.com Specialists in selecting and arranging tax-efficient savings and pension plans for expatriates. Offers councel on private banking services, wealth protection in offshore jurisdictions, currency risks and hedging strategies. Towers Watson Vietnam (formerly Watson Wyatt and SMART HR) Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, Suite 808, D1 Tel: 3821 9488 Global HR consulting firm specializing in executive compensation, talent management, employee rewards and surveys, HR effectiveness and technology, data services and total rewards surveys. DECOR Antique Street Le Cong Kieu Street, D1 between Nguyen Thai Binh and Pho Duc Chinh A variety of antiques and faux antiques from Thailand, China and Vietnam including silverware, compasses, lighters, brass knockers, urns, vases, abacuses, religious and pagan statues, candlestick holders, furniture and watches. Aquarium Street Nguyen Thong Street, D3 between Vo Thi Sau and Ly Chinh Thang Dedicated street has everything one needs to display fish: tanks, decor, feed, filters and the fish themselves. Budget Housewares Street Corner of Pasteur and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Stock up on shower heads, kitchen supplies (juicer, spatula, grater, etc.), coat racks, clothes hangers, pots, pans, champagne flutes, bowls, coolers, trash
bins, ironing boards, magazine racks and the like. Chau Loan 213 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 7991 Gallery based in a colonial shophouse stocking mainly Vietnamese-themed oil paintings and images of Buddha. Also deals in better-known reproductions. Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request. Dogma 175 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 0488 www.dogmavietnam.com Located upstairs from Saigon Kitsch, this art gallery deals in Vietnamese propaganda posters, apparel, accessories and random paraphernalia. Large prints are sold at USD $60 each and small prints cost $25. Minh Boutique 15 Nguyen Thiep, D1 Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapot warmers, ice buckets and sake drinking sets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sells a range of silverware, egg holders and ice tongs.
THINKING MOVING? THINK SANTA FE. “We make it easy”
OUT-2 STUDIO L6 Fafilm annex 6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056 STUDIO@OUT-2.com www.out-2.com Studio space for independent designers to showcas their wares, sell their work and meet with clients. Open Monday t Saturday 10 am to 6 pm. Phuong Mai 213C Dong Khoi www.phuongmai-gallery.com Gallery specializing in original oils by Vietnamese artists. The works here are a mish-mash of styles but do contain some standouts, particularly well-known local artists La Hon, Quy Tam and Pham Trinh. Sapa 125 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Offers a better selection of hill tribe handicrafts than most of its rivals. Concentrates mainly on the hand-woven clothing of the indigenous tribespeople of the region. There is also a line in ladies’ shoes and the standard range of silk wraps and bags. Unity 12 Dang Tran Con, D1 Tel: 3823 9375 info@unitycompany.com www.facebook.com/unitycompany Located opposite Galaxy cinema, Unity offers accessories that are designed to seamlessly blend in with your life. Familiar basics are given a contemporary update with the use of modern, alternative materials like silicone, rubber, and brushed aluminum. From orbital lamps and eggshell-white china, to wire-clasped water bottles, each individual piece complements the others in the collection to give your home a sense of Unity.
ELECTRONICS
Relocation | Immigration | Moving Home Search | Records Management | Pets
Santa Fe Relocation Services Ho Chi Minh City: +84 8 3933 0065 Hanoi: +84 4 3941 0805 Email: Vietnam@santaferelo.com www.santaferelo.com
Hi End Audio 84 Ho Tung Mau, D1 A standout that stocks the very latest and greatest in home entertainment. Retails in everything from giant plasmascreen TVs to audio equipment. Most top brands are available. iDEAS Shopping Centre 133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3 The largest of the electonics stores along the street, the three-storey iDEAS sells every type of electronic and home appliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties. Staff speaks some English.
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Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards.
By Gary Woollacott
PEOPLE MATTER SEND IN THE CLOWNS This month I had been planning to write about wasting time, and then a turn of events with a client changed my mind somewhat. Prepare to hear of incompetence and ineptitude on a scale that I’ve rarely seen in nearly 30 years of working. We placed a candidate in October 2015 and sent out the closing invoice – in two currencies: the client’s home currency and our own billing currency (Thai Baht). It’s worth pointing out here that the client’s currency is ‘stronger’ than the Baht; ie for one of their units, you get a lot of Baht. The candidate had started in January so the invoice was well and truly overdue. We followed up and were assured – on a weekly basis – that it was being processed. Then in February the client discovered that it needed more documentation so we could be set up to receive payments – things that hadn’t mattered before. We had no choice if we wanted to get paid. I was pleased, mid February, to get an automated statement from the client’s Purchase Order system with a settlement date of 24 February. At last, I thought. That came and went, and nothing. We follow up. It turned out they couldn’t pay against that PO because they – yes, THEY – had expressed it in their home currency. Could we please provide more proof that we are in Thailand? Why not? We’ve given them 66 AsiaLIFE HCMC
everything else. We do, and mid March I get another statement showing that we will be paid on 30 March. You’ve guessed right, it came and went and still no money. On 5 April we had a breakthrough and received some money – the right number in their home currency, but coming to us in Baht: a tiny fraction of what was owed. We were stunned. And this was from an individual whose title is ‘Accounts Payable Specialist, Global Process Organization’. We think he should be fired for making mistakes like that. So much for being an Accounts Payable Specialist! His supervisors might want to look at their hiring practices and then, if they still have jobs, their operating procedures. In mid April it hadn’t been settled although we were seeing their internal emails instructing each other that it must be done ‘immediately’. What a bunch of clowns. Life’s too short to be messing around like this. Finally, it was paid, in the last few days of April. As usual, let me know if you have any particular topic you would like to see covered here. Gary Woollacott is an executive search consultant who works for Horton International in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. He can be reached at +84 8 3910 7682 or via woollacott@ hortoninternational.com.
Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre 63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1 Tel: 3821 1211 www.nguyenkim.com Stocks DVD/CD players, cameras, TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Philips and other major manufacturers. Also a good place to pick up electronic kitchen supplies like coffee makers and rice cookers, as well as large and small appliances, from hot water heaters to regrigerators. Phong Vu 125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1 Tel: 6290 8777 www.vitinphongvu.com Two-storey electronics store retails in international products conveniently grouped by brand. Carries computers, home audio, printers, hard drives and more, as well as a variety of mobile phones, handheld electronic devices and accessories. Savico 117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993 One-stop electronics and home appliance superstore. All products have a one to three-year warranty. Tech Street Huynh Thuc Khang Street between Ton That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1 Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronic money counters, video games and systems, Discmans, mp3 players and portable DVD players.
FURNITURE
Appeal 41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258 A small, upscale shop that offers modern accents for the sleek dining room. The colours of the over-sized vases and fruit bowls are either glistening red or lacquered black. AustinHome 42 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3519 0023 Outstanding quality and style for your home. The shop says its products are hand-picked by an American furniture expert from the best factories in Vietnam. Upholstery, accessories, antiques and more.
Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request. Esthetic 11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 7371/7372 Fax: 3514 7370 esthetic@vnn.vn www.estheticfurnishing.com.vn Design and manufacture as order with a mixture of antique and modern furniture. Friendly staff speak excellent English. Furniture Street Ngo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai To and Nguyen Chi Thanh Very affordable furniture can be found on this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks, chairs, etc. It often takes some looking to find a gem. A connected sidestreet, Ba Hat, features woodworkers’ shops. Gaya 6/39A Tran Nao Street 12, D2
Tel: 3740 6009 www.gayavietnam.com Gaya is re launching with new name at the new location featuring the work of foreign designers: furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh, laquerware decor by Michele De Albert and other home accessories and outdoor furniture . Linh’s White 37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9863 Furniture shop that focuses on solid wood furniture and decorative items ranging from pillows and lamps to bedding. Also offers kids’ furniture and custom pieces. Mai Home 92 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 08 62 818 399 MaiHomeDecor.com Producer of fine lacquerware lamps and furniture, Mai Home combines modern design with the traditional art of Vietnamese lacquer to create tasteful and durable homewares. Also provides worldwide shipping and customisable designs. The Lost Art 31 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1 Tel: 3829 0134 Extensive product range as well as comprehensive interior design service, from initial conceptualization to design, manufacture and installation of unique products.
LEGAL
Allens Arthur Robinson Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 www.vietnamlaws.com Australian law firm for law translation services and legal advice on foreign investment and business in Vietnam. Baker & McKenzie Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 5585 www.bakernet.com International law firm providing on-theground liaison and support services to clients interested in investigating, negotiating and implementing projects in Vietnam. Frasers International Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 2733 www.frasersvn.com Full service commercial law firm providing international and Vietnamese legal advice to both foreign and local clients specializing in transactions in Vietnam. Indochine Counsel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law practitioners specializing in mergers & acquistions, inward investment, and securities & capital markets. Phillips Fox Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 Full service law firm providing legal services in healthcare, education, crime, banking and hospitality among others. Pricewaterhousecoopers Legal Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3823 0796 www.pwc.com/vn Part of a network of international legal and financial advisors, PWC gives both specialist and general legal advice with a focus on mutli-territory projects. Rödl & Partner Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3824 4225 / www.roedl.com European legal firm assisting foreign investors with structuring/establishing companies, investment projects, and mergers & acquistions.
LIGHTING
Luxury Light 1483 My Toan 1, Nguyen Van Linh, Phu My Hung, D7 For those who really want to bring a touch of luxury to their homes, this place deals with Italian imported lighting from the ultra - modern to the traditional Murano style chandeliers. Mosaique 98 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 One of the best and most diverse selections of lamps in town with everything from the ordinary decorative lotus silk lamp to more inventive and original designs in lacquer and silk.
MOTORBIKES
Bike City 480D Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Luxury motorcycle shop carries a range of accessories, including apparel. Sells Vemar helmets, a brand that passes rigorous European Union standards. Protec Helmets 18bis/3A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 248C Phan Dinh Phung, Phu Nhuan 417B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 American nonprofit manufacturer makes helmets with densely compressed polystyrene shell with ABS, PVC or fiberglass exterior, available with polycarbonate shatter-proof shield. Options for kids.
