AsiaLIFE Vietnam August 2014

VINH'S VISION ISBN: 978 - 604 - 905 - 542-3

A great BIS teacher is:

50% Innovator 50% Entertainer 50% Motivator And is apparently able to defy the laws of mathematics.

Dedicated, skilled and well-qualified teachers, with relevant British curriculum experience, ensure that the education on offer is amongst the very best available anywhere in the world.

BIS teachers inspire students to make the best of their abilities – including solving impossible maths equations like the one above.

Where is your child going?

Hanoi: www.bishanoi.com Ho Chi Minh city: www.bisvietnam.com

Asialifemagazine.com

CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM

AUGUST 2014

VOLUME 77

14

FRONT

FOOD

EVENTS ............................................................. 0 6 NEWS ............................................................... 0 8

pasta box

TOP 5 WEEKEND GETAWAYS ....................... 0 9 Q &A With Anh-Minh Do ............................................... 1 2 PHOTO ESSAY Arachnolicious ...................................................... 1 4

C OV E R STO RY Vinh's vision

The life of one extraordinary blind Vietnamese student 1 8

F E AT U R E S walking & crying

Lessons from a local, gender-bending TV show ........... 2 4

Fantastic plastic

Niptuck obsessions taken to the extreme ................ 2 6

cat lady

An 80-year old woman and her beloved cats ............ 2 8

THE montessori method

Considering non-traditional education ..................... 3 0

T R AV E L now ready to board Surfing in the Philippines ........................................ 3 2 travel ready

How to travel more effectively ................................ 3 4 4 asialife HCMC

A convenient eatery to satisfy pasta cravings ............ 3 6

sh garden

Vietnamese countryside dining meets urban ambiance 3 7

la bettola

Delicious, homemade Italian fare .............................. 3 8

guanabana

Fresh, wholesome Cali-inspired smoothies ................ 3 9

STYLE & DESIGN hair with flair

Vietnam's first blow dry-only salon ......................... 4 2

fashion: rue des chats

Sophisticated Hanoian label comes to Saigon .......... 4 4

COLUMNS IMBIBE ................................................................ 5 0 LOCAL EATS ..................................................... 5 2 FITNESS ............................................................. 5 4 PERSONAL FINANCE ...................................... 5 8 HOME IMPROVEMENT .................................... 6 0 HOT PROPERTY ............................................... 6 1 PEOPLE MATTER .............................................. 6 2 FASHION RULES .............................................. 6 4 odd one out .............................................. 7 6 LETTER FROM HANOI .................................... 7 7

An American Early Childhood and Elementary International School for students 18 months to 11 years

The Right Track to University

Why Parents Choose Saigon Pearl Highly Qualified American Teachers Over 90% of our teachers have Masters Degrees in their specialist subjects.

World-Class Facilities Including a library with over 10,000 English books, state-of-the-art ICT lab, smartboards & iPads .

Rigorous American Curriculum with Outstanding Academic Results Last year our students achieved an average growth of over two grade levels.

Part of a Global School Network We are owned by the largest international schools group in the world - Cognita, which includes ISHCMC and ISHCMC American Academy.

University Preparation From Early Years to Graduation Seamless transition into the prestigious ISHCMC - American Academy which has a 100% acceptance rate for students who apply to overseas universities.

International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh St., Ward 22, Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC Tel: (84-8) 2222 7788/99 | Email: admissions@issp.edu.vn

www.issp.edu.vn

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events Ho Tram Ocean Race Ho Tram Resort, Ho Tram Village Head south to Ho Tram Beach Resort for the Ho Tram Ocean Race on 8 August.

Competitions include a 500m ocean swim and 500m beach run (both VND 750,000 for entry) and a 1km beach swim and beach run (both VND 950,000). Proceeds go to charities that help children in Vietnam learn how to swim. Ho Tram Ocean Race winners can expect to win prizes from sponsors like The Grand Ho Tram Strip, California Fitness and Boomarang. Ho Tram Ocean Race begins at 8am at Ho Tram Resort in Ho Tram Village. Hotramoceanrace.weebly.com.

8 August 8am FITNESS & LEisure

Conjuring Capital at Sàn Art Sàn Art, 3 Me Linh, Binh Thanh District This month Sàn Art presents its latest Conscious Realities exhibition Conjuring Capital, inspired by contemporary artists who challenge the notion that time invested in labor is an exchange value that can justify and determine wealth.

These voices come from the Global South, a complex yet problematic set of geographies that endure the residual effect of colonialism and neoliberalism. What connects the artists in this exhibition are their observations of the designed circulations of wealth, be they colonial, religious, capitalistic, entrepreneurial or cultural, and bringing to light the smaller Image courtesy of San Art human tales of drug mules, monks as traders, coal landslides as residential back yards, the upward mobility of life amongst seeming poverty and the psychological effects of resettlement within urban gentrification.

The exhibition will be on display from 8-30 October at Sàn Art, 3 Me Linh, Binh Thanh District.

8 - 30 October

arts & Entertainment

3A Station Bazaar 3A Station is at 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 From 16-17 August, 3A Station is throwing a bazaar to support various charities in Ho Chi Minh City, including the Saigon Children’s Charity. Shoppers can browse and peruse a number of interesting paraphernalia in a mix between an Oriental- and Westernstyle bazaar function to benefit each charity. Entertainment will be on site and a street performance is also set to take place. Visitors at the bazaar are also welcome to Mai’s Gallery which has painting and caricatures worth checking out. 3A Station is at 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1.

DANCE & performance

Note: In the print edition of the July issue of AsiaLIFE magazine’s cover story ‘To Be or Not To Be’, a location photo credit was attributed to Family Medical Practice HCMC. While the clinic was kind enough to allow us to use images of some of their equipment, the images were purely illustrative in nature.

Family Medical Practice does not perform the termination of pregnancies, and nowhere in the text of the story does it say or suggest this. AsiaLIFE apologises unreservedly for any inference that may have been drawn because of this image attribution.

The article merely sought to draw attention to the need for appropriate access to proper family planning and contraceptive health care for all women in this country.

This Month's Cover:

VINH'S VISION

Art Direction: Sarah Joanne Smith Photography: Jonny Edbrooke Model: Nguyen Thanh Vinh

For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 / +84 8 6680 6105 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com

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Director: Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialifemagazine.com

Art Director: Sarah Joanne Smith sarah@asialifemagazine.com

Style Editor: Ruben Luong ruben@asialifemagazine.com

Production Manager: Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com

Editorial Director: Brett Davis brett@asialifehcmc.com

Photo Editor: Vinh Dao vinh@asialifemagazine.com

Contributing Editor: Dana Filek-Gibson dana@asialifemagazine.com

Administrative: Nguyen Hanh Trinh trinh.nguyen@asialifehcmc.com

Don’t Feed the Monkey at Cargo Bar 4 Nguyen Tat Thanh, D4

Cargo Bar is hosting its Don’t Feed the Monkey live music and art festival on 9 August. The festival will feature original bands from Saigon and overseas, such as The Love Below, Tofu Band, 6789, James and the Van Der Beeks, Applesauce, MMMR, Saigon Kiss, Growsound, Demon Slayer and visuals by LAV Syndicate. Festival runs 5pm until late. Cargo Bar is at 4 Nguyen Tat Thanh, D4.

Hanoi Viet Pride Ride Register at Vietpride.info

Hanoi will have its third annual Viet Pride ride, a parade consisting of bicycles and motorbikes carrying rainbow flags and promoting equality, from 1-3 August. Last year saw a turnout of 250. The ride will also raise awareness of sexual diversity and gender identity and create a strong network between LGBTI groups all over Vietnam. Viet Pride is hosted by civil society organisations from northern and southern Vietnam, foreign embassies, social enterprises and the Goethe Institute in Hanoi. For full details or a calendar of events, visit Vietpride.info.

news Farmer becomes YouTube singing sensation A farmer from northern Hai Duong province has amassed a large online following from the comfort of his own home. Not long ago Le Roi, as he is known online, began uploading videos of himself to YouTube singing covers of famous songs. In both Vietnamese and English, the farmerturned-musician has covered approximately 150 songs to date and, as word of his videos has spread, Le Roi has accumulated thousands of fans across the country. What makes Le Roi especially unique is that he is, by his own admission, not a very good singer and his musical stylings are usually off-key. Still, the young farmer enjoys singing enough to be unfazed by this detail.

Samsung gets green light for $1 billion plant South Korean tech giant Samsung recently announced plans for a new US $1 billion dollar smartphone factory in northern Bac Ninh province.

Government officials have approved the project and construction is expected to begin sometime in 2015. The investment will create roughly 8,000 jobs at the new facility, adding to Samsung’s growing number of Vietnamese plants. The company already owns four other factories, two in Bac Ninh and two in Thai Nguyen, setting the country up to become Samsung’s Asian production base.

Northern provinces damaged from aftermath of typhoon Rammasun Last month’s flashfloods resulting from typhoon Rammasun killed at least three people in Lang Son, a northern mountainous province. More than 12,000 houses were flooded or destroyed causing around 3,000 families to evacuate their homes. Adding to the destruction, thousands of hectares of rice, corn and other fields have been submerged from the flooding and 600 vendors from markets are now out of business. As a result, the military in the province has been deployed to help those affected by Rammasun and to repair damaged roads or homes.

104-year-old grandmother thwarts thief

Rise in smuggling imported beer

On June 29, 104-year-old Vo Thi Bai fought off a 22-yearold assailant after he attempted to rob her during her midday nap. The Dong Nai resident awoke after young Vu Van Cam Tu sneaked into her house and threw a blanket over her face. When Tu tried to make off with the wad of money secured in Bai's waistband, the old woman grabbed the thief by his collar and began yelling for help, clinging to the young man even as he punched her in the face. Bai's 66-year-old daughter answered her call for help and Tu was apprehended by police. According to Bai, she was not afraid during the incident: “A farming life has made me healthy. And at this age, death is no longer a big deal. Therefore those robbers are nothing to me.”

Thanks to the high taxes placed on imported alcohol, Vietnam’s Beer Alcohol Beverage Association (VBA) recently expressed concern over the sharp rise in beverage smuggling that has taken place so far this year. While VBA reported confiscating just over 35,000 cans of foreign beer illegally smuggled into the country in 2013, this year’s figure already stands at more than 40,000.

According to VBA Chairman Nguyen Van Viet, the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages in Vietnam currently stands at US $54.8 per 100 litres, a steep fee if you consider similar taxes in neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, where the cost is $19.23 per 100 litres, or China, which charges a paltry $4.03 per 100 litres. Foreign beer companies, such as Heineken and Carlsberg, have also reported a 15 to 17 percent decline in sales.

Resort blames GO-KART accidents on tourists A resort in Vung Tau is blaming a string of go-kart accidents on reckless tourists after three separate collisions resulted in severe organ damage. Over the month of June, multiple tourists rented the 20-year-old go-karts from Ho May Resort, driving them around a small track cushioned with old tires. However, the speed and steering capabilities of the vehicles have caused several accidents, most recently last month, when a Dong Nai resident was rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured liver after being thrown from the go-kart, which had crashed into a barrier. The resort manager asserts that these incidents are the fault of the drivers, as resort staff are required to give instructions to the drivers beforehand.

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picks of the month

TOP 5

YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF

Dong Nai Nature & Culture Reserve Just beyond the tangle of factory complexes occupying the city limits, Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve stands in stark contrast to its industrial surroundings. Seventy kilometres from downtown Saigon, this is one of the closer – and cleaner – green spaces available to weekend travellers. Be prepared to dust off a few of your Vietnamese language skills and exercise some patience, as the centre still sees only a few foreign tourists, but those who go will be rewarded with views of Tri An Lake, its largest body of water, as well as the many aquatic birds of Ba Hao, a smaller lake within the reserve, or even the possibility of spotting one of the reserve's wild elephants. The reserve's tourism office has yet to design a specific elephant-watching tour, however several of the creatures roam its grounds, sometimes coming to the shores of Ba Hao Lake at dusk. Contact the tourism office in advance to arrange an overnight outing with one of the Dong Nai Reserve's park rangers in order to visit the elephants in their natural habitat.

Hamlet 1, Ma Da Village, Vinh Cuu Ward06 13 86 12 90 Dongnaireserve.org

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ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa Though Vung Tau has long been a destination for weekend travellers, more thanks to its proximity than on account of its beaches, the seaside town's less-famous neighbour to the east, Ho Tram, could give it a run for its money. Still a young tourist destination, Ho Tram is blessed with cleaner beaches and more secluded resorts, finally putting a worthwhile beach retreat within city dwellers' reach. That said, this area won't remain a secret for long; already, mega-resorts are beginning to crop up amid the area's sleepy coastal neighbourhoods, so you are best to get there now, before the masses do. The striking Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa offers beachfront access to its guests, not to mention two swimming pools – one saltwater, one chlorinated – a spa, a handful of bars and restaurants and access to nearby Long Hai fishing village.

victoria nui Sam Lodge When you think of the Mekong region, mountains don't really come to mind. Instead, the watery flatlands of Chau Doc conjure up quintessential Delta images of floating houses, flooded rice paddies and on-the-water markets.

But while Nui Sam doesn't exactly tower above the countryside, its 284-metre-high peak offers a different, more secluded vantage point from which to appreciate Chau Doc's waterlogged scenery. Opened late last year, the three-star Victoria Nui Sam Lodge sits on the side of a hill peppered with Buddhist pagodas and altars to Lady Xu, Nui Sam's legendary protector. In addition to a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city, this rustic retreat provides guests with a host of outdoor activities, from taking a swim in the infinity pool to hiring mountain bikes for a jaunt around Nui Sam, exploring the lodge's hiking trail, lounging in the library and spending an afternoon at the spa.

tram chim In a country where wildlife is not easy to come by, the 7,000-hectare Tram Chim National Park is a birder's paradise. Home to over 230 aquatic birds, its flooded fields are a flurry of activity in the early morning with storks and weavers wheeling through the sky. Tram Chim's most famous resident, the sarus crane, also holds the title of world's tallest flying bird. Standing as high as six feet tall, these regal and increasingly endemic birds are heavily protected both at Tram Chim and across the border in Cambodia, where they migrate during the rainy season.

As such, visitors are best to go between late December and early April when these stunning creatures are around.

Twelve-seater boats come with a driver and guide. The park runs three separate routes around the perimeter of its flooded grounds. To get the full experience, you're best to opt for either the 25-kilometre route (VND 800,000) or the 29-kilometre route (VND 900,000).

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Ho Tram Village, Phuoc Thuan Ward 06 43 78 15 25 Hotramresort.com

2

Vinh Dong 1, Nui Sam Ward 07 63 57 58 88 Victoriahotels.asia

3 TT. Tram Chim, Huyen Tam Nong 06 73 82 73 07 Tramchim.com.vn

4

Phuong Trang runs daily sleeper buses to Bao Loc from Saigon. Tickets cost VND 220,000.