REAL ESTATE
CB Richard Ellis Me Linh Point Tower, 2 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3824 6125 www.cbre.com International property consultants and developers with both commercial and private properties for sale, lease and rent.
Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan Street / Tel: 3822 1922 lntdung@diamondplaza.com.vn Located in the heart of District 1, connected to Diamond PLaza. Services 1- to 4-bedroom apartments with gym, swimming pool and panoramic views of the city. InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Nguyen Du, D1 / Tel: 3520 8888 saigon@interconti.com www.intercontinental.com/saigonres Contemporary residential space in the heart of the major business and cultural area in District 1. There are 260 one, two or three-bedroom units plus health club and outdoor swimming pool. Namhouse Corporation 48A Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, D2 / Tel: 0989 007 700 www.namhouse.com.vn Provides rental properties, construction services and interior decorating. Supports professional services and after-sales. Thao Dien Village 195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel. 3744 2222 A riverside complex of international-standard hospitality and F&B outlets with a boutique hotel, four restaurants featuring Italian, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine, an event house, meeting rooms and a day spa with well-equipped health-club. Diamond Island Luxury Residences No 01 – Street No.104-BTT, Quarter 3, Binh Trung Tay Ward, D2 T: (84) 968 293 388 / 3742 5678 F: (84-8) 3742 3232) www.the-ascott.com Diamond Island Luxury Residences offers 68 fully-furnished apartments, ranging
from two- to four-bedroom units with private balconies providing panoramic views of the stunning surroundings in one of the most spectacular sceneries in the city. Each lavish space features plush interiors, modern amenities, elegant furnishings and carefully chosen trimmings and fixtures, creating a luxurious harmony of comfort and sensorial tranquility that will have you relaxed and recharged, and functioning at peak performance. Savills Viet Nam Level 18, Fideco Tower, 81-85 Ham Nghi, D1 Tel: 823 9205 www.savills.com.vn Savills Vietnam is a property service provider that has been established in Vietnam since 1995 offering research, advisory services, residential sales, commercial leasing, asset management, retail advisory, valuation, investment advisory and more. Sherwood Residence 127 Pasteur St., D3 Tel: 3823 2288 Hotline: 0917470058 leasing@sherwoodresidence.com www.sherwoodresidence.com Sherwood Residence is a luxury serviced apartment property and the first property certified by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Modern living spaces meet prime location, comfort and class with 5-star facilities and service.
RECRUITMENT
First Alliances #609, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2080 Fax: 3910 2079 www.firstalliances.net cv@firstalliances.net As Vietnam’s most established recruitment consultancy, First Alliances operates across all major industry sectors and at all levels of seniority. Also provid-
ing HR outsourcing solutions for staffing and payroll,overseas employment and education services. HR2B / Talent Recruitment JSC Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 / Tel: 3930 8800 www.hr2b.com HR consulting advises businesses on how to improve employee productivity. The search team specializes in matching senior level Vietnamese professionals and managers to top level opportunities in both major cities. Horton International 5F, Vitic Building 6B Nguyen Thanh Y Street, D1 Tel 3910 7682-3 www.hortoninternational.com Established in HCMC in 2005, Horton International services local and multinational companies seeking to recruit high quality personnel. Horton International is one of the world’s leading executive search groups with 50 offices in 30 countries. For more information, contact vietnam@hortoninternational.com.
RELOCATION AGENTS
AGS Four Winds 5th Floor, Lafayette De Saigon, 8A Phung Khac Khoan, D1 Tel: +84 8 3521 0071, www.agsfourwinds.com ags-vietnam@agsfourwinds.com Global leader in international removals and relocations, with 128 offices in 78 countries.They can move customers to and/or from any location worldwide.
Crown Worldwide Movers 2ndFl 236/6 Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh Tel: 3823 4127 www.crownrelo.com hochiminhcity@crownrelo.com
Not just International or local moving and storage. Crown Relocations offer a wide range of services including orientations, immigration, home search, intercultural training through to pet relocation. Call the team on the above number and check out our website for more information.
made silk dresses and tops. Has a wide range of materials on the second floor.
UTS Saigon Van Intl’ Relocations 1st Fl, 214 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 7102 MOVING!? www.saigonvan.com Full service relocating agency with ware! housing, handyman, insurance & claim, ! orientation an partner career support services also availble.
Laura V Signature 11 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 7304 4126 www.laurav.net Vintage designs aplenty with everything from jewellery and hair accessories to funky styled sunglasses, umbrellas and colourful maxi dresses.
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NEW COLUMN
ARTS & CRAFTS JOURNAL AN INTRODUCTION TO ADINA WEINAND Tucked at the end of a quiet alley in D3, plants hugging the sides of the walls of charming local houses and aunties chatting in their rocking chairs, sits a sunny little studio space filled with leather, handmade textiles, and workbenches waiting for creativity. Saigon Leather Workshop began in April of 2015, when founder Adina Weinand began renting out venues to host a leather-craft workshop. “It was something a lot of friends came to me for, after seeing my own personal work and handmade products. We’d get a few bottles of wine and meet in my living room to catch up and create something small together,” she tells me. Soon, word spread and she began renting out venues around Saigon, bringing the tools and materials to others eager to learn something new and meet new and interesting people.