For more information on bus timetables, call 08 38 309 309

bao Loc A subtle half-step between the sultry climate of Saigon and Dalat's cooler highland temperatures, Bao Loc is one of the city's most underrated weekend getaways. At the foot of the Central Highlands, this sleepy little town makes for a restful place to spend the weekend away from Saigon's hustle and bustle. European touches like Bao Loc's central lake and the requisite Eiffel-inspired radio tower nearby suggest a smaller, more laidback version of Dalat, complete with rolling hills, plenty of green space and breezy open-air cafes. Beyond the picturesque town, travellers can also stretch their legs on a walk out to Nam Phuong Lake, where it's possible to putter around in a rented paddleboat (VND 40,000/hour) or simply kick back and watch the locals fish. Finally, Bao Loc's best-known attraction is Dambri Falls (18k from town, VND 50,000 entry), said to be the highest waterfall in the province at approximately 60 metres high. While the nature alone is worth seeing, bear in mind that Dambri is surrounded by the Vietnamese brand of eco-tourism, complete with tacky statues and other man-made tchotchke.

5 15-17-19 Nguyen An Ninh Q1 - Ho Chi Minh City Booking : 09 37 200 222

Open from 11 am - Set Lunch and “A la Carte menu�

Live Music on Wednesday from 9pm Guest Dj every Friday (Old School) Dj every Saturday (Soulful House) About corporate events, fashion show, wedding, dinner for group or else Think different... Think OMG ! Fusion Restaurant&Drinks asialife HCMC HCMC 11 asialife 11

Ruben Luong speaks with local Tech in Asia editor Anh-Minh Do on meditating on mountains, the perks of blogging, how technology can solve Vietnam’s problems and why Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is his personal hero. Photo by Vinh Dao.

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I love technology and I love sci-fi.

Technology is hope, you know? If I die tomorrow, I can’t see what we’re going to pioneer next.

What have you noticed the most about Vietnam’s tech scene?

I’ve been in the startup ecosystem, tech ecosystem, for maybe five years. In 2006, when I first came to Vietnam, it was three million people online and now it’s 37, maybe 40 million people online. It’s a dramatic change and it’s amplified things.

What were you doing before?

I lived for about a year-andhalf in a meditation center in the mountains near Fresno and Northern California. I liked the extra questions it gave me rather than actual answers.

How did you decide to be a tech blogger?

I’ve been blogging since like Geocities. I got into it here because Malaysia had this bloggers’ conference funded by one of their Ministry of Communications or something, so they Google-searched something like ‘Vietnam blog’ and I came up as one of the top blogs here. At the time I was just blogging personally.

So they invited me to come to Malaysia as a speaker. I got a free ticket, five-star hotel and I shook the hand of the former and current prime minister of Malaysia. And I got a new Samsung Galaxy Tab. Ever since then I was in the blogger Southeast Asia circuit. I just got lucky.

It was ironic because I’m Vietnamese-American. I’m not even Vietnamese and I was representing Vietnam in the blogosphere.

Are there other advantages to being a tech blogger?

I kind of know everybody now.

I am one degree of separation from every founder in the ecosystem and most of the top people. When I first arrived at Tech in Asia I spent three or four months meeting hundreds of people, about 15 people a week, just sitting down with them for coffee, learning about their story.

Is there anything special you’ve learned from meeting so many people?

When you talk more, people reveal more. I just met the author of The Spy Who Loved Us and he talks about Pham Xuan An the spy and how An would just talk and that’s how he got information. I heard that and I thought that was true.

Sometimes when I ask questions of people they wouldn’t tell me anything but then when I started to reveal information about what I knew they started to tell me stuff.

How else do you stay connected?

I’m working on BarCamp, DesignCamp and agriculture hackathon, which is I guess the biggest project. I lived in An Giang for about three-and-a-half years before I moved to the city so I have a deep connection to agriculture. We’re working hard on how to innovate agriculture in Vietnam.

Hackathon is usually a 24- to 72-hour period in which people can create a new product in a short amount of time. They bring teams together that day.

Whoever has the best project out of that event will get $1,000 or even $1 million for sales force hackathons.

The whole point of agriculture hackathon is to create new innovations that address real

problems in agriculture using technology. For example, farmers don’t know what to plant, so how can technology solve that? Retailers don’t know what farmers have planted, so how do you solve that? Farmers don’t know what the pricing is, so how do you solve that?

In the US, it seems like Silicon Valley is where everyone wants to be right now. Can you compare Vietnam’s tech scene to the Valley?

It’s very relationship-based here. The Valley is also very relationship-based but here relationships will make or break you. Sometimes the Valley, if your product is good, you can still survive. Your users will love you.

In Vietnam, VNG [formerly VinaGame] and all these first generation companies have given birth to a lot of managers who have gone to become CEOs of their own companies. There’s a strong ecosystem, nothing compared to the Valley. The Valley is deeply incestuous, whereas not that much in Vietnam.

Many local start-ups are popping up. What do you believe is their main challenge?

Culturally, across Asia but especially in Vietnam, there’s the issue of losing face. So that produces a lot of companies that are ‘walking zombie’ companies. They don’t scale.

They don’t grow big, but they don’t die. That is a way to save face. Most founders will not admit to this. They’ll never go big partly because they never dream big and that is a symptom across Asia and Vietnam as well. There aren’t many that are like I want to be

the next Uber or something like that. That is generally what I see in the market.

What developments do you expect to see in the next year?

I anticipate that next year we will start to see more startups targeting specific industries that are not consumer necessarily.

Gaming is very hard and time intensive. Ecommerce is money intensive and the margins are very low. In both of them there’s not that much innovation in Vietnam. I think that maybe startups will fail in that and they’ll look into other industries ideally. There was a construction startup that got funding recently. There’s also Ticketbox, which is an events startup. These are different industries that need help. I think it makes sense startups are entering these industries because they have real problems technology can solve.

You’ll definitely have lots to blog about.

I love technology and I love sci-fi. Technology is hope, you know? If I die tomorrow, I can’t see what we’re going to pioneer next. I’m from the Valley so I bought into the Valley dream a little bit so I look at Elon Musk and Steve Jobs like heroes. They changed the world. But actually I don’t like the whole changingthe-world thing. It’s a whole hokey, hipster thing the Valley has going on, but it’s something I’ve been contemplating a lot recently, especially when you look at climate change and things like that. To me Elon Musk is the new hero of the Valley and doing everything good for the planet. Ideally that’s how startups everywhere will end up.

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PHOTO ESSAY:

ARACHNOLICIOUS Photos: Vinh Dao More of Vinh's photographs can be found at blind-eye-productions.com

Visitors in the Kingdom of Wonder will find themselves faced with a snack of the eight-legged variety. Just 55 kilometres northwest of Cambodia's capitol Phnom Penh, Skuon is traditionally known as the best place for succulent a-ping.

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left: The spider hunter will use two sticks to simulate prey caught in the web bottom right: A stick is used to push the spider out of its hole

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above: The spider is defanged by hand. When asked if she had ever been bitten. She laughed and said lots of times, she just gets dizzy for a bit and moves on right: Fried spiders for sale in Phnom Penh asialife HCMC 17

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V I N H ' S

V I S I O N

After losing his sight in a tragic accident as a young child, one young man has shrugged off stereotypes and expectations to carve out a life of achievement. His is a story that inspires all, and gives those living with disabilities cause to believe anything is possible. By Brett Davis and Jade Bilowol. Photos by Vinh Dao.

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Toughest of beginnings

S

itting in a restaurant at RMIT University overlooking its modern campus buildings and landscaped grounds, Vietnamese student Nguyen Thanh Vinh chats animatedly in his almost flawless English about recently becoming an uncle and his imminent entry into a communications degree. He is like any 20-yearold with the world seemingly at his feet, full of confidence and eager for what is next to come.

“I don’t like to sit still,” he says. Because, while Vinh looks much like his fellow university students, clad in blue jeans and a smart button-down shirt, he has forged a path to this point that few, if any, of his contemporaries could ever imagine.

Losing his vision at a young age, and growing up in a country where those with disabilities are often shunned by even their own families, Vinh has defied any preconceived notions with his determination, intelligence and will to make something of himself.

Having lived away from his family since he was six years old, he says there have been many times he’s felt scared and lonely, but he’s always believed he would make it through. In these tough times, he says he just repeats to himself what he calls his slogan: “I keep saying to myself ‘everything is ok, nothing is impossible’.”

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Rewind roughly 18 years ago when Vinh, born with full vision, was only 19 months old and living in Long An province, south of Ho Chi Minh City and the gateway to the Mekong Delta. “I was standing on the edge of the bed drinking a glass of milk and by accident I fell down,” Vinh says. “The glass broke and fragments went into both of my eyes.” His father rushed him to the hospital and the doctors removed the glass but Vinh’s eyesight had been snatched away from him.

Can he remember the incident? “I can’t,” he replies. “My family told me.” He says he has been able to see some different colours during some stretches of his childhood. Yet now he can only make out light and dark and large shadows and shapes, like clouds passing over the sun.

While he undoubtedly has a rare selfbelief, Vinh also benefited from a fortunate environment that did not look at his disability as something that should prevent him from living a normal life. Vinh credits his parents and friends for “always being very fair with me” and helping to fuel his confidence and positive outlook on life.

“They always treated me just like I was the same person as them,” Vinh says. “When I was young I was confident and believed I could do whatever possible.”

“Vinh grew up the same as everyone else,” says Nguyen Tan Hung, Vinh’s father.

“His mother and I separated, and I raised him normally but I worried a lot.”

Unlike his supportive parents, some of Vinh’s friends have not been so fortunate.

“Some families treat their children very badly if they have a disability,” Vinh says. “I have a very beautiful friend, but his parents don’t think that he’s useful. They treat him like he’s useless.”

Vinh says his friend’s parents are so ashamed of their son that when they have a visitor they “force him to stay away from the living room, locking him up upstairs or taking him to another person’s house.

How can they do that?” Vinh asks rhetorically. “His parents are people who have knowledge, I don’t know why they act like that. I desperately want to change people’s minds.”

Yet Vinh says the onus isn’t only on society to overcome its prejudice towards the disabled. “We too have the ability and we need to change people’s minds,” Vinh says.

“An employer may think that you can’t do this or can’t do that but we can show them that we can.”

Vinh, when he was a student at the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind.

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Out in the world When he was six years old, Vinh left home and started living at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind in Ho Chi Minh City, returning home fortnightly for the weekend.

His father says it was an extremely difficult decision, but one he thought was best for his son. “Though I love my son I sent him away to school,” Hung says. “He was very sad and cried a lot, but there were other students his age there, children who were also blind, so it was good for him.”

Vinh was required to wash his own clothes and take care of himself, instilling a sense of independence. When he was seven, Loreto Vietnam Australia Program (LVAP) founder Trish Franklin volunteered to help the school’s children learn English. “The first time I met him I thought he was such a cute little boy; he was so sweet and had this confidence about him, this spirit,” Franklin says. “It looked to me like he was sure he would be successful in life. He has continued to work really hard and now his English is amazing.”

Franklin recalls Vinh as a young boy running around everywhere even though he couldn’t see. “Around the playground, to the toilet, over to have a drink. Sometimes he’d crash into something but it never frightened him. He was always having fun - such a mischievous little boy.”

Vinh says Franklin, whose organisation has helped more than 28,000 disadvantaged Vietnamese children since its inception 16 years ago, is responsible for his love of English. “I have to say thanks to her and Loreto because I had the base to develop my English - she is fantastic.”

Along with English, Vinh also loved studying maths, chemistry and biology. During his time at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind, he also had access to technology such as a screen reader - which converts text into audio - to help him with his studies.

Breaking through

I keep saying to myself ‘everything is ok, nothing is impossible’.

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After graduating from the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind, Vinh studied for two years at Tan Tao University in Long An. This in itself was not a simple feat. “At first they were very worried about admitting a blind person,” says Vinh. “They were worried about if they could due to resources.”

Then, through volunteers working with LVAP, he discovered the possibility of applying for a scholarship at RMIT University in

He doesn't rely on people here, he's very independent and likes to be able to do as much as possible by himself.

Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7. He submitted an application and eventually appeared before an interview panel of university officials.

One of those on the panel was RMIT University Disability Advisor Carol Whitney. “It was very clear to us that Vinh was extremely likely to succeed, which is what we were looking for,” she says.”His motivation, will to succeed and personal qualities shone through.”

Vinh says before he set foot on the Saigon South campus, he surfed the internet to determine what the broader community thought of the university and its students.

“I read some things that didn’t leave a good impression and I felt worried,” he admits.

“But when I came here people were very kind and very friendly.”

His fellow dorm resident Trinh Anh Tuan says he took an instant liking to Vinh. After noticing Vinh was staying in a nearby room, Tuan called out to him, asking if he wanted some pizza. “He was a little shy at first but soon he was really confident and easy to talk with,” Tuan says. The fact that Vinh is studying at RMIT University is nothing short of phenomenal, Tuan says. “He gets high distinction and speaks English perfectly, even better than me. Everyone on the campus is really impressed by him.”

In addition to navigating the social aspects of his new environment, he also had to come to grips with its physical surroundings. Whitney was on hand to help guide him through the task of becoming familiar with the campus and going about the necessities of managing daily life.

“I spent two days with Vinh to help him map out his environment including walking to class and back, fire alarms, fire exits, shopping for food and for kitchen equipment,” she says.

“It was a challenge mainly because of the time factor. I wanted to get him in as quickly as possible so that he could start his English program. Vinh is extremely flexible and adaptable, and also very trusting that everything will turn out ok. He doesn't

rely on people here. He's very independent and likes to be able to do as much as possible by himself.”

After recently completing the final level of RMIT’s English program, Vinh is now embarking on undergraduate studies in professional communication. “The program focuses on public relations and advertising, and I intend to focus on PR. I love building relationships and I think I’m good at communication,” Vinh says with a laugh. “Professional communication is the best choice for me.”

Anything is possible

On another day, we are sitting at a picnic table at the eastern edge of the RMIT campus, overlooking the lush lawn and banks of blooming flowerbeds. Beyond that a stream meanders by and it is, by any account, a beautiful day. Yet it is a scene Vinh can’t enjoy, as the glimpses of scar tissue on his corneas remind you.

However, after spending a couple of days with Vinh and experiencing the special brand of optimism with which he approaches life, it is impossible to not ask his secret for overcoming all the challenges he has faced. Although, the immediate answer is not what you would expect.

When life throws another obstacle in his path, Vinh says, one of the first things he tries to do is sleep. “The more I think [of the problem] the more scared I feel. But after I have a good sleep I feel calm and can think more carefully about how I can find solutions.”

The modest desire for some solid sleep time aside, there is also a fair amount of grit involved. “When I decide to do something, I strongly believe it will be successful,” he says. “I tell myself ‘I will be successful, I will be successful, I will be successful’.”

There is a genuine warmth about him and an appreciation for all he has received, particularly so far as his education is concerned.

“When I first came [to RMIT University] I felt scared as I knew no one,” he says. “I reviewed all the things I’ve done, how I’ve made it in life. I’ve overcome all of the difficulties. I got the scholarship and recognise the value it brings to me and I have the power to go on.”

asialife HCMC 23

Walking & Crying Southern Vietnamese drama Vua Di Vua Khoc pushes boundaries on national television, highlighting the country’s burgeoning and progressive entertainment industry. By Ruben Luong. Photo courtesy of VTV. In the very first episode of Vua Di Vua Khoc (Walking and Crying), young Dong Duong’s paternal grandmother generously buys fitness books for her grandson, who’s hammering a makeshift fence outside their hut.