Collaborations
In December of 2015, Adina collaborated with Leandro Marcelino of Hey Camel Ceramics in their new sunny studio space, offering a mix of two mediums - Leandro offering his ceramic creations in his shop, as well as classes on the weekends, while Adina teaches Saigon Leather Workshop classes in the evenings and on weekends. “I find that people that join the leather and textile classes are not only looking to learn something new; they’re interested in the community. People come as complete strangers and through creating 68 AsiaLIFE HCMC
together, exchanging ideas, and asking for each other’s’ advice, by the end of the class they’re making plans to get coffee together.” The classes mainly offer basic leather-craft workshops, project-based classes, and bookbinding. Aside from leather, the space has recently begun delving into textiles, offering such classes as macrame and Indian woodblock printing, with natural and indigo dyeing, plus shibori, also on the roster for this coming autumn.
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Santa Fe Relocation Services 8th floor, Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 Tel: 3933 0065 www.santaferelo.com vietnam@santaferelo.com With over 150 offices around world, Santa Fe offers local & international moving, pet transportation, relocation services including home search, orientation, cultural training, immigration & records management.
STATIONERY
Fahasa 40 Nguyen Hue, D1 / Tel: 3822 5796 Bookstore chain carries an expansive stock of office and home stationary; a one-stop shop for basic needs. Stationary and Printing Street Ly Thai To Street, D3 More than 25 stores providing photocopying & printing services.
listings
Leather and Textiles
Although she has a sweet tooth for leather, Adina’s first love is printmaking and textiles. She cut her teeth in the world of fine fabrics following her degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in the US. Adina blames her love of natural, raw materials on her humble roots. Growing up on a 16-acre farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a town of less than 1,000 people, her childhood was filled with days spent running barefoot through her family’s fields and exploring the endless forests. “I always looked at something I found and wondered what I could do with it, what I could make with it. Wood turned into carvings that could be printed, and plants were made into fibres that could be woven.” facebook.com/ saigonleatherworkshop
fashion ACCESSORIES
Accessorize Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorize Fashion-forward accessories including necklaces, handbags, wallets, flip-flops, sunglasses, hair accessories, belts and more. Banana 128 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Women’s accessories and more, from bags, clutches and belts to clothes and jewellery, all at reasonable prices. Coconut 100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Bags of all shapes and sizes rule the roost in this small shop. Made of silk and embroidered to the brim, these unique bags start at about USD $30, and many are suitable for both day and night. Creation 105 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 5429 A two-storey shop selling scarves, intricate handbags (from USD $30), tailor-
Ipa-Nima 71 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 3652 77 Dong Khoi, D1 Well-known Hanoi-based fashion brand. Founder Christina Yu is a former lawyer turned designer who produces eclectic and eye-catching handbags. Also stocks costume jewellery and shoes.
Louis Vuitton Opera View, 161 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 6318 Designer brand name housing traditional craftsmanship of luxury leather goods for men and women. An array of bags, wallets, cuff links and watches are available. Mai O Mai 4C Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 4007 A superb little place with beautiful jewellery and accessories to suit all budgets. Silver necklaces, bracelets, rings and more in both classic and imaginative designs, as well as gorgeous handembroidered bags. Mont Blanc Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Notable for fine writing instruments, Mont Blanc also houses cuff links and other male accessories Scorpion Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9889 www.scorpionbag.com Selling high-end leather products for both men and women, including shoes, handbags, belts and other accessories. Features a variety of leather in bright colors and styles. Umbrella 35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6276 2730 www.umbrella-fashion.com Sophisticated boutique showcasing a diverse range of imported women’s accessories. Also houses women’s garments from office wear to cocktail and party creations.
ACTIVE WEAR
TBS Sports Centre 102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan This store stocks a range of good sports clothes and equipment from big name brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco, Nike and Converse. Volcom Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand from America. Lots of tank tops, minis and shorts for day tripping with girlfriends or lazing on the beach.
READY TO WEAR unisex
L’Usine 151/1 Dong Khoi, D1 Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a period building restored to evoke the aesthetic of an early 20th-century garment factory. Carries an exclusive, frequently refreshed line of imported men’s and women’s fashion, including T-shirts and footwear, and a range of unique accessories. Entrance via the street-level Art Arcade. Runway Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9988 runway.sg@global-fashion.vn Massive and minimalist design-led inte-
rior lets ultra high-end designer garments stand out. Carries men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes, accessories along with home décor. Brands include Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Sergio Rossi and Eres. Versace 26 Dong Khoi Designer brand in men’s formal wear. Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts as well as an array of men’s accessories. Also stocks womens clothing and shoes.
men
Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Bespoke menswear shop also boasts its own brand of contemporary preppy attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a line of European-quality shoes, bags and accessories designed in-house, as well as exclusive Orobianco unisex bags, designer fragrances and eyewear. Timberland Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Sells everything the brand is known for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and trousers that are both smart and casual. Emphasises muted tones and unobtrusive logos.
women
BCBG MAXAZRIA Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 American brand sells women’s day dresses and tops, evening gowns and wear-to-work attire in many prints and colours. Also carries a small selection of accessories, sunglasses and watches. Bon Mua Boutique Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9888 www.itamoda.com.vn Luxury women’s clothing store with racks organized by designer. Carries small collection of unique pieces from designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti, Blumarine, Valentino, Philosophy and Brunello Cucinelli. Corner Boutique 23 Ly Tu Trong, 1st floor Tel: 012 36 310 099 Corner.com.vn Hidden on the first floor of a downtown apartment building, Corner Boutique boasts an elegant, eclectic collection of womenswear, accessories, handbags, shoes and small trinkets. Open daily from 9am to 9pm. ER-Couture Boutique 43 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2411 www. er-couture.com erolskov@er-couture.com Exclusive Scandinavian brand offering designer garments. Versatile fashion for women in European sizes 34-44. Each style is released in limited quantities and can be tailored to individual taste. Mango 96 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 6624 Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A favourite with fashion-conscious women, this mid-range store stocks clothes from simple tees and jeans to evening wear.
dresses, velvet corsets, chiffon shawls and a range of accessories, all designed in-house.
SHOES
Converse 186 Hai Ba Trung, D1 148 Nguyen Trai, D1 122 Ba Thang Hai, D10 Tel: 3827 5584 www.converse.com.vn Sells iconic Chuck Taylor, Jack Purcell and All-Star sneakers and Converse brand clothing and accessories. Also at department stores around HCMC. Dr. Marten’s 173 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3822 4710 Air Wair sandals and shoes here feature the classic yellow stitching and chunky rubber soles. Also stocked with clothes and accessories by Replay and Kappa tracksuit tops. Footwear Street Ho Xuan Huong Street, D3 between Cach Mang Thang Tam and Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Le Thi Hong Gam in D1 between Pho Duc Chinh and Calmette Selection ranges from leather loafers to plastic thongs and everything in between. Nine West Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Stocks an extensive range of designer footwear for women. Handpicked by a global community of independent trendsetters and stylists. Sergio Rossi 146AB Pasteur, D1 Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1 World-renowned Italian brand stocks a diverse European-style collection of upmarket shoes and bags made of quality materials, from crocodile and python skin laterals to garnishings of Swarovski crystals and colourful beads. Star Polo 97B Nguyen Trai, D1 Mix of imported shoes and locally made footwear crafted from Australian leather for men and women as well as imported ones. Sizes from 38 to 42 for men, and from 34 to 40 for women.
TAILORS
Dieu Thanh 140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851 www.dieuthanh.com Experienced tailor shop specializes in swimwear and cotton clothing, as well as business suits, evening dresses, luxury fabrics and accessories. Dzung 221 Le Thanh Ton, D1 One of the most reliable and respected men’s tailors in town with prices and production time to reflect the quality of the workmanship. Fabric Street Hai Ba Trung, D1 across the street from Tan Dinh Market. Spools upon spools of fabric manufatured locally and abroad, with more than ample variety of textures, colours and materials to choose from.
Marc Jacobs Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue , D1 Tel: 6291 3580 This spacious shop with high-ceilings carries up-market clothes, shoes and accessories from the internationally recognized designer brand.
Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Traditional Italian sartorial techniques are employed to offer a full wardrobing service and custom tailoring for men. Stocked with imported fabrics primarily from Italy.
Valenciani Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3821 2788 66-68 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 7302 4688 valenciani.sg@gmail.com www.valenciani.com Homegrown luxury boutique carries silk
Uyen 13 Nguyen Thiep, D1 An excellent option with English-speaking staff and a good selection of fabrics (although the price takes a dip if you bring your own) and some off-the-rack staples to copy. Reasonable prices.