“Yesterday I visited so many old bookstores to buy these books,” Duong’s grandmother says. “You…you bought these books because of me? Why is that?” asks Duong.

Her grandmother replies: “Do you know that I only have your dad as a son? But unfortunately your parents passed away early and left behind five granddaughters. You’re my only grandson. Fortunately you’re a boy. Or else I can’t close my eyes when I die. Because I would feel guilty towards the ancestors. Your five older sisters are girls, so when they get married so they can take care of their husbands. You’re the only one to make us proud. But why are there so many times you look a lot like a girl? Your limbs and your body is so small and weak. Just like a girl. And many times, you also act feminine. So gross! I already bought these fitness training books. Take a close look and read carefully, and I will sign you up for a fitness training program. Let’s do that. Ok?” Duong (Minh Hang) doesn’t like weightlifting and is actually the youngest of six daughters, but her grandmother doesn’t know it. Since Duong was little, her parents dressed her as a boy since her grandmother yearned for a grandson.

With gender and sexuality as clear motifs, VDVK follows Duong through 36 episodes of unexpected relationship twists.

The heartfelt and comical episodes explore traditionally taboo themes that previously have not been aired on Vietnamese national television. Subsequently, it attracted a loyal following from when it premiered on VTV3 in March to its finale in June.

The show, filmed over four months in Ho Chi Minh City, revolves around characters who are mostly the working poor in slums along the canal bank. Vietnamese director Vu Ngoc Dang, who also directed the film Hot Boy Noi Loan about male Vietnamese prostitutes, is known for his humanistic portrayals of deep and harrowed characters and minority groups.

"I did not think of VDVK as a gay drama, but simply thought that I'm doing a film about love,” Dang told Kenh14.vn. “Because to me, love, whether gay or heterosexual, deserves to be appreciated. But I think bringing gay themes to the movie is good and should be promoted. I wish Vietnam 24 asialife HCMC

had more works depicting life and love in this manner so that everyone has a better perspective regarding homosexuality.”

There are two situational gay plotlines that are constantly in flux, beginning when Duong’s grandmother pushes her to marry the lovely girl-next-door, Theu (Nha Phuong), who is attracted to Duong because she is unusually cute and well-mannered for a boy. However, Duong eventually harbours a secret crush for Hai Minh (Luong Manh Hai), an attractive and affluent man whose mother abandoned him and his father due to difficult circumstances. Hai Minh inadvertently develops feelings for Duong, unaware of her true gender.

The final episode leaked before the day of the official broadcast and quickly captured 20,000 views online. In a highly anticipated and poignant scene, many re-posted in online forums a powerful quote that resonated with viewers: "In every human being is a heart. If the heart knows love, it deserves to be stirred and cherished. Do not care about the gender of the heart. Everyone has the right to live life as they want, as long they do not hurt other people's rights."

That particular scene was a catalyst for young Vietnamese viewers who began actively discussing cultural attitudes on gender and added closure to the many ups and downs of the series. “The story, the situation in VDVK is constantly changing. You should see a set, there are a lot of emotions, laughs and cries,” production manager Le Hanh said at a VTV press conference in June.

The strong reaction has also been prompted by Dang’s progressive filmmaking style, which is characterised by vivid, eye-catching frames and locations. “The riverside buildings and trade along the river banks is characteristic of Saigon. When doing this movie, I exploit and retain the history and context of each scene because I believe that a few years from now it will be lost and will be cleared,” he said at the press conference.

"Each scene is either humorous, relatable or sincere to watch and evokes strong sympathy and compassion."

“I always want each of my films to make people feel more confident in life and love people,” Dang said. “I will continue to tell fairy tales, because I believe that there are fairy tales in life that are necessary.”

VDVK can be watched with English subtitles online at Viki.com.

asialife asialife HCMC HCMC 25 25

Fantastic Plastic Over the years, Ho Chi Minh City has seen a rise in both glamorous and dangerous niptuck obsessions.

By Ruben Luong. Photo by Vinh Dao.

26 asialife HCMC

I wanted to become more beautiful, even more so when I was bigger,” V Tokyo told Kenh14.vn. "I was determined to change myself. During that period, nearly all of my money was to feed the dream of a better day.”

With such increased accessibility, cosmetic surgery seems as easy as photoediting applications on smart phones which perpetuate the desire of removing imperfections and refining contours. In

"Waiting for more than six months healing "

B

efore: a low nose, square jaw and a chubby body. After: a delicate high nose, V-line jaw, heart-shaped lips and elongated legs.

Deemed a girl-turned-swan, Ngoc Van (aka, V Tokyo) gained online notoriety in June for publicising before-and-after selfies of her pristine rhinoplasty, cheek tuning, jaw trim, padded chin, lip pumps, breast pump and full body liposuction.

V Tokyo, who is 26 and working at a local fashion shop, spent more than VND 800 million from her savings to complete all her cosmetic procedures. As fate would have it, her sister also followed suit with a jaw trim, chin implant, rhinoplasty and eyelid press.

It all shouldn’t come as a shock, considering Ho Chi Minh City is now a mecca for cosmetic surgery in Vietnam. There are an average of 100,000 cases each year at 53 licensed clinics (45 are specialised and eight general hospitals), according to information released by the Ho Chi Minh City Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery late last year.

But surgeon and vice head of the HCMC Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Cao Ngoc Bich told Tuoi Tre last year that only 20 percent of customers are knowledgeable and know what they truly need to improve.

The remaining misunderstand cosmetic surgery as a ‘magic wand’ that morphs them into their idols or imagines typically Anglo facial features or babydoll characteristics reminiscent of some Koreans or Japanese.

Local Vietnamese make up 75 to 80 percent of customers with women as the general majority. There was a time when traditional creams or white powder makeup might have been enough to satiate their vanity, but there’s a growing middle class of wealthy youth and locals who aren’t afraid to invest maybe US $300 for a nose job, $500 for an eyelid lift or $2,000 for breast enhancements in local clinics, especially since prices here are significantly lower than overseas.

“From the age of 16 I was conscious that

yourself is like rising from the dead.

-V Tokyo the age of selfies in youth pop culture, a hyper self-consciousness pervades the local mindset.

It’s why favoured services for women here tend to include face and neck smoothing and nose, eyelid and dimpled cheek surgery, and breast lifting or enhancing, according to the HCMC Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery’s findings.

“Waiting for more than six months healing yourself is like rising from the dead,” says V Tokyo. “The most pain is the jaw adjustment process. To adjust the jaw, my jaw was shaved. The first step is easy to adjust to. But I wanted to create a second set of teeth to match my face. At that time I didn’t eat anything to avoid sharp pain. I just sucked porridge to hold out for the last day.”

Nowadays it is especially the Vietnamese models and celebrities who consider the V-line jaw an important beauty trend and standard. Vietnamese singer Thuy Tien was relatively unknown until she returned

to showbiz with a noticeably pointed chin, slender jaw and tall nose. Vietnamese model Ngoc Quyen is also known for her chin, which gradually changed from chubby to V-line.

The dramatic rise and demand of these cosmetic surgeries, influenced by Western ideals and the local entertainment industry, caused many private and illegal clinics to propagate around town, hoping to reap lucrative payoffs on surgeries. Some illegal clinics are run by doctors at state-run hospitals who open their own unlicensed clinics.

Last year, the Ho Chi Minh City Health Department conducted an inspection of 80 private plastic surgery clinics and found 15 throughout Districts 1, 3, 5 and 10 with practice violations.

“Before beginning any surgery, I consulted very closely and went to find out for myself if the cosmestic surgery might affect my health,” V Tokyo says. “But because the desire to change myself was also too big, I still took the plunge. I risked it to become more beautiful.”

Others, however, have been met with horrific results. In April last year, the local appeals court fined the director of Viet My private plastic surgery institute who damaged a Vietnamese American’s breasts.

After several failures, she was left with flat breasts and only one nipple.

In Hanoi, a 39-year-old woman passed away earlier this year on the operating table at an unlicensed cosmetic surgery centre while undergoing breast enhancement, prompting the surgeon to dump her body in a river.

Ultimately, botched surgeries or the health hazards of illegal clinics are not always enough to deter those in the pursuit of Barbie perfection.

“Before nobody supported me. But after a long time I became more beautiful and my family was more open and accepting,” said V Tokyo. “Generally my personality is a little stubborn, you have to love yourself and feel free. There is nothing to be afraid of.”

asialife HCMC 27

For nearly 40 years, Le Thi Quy has given herself to the care and rescue of Saigon's forgotten felines.

By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photo by Vinh Dao.

M

oving gingerly around a plastic chair, 80-year-old Le Thi Quy points to the black-and-white feline staring back at us from atop a shelving unit, her rail-thin frame covered by a matching pajama set.

“Take a picture,” she says. Click-click.

Beep.

As soon as the photo is complete, her finger moves across the room. A tabby, yawning, sprawled across the television set, stretches its front legs. “Take a picture,” she repeats. Again, the photographer obliges. Then another: the orange cat just settling onto a plastic chair. Over the next 10 minutes, Quy uncovers three or four more felines before disappearing upstairs, beckoning the photographer to follow.

The cats are hard to see at first. You wouldn't even suspect they were present if it weren't for the smell. Instead, your eyes are drawn by the plastic bags, pink and blue and yellow, tumbling out of the shelving unit in the middle of the room, or the eclectic collection of plastic bottles huddled outside the front door. There's a dingy electric fan in the corner where two clocks hang, one above the other, and a battered television set. Perhaps you'd notice these, but not the cats.

Until, of course, a flash of orange darts past in your peripheral vision or something topples down from one of the many surfaces buried beneath newspapers and bags of cat food, pots, pans and weathered clothes. One comes into view, napping on a rice sack, then two, three, four. Pretty soon, they're everywhere: sleeping in cupboards and containers, batting at stray bits of string, observing the flutter of the clothesline. And at the centre of it all, Ms. Quy sits down, leaning into her plastic chair, an orange tabby on her lap, and says, “Go ahead. Ask.” Saigon's own cat lady has been rescuing felines since 1975. Head down to Dakao Market, where Quy sells fish sauce, fermented tofu and other odds and ends, or wander around her alley neighbourhood in Binh Thanh District and most everyone seems to know about Ba Quy, the woman who raises cats. Though news outlets have only picked up her story in the last couple months, with articles featured on Thanh Nien News, TuoiTre and Zing.vn, Quy has spent roughly half her life caring for her pets.

It all began as a cure for loneliness. Nearly 40 years ago, shortly before north Vietnamese tanks parked on the lawn of the Reunification Palace, Quy's only daughter left for the United States. Alone and with no one to care for, she began adopting the stray cats

28 asialife HCMC

she found on the street. Quy had a husband once, a man she married at 17, with whom she migrated from Hanoi after independence, but they separated shortly after her daughter arrived. The house to herself, she chose to fill it with feline companions.

When questions come up about her past life, however, Quy waves a hand as if to shoo them away; she'd rather talk about the cats. The longer she was alone, the more the cats became a part of her house. A few grew into five, then 10, then more. Today, Quy can't remember exactly how many cats live in her narrow house, but the total is somewhere between 30 and 50. Most are strays that Quy finds and brings home, though some have been dropped off at her house, which now bears a small wooden plaque emblazoned with the words 'Cat House' in English.

The tabby in her lap fidgets, stands up and hops across onto mine. Quy cracks a wide smile, retrieving the animal and bringing it back to her lap. She prefers cats to people. “My closest friends are my cats,” she tells me. “They come first, family comes second.”

For Quy, the day begins at 5am, when she leaves her tiny house in Binh Thanh District, rolling a portable cart down the road toward Dakao Market. She works here in the mornings but by midday she packs up her things and wanders the stalls, asking fellow vendors for shrimp heads and other items with which to feed the cats. It's a strict regimen: two meals of cat food a day, one meal with rice and fish. By Quy's calculations, she spends VND 103,000 on the animals per day and goes through about 90 bags of cat food in a month. She hardly makes enough at the market to cover these costs but, in her later years, hunched over and slow-moving, she's as passionate as ever about the cats.

“I love them all,” she says. “Of course it's difficult, but because I love the cats anything is okay. Difficult is okay, exhausting is okay, I'm not sad.”

And so she seems: not especially downtrodden but still struggling to keep pace with the demands of her ever-growing brood. Upstairs, away from the well-stocked cupboards, a gated room holds most of her pets. They're hard to count – some because they move so quickly, others because their size makes them easy to miss amid the boxes and newspapers – but 20 is a conservative estimate. They step over one another, meowing loudly, trying to escape whenever the door is opened. Here, Quy sits at mealtimes, picking up the smallest kittens in one

hand and feeding them with a baby bottle.

At some point, two university students show up. They shuffle into the house, greeting Quy before they head upstairs to the newspaper-strewn room in which she and several of her cats sleep. On the threshold of the room, one of the girls shakes her head and gives a sigh. “There are so many,” she mutters. Stepping gingerly over kittens and litterboxes, the pair wade into the room and begin picking up those animals that need medicine. Neither one seems particularly invested in the project.

Later, in the market, Quy tells me that most people who visit do so for fun. “They don't help, they just play with the cats,” she

She prefers cats to people. “My closest friends are my cats,” she tells me. “They come first, family comes second.”

insists. “I still have to cook and feed them and give them medicine.” Sometimes, they overstay their welcome. A 16-year-old girl once came to her house to see the cats, Quy recalls, and stayed for three hours. By the time she left, the sun was nearly setting and Quy hadn't even started to cook their dinner. Though she doesn't mind the company, people sometimes forget that this is Quy's home.

While her love for the cats is clear, the future remains uncertain for Quy and her pets.

It's possible she would let someone adopt a feline, but unlikely. Because so many of the cats she takes in are abandoned, Quy is hesitant to entrust a pet to anyone she does not

know, fearing they'll just throw them out again. As the years go by, however, Quy has begun to consider the inevitable. According to an interview with Tuoi Tre, she plans to enlist the help of a local animal shelter to care for her pets when she is no longer able.

For the moment, anyway, she continues the same routine, shuffling over the bridge to District 1, collecting shrimp heads and going home to her cats. As we chat in the market – me perched on a low stool, her on her sandals – another flash of orange brushes past, stopping at her feet. The cat stares up at me apprehensively, but Quy just smiles, gesturing toward the animal.

“Take a picture.” asialife HCMC 29

The Montessori Method Saigon's growing Montessori International School of Vietnam is taking a different approach to educating both local and expat students. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photo by Vinh Dao.

30 asialife HCMC

E

ven though it's been years since she took a test, Ann Beloeuvre still has nightmares about failing her exams.

Now a teacher herself, the founder of Saigon's Montessori International School of Vietnam recalls the immense pressure she and her peers received from both teachers and parents.

“Throughout my schooling, from the very beginning to university, I was an excellent student,” she recalls. “But it was always so hard.” Naturally studious, Beloeuvre received encouragement and respect from her teachers, however she also felt the stress of parental expectations and student rivalry weighing down on her. “Growing up with pressure from exams all my life, I just realised there should be some other way to educate kids.”

Between teachers who are overworked and underpaid, classes packed wall-to-wall with students and the strict rote learning methods used in public schools, it's no secret that Vietnam's education system could use a makeover. But while traditional Western-style international schools and early education centres have afforded both expat and local parents alike an alternative to public schools, Beloeuvre's Montessori centre is turning both students and parents onto the benefits of non-traditional education.

Conceived by turn-of-the-century Italian physician and educator Dr Maria Montessori, the Montessori method takes a different approach to early childhood education, focusing on the interests of the child rather than a teacher-centric curriculum.

First introduced in Rome in 1907, Montessori's educational philosophies have since spawned a global network of schools in which teachers “follow the child,” allowing each individual student to learn at his or her own pace.

“As long as they're focusing on what they're doing, we follow their interests,” explains Quynh Nguyen, one of Montessori Vietnam's teachers-in-training. Though she's only been with the school for a few months, Quynh, who worked for years in Western-style preschools and language centres, has come around to the Montessori method, though she was apprehensive at first.

“My first impression when I walked in the classroom was 'Oh my gosh, I don't want to be in here,'” she recalls. “It just looks wooden.” The materials in a Montessori classroom are not what you'd expect,

particularly coming from what Quynh calls a play-based school, or more traditional Western-style centre. Each object has a very specific purpose, from the coloured beads used for math to the sandpaper letters mounted on wooden tiles, which children use to learn the alphabet.

Though some parents regard non-traditional methods like these with skepticism, ample evidence of Dr Montessori's influence remain today. For instance, the childsized furniture you might find in a typical Western preschool was first introduced by Montessori herself. Though many schools are based in North America and Europe, their popularity continues to grow around the world, not only in Asia but also Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, too.

Beloeuvre's Montessori centre in Vietnam opened in 2007 and is the only one in Saigon affiliated with the American Montessori Society, one of Montessori's two accreditation bodies.

For Beloeuvre, opening a school in Vietnam had long been a dream of hers.

After university, she worked in a series of education jobs, first as an English teacher at a local high school and then as an instructor at a language centre, however neither seemed to suit her.

“Because of the disagreement with the way education, especially education content and education approach, were applied in Vietnam, I could never teach long in public schools,” Beloeuvre says. Eventually, she left the teaching world for advertising, met her husband and had a daughter. Though she still wished to stay in teaching, her frustrations with the country's education system made her feel as though she was fighting an uphill battle.

And then one day, while living in Beijing, a friend mentioned that a Montessori campus would be built in their neighbourhood. With her daughter nearing school age, Beloeuvre decided to learn more. After researching on her own, Beloeuvre saw a Montessori classroom for the first time – clean, neat, a little unorthodox but intriguing – and her first thought was, “This is what I'm going to do.”

Over the coming years, she volunteered at the school, where Beloeuvre managed to enroll her daughter, and eventually completed her own Montessori qualifications.

Upon returning to Vietnam, Beloeuvre finally earned their approval in 2007 and the Montessori International School of Vietnam opened its doors to a small number of stu-

dents, most of whom had parents already familiar with the Montessori method. The following year, word-of-mouth spread and more children enrolled, and so the process has continued over the years.

“Now, half [of the parents] know [about Montessori] before they come, half don't,” explains Beloeuvre. Her students are primarily expat kids, though a few Vietnamese parents have expressed interest. Generally speaking, Beloeuvre says, local parents who come to the school tend to be more informed on the principles of Montessori than some of the curious foreign parents, as they have spent time researching online and reading up on the method. Still, however, the Vietnamese parents are often skeptical.

Despite this fact, Quynh believes that Montessori education has the potential to make both local parents and students happy. “[Montessori] would fit really well into Vietnamese parents' expectations,” she says.

For instance, Vietnamese children are often placed in extra study courses, sometimes even before Grade 1, as parents fear that their child will fall behind his or her peers in class. However Montessori students are often known for their exceptional math and writing skills and, in fact, tend to be more advanced than many of their classmates.

Due to the size of Beloeuvre's school, classes remain geared toward younger learners, ranging from six months to six years old, however next year is set to be an important one as the school opens its first year of Lower Elementary courses for students aged six to nine. Typically, Montessori's six-year-old students must leave the centre at the end of the school year and transition to another school, generally an international facility, which is much bigger, louder and different from what they are used to. Though the new level wasn't originally part of the plan, Beloeuvre chose to incorporate it at the request of several parents whose kids were about to head off to international school.

Beloeuvre acknowledges that this can be a difficult time for a student as he or she slips from the quiet classrooms of Montessori to much louder and more social groups in school, however she is pleased to see her older students staying on and hopes to expand the program even further as the years progress.

“Most parents have this 'face the world' attitude,” she says. “But [the children] have to feel secure. They have to feel happy as long as possible. Why take that away?”

asialife HCMC 31

As long as there is light two things are constant on the Philippine island Baler: scenery and surfing.

Story and photos by Esther de la Cruz.

E

very year with the arrival of the Amihan tradewinds, experienced wave riders descend on Sabang Beach, on the island of Baler in the Philippines. On good days, native bancas ferry surfers to catch nine-foot swells off Cemento Reef, Dicalasarin Point and Dalugan Bay. During the monsoon season, smaller waves breaking on the sandy cushion of Sabang Beach allow beginners a shot at the fun. Local surfing coaches, all deep tans and toned torsos, urge newcomers on with shouts of, "Up! Up! Up!" at crucial moments.

It's hardly the idyllic beach

32 asialife HCMC

scene the Philippines is known for, yet give it time, and Baler's mystical beauty rarely fails to leave an impression.

The story goes that the film crew of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now left behind boards used in the movie's helicopter attack scene, filmed in Baler Bay. Curious locals observed the actors' techniques and in the late 70s, a handful of teenage boys became the first Filipinos to ride the country's waves. With time, rumours of Baler rippled through surfing circles and foreigners began showing up at what became known as 'Charlie's Point'. But Baler was in no rush to share its secrets.

Only within the past two years, following the re-paving of a mountain road and the debut of a comfortable sixhour bus service from Manila, has Baler emerged as a destination for adventure and culture seekers. Weekend holidaymakers from the capital are giving Baler's tourism a boost. This month the first commercial flights will touch down from Manila at the airport in San Luis, a 30-minute drive away.

And while many come for the waves, Baler has much to offer leisure travellers. In 2013, the 76-room Costa Pacifica Resort debuted as Baler's first upscale accommodation.

Staffed by a team of friendly,

What awaits in the cove is a traveller's dream: sheer rocks guarding a small, empty beach, cool water beckoning with the gentlest of currents, and above it all, a white lighthouse leaning out over the blue of the Pacific.

efficient Baler residents, with a beachfront location, international restaurant, two swimming pools, an excellent on-site surf school named, 'Charlie Does', and partnerships with the area's top tour operators, Costa Pacifica showcases the best of Baler under one welldesigned roof.

The resort's spacious rooms and plush beds are a joy to return to after a tiring surf session. Organic touches such as locally woven saboten are artfully featured throughout, adding a welcome sense of place. A palette of marine hues, beachy blues and bright white lifts the mood in the open-air Beach House restau-

rant, where wood-fired pizzas and fresh fish tacos are served alongside Filipino specialities.

Suman - Baler's favourite sweet treat of sticky rice steamed in palm leaves - is offered at the Beach House; as is pako, a tender fern enjoyed in salads or steamed in coconut milk.

Despite its newfound popularity, Baler is wonderfully provincial in its charms. In the tidy town centre, Spain's signature is evident in the arrangement of a small-scale church, plaza and public market. A museum tells stories of Baler under colonial rule, Baler under water in a 1735 flood, Baler under siege by Chinese pirates and Baler as the last Spanish

stronghold in the archipelago.

Two-lane streets and bridges lead to nipa huts perched on rocks over the surf, canals lined with colourful bancas, and quiet beaches where pukot, a traditional method of fishing, is still seen.

Yet the idyllic scenes unfolding around Baler and the island swagger on display at Sabang Beach are minor players to the real star of the show, which is Aurora province itself. Some of Luzon's most rewarding treks wind through the lush, forested peaks of the Sierra Madre, where caves are still being discovered. Nature lovers can dip their toes in the impressive Dimatubo Falls or climb the

600-year-old balete tree just outside the town. It would take 60 tree-huggers to embrace this specimen, thought to be the oldest of its kind in Asia.

It's safe to say no attraction exemplifies the hidden treasures of Aurora as well as Dicalasarin Cove. Accessed via boat or cliff-hugging drive, the entry passes to Dicalasarin are handed out exclusively by the front desk of Costa Pacifica.

What awaits in the cove is a traveller's dream: sheer rocks guarding a small, empty beach, cool water beckoning with the gentlest of currents, and above it all, a white lighthouse leaning out over the blue of the Pacific. asialife HCMC 33

Travel Ready Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned expat, escaping Vietnam's tourist trail can be tricky business. Travel guide author and AsiaLIFE contributing editor Dana Filek-Gibson offers a few helpful hints on how to make the most of your travels. Photo by Vinh Dao. 34 34 asialife asialife HCMC HCMC

Make (flexible) plans

O

n my first trip to Halong Bay, I was involuntarily booked onto an overnight cruise. As someone who goes to pieces at the mere mention of the word 'itinerary,' 48 hours of heavily-scheduled activity turned me into a monster. Lunch was timed, air-conditioning was withheld

until the evening and when we were asked to disembark for a kayaking excursion, I threw out a terse “I'm coming� and, purely for emphasis, proceeded from my cabin to the gangplank without lifting my feet off the ground. Nothing sucks the fun out of travel quite like overplanning.

Instead, the best trips contain reasonable preparation but also ample room for spontaneity. In Vietnam, reservations

" Despite what one individual

might tell you, sometimes doing or getting what you want is a simple matter of creativity and a little patience.

"

are generally unnecessary for budget or even mid-range travelers. Of course, it's wise to map out your route but don't overdo it. Rather than detailing each day's activities, keep your trip research simple: hop online and learn five things about each destination before you go. What you find won't be a comprehensive guide, but anything from a good restaurant to a signature dish, a famous landmark, a bit of historical background or

even the name of a hotel will be enough to peak your curiosity and get you started once you arrive.

Know when to book a tour and when to go it alone Let's be honest, not a soul among us appreciates the no man's land of a handicraft factory. We've all been there, surrounded by thousands of

lacquered statuettes, breathless employees watching us like hawks, poised to make a sale.

Indeed, many travellers contend that organised tours are a waste of time, and some of them are: from Hanoi to Hue, Saigon and Nha Trang, most generic city tours amount to little more than an over-glorified taxi service.

That said, bear in mind that tours don't have to involve cramped buses, disgruntled guides or stopovers at an overpriced café. More and more well-organised independent tour companies are cropping up across Vietnam everyday and it's these smaller outfits that provide some of the most authentic excursions. Look out for tours that explore a specific aspect of your destination: street food, for example, photography, nightlife or even an activity such as snorkeling or silk-making. More remote areas, too, are greatly enhanced by having a local on hand: think Sapa's minority villages, the DMZ area of Quang Tri province or much of the Mekong Delta.

Talk to people Far away, in the westernmost corner of the Mekong Delta, is a small town called Ha Tien.

It's not a particularly happening tourist spot – most people only bother to overnight here if they're en route to Cambodia or Phu Quoc – but late last year I found myself here on a research trip and wandered into Ha Tien's sole backpacker bar. Over a beer or two, the owner, Andy, and I got to talking about Ha Tien, its surroundings and what there was to do in town. Before the night was over, he'd called for Mr The, Ha Tien's one and only tour guide, and the following day Mr The and I visited a beach, a cave pagoda, a local fishing pier and an old wartime haunt of Ha Tien's VC soldiers – all places I would never have known had it not been for my chat with Andy.

This advice seems obvious enough but, especially in a place like Vietnam, where so much travels by word-ofmouth, you will not find a better source of information

than a local resident. Beyond the cookie-cutter tour outfits and provincial tourism agencies many towns, big and small, have at least one spot like Andy's bar in Ha Tien. Whether it's a café, hotel or restaurant, many businesses and their owners are willing to dole out useful – and free – travel information to those who seek it. All you have to do is ask.

There is (almost) always a way

Last year, I cycled from Saigon to Battambang, Cambodia with a friend. At the end of it all, sweaty, sunburned and ready for a bus, we tried to book tickets to Siem Reap. Every hotel and tour agency in town swore that it was impossible to put two bicycles in the luggage compartment of a coach bus.

Three days earlier, we had watched a van breeze by us on the highway, packed to the bursting point with rice sacks and Cambodian families, a motorbike secured to the back of the vehicle with a passenger astride it. Two bicycles couldn't fit on a coach bus? Sure.

Lo and behold, when we went directly to the bus company themselves, it was no problem. Whether it's transportation, shopping, hotels or sightseeing, one of my personal travel mantras is this: there is (almost) always a way. Despite what one individual might tell you, sometimes doing or getting what you want is a simple matter of creativity and a little patience. At the bus station, a fare collector wants to charge you double the local price for a ride to the next town; when he refuses to budge, all you have to do is walk away. There are dozens of minibuses parked here and there's a solid chance another one is heading in that same direction. While your yellow-star tank top or flowy, low-crotch harem pants may make you come off as a clueless tourist, I find that this approach – polite, friendly but vaguely disinterested – almost always has the power to convince people that you know what you're doing and, as a result, are less easily duped. asialife HCMC 35

pasta box 18A/2/A1 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 // 10am - 9.30pm 08 66 53 69 69 // Facebook.com/pastaboxvn

Ruben Luong indulges in Pasta Box, a carb-lover’s heaven in District 1. Photos by Vinh Dao.

Where should you eat if you’re in the mood for quick pasta?

Pasta Box on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1 will hit the spot.

French-Vietnamese expat Tuan Cheron started Pasta Box seven months ago near the entrance to hem 18A, a wellknown alley home to numerous expats, and subsequently customers. Customers mostly order Pasta Box in special pasta box packaging online but anyone can also takeaway or sit down at the small, trattoriastyle restaurant for their pasta fix.

Its hearty menu started out with only six basic pastas like tomato arrabiata and spa36 asialife HCMC

ghetti bolognese but has since expanded to include other various pastas like seafood or funghi. There are also chicken and sausage paninis or caesar and pasta salads that round out meals and serve all moods.

Pasta Box definitely values a small menu that doesn’t sacrifice freshness or authenticity.

Cheron, who is related to the owners of DeciBel Lounge and helps out in their kitchen, previously worked in three Italian restaurants in Australia.

Cheron thus imports all of his tomatoes, herbs and pasta from Italy to preserve the refined Italian palate but also manages to charge an attractive VND 48,000-68,000 for pretty

reasonable portions.

He uses his own original recipes, and his pesto pasta (VND 58,000) is a customer favourite.

It’s light but rich with linguine prepared al dente, doused in olive oil and garnished in mint basil, easily enjoyed on hot days.

The salmon pasta (VND 68,000) is perfect whether or not you enjoy salmon as the protein to your pasta. It’s elevated with hints of dill and prepared in a heavenly pink sauce that combines tomato and Cheron’s favourite cream imported from France.