Marketing & Communications | PR Design | Video Production | Photography Web Solutions | Publications | Editorial Contact Tel: 0903325543 Mail: jonny@asialifemagazine.com
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Nguyen Du C4, D3, D4 Nguyen Hai Tu B4 Nguyen Hue D4, D5 Nguyen Huu Canh B2 Nguyen Huu Canh C5 Nguyen Huu Cau B3 Nguyen Khac Nhu E3 Nguyen Khoai F3 Nguyen Ngoc Phuong B5 Nguyen Phi Khanh B3 Nguyen Sieu C5, D5 Nguyen Son Ha D2 Nguyen Tat Thanh E5 Nguyen Thai Binh D4, E4 Nguyen Thai Hoc D3, E3, E4 Nguyen Thi Dieu D2, D3 Nguyen Thien Thuat D1, E1, E2 Nguyen Thong C1, C2, D2 Nguyen Thuong Hien D2 Nguyen Trai D3, E2 Nguyen Trung Ngan C5 Nguyen Trung Truc D4 Nguyen Truong To E4, E5 Nguyen Van Cu E2 Nguyen Van Hai B3 Nguyen Van Lac B5 Nguyen Van Thu B4, C3, C4 Nguyen Van Troi B1 Pasteur C2, C3, C4, D4 Pham Hong Thai D2, D3 Pham Ngoc Thach C3 Pham Ngu Lao D3, D4, E3 Pham Viet Chanh B5 Pham Viet Chanh E2 Phan Dinh Phung B2 Phan Ke Binh B4 Phan Van Han B4, B5 Pho Duc Chinh D4, E4 Phung Khac Khoan C3, C4 Suong Nguyet Anh D2, D3 Tan Vinh E4 Thach Thi Thanh B3 Thai Van Lung C5 Thi Sach C5 Thu Khoa Huan D4 Ton Duc Thang C5, D4, D5, E4 Ton That Dam D4 Ton That Thiep D4 Ton That Tung D2, D3 Tran Binh Trong E1 Tran Canh Chan E2 Tran Cao Van C4 Tran Dinh Xu E2, E3 Tran Hung Dao D4, E2, E3 Tran Khac Chan B3 Tran Khanh Du B2, B3 Tran Minh Quyen D1 Tran Minh Quyen C1 Tran Nhan Ton E1 Tran Nhat Duat B3 Tran Phu E1 Tran Quang Dieu B1, B2 Tran Quang Khai B3, B2 Tran Quoc Thao C2, C3 Tran Quoc Toan B2, B3, B2 Tran Van Dang C1, C2 Truong Chinh C3 Truong Dinh C2, D3 Tu Xuong C2, C3, D2 Vinh Khanh E4, E5 Vo Thi Sau B3, C2, C3 Vo Van Tan C3, D2, D3 Vuon Chuoi D2 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh B4, B5 Yersin E4
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This month we’re focussing on food related apps. If anyone finds an app that allows you to download actual food, please let us know.
Chopp (Free) |
“G
rocery shopping in Vietnam has never been this convenient. Shop for your groceries on the go with Chopp and get them all delivered to your door in 1 hour,” says the blurb for this home shopping app developed right here in Saigon. Use it to browse a range of shops, from Metro and Co-Op Mart to Nha Trang Homemade Cheese and Naman Market. With expertly trained shoppers picking up and delivering your goods, users pay just VND40,000 for delivery plus an extra VND10,000 for every additional shop used, with a portion of Chopp’s profits going towards providing food for the poor.
Substitutions ($2.99) | Getting hold of that one final ingredient you need to make that one perfect recipe can sometimes be a chore in Vietnam as imported (and even sometimes quite basic) products come and go like the wind. Substitutions is ideal for use in the supermarket or in the kitchen, providing a simple interface to key in an ingredient and be provided with a list of alternatives. No white wine vinegar? Try cider or balsamic vinegar. Allergic to peanuts? Roasted chickpeas will work. Users can even request specific types of substitute such as low carb, vegan or gluten free. If it does what it promises, you’ll never need to make that lastminute dash to Annam again!
72 AsiaLIFE HCMC
Yummly (Free) |
“W
hat shall we eat tonight?” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. Download this intuitive and eye-catching app to browse millions of recipes from across the web by simply entering in a few keywords or ingredients. Set up your taste profile and Yummly will even leave out flavours or foods you don’t like or are allergic to. When you’ve found a recipe you like, hit the ‘yum’ button (otherwise known as a thumbs-up) to show everyone which recipes come out on top, and to add it to your own personal gallery of recipes which can be organised into collections.
Tender (Free) | Yes, it’s Tinder, but for food recipes. Tender is a humorous iOS recipes application that’s perfect for exploring and saving various recipes that catch your eye, all at the swipe of a finger! You create a Tender account by signing in with your Facebook name, and once you gain access you are presented with huge variety of dishes sourced from different recipe sites all over the internet. Swipe right to save recipes to your cookbook, swipe left to pass and go on to the next one. Users can filter recommendations by category, and the app learns to filter food recommendations by your choices. It’s all the fun of Tinder, with none of the heartbreak, or creepiness. Everybody loves swiping right when it comes to tasty morsels!
FILM fix FINDING DORY Pacific regal blue tang, Dory, captured hearts across the globe in the Box Office hit, Finding Nemo. Now dizzy Dory makes a return in the sequel to the 2003 Pixar success, with her own film, Finding Dory. Set six months after the first film, off the coast of California, amnesiac Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories. Remembering something about jewel of Morro Bay, California, accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. Her journey takes her to Monterey Marine Life Institute, where she meets Bailey, a white beluga whale, Destiny, a whale shark, and Hank, an octopus, who becomes her guide. Finding Nemo fans can expect the return of favourite characters from the first outing, including Marlin and the Tank Gang.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Turtle mania looks set to step up a gear with the release of the latest outing from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Following on from the 2014 film, the Turtles come into conflict with T.C.R.I. scientist Dr Baxter Stockman, and their old enemy, The Shredder, who has hired Stockman to create mutants of his own in the form of Bebop and Rocksteady to even the score. It is during this time that the Turtles discover a Retro-Mutagen in the hope that they can become humans. When an extra-terrestrial invasion above New York City hits, led by the Dimension X inhabitant known as Krang, the Turtles are forced out into the shadows to protect their homes. To succeed, they are joined in the fight by Master Splinter, their human friends April O’Neil, Vern Fenwick, and new friend, the vigilante Casey Jones.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE For a slice of action comedy, Central Intelligence should do the trick. The plot follows protagonist Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), a one-time bullied overweight geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent. He returns home to attend the dreaded high school reunion, and, claiming to be on a top-secret case, enlists the help of the former “big man on campus”, Calvin (Kevin Hart). Now an accountant who misses his glory days, Calvin is eager to embark on an adventure to save the world. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realises what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than he can count.