Appealing to a more local diet, Pasta Box debuted a new menu last month that features

the restaurant’s original pasta staples with three dishes that incorporate rice but which can be substituted for either french fries or pasta.

That said, don’t hesitate to have the steak burger and rice in funghi sauce (VND 53,000) for a satisfying work lunch.

You’ll love the aftertaste from the minced beef and pork patty marinated in a subtle barbecue sauce and swimming in Pasta Box’s velvety mushroom sauce.

In total the new menu has 17 dishes full of absolute carb goodness, but with such simplicity, convenience and Italian charm at Pasta Box, you’ll have no qualms regarding the ensuing carb intake.

sh GARDEN 98 Nguyen Hue, D1, top floor 11am – 12am // 08 66 80 01 88

Countryside dining meets urban ambiance atop one of District 1's gracefully aging colonial buildings. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Brett Davis.

Dwarfed by a colossal Saigon Tourist office, SH Garden is easy to miss. Even its antique elevator, a charming relic of the old colonial building, seems to be just another novelty item at first. But once you arrive on the breezy open-air rooftop overlooking the roundabout where Nguyen Hue and Le Loi collide, you'll wonder how it took so long to learn of its existence. With sensational food, top-notch service, stellar panoramas of downtown Saigon and beautiful dĂŠcor, SH Garden is a sound refresher on the merits of well-executed upmarket Vietnamese dining.

Outfitted in low stone tables and weathered wooden chairs,

the restaurant's subtle greenand-blue interior pays homage to countryside dining. High ceilings allow for a nice breeze to roll through the dining area, which is surrounded by lush greenery and covered to provide shade and protection from rain.

Even more noteworthy than its ambiance is the food. Start off your meal with the Viet 3 Mien (VND 195,000), an array of fresh and fried spring rolls.

Each variety uses different ingredients, from sweet potato and mushrooms to fresh green veggies to tender grilled beef with mint leaves. For a bit more of a bang, the pomelo salad (VND 215,000) is a well-assem-

bled collection of flavours and textures, from citrusy-sweet pomelo to tangy chilli salt, dried shrimp, peanuts and crunchy prawn crackers.

For mains, SH Garden pulls out all the stops, boasting over 200 dishes on its massive menu. Though all meals are expertly-prepared, the restaurant prides itself on its barbecue dishes. The beef on an earthen tile (VND 235,000) is perhaps the best example of this, a succulent, mouthwatering spread of grilled beef topped with sesame seeds and cheese. A side serving of bread, grilled onions and eggplant round out the meal. Another favourite is the pan-fried softshell crab

with garlic (VND 295,000), featuring lightly-battered crab that is both crispy on the outside and delightfully tender on the inside. Add to any of these a helping of lotus rice (VND 185,000), steamed with veggies, meat and lotus seeds to add an extra layer of depth.

For dessert, the restaurant prepares a handful of Vietnamese treats but one of the more colourful options is its four seasons fruit platter (VND 105,000), a vivid display of seasonal fruits that includes everything from bananas and pineapple to mangosteen, rambutans, lychees and dragonfruit depending on the time of year. asialife HCMC 37

lA bETTOLA 84 Ho Tung Mau, D1 // 7am - 11pm 08 39 14 44 02 // Labettolasaigon.com

Traditional Italian fare in stylish and contemporary surroundings.

Review by Brett Davis. Photos courtesy of La Bettola.

The first inescapable impression when you walk through the door of La Bettola is that this place means business. This is due to the brick, wood-fired pizza oven just on your left in the open kitchen. For things like pizzas and focaccia there really is no substitute.

This restaurant on downtown Ho Tung Mau in District 1 is an elegant space with bar-side eating downstairs and two dining rooms (one smoking, the other non-smoking) on the second level.

Owner and chef Giuseppe Amorello has worked in Italian kitchens around the world for more than 20 years, and here he has designed a menu that 38 asialife HCMC

celebrates regional classics from around his native land, while at the same time focusing on keeping everything as fresh and homemade as possible.

A good deal of the key elements are made on-site, including the bread and pizza doughs, pasta, ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

For starters there are a couple of great sharing options. The salumi e formaggi (VND 285,000) is a generous platter of mixed cold cuts and cheeses served with a side of onion jam. The La Bettola (VND 265,000) is one of the house signature dishes and hails from Chef Amorello’s home region in northern Italy.

A platter of shaved porchetta

that has been slow roasted with herbs, it is accompanied by house-made focaccia and mozzarella.

The menu contains a selection of meat and fish main courses. The cotoletta alla Milanese (VND 265,000) is an always popular pork chop pan-fried in clarified butter and served with mashed potatoes. On the seafood side, the fritto misto (VND 365,000), a selection of fried seafood, is a good choice.

Naturally there is an extensive range of pizzas, pasta and risotto dishes on the menu.

Pizzas range from VND 140,000 for the margherita to VND 255,000 for the La Bettola which is topped with fresh mozzarella,

speck, rucola, black olives and cherry tomato confit.

Also worth a mention is the chitarra e pesce (VND 170,000), a handmade pasta with cod in a creamy broccoli sauce, and the risotto e salisica (VND 325,000), a risotto with saffron and sausage in butter and parmesan cheese.

Add in a wine list that’s loyal to Italy all the way through and also includes several good selections of wine you can buy by the glass, and you have a serious contender for the leading Italian restaurant in town.

La Bettola also does delivery, albeit with a slightly trimmed down menu, so you can have great Italian food brought to your door.

gUANABANA 23 Ly Tu Trong, D1 // 8am - 10pm 09 09 82 48 30 // Guanabanasmoothies.com

Healthy smoothies and juices are the order of the day at this new District 1 establishment. Review and photos by Brett Davis.

Sometimes it can be a little more difficult to eat and drink healthy here in Vietnam than it at first seems. This is often the case with local fruit juice or smoothies, which are usually loaded with extra sugar to suit local tastes.

Guanabana on Ly Tu Trong in District 1 brings more of a California approach with its all-natural range of healthy smoothies. The smoothies are available in three varieties and are priced from between VND 45,000 and VND 65,000. With all the drinks you can also upsize to medium for and extra VND 10,000 and large for an additional VND 20,000.

The 'ultimate smoothie' range

uses whole fruit, fruit juice and frozen yoghurt. Popular blends include the guanabana mango (VND 50,000) with mango, soursop, mango-passionfruit juice and, of course, frozen yoghurt; while the strawberry swirl (VND 50,000) combines strawberries, bananas, apple juice and frozen yoghurt.

The 'pure fruit' range is fairly self explanatory, using just whole fruit and juice. The monsoon mix (VND 45,000) is an interesting choice, with mango, strawberries, pineapple bananas and mango-passionfruit juice.

Where Guanabana gets really creative is in their 'special blends'. These use fruit, juice

and special additives to give your body an extra boost. The acerola immunity smoothie (VDN 60,000) utilises the massive amounts of vitamin C in the acerola cherry to deliver more than 65 times the amount found in oranges.

The slim down smoothie (VND 60,000) is low-calorie and combined with a weight loss blend to increase metabolism and reduce your appetite.

For those looking to bulk up and prepare for a workout, however, the protein max (VND 65,000) is a whey protein shake that combines as much protein as three to five eggs but has less than 201 calories and no cholesterol. There is also a range of

flavours to choose from including vanilla, chocolate or peanut butter.

And while it does not look that appealing, supergreen (VND 60,000) tastes great and is also great for you with a combination of raw organic greens like wheat grass, alfalfa, spirulina and chlorella combined with strawberries, mango and banana, that helps your body detox and increases energy.

You can also choose to add a health booster to any of the Guanabana range of smoothies, including a collagen blend (VND 25,000), herbal energizer (VND 12,000) or a weight loss blend (VND 18,000). asialife HCMC 39

hair with

flair

Hair Bar, Vietnam’s first blow dry-only salon, opens in Ho Chi Minh City. By Ruben Luong.

Photos by Vinh Dao and Romain Garrigue.

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“Vietnamese women, every time they come to the hair salon they want something new but they never want to cut their hair,” says French-Vietnamese hairstylist Sandrine Nguyen, the hair and style maven behind Concept Coiffure salon in District 2. It was also the long hair flowing from the back of motorbikes that she noticed about local women when she returned from France in 2005.

“They all want it long. Most wait six months, maybe even once a year, and then only cut a little bit of their hair. I thought that was funny.”

It’s the reason she dreamed of Hair Bar, her premier blow dry-only salon which opened its doors on Ngo Duc Ke in June. No cuts or colouring, just a 45-minute professional consultation and personalised styling for daily or party gigs and healthy and alluring hair.

The blow-dry concept is not entirely new. Hair Bar is the Vietnamese equivalent to America’s Dry Bar, which now has 39 locations in the United States. In 2002, Forbes magazine praised Dry Bar’s owner Alli Web for her ability to create a “$20 million sales business out of nothing but hot air”.

Nguyen, 35, wants her blowdry business to be an everyday place filled with confidence, panache and useful options for women rather than just a clone salon to her successful Concept Coiffure.

“A lot of women come into my shop and tell me ‘I want to change my hair’ but ‘I’m a very natural person’. I’m also a natural person, yes, but you have to do something,” she says.

And so it’s a good time to be a girl. Hair Bar customers start off with a glass of complimentary champagne or mocktail,

watch black-and-white movies projected onto the ceiling while getting their hair washed and peruse a glamorous iPad menu of eight style options (five blowdry, three treatment) that serve as a basic menu for customers.

For an All-Blowout at VND 250,000 (Dry Bar charges $40), customers walk in and half an hour later transform with possibly Angel Face, a one-sided wavy blowout; Black Velvet, a silky and straight look; or lots of loose curls with Gin Fizzy, which is modeled by Vietnamese supermodel Ha An Vu Vo. “You can dream about beautiful curls in the pictures and you can also have it. Any kind of colour, any kind of cut, perm or styling. But if your hair’s not healthy then it doesn’t make sense,” Nguyen says.

Behind the Hair Bar counter is a candyland of coveted hair

products from German cosmetic giant Schwarzkopf. Nguyen recommends popular products like 10ml bottles of Schwarzkopf’s Repair Rescue instant repair shots (VND 220,000) to stimulate amino cell rebuild.

For long hair with damaged ends, she says to run Miracle oil containing argan after a blow dry (VND 430,000).

Some of these products are included in the treatments like the Hair Punch (VND 120,000), a 10-minute blowout with massage cream specially brewed to bring new vitality and shininess to the hair, or the Hair Shot (VND 200,000), which solves scalp problems and hair loss.

“Hair is important, just as your skin. If you use the wrong cream for your skin, you can tell the difference. Hair is the same. If you don’t care for it, then it’s also not good,” she says.

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R U E D E S C H AT S Resort 2014 Ready-to-Wear

by Anhuong Tran and Le Minh

Creative Vietnamese fashion label Rue des Chats was founded by design duo Anhuong Tran and Le Minh in Hanoi. Together they combine graceful details with clean, minimal cuts and fabric.

Rue des Chats opened its first Saigon outpost in May. Available now is the label’s Resort 2014 Ready-to-Wear collection. It is sophisticated and feminine, clad in elegant neutrals with touches of pink and floral in stately silhouettes.

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Hanoi: 2 Co Tan, Hoan Kiem Saigon: Room 2, Floor 1, 42bis Ly Tu Trong, D1 contact@ruedeschats.vn and/or 04 6680 7103 for online ordering Photography: Tuan Anh (Lieta Studio) Model: Magdalena Ancyperowicz (Tay Model Management)

44 asialife HCMC

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listings

AIRLINES

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.

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.

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.vietnamair.com.vn 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.

Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist, Ba Ria Tel: 064 3831 222 www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao

escape

On the intersect of 4 districts, with 333 rooms, Orientica Seafood restaurant and bar, Chit Chat cafe, pool (swim-up bar), gym.

DALAT

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.

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.

hotel & travel

CON DAO

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 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 cafe and terrace, a cigar lounge, and golfing and tennis.

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.

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

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.

Sheraton 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 www.sheraton.com/saigon Luxury downtown hotel with Level 23 bar, Mojo cafe, 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.

Windsor Plaza 18 An Duong Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688 services@windsorplazahotel.com www.windsorplazahotel.com Located in a main shopping hub. Three restaurants, modern discotheque, conference centre, shopping centre, supermarket.

HOI AN & DANANG InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula Tel: 0511 093 8888

NHA TRANG

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Beachside, Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 3522 222 www.sixsenses.com/evasonanamandara 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.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Ninh Van Bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Tel: 058 3728 222 www.sixsenses.com/hideawayanamandara An island hideaway accessible only by boat, 58 private pool villas, international and local restaurants, wedding services, water sports and scuba diving.

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

take flight with travel promotions around the region

Getaway at Ana Mandara Nha Trang Stay a minimum five nights at the Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang and enjoy 20 percent off the Best Available Rate, plus complimentary breakfast. Book at least 45 days in advance for additional savings. Offer is valid for any stay from 5 September through 31 October.

Please contact the reservations department at reservations-nhatrang@evasonresorts.com for more information.

Stay Longer, Save More at Victoria Hoi An It’s time to unwind, indulge and rediscover yourself now that the Independence Day holiday is ahead. Valid from 15 August through 22 Decem-

46 asialife HCMC

Mövenpick Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 www.moevenpick-saigon.com Has 278 well-appointed rooms/suites, five restaurants/bars, meeting/banquet facilities and a shopping arcade as well as a popular e-gaming centre.

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.

ber, guests can indulge and discover the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa with a special Stay Longer, Save More promotion that offers 15 percent off for a stay of two to three nights, or 25 percent off for a stay of four nights and more. Book online at Victoriahotels.asia/en.

Kara Salon and Spa’s August Beauty Bonus This summer stay at Mövenpick Hotel Saigon and enjoy up to 30 percent off with its Summer Sunshine offer.

Starting from only $90 per night, the Summer Sunshine offer is valid for stays through

30 September. Mövenpick Hotel Saigon is at 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District. For booking inquiry, please email hotel. saigon@moevenpick.com.

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.

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: 3744 6825 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 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 in July 2013 with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The second 559-room tower is on track to open in 2015. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam.

Vietnam

Book online Cambodia

Laos

TRAVEL AGENTS Been In Asia www.beeninasia.com info@beeninasia.com

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 11th floor, 36 Bui Thi Xuan St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 info.en@chudu24.com 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.

Koh Kong, Cambodia

www.beeninASIA.com

Elegant surroundings, great location, professional service and finest cuisine.

All you can find at Norfolk Hotel.

117 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: (84-8) 3829 5368 - Fax: (84-8) 3829 3415 - Email: info@norfolkhotel.com.vn - Website: www.norfolkhotel.com.vn Managed by Norfolk Group asialife HCMC 47

One of Pham Ngu Lao’s favourite watering holes, Le Pub also has a good menu of well-executed pub grub and international favourites. Hearty breakfast is available all day and specials are offered daily.

listings

Mogambos 50 Pasteur, D1 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. 

food & drink BAR RESTAURANTS Bernie’s Irish Pub 19 Thai Van Lung, D1 www.berniesirishpub.com 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 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.  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.

La Habana 6 Cao Ba Quat, D1 Tel: 3829 5180 www.lahabana-saigon.com This charming little place has seating indoors and outdoors, upstairs and downstairs to fit your dining pleasure.