Completing a month of sequels, the follow-up to the 1996 smash hit, Independence Day, continues the story two decades after the events of the first film. The international community recovers and the United Nations creates the Earth Space Defence (ESD), a united global defence programme that serves as Earth’s early warning system and the main defence force using technology salvaged from remains of the alien forces. However, the aliens were able to send a distress signal to their other battalions before their final defeat while others went into hiding elsewhere around the world. The aliens in deep space received the signal and sent a larger and more powerful battle fleet, threatening the human race once more. This time, with a gravitational machine.
74 AsiaLIFE HCMC
L I S T
INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE
JoĂŁo Rodrigues, 33, programmer
Ngan Huynh Thi Kim, 24, supervisor
Listening to: Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters.
Listening to: RnB and soul. I love listening to Mariah Carey.
Place you would most like to visit: A trip to Japan would be great. I am interested in learning their language and watching some anime and Japanese movies to know more about their culture and costumes. I also want to drink good sake.
Place you would most like to visit: Egypt is a wonderful country with great history and culture. I would love to see the pyramids, the river Nile and learn about their ancient civilisation.
Trang Nguyen Huu Thien, 25, research and development associate
Rachel Di Domenico, 28, teacher
Listening to: Vietnamese Bolero music. Most songs are about romance and sadness.
Place you would most like to visit: Cameroon in Africa. I learnt a language spoken in Cameroon and Nigeria from a friend at university. She is a tribal princess from Cameroon and she told me many interesting things about their culture.
Place you would most like to visit: Australia. I am fascinated by the nature there. I have also always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House with my own eyes.
Listening to: Florence + The Machine.
Coming up in JUNE A sampling of Saigon's music scene
Sam Bonel, 23, business development manager Listening to: Vietnamese karaoke. Only joking. I listen to every kind of music but my favourite would be English bands like Arctic Monkeys. Place you would most like to visit: My dream is to buy a motorbike and spend six months travelling around South America. I think the continent is so diverse and I would love to learn Spanish.
4 June, 9pm
FRAN Z SCAL A @The Observatory Disco
9 - 10
June, 9pm VEGAN F RIEN D LY @Saigon Ranger Israeli Rock
10 June 9pm
GUN S N â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ROSES TRIBUTE @Hard Rock Cafe Rock
12 June 10pm
FLORIAN PICASSO @Cargo Bar EDM
AsiaLIFE HCMC 75
Bradley Green educates us all on the virtues of standing our ground, and the occasional “no”.
76 AsiaLIFE HCMC
WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE
N
ot so long ago my friend and I were sitting at the pool soaking up the sun’s rays, generally having a nice time and drinking a few beers. A security guard approached us with a sour face and an unsatisfied look in his eye, and promptly told us to stop drinking beers or get out. My friend tried to reason with him for a moment or two and realised he was getting nowhere, so he started to gather his belongings to go and finish the beer elsewhere. I didn’t move. I was content sitting there enjoying my beer and minding my own business. Besides, neither of us had been loud or obnoxious, or been bothering anyone in the slightest manner. Not only that, but the pool was part of the apartment block which we paid a pretty penny in which to reside. “Oh, the injustice”, I declared. “Sorry, sir, but I am saying no.” He didn’t like it one bit, but nor did I enjoy him being a jobs-worth. Annoying for annoying’s sake - the fun police. So there! Now that story was hardly a great act of strength, even
perhaps a bit petty, but my point is that we really don’t always have to say yes to all that we are asked of. Yes, and no. two words that have vastly different outcomes that shouldn’t be taken lightly. So you want to be a people pleaser? You’d like to be positive, but do you want to be a fool? The world is full of yes men and women, brown-nosing suckups, and spineless do-gooders. You needn’t be one of them. For too long people have said “yes” to dictators and oligarchs that needed a defiant “no!” Civilisation would be better off for it, and so would the average person on the street. Then again, there have been many courageous acts of defiance that made the world a better place, and with the growing unrest in many parts of the earth they should come as a great source of inspiration. On a winter’s day back in 1955, Rosa Parks sat on the bus minding her own business, when a Caucasian man boarded the vehicle and she was asked to move. Whilst all of the other black men and women moved, Rosa remained
seated and refused to give up her seat, for which she was promptly arrested. While it was a rather small action, the ensuing Montgomery bus boycott was a seminal event in the civil rights movement. As Rosa said, “stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” What a difference that simple yet courageous act of defiance made, a real defining moment of the era. Countless examples aside, this has always stuck in my mind for reasons I’ve already mentioned, but once again it’s a very inspiring and eye opening piece of history. The point being that we shouldn’t be expected to say yes to overtime, or to invites from our not-so-close acquaintance’s birthday parties, or to just generally doing things you don’t want to do. Of course, don’t turn into a selfish idiot overnight - saying yes can make someone’s day - but don’t feel obliged to scratch everyone’s back. We have a choice, and sometimes a simple no is all you need.
Resource Solutions H
abitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nongovernmental shelter organization currently working in over 85 countries. It seeks to eliminate inadequate housing and homelessness by making safe shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity Vietnam (HFHV) is a part of HFHI and began operations in 2001 providing low cost housing, water, and sanitation solutions to marginalized households. HFHV believes in building and strengthening community resilience and capacity through the elimination of inadequate housing and seeks to address the serious issue of poor water, sanitation and hygiene in Vietnam through innovative programs and partnerships. HFHV achieves this through the mobilization of resources such as construction materials, volunteer labor and microfinance mechanisms. Habitat Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core trainings for home partners include home maintenance and construction skills; financial literacy; community-based disaster risk management (including climate change adaptation); and basic water and sanitation hygiene. To date, HFHV has served over 13,300 families via a mixture of new houses and water and sanitation facilities; repairs/ upgrades; disaster response and mitigation construction training and assistance, assistance with obtaining secure tenure; and technical support. HFHV currently has projects in Hoa Binh, Phu Tho and Thai
Nguyen in the north; Quang Nam province in the central region; and Long An, Tien Giang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Dong Thap provinces in the south. This year HFHV is celebrating a milestone of 15 years in Vietnam! To honor the work that they have achieved, and in recognition of the need for all of the resources that still remains, they will be hosting awarenessraising activities and events throughout the year. One such effort is a new crowdfunding campaign, â&#x20AC;&#x153;15 years, 15 familiesâ&#x20AC;?, where Habitat for Humanity Vietnam is calling on generous individuals to help achieve the more than tangible target of helping 15 families achieve access to a safe and decent home. Learn more about this campaign at www.give2habitat.org/vietnam. In addition, Habitat for Humanity Vietnam is hosting a big build event in Phu Tho province, in Northern Vietnam, from October 3-7, 2016. This event will celebrate UN Habitat Day on October 3 and bring together over 300 international volunteers, government partners and media organizations to build 25-30 new homes for low income families. HFHV is looking for strong corporate sponsors and volunteers to join us in transforming lives, and building
hope and homes. Contact Habitat for Humanity Vietnam for partnership opportunities and/or to let them plan your next company retreat or team building activity to together reach the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live!
AsiaLIFE HCMC 77
- Brainbusters quiz master Mr Doods presents -
Brainbuster trivia
Sách chuyên đề quảng cáo
Responsible for Publishing:
I - HISTORY
TRẦN CHÍ ĐẠT - Director
Responsible for Contents:
1. In which modern day country was Troy located? 2. Which important figure in the Russian revolution died in 1917 after allegedly surviving a stabbing, a poisoning, and two bullet wounds before being battered by a candlestick holder, shot again and then thrown in a river? 3. Che Guevara was murdered in 1967 whilst assisting revolution in which country? 4. Which US president declared that the Vietnam war was over in 1975? 5. In which century did the Roman Empire collapse after the fall of Constantinople?
PHẠM VĂN GIÁP - Vice Director
Editors: Ngô Tấn Đạt - Bùi Thị Nga Designed by: ASIALIFE ADVERTISING LIMITED COMPANY Cover & content by: Asialife Advertising Limited Company Information and Communications Publishing House 9/90 Nguy Nhu Kon Tum - Thanh Xuan - Ha Noi Printed 2000 copies, size 20,5cm x 27cm, at ITAXA Company
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1. What was the highest-grossing foreign movie at Vietnamese box offices in 2015? 2. Taylor Swift’s song Bad Blood is said to be about a conflict between her and which other popstar? 3. After beating South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, Japan lost their next match. Who was it against?
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4. Elegantly Wasted was the last album before which lead singer’s band died?
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5. Who is the only actor who has won an Oscar for Best Actor three times?
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II - GEOGRAPHY 1. What is the name of the line that runs north to south in the Pacific Ocean and is used to differentiate between one day and the next?
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Greenland belongs to which European country? History: Turkey, Rasputin, Bolivia, Gerald Ford, 15th. Entertainment: Furious 7, Katy Perry, Scotland, INXS, Daniel Day-Lewis. Geography: International Date Line, East Timor, Zagreb, Tropic of Capricorn, Denmark.
Pub Quiz Answers
78 AsiaLIFE HCMC
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The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) is proud to launch a new state-of-the-art campus for secondary students complete with the latest education facilities including Vietnam’s first Innovation Center, a 350-seat professional theater, NBA-sized basketball court, 25m – 8 lane competitive swimming pool and outdoor sports field.
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ISBN: 978-604-80-1815-3
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