Relaxed environment with frequent live music. Offers Spanish and Cuban fare including paella and a tapas fiesta comprising three plates. Open late daily.

Le Pub 175/ 22 Pham Ngu Lao, D1 www.lepub.org

feast

Phatty’s 46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 0705 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.

Red Bar 70-72 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 08 22 29 70 17 Tucked behind the Bitexco building, Red has one of the longest happy hours in the city (draught beer for VND 25,000 from 9am until 9pm). This, its international food menu and nightly live music makes it one of the liveliest bars around.

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.  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. 

CAFES

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 12-14 Thai Van Lung, D1

Mojo 88 Dong Khoi, D1 www.sheratonsaigon.com A top-end cafe 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 Imperial-styled restaurant named after a famous Chinese poet. Nightly à la carte menu with dishes going from 100,000 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.

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.

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.

FRENCH

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 well-known 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 74/6 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3930 4839 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. 

INTERNATIONAL

Al Fresco’s 21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 8427 27 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3822 7317 D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093

broaden your palate with promotions around town

A Crabulous dining experience The culinary team at Yu Chu restaurant is presenting a delectable menu for all crab lovers in town. The fresh crab is prepared in a cooking style of your choice – wok fried with garlic and chili, wok fried with onion, wok fried with chili sauce, wok fried glass noodle and XO sauce or steamed with Chinese wine.

350.000VND++ per whole crab including one Tiger draught beer or soft drink. Available until 31 August. First Floor InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan Blvd, District 1.

Ostrich Offerings at Reflections Restaurant Caravelle Hotel is bringing a new experience to adventurous diners in Ho Chi Minh City with

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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. 

a week-long showcase of lean and healthy ostrich meat at Reflections. From 9-15 August, sample the low-fat, high-protein poultry in enticing appetisers such as ostrich goulash and ostrich kofta; or try it in Reflections’ own homemade burger with caramelised onions and chilli mayonnaise, or in a spicy curry with cherry tomatoes and silky ladyfingers. Diners who wish to expand their ostrich tasting can order three courses from the menu for VND 810,000, or four courses at VND 938,000. Reflections Restaurant is on the third floor of the Caravelle Hotel at 19-23 Lam Son Square, D1.

Mooncakes at Shang Palace Celebrate the Full Moon Festival with Shang Palace’s home-made mooncakes, featuring eight unique flavors including the traditional nutty ham x.o, coffee and lotus seed, green

tea, durian, and red bean and black sesame pastes along with the new macadamia nut and lychee paste. Available from Aug 01 to Sep 8, 2014 at Shang Palace Restaurant, 1st Floor, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, District 1.

400 Nguyen Trai, D5 Tel: 3838 3840 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.  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.

Serves remarkably fresh and inspired dishes made with choice local and imported ingredients—favourites include the sirloin burger and pan-fried fish and chips.

Boomarang Cresent Residence 2-3-4, No. 107 Ton Dat Tien, PMH, D7 Tel: 3744 6790 An Australian bistro on the scenic promenade at the Crescent in Phu My Hung that serves authentic cuisine from down under, including steaks, burgers, seafood and fish and chips.

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.

Hog's Breath 02 Hai Trieu, D1 Tel: 3915 6006 The popular Australian eatery's first foray into Vietnam. Centrally located on the ground floor of the Bitexco Financial tower. The legendary Prime Rib steaks are the centrpiece of the menu which also includes burgers, seafood and bar snacks.  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.  Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, Corner 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, wok-fried items, noodles and pasta dishes.

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Mekong Merchant 23 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 4713 Set in a courtyard, this rustic Australianstyle brasserie has brought modern international cuisine to suburban An Phu. Popular for weekend brunches.

Weekly specials and seafood flown in from Phu Quoc. 

By Michael Kloster

imbibe Who needs 750 ml?

There are many theories about how we arrived at 750 milliliters as the standard size for a wine bottle. Some say that the basic size dates from the old British flagon which was about the same size. A fanciful theory is that back when bottles were hand-blown, 750ml was the amount of air a glass blower held in a single breath. In the US, the old Imperial Fifth (one fifth of one gallon) is almost the same.

Regardless of the origin, 750ml has become the standard size for a bottle of wine (or a bottle of spirits for that matter). But there are a host of alternatives available from select stockists and more reputable restaurants.

Splits One common alternative to the standard is called a split.

Splits are 375ml bottles. I always keep a few splits around the house for when I’m not in the market for a full bottle. A few restaurants offer a small range of splits which come in handy when you’re dining alone and only want two glasses but want something other than what is on offer by the glass. One advantage of splits is that they age quicker than larger bottles, giving a sneak preview of fine wines that require aging but normally come in larger formats like 750s and Magnums.

Magnums Double-size 1.5-liter bottles are called Magnums. Normally in this market Magnums are 50 asialife HCMC

reserved for large bottles of fine wine. Only five percent of wine is made by design to last more than a few years. Magnums allow these long-lived, exclusive wines to age gracefully and slowly. There are a few quick-drinking magnums out there, and these are fun, even for the average consumer to make a big smash at a small gathering.

Bag-in-Box Bag-in-box wine (normally three liters) is the source of much discussion. At the end of the day, the issue with BIB is not with the container but the contents. It is true that a lot of rot gut finds its way into slick-printed boxes, but it’s not only cooking quality swill that ends up there. I suggest that you look for one in an air-conditioned shop managed by a meticulous merchant. Exposure to heat and temperature changes negatively affect box wines just as they affect bottles. However the huge advantage to BIB (in addition to generally lower prices) is that the one-way spigot can dispense fresh wine over a period of months, as opposed to a bottle, which should be consumed within a few hours of opening, as it will spoil from exposure to oxygen.

Michael Kloster is an independent hospitality consultant with more than 20 years experience. He can be reached with any questions or comments at luckydogvn@ gmail.com.

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.

Reflections Caravelle Hotel, 19 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.

Scott & Binh’s 15-17 Cao Trieu Phat Street, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 094 890 14 65 Bizuhotel.com A friendly, laid back restaurant in Phu My Hung that serves “comfort food with a twist”. Run by American chef Scott Marquis, this small joint offers classic favourites that are consistently well prepared, making it a popular stop for expats and visitors.

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. 

ITALIAN

Basilico InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Ground Floor, Corner Nguyen Du and Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Contemporary and casual trattoria-style restaurant specializing in authentic Italian dishes and homemade desserts.

Wood-fired pizza oven and a wide selection of Italian wines.

Casa Italia 86 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 4286 www.casaitalia.com.vn Serves home-style Italian cooking including pasta and pizza as well as a selection of steak and seafood dishes.

Open daily 10 am until late.

pm and 5.30 pm to 10 pm.

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

25 Si 8A/6D Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3824 6921 Traditional Yasik-style drinking restaurant. Winter and summer scene murals fill the walls of this dual level eatery. Large menu with favs like budae jjigae, a mix of chilli paste, Spam, hot dog and tofu, as well as super spicy duruchigi.

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.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN Lac Thai 71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506 An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleyway and decorated with artdeco furniture. Authentic Thai cuisine prepared by two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but less spicy than you’d find in Thailand. 

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.

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. 

VIETNAMESE

JAPANESE

Quan Bui 17A Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 38 29 15 15 From the team behind Quan Bui, the popular casual Vietnamese eatery on the north edge of District 1, is this fourfloor 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.

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

Grillbar 122 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 08 38 22 79 01 A Vietnamese restaurant with a focus on charcoal-grilled meat brings classic Vietnamese street food indoors to a modern, clean environment.

Temple Club 29 – 31 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3829 9244 This high-end restaurant attached to an elegant lounge bar is a must-try for

recipes

PEANUT BUTTER CREPE ROLLS Ingredients • 1 cup flour • 1 egg • 1 tbsp sugar • 1/2 cup milk • 1/4 cup beer • 3 tbsp oil • Peanut butter • Butter • Drizzle of water

Instructions In a large bowl combine the flour and egg. Add the milk and beer then beat it thoroughly. As the consistency becomes thin add oil and sugar. Check if it’s thin enough but not too watery. If it’s too watery add a bit of flour to balance the batter mixture.

After that we are ready to prepare and

cook the crepe. Heat a round non-stick pan in medium heat and grease it with butter. Get a ladle and scoop the batter mixture onto the pan.

Spread the mixture and let it cook until the bubbles disappear. Flip it to the other side and cook it for about a minute.

When ready put it on a flat surface and spread your desired amount of peanut butter. Not too thick and not too thin to enjoy the rich and creamy flavour of peanut butter.

Roll the crepe and slice it like a Maki roll and then it’s ready to be savoured as a dessert snack.

Recipes provided by Joanie Manalang Culinarian Food Stylist Artist-chef.blogspot.com

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its art deco atmosphere as much as for its food.

nightlife BARS & LOUNGES

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.

Local Eats

By Tristan Ngo

A Street Cart When I first came to Vietnam 15 years ago I was instantly in love with the street food here.

But after a certain period of time the love sort of fizzed out and I find myself craving beloved treats such as pancakes, bagels, tacos and above all, doughnuts.

That’s why I was thrilled to find a particular street cart on Ton That Tung between Bui Thi Xuan and Nguyen Trai beside Huyen Si church. You will find a classic street cart run by an old husband and wife team that sells banh tieu, banh bo, dau chao quay and banh dui ga.

Banh Tieu Banh tieu or yau tiu is a Vietnamese snack. It’s round, slightly sweet and often coated with some sesame seeds. It’s crunchy on the outside with a hollow center. I like to call it a Vietnamese doughnut because it is truly like a crossover between an American beignet and a doughnut.

Banh Bo Banh bo is a sweet, slightly chewy sponge cake made of rice flour, yeast, sugar, coconut milk and water. It is normally steamed to create a round, sponge shape. It’s often eaten with a side of mixed sesame 52 asialife HCMC

seeds, salt and sugar. It’s actually a southern Chinese pastry but the Vietnamese version tends to use coconut milk.

Banh Dui Ga and Dau Chao Quay Banh dui ga and dau chao quay are also known as Chinese crullers or deep fried bread stick. The difference is banh dui ga is formed to resemble a pair of chicken drumsticks. It is normally a side dish to add on or dip into congee.

However, it is good enough to eat on its own and especially when it is freshly fried.

At the street cart, the husband does the frying while the wife does the selling. I love these old-couple businesses and husband-and-wife teams.

It’s quite like my wife and I, but we're not quite there yet. The husband and wife at Ton That Tung start frying and selling between 1-5pm daily. The only time they don’t really sell is when it rains since it is not safe to fry oil.

They have their own loyal following and normally finish their cart by 4pm. It is really just that simple, good and popular. Drop by and feel free to let me know what you think but come early to the street cart as they sell out pretty quick.

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 9th floor, Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Popular bar usually packed out with tourists and business travellers searching for some delicious cocktails and a great view of the city skyline. Cuban band Warapo plays every night except Monday from 8.30 pm until 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.

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.

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 Willy Woo’s www.vietnammm.com Southern American fare including skillet fried chicken, Belgium waffles and BBQ foods, red beans and rice, Jalapeno corn bread, and other classic southern sides. Delivery only via vietnammm.com

GROCERIES

Annam Gourmet Market 16-18 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 9332 41A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2630 SB2-1 My Khanh 4, Nguyen Duc Canh, D7 Tel: 5412 3263 / 64 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 73 Le Thi Hong Gam, D1 Tel: 3821 6057 or 3914 4376 Excellent chilled imported beef, lamb, veal and other meats sold at reasonable prices.

Metro Anphu 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 such as cereal, soymilk and tea. Operates a retail shop in An Phu. 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 huge 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.

LIQUOR & WINE

The Warehouse 178 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3825 8826 www.warehouse-asia.com One of the city’s premier wine distributors, The Warehouse is an aptly named, stylish wine store that stocks a full range of both New and Old World wines, sparkling wines, Champagne, spirits, imported beers and accessories.

listings

culture CLASSES

AngelsBrush by Vin Tel: 0983377710 Shyevin@mac.com Oil painting course gives learners the opportunity to work from the different objects; explore different mediums, materials and techniques; and interpret line, tone and colour. Instructor works with students on individual basis.

Helen Kling Oil Painting 189/C1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 0903 955 780 hk.painter@gmail.com/helenkling@ yahoo.com www.helenkling.com Helene is a French painter who teaches beginners (children and adults) various techniques and the art of working with different mediums. She is also a fantastic tool for advanced artists who are looking to increase their creativity. Both day and night courses are available. Helene has a permanent exhibition at FLOW, located 88 Ho Tung Mau, D1.

Printmaking alphagallery@bluemail.ch Classes are held at Alpha Gallery taught by the gallery owner Bernadette Gruber, who offers the chance to learn monotype, intaglio and etching techniques.

CINEMAS

Bobby Brewer’s Movie Lounge 45 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3610 2220 86 Pham Ngoc Thach info@bobbybrewers.com Popular top-floor home cinema showing movies five times a day on a large screen. Email for the latest schedule.

CGV cinema Vietnam Hung Vuong Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, D5 Tel: 08 2222 0388 CT Plaza, 60A Truong Son, Tan Binh Tel: 6297 1981 Crescent Mall, Phu My Hung, D7 Pandora City, 1/1 Truong Chinh, Tan Phu www.cgv.vn State-of-the-art cinema complex screening the lastest blockbusters with plush, reclining seats. All movies shown in original language with Vietnamese subtitles.

Cinebox 212 Ly Chinh Thang, D3 Tel: 3935 0610 240 3 Thang 2, D10 Tel: 3862 2425 Cinebox cinemas show both original language films with Vietnamese subtitles and the dubbed versions.

Future Shorts futureshortsvietnam@gmail.com www.futureshorts.com/vn Vietnam branch of the international network screens foreign and local short films around town. Events often incorporate other media and elements, including live music, performances, installations and discussion. Submissions accepted.

Galaxy Cinema 116 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3822 8533 230 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3920 6688 www.galaxycine.vn Large, modern cinema that shows the latest foreign releases in English (with Vietnamese subtitles).

IDECAF 31 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3829 5451 French cultural centre and cinema theatre. Showcases French movies with English and Vietnamese subtitles. Also hosts movies and documentaries from a number of overseas film festivals.

Lotte Cinema Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 7897 LotteMart, 469 Nguyen Huu Tho, D7 Tel: 3775 2520 www.lottecinemavn.com Modern cinema with four-way sound system. D7 location houses luxury theatre Charlotte with 32 seats and eight sofas. me phim HCM City-based film initiative that provides support to local filmmakers and hosts regular film screenings/discussions. Email dduukk@gmail.com for information or join the Facebook group.

GALLERIES

a little blah blah OUT-2 STUDIO, L6 FAFILM Annex 6 Thai Van Lung, D1 albbsaigon-2010.blogspot.com Operates as an engine for contemporary art by organizing projects, exhibitions, screenings and talks. Runs one major art project each year and a reading room with more than 1,000 texts on art, design and creative culture. Free for everyone and open Tue to Sat 10 am to 6 pm.

Blue Space Contemporary Arts Center 97A Pho Duc Chinh, D1 Tel: 3821 3695 bluespaceart@hcm.jpt.vn www.bluespacegallery.com Busy, working gallery with easels propped up outside situated in the grounds of the beautiful Fine Arts Museum. Holds regular exhibitions by local artists.

Duc Minh Gallery 31C Le Quy Don, D3 Tel: 3933 0498 Housed in an opulent colonial mansion, private museum and art gallery showcases the private art collection of Vietnamese business tycoon Bui Quoc Chi. Containing more than 1,000 pieces that range from traditional to contemporary.

Galerie Quynh 65 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 8019 www.galeriequynh.com The city’s only international standard gallery, housed in a modern, two-floor space. Organizes regular exhibitions featuring established, emerging local/ international contemporary artists, publishes original catalogs in both English and Vietnamese.

Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum 97A Pho Duc Chinh, D1 Tel: 3829 4441 btmthcm@hotmail.com Institution housing contemporary/traditional works by Vietnamese and foreign artists. Pieces date from as early as the 7th century. Includes Vietnamese antiques, art crafted by the Cham and Funan peoples.

San Art Independent Artist Space 3 Me Linh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3840 0898 hoa@san-art.org www.san-art.org Artist-run, non-profit exhibition space featuring contemporary work by young Vietnamese artists. San Art hosts guest lecturers and curators. A reading room of art books and magazines is open to the public.

TuDo Gallery 53 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 0966 www.tudogallery.com Hosting permanent exhibitions of works by the city’s artists, Tu Do deals in oils, silk paintings and lacquerware. More than 1,000 pieces on show.

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listings

By Phil Kelly

fitness

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.

Coconut Oil Oils and fats have always been made out to be the bad guy.

Not all oils are equal. There are both bad and good. One of the best is coconut oil. Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you due to its saturated fat content. For five reasons, coconut oil is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume and use externally on the body.

1. Fat Burner There are a number of different types of fat molecules. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn without turning to fat.

Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCTs are easily stored as fat within the body.

2. Metabolism Booster MCTs in coconut oil have been shown by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCTs. For women, coconut oil has been proven to improve sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils (vegetable oils) have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Omega-3 Powerhouse Coconut oil contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Most cooking oils contain Omega-6 fatty acids, which cause inflammation and cell damage. Our Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio should be 1:1 (or 3:1 as an upper range) but it is currently 54 asialife HCMC

sports & leisure

accepted that the actual ratio is approx 50:1. We need to severely cut back our Omega-6 oils and consume much more Omega-3 oils.

4. Youthful Skin and Hair Coconut oil can be applied directly on your skin and hair. It offers relief from skin problems like rashes and irritations. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It protects the skin from free radical damage due to its high antioxidant properties. Consequently, coconut oil makes excellent massage oil.

5. Longer Shelf Life Coconut oil is best to cook with because it doesn’t turn rancid quickly. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature. Other oils like olive oil are great cold but quickly turn rancid when exposed to heat, creating free radicals.

Oils and fats are an essential part of a healthy diet and a fat loss diet. You must eat natural fats for your body to be an efficient fat burner. Coconut oil helps our bodies absorb nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E. Do not shy away from oils or fat, rather choose better options and you will reap amazing benefits.

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 though his website Philkelly.com or Facebook.com/ BodyExpertSystemVietnam.

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 Features six-lane, 25-metre pool, basketball and netball courts, astroturf hockey/football area and outdoor gym equipment. Available for party hire, with 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 7,009yard 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.

you have a big dinner party planned , your kid’s birthday, your anniversary party,

in your

We cater any event, kitchen or our kitchen

Call us 0126 937 0461 asialife HCMC HCMC 55 asialife 55

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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. Treat-

sback 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 wellestablished traditional hospital & training centre. He speaks good English and provides excellent treatments in a clean environment. The Institute also provides

acupuncture lessons.

DENTAL 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.

European Dental Clinic 17 - 17A Le Van Mien, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 0918 749 204/08

3744 9744 Expat English and French-speaking dentist. Performs full range of dental treatment including whitening, aesthetic fillings, porcelain crowns, full ceramics, veneer and orthodontic treatment. 24hour emergency line: 0909 551 916 or 0916 352940.

Starlight Dental Clinic Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists 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.

MEDICAL

Centre Medical International (CMI) 1 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3827 2366 www.cmi-vietnam.com Located downtown next to the cathedral, 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, gynaecology, osteopathy, pediatrics, psychiatry, speech therapy and traditional Eastern medicine.

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

56 asialife HCMC

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.

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.

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.

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 pairs variety with value, offering hundreds of products for different skin types. Also has kiosks at Co.op Mart in Phu My Hung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza.

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family 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.

Helene Kling Painting helene_kling@yahoo.com Offers classes in oil painting to both children and adults for 150,000 VND and 300,000 VND respectively. Classes are paced to suit each student.

Tae Kwondo BP Compound, 720 Thao Dien, D2 and Riverside Villa Compound, Vo Truong Toan, D2 phucteacherkd@yahoo.com Private and group classes are run after school three times a week by the friendly Mr. Phuc. Anyone over the age of five is welcome to join in the course, which costs USD $50 for 12 classes/month with a $25 fee for non-members. Contact Mr. Phuc directly on 0903 918 149.

BABY EQUIPMENT Baby 66B Cach Mang Thang Tam, D10 A large store stocking a good range of baby needs, including toys, buggies, cots and bottles. Prices are reasonable.

Me & Be 230 Vo Thi Sau, D3 40 Ton That Tung, D1 141D Phan Dang Luu, Phu Nhuan 246 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 101-103 Khanh Hoi, D4 287A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan 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 DLS Paris 17/5 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, 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.

Ninh Khuong 44 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 7456 www.ninhkhuong.vn Well-known hand-embroidered children’s clothing brand using 100% cotton. New-

born 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 abcintschoolss@vnn.vn www.theabcis.com UK standards-based curriculum awards diploma with IGCSE’s & A Levels certified

by Cambridge Universit examinations board. From playgroup to pre-university matriculation. Served by 80+ British teachers. Good facilities and extra-curricular activities.

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

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languages and cultures.

By Paul McLardie

PERSONAL FINANCE Baby Budget You have heard the news, be it from a doctor or from a plastic stick, in a few months time you are going to be a parent for the first time. After the news has sunk in and you have stopped celebrating or drinking yourself stupid with the idea of escaping, you have some thinking to do.

The main thing you will need to look into is making sure your health insurance covers you or your partner and your newborn and choosing which hospital and doctors you will use. You will also be talking to friends and relatives that have been in your situation. Whatever conflicting helpful information they give you, one thing all will agree on - babies are expensive.

Planning and keeping to a budget is a great idea and this is when you need to talk to people who have been through this before. How do you plan for the expense of formula when you have no idea how much you need and it’s the same at the other end.

How many nappies (diapers) will you need when you don’t know how many times they get filled?

Away from the big things such as childcare and medical expenses here are a few things to remember: Utilities bills. Not really a big increase you think. Erm, no.

I know people that have had their utilities bills more than double.

Transport. Unless you are lucky enough to have a car 58 asialife HCMC

and driver, you will not want to take your new born on the back of your Honda. However cheap taxis are here, the cost will add up over a month.

Life insurance. You may have made the altruistic choice to get yourself insured for the sake of your child or partner and the cost for a policy is not that expensive.

Living abroad though, this type of policy is more expensive as the risk is perceived to be different. Also, if you are a woman, get coverage either before or in the early stages of pregnancy. It may be cheaper for you in the long run.

Wills. With the start of a family unit, this is a perfect time to look into this, especially for any assets that you hold out of Vietnam.

On many occasions, this can be done by yourself online, however I would always advocate using a recognised lawyer or solicitor to do this while you are abroad.

Savings. Always make sure you have emergency savings (a minimum of six months salary) before starting saving for the future. If you have dipped into this, get this back up as soon as you can.

These are just a few areas to get you starting to think.

Sit down and write your own budget as you will know your own life and lifestyle.

Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management. Contact him at Paul. mclardie@t-wm.com

International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh District Tel: 2220 1788/89 www.issp.edu.vn Opening in August, 2011, the single purpose-built campus will cater for nursery through grade five. In the second year, sixth grade will be added.

ISSP’s long-term strategic plan includes complete middle and high schools. In the spring of 2011 ISSP will host the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (the largest American accreditation agency in Asia). Accreditation will allow children to easily transfer to schools abroad.

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 education 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.

tionally trained teachers giving unique opportunities to learn.

Singapore International School (SIS) No.29, Road No.3, Trung Son Residential Area, Hamlet 4, Binh Hung Ward, Binh Chanh District Tel: 5431 7477 www.kinderworld.net Students play and learn in an environment where the best of Western and Eastern cultures amalgamate to prepare KinderWorld’s students for today’s challenging world drawn from both the Singapore and Australian curriculum. The school offers International Certifications such as the iPSLE, IGCSE and GAC.

ENTERTAINMENT

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 handmade 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 palce for

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living BUSINESS GROUPS

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.

AmCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 323 Tel: 3824 3562 www.amchamvietnam.com

Saigon Star International School Residential Area No. 5, Thanh My Loi Ward, D2 Tel: 3742 7827 Fax: 3742 3222 www.saigonstarschool.edu.vn Offers a British primary curriculum approved by Cambridge University and integrated Montessori programme for nursery and kindergarten. Qualified, experienced teachers and small class sizes cater to individual needs and abilities.

British Business Group of Vietnam 25 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 8430 info@bbgv.org www.bbgv.org

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 interna-

AusCham TV Building, Suite 1A, 31A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3911 0272 / 73 / 74 www.auschamvn.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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

IF Consulting IBC Building, 3rd Floor 1A Me Linh Square, D1

LINH‘S WHITE PLEASANT LIVING MINIMALISM 37 THAO DIEN (OPPOSITE AN PHU SUPERMARKET) 67 XUAN THUY - DISTRICT 2 PHONE: (84) - 62819863 - 62818488 E : linhnguyen@hbdecor.com.vn

- www.linhfurniture.com

asialife HCMC 59

Fax: 3910 0590 www.tmf-group.com With headquarters in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, TMF Vietnam specializes in accounting outsourcing and consulting.

By Elizabeth Png

HOME IMPROVEMENT A More Restful Bedtime Getting a full night’s sleep isn’t just beneficial to our energy levels the next day. Poor snoozing habits can lead to long-term effects on health, mood and productivity. Here are some methods for getting better quality sleep.

Take a hot shower Standing under or soaking in hot water has a therapeutic effect, helping to relax our muscles and sooth aches in our joints. Getting a hot shower also causes your body’s core temperature to rise, then drop after you finish. This sends a signal to the body that it’s time to rest. Thus, it is best to shower or take a bath about 90 minutes before your regular bedtime.

Get a hot shower at the temperature you want with an instant water heater. Look for one that has multiple spray pattern showerhead which lets you control the pressure and flow of water for better relaxation.

Sleep in a cool room The temperature of the room can affect how well and how long you snooze. Body temperature tends go down when resting, although the ideal point varies from person to person.

When the environment is too hot or even too cold, the body’s internal thermostat struggles to achieve its optimal temperature.

A room that is too hot is more likely to cause insomnia, so using an air-conditioner can help regulate and lower the temperature in the area.

Getting a good air conditioner not only helps regulate room temperature, but provides 60 asialife HCMC

better air quality, too. Many air-conditioners now come with high-efficiency bio HEPA filters and active plasma filtration which also ensures allergens, bacteria and other particles are removed from the air.

Develop your sleep 'hygiene' Maintaining good sleep 'hygiene' isn’t just about keeping your bedding or surroundings clean. It’s about developing good sleeping habits such as ensuring the bedroom lights are kept dim and cool before sleeping and resisting the urge to stay on the computer or watch TV during this period.

The light emitted from these devices send signals to the body that it’s daytime, disrupting its internal clock. Develop a regular sleeping schedule. Sleeping and waking up at different times is bound to confuse the body.

Keep your bed for sleeping Try not to work or study on your bed, as we may end up associating the stress of work or study with the bedroom and make us less alert when we’re working.

If you’ve had a long, stressful day and worrying is keeping you up, it may be better to get out of bed and try to be productive. Try to deal with any issues in a positive way, such as making a to-do list, then attempt to sleep again when you’re ready.

Elizabeth Png is the brand and consumer communications director for Electrolux Vietnam.

She can be contacted at elizabeth.png-reade@electrolux. com.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Catherine Denoual 15C Thi Sach, D1 Tel: 3823 9394 Beautiful showroom with clean lines and a sumptuous array of bedroom products including bedside lamps, linens, pillowcases and duvet covers.

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 Outlet 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 2243 7955/3911 0104 Wide selection of well-crafted and carefully constructed pine wood pieces at good prices, aimed at customers craving a taste of Europe.

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 1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1 Tel: 3925 1495 www.gayavietnam.com Four-floor store featuring the work of foreign designers: home accessories and outdoor furniture by Lawson Johnston, linens by Corinne Leveilley-Dadda, furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh, laquerware decor by Michele De Albert and furniture and decor by vivekkevin.

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.

Rare Decor 41 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 2284 137/1 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3840 6304/5 Leading home furnishings company in Vietnam, supplying high quality, unique products. Also offer custom made furniture, accessories and lighting for commercial projects and home use.

The Furniture Warehouse

3B Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 6657 0788 namtran121@yahoo.com, ttpnam@ webtnl.com Offers a range of reasonably priced Italian, European and French colonial sofas, indoor/outdoor wooden furniture, lighting and interior décor, as well as custom designs based on clients’ specifications.

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.

By Dr Lucy Haurisa

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. Extremely expensive reflecting the quality of the design and workmanship.

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

SOS Nosebleeds Nosebleeds can look dramatic.

However, they occur commonly, particularly in children and elderly people, and can often be treated easily. Certain facts regarding the underlying conditions are worth knowing though.

When should you see a doctor? If your nosebleed is rather heavy or doesn’t stop by itself within 20 to 30 minutes, you urgently need to see the A&E, your GP or preferably an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist, if available. It’s the same if the bleed is light but has frequent symptoms (weekly, for instance).

In patients who have high blood pressure or are on bloodthinning medications like Aspirin, Warfarin or Heparin, nosebleeds can occur more often and last longer.

Go with a friend or family member. You may suddenly experience a collapse due to excessive blood loss or due to the psychological impact of the sight of blood.

What causes nosebleeds?

The inside of your nose is full of small blood vessels that can rupture through minor injuries caused by picking or blowing your nose. This happens more easily when the nasal lining has been dry. Cracks in the nasal mucosa lining may be caused by a nose infection, cold/dry weather, the use of air-conditioning and the long-term application of steroid nasal sprays. In very rare cases a nasal/nasopharyngeal tumour can be an underlying factor.

Nasopharyngeal cancers are particularly prevalent in Asian

populations and always need specialist attention.

Treating nosebleeds: First aid measures include pinching the nose just above your nostrils for about 10 minutes, and leaning forward and breathing through your mouth so that blood can exit through the mouth. In a clinic the following options can be tried. Cauterisation seals the bleeding mucosa area via two possible techniques. Chemical cauterisation is achieved with a silver nitrate stick held on the bleeding area, while electric cauterisation seals the mucosa by using a low level of heat. If these options fail, the nose will be packed with gauze or a nasal sponge with local anesthetic.

Your doctor will advise you what further measures to take, the duration of treatment or any further investigations. For instance, if the cause was uncontrolled high blood pressure or an obscure bleeding point which needs a specialist endoscopic exam.

Preventing nosebleeds: These include making sure your nose stays moist with certain saline nasal sprays and moisturising ointments. Also, avoid injuries to your nose and blow your nose gently. Try not to remove the crust that forms after a bleed, as it will fall off by itself. It serves as natural plaster and will prevent further nosebleeds.

Dr Lucy Haurisa is a certified ENT (ear, nose and throat) practitioner and holds a Master Degree of Public Health. She has practiced in Germany, the UK and Cambodia. asialife HCMC 61

designs in lacquer and silk.

MOTORBIKES

Automotive Street Ly Thai To Street, D10 starting at Dien Bien Phu and running southeast Services include mending motorbike seats and sound system installation.

Products range from zebra print motorbike seat covers to car and motorbike tyres, hubcaps, rims, subwoofers and sound systems by Xplode.

By Gary Woollacott

People matter Biting The Hand That Feeds You This month I'm going to talk about being gracious in business. A couple of things recently have made me think about the importance of manners at work. One concerns a client and the other is internal.

Client first. I was introduced to an expat candidate in Thailand by someone who said I would like her. She had a personality that made you want to hire her on the spot. He asked if I could help; perhaps a client would be interested. I met her and agreed: an excellent candidate who anyone would be lucky to hire. I wondered why all candidates can't be like that!

I gave it some thought and sent her resume to the CEO of a digital business incubating company. I even offered her for free (she is more junior than our usual level) thinking a small fish to catch a big one.

The CEO wrote back to me excited and said he had passed it to HR and the business heads for follow up. A few weeks after sending in her CV I asked the candidate if she had heard from the company. No. I asked if she was still looking. Yes, but there was a good offer on the way which she was inclined to accept.

Some days later I managed to get a response from the CEO which confirmed they were still interested but that HR and business heads still needed to reply. Too late. My candidate took another job.

Next time I get a great candidate I won't be sending them 62 asialife HCMC

to that company.

My second story concerns one of our consultants who has found it extremely difficult to generate business. She executes searches well and is a seasoned recruitment professional; it's just business development she finds so hard. I will say here that selling retained executive search is one of the hardest things.

There are so many firms out there offering to recruit at rock-bottom prices.

But what has happened this time is that our consultant has developed a sense of entitlement just because she had the job for a few months.

Most people I hope would have the moral courage to know when they aren't good at something and say so to their managers. Realistically, I know that most people out there are probably taking advantage of their employers somewhere along the line, so why is under-performance any different? What also hurt was the fact that I was presented with a shopping list of demands to get her out of the company. That was plain ungracious.

As usual, let me know if you have any particular topic you would like to see covered here.

Gary Woollacott is the CEO of Opus executive search in Vietnam and Thailand. He can be reached at +84 8 3827 8209 or via gary@opusasia. net. Opus is a partner of Horton International.

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.

Zeus Helmets Founded in Taiwan to manufacture cool, comfortable helmets that meet worldwide safety standards. Basic models feature thermo-injected shells constructed from lightweight ABS composite with interiors lined with moisture-absorbant brushed nylon. Shops selling authentic Zeus helmets are located on Pham Hong Thai near Ben Thanh Market.

REAL ESTATE

Ava Residence 40/10 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 8440 www.avaresidence.com Modern serviced apartments located 5 minutes from the British International School and Australian International School. Affords a great view over the Saigon River. Many facilities available including a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym.

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.

EasySaigon.com www.easysaigon.com Real estate website helps expats find apartments in HCMC. 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, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 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 apartment comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, en-suite bathrooms, separate work and living areas.

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 Viet Nam 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.

Snap Tel: 0989 816 676 www.snap.com.vn Online Real Estate service providing information on rental properties exclusively in District 2. Full listings online.

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 providing HR outsourcing solutions for staffing and payroll,overseas employment and education services.

Navigos Group 130 Suong Nguyet Anh, D1 Tel: 3825 5000 www.navigosgroup.com Recruitment agency offering a complete portfolio of HR services including executive search, HR advisory, training, online recruitment, and print recruitment advertising.

Opus Vietnam

5F, Vitic Building 6B Nguyen Thanh Y, D1 Tel: 3827 8209 www.opusasia.net Established in HCMC in 2005, Opus services local and multinational companies seeking to recruit high quality personnel.

An Associate of Horton International, one of the world’s leading search groups with over 30 offices worldwide. For more info contact info@opusasia.net.

TMF Vietnam Saigon Trade Center, Unit 2811, 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 9229 / 9222 hang.bui@tmf-group.com www.tmf-group.com With more than 3,300 professionals working out of 86 offices in 65 countries, TMF provides independent accounting and corporate secretarial services to companies worldwide.

Vietnamworks.com 130 Suong Nguyet Anh, D1 Tel: 5404 1373 www.vietnamworks.com Excellent section on advice for jobseekers focusing on topics such as resume writing, cover letters, interview technique and more.

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 48A Huynh Man Dat, 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.

UTS Saigon Van Intl’ Relocations 1st Fl, 214 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel:MOVING!?

3744 7102 www.saigonvan.com Full service relocating agency with ware! housing, handyman, insurance & claim, ! orientation an partner career support services also availble. !"#$%&&'(!)%*#)%&&'(!+),-.)%*#)%&&'/!

0#1.!2#3-(!#4$-(!5%$,#.'/!! !6--7!8,#.%9-!/! :&%))+)9!,#!.-&#$%,-!;#.&7;+7-/! ! !"#$%&$''(")*'+,"-%,'.%*$#/*0'

!!!

<=>=?!@!AB!!A!!CDBB!DEFG!!!!H!!!!8%&-8I8%+9#)J%)K$#3! ! <%)#+?!@!AB!!B!!CDEA!LDEM!!!!H!!!!+)5#I8%+9#)J%)K$#3! www.saigonvan.com

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

Stationary and Printing Street Ly Thai To Street, D3 More than 25 stores providing photocopying services, from business cards to flyers and colour prints to invitations.

Being there, or being ‘there’ Crown’s people are always with you.

Preparing you before you go, and helping you settle‐in when you arrive.

Relocating should be exciting and rewarding for everyone.

Our experience and knowledge of worldwide relocations, is shared by all our people in more than 200 locations.

Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 3840 4237 hochiminhcity@crownrelo.com Da Nang Tel: +84 908 426 427 danang@crownrelo.com Hanoi Tel:+84 4 3936 6742 hanoi@crownrelo.com

And we’ll always be there to help you get the most from your relocation.

Go knowing

www.crownrelo.com/vietnam

listings

fashion By Christina Yu

FASHION RULES Sparkles Only After Sunset?

The most frequent comment I've heard on my business: “Your bags have too many embellishments and sparkles for daytime and therefore are very difficult to wear. Keep the glitter to your evening bags.”

For a girl whose nickname is Sparkle, what do you expect? Avoiding glitter during the day is one of those silly unspoken rules of fashion.

Even fashion experts today agree that glittering metallics is a fashion basic and not just a trend.

So how to pull off sequins before sunset without looking too overdone like a drag queen-on-the-prowl or a nineyear-old playing dress up?

The answer is subtlety.

Embellished tops are great ways to include some glitter in your outfits. Pair it down with jeans or leggings. Otherwise, add a cardigan or buttondown shirt. If your office has a casual dress code, you could wear a fun, sparkly top with a blazer and a conservative pencil skirt or pants, but the skirt or the pants should be in a solid matte colour. For example, a t-shirt with big rhinestones around the collar and worn with a long blazer is an excellent look that will allow you to move from meetings to cocktails without looking too casual.

Shimmery skirts, like embellished tops, can be worn with casual tops or long blazers that fall to your bottoms.

But I would only recommend shimmery skirts to people with small hips or good legs as 64 asialife HCMC

you don’t want your bum to shine like a scorching sun. I would also recommend Lurex (a shiny metallic knit) or metallic leather worn with a plain button-down shirt in solid matte colour and a wide belt with flats or short boots for an edge. If you wear a shimmery skirt it’s important not to wear heels as it will look overly dressy and out of place.

For those who normally work in the static corporate world, try accessories that pop such as a bag with metallic shiny studs or sparkling details, a lightly beaded belt, a pair of sequin flats or a little bling for daytime shimmer without looking ridiculous.

The current fashion trend is to wear a big chunky rhinestone necklace for day as a statement. If this is too imposing for you, check out Loani jewellery (Loani.com) for small bling that can be worn from day to night.

In fashion and in life, glitter or sparkle always denotes a bit of fun. And if all the daytime sparkles mentioned above are too daunting for you, the easiest way to add some fun in your day is to wear some metallic makeup and glittery nail polish. You can always take it off if you don’t like it!

Christina Yu is the creative director and founder of Ipa-Nima, an award-winning accessories brand. Email your questions to Christina@ipanima.com or visit Ipa-nima. com.

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), tailormade silk dresses and tops. Has a wide range of materials on the second floor.

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.

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.

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

Roxy and Quiksilver Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1 The original active living and extreme sports brands, Roxy and Quiksilver products combine form and function. Choose from outdoor gear to cool indoor clothes.

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

FCUK 127 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3914 7740 www.frenchconnection.com Trendy UK brand with a selection of fashion-forward dresses for women and smart workwear and funky casual wear for men, all at middle-market prices.

Ginkgo Concept Store 254 De Tham, D1 Tel: 0905 493 148 www.gingko-vietnam.com A unique shopping space that offers an original and creative mix of made-inVietnam clothing from local designers, artisans and brands that stay true to the company’s environmentally friendly principles.

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 interior 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

Lucas 69A Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3827 9670 Fashion store housing contemporary designs in casual, office and evening wear imported from Hong Kong.

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.

The emphasis is on muted tones and unobtrusive logos for men who don’t like to show off.

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.

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.

Esprit 58 Dong Khoi, D1 Outpost for the international brand of colourful, preppy men’s and women’s casual wear.

Geisha Boutique 85 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3829 4004 enquiry@geishaclothing.com Facebook: Geisha Boutique Australian fashion label offering a contemporary range of casual and evening wear with an Asian influence. Printed tees, singlets, shorts, skirts, jeans, summer scarves, dresses, silk camisoles and satin maxi dresses.

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.

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.

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 dresses, velvet corsets, chiffon shawls and a range of accessories, all designed in-house.

SHOES

Aldo 157 Dong Khoi, D1 Offering a wide selection of affordable footwear from mid- to high-range prices.

Carries office-appropriate and partyready heels and flats, as well as a range of accessories and bags.

Charles & Keith 10 Mac Thi Buoi, 18-20 Nguyen Trai Tel: 3925 1132 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.charleskeith.com Singapore brand housing youthful and trendy shoes of a contemporary, high fashion design.

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.

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.

TAILORS

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. In-office and workplace fittings available.

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. Shirts start from US $30.

Fabric Street

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.

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

57 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 8 66 756 956

asialife HCMC 65

Bambou Fashion Show at Shereton Nha Trang

Boomarang New Menu Launch

Escape Party

Photos by Philip J Deans, Vinh Dao and Romain Garrigue

66 66 asialife asialife HCMC HCMC

Sailing Club 20th Anniversary

Lucas Oils - Vuon Xoai Cup

asialife asialife HCMC HCMC 67 67

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radar Choose your font

Wordmark.it Wordmark.it is a useful font tool for designers or anyone that needs to decide on a logo for their business or personal website. Simply enter your desired text into Wordmark’s search field and adjust the font size to preview your text in every font installed on your computer. If you happen to have every font imaginable, you can quickly alter your search by filtering which fonts or style of font you’d like to analyse. Once you find a font you like, save, print or ask for feedback. It’s all very convenient and ensures that your new design will match the perfect mood of whatever concepts are in progress. With so many fonts created every day and with so many brands and businesses out there, Wordmark’s simple, scrollable font consensus is an underappreciated blessing and helps create an identity for every project.

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The bigger the better

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70 asialife HCMC

The Beat – With Q4 radio

soundfix soundfix

Cat Called Dog

By Prim Facebook.com/CatCalledDog/timeline Youtube.com/watch?v=Sr_ncneSseQ Soundcloud.com/109-records/cat-called-dog-find-your-way

There’s a distinctly fuzzy reality of stepping into Cat Called Dog’s sound; it’s a soothing reassurance of natural bloodpumping, lug-hole piercing, raw, rock that grabs you by the curlies and demands attention. Born and bred in Skelmersdale, northwest England, it’s hard to imagine there’s only two of them, such is the explosion of echoing overlays.

With scratchings of similarities to Royal Blood and The Black Keys, there’s also a hint of Motorhead to shackle the roots.

One EP in and CCD are making steady waves on the live scene. Frank McHale fronts up the vocals and guitar with an effortless surge of alternative rock choruses in 'Find Your Way' to the almost prophetic and psychedelic slant in the introduction of 'God’s Will'. Combine that with Chris ‘6ft billion’ Orrell smacking the skins that makes Ginger Baker look blonde, and you’ve got a live band that instills the warm n' fuzzy feeling of rock being the corner stone of humanity.

In 'Connected' there is a fearless jam-like-mood that portrays a mutual understanding, which stems from experience, as Frank describes: “Truth is myself and Chris have played together in one guise or another and with some amazing musicians and bands for more than a decade.

I think it's safe to say that about 18 months or so ago we started to wind down from the gig scene with the view

72 asialife HCMC

to just working on the odd project.

“One of those projects was to work on a couple of demos without spending too much time, money or resources on them. Within a month or so we'd stumbled into the Cat Called Dog sound!! Writing and recording was fast and erratic. Some songs were written in 20-minute sessions, most of those tracks we still play live today unchanged from their original form.

“We had no real desire to be a duo and had hoped to have convinced our bass playing mates to join us. No one was really sold on it, so we carried on regardless. We decided that it was cheaper to go and play some local venues and rehearse our tracks live, instead of spending money on rehearsal space. So we decided to play two shows and then pretty much leave it there!

“Not sure what happened, but 12 months later and nearly 50 shows on, playing festivals, Hell's Angels rallies, opening shows for some of our heroes, playing sold out gigs, recording in studios (which I always vowed never to ever do again)… it’s been an amazing 12 months for sure.”

And how thankful we are they continued, because quite frankly this band holds both the cat and dog’s proverbials.

Frank is also the man behind Studio 109 Live and Online, a Sunday night show airing unsigned bands.

In The Lonely Hour Sam smith

The voice of 2014 belongs to Sam Smith. Following in the footsteps of Amy Winehouse and Adele, Smith is the latest British singer to bring soul music to the top of the charts. His first break came with collaboration on Disclosure’s hit ‘Latch’, an infectious song that showed only a hint of Smith’s vocal skill. On his debut album In The Lonely Hour, Smith demonstrates that dance pop is not his only strength.

Unrequited love provides inspiration for this taut collection of soul songs, and Smith’s voice – particularly his electrifying falsetto – gives the well-worn theme a visceral potency. Lyrics are often lines repeated over and over, such as on the moving ‘Stay With Me’ and the playful ‘Money on My Mind’, but meaning is conveyed through more than words.

Wooden Head The Proper Ornaments

According to record label lore, James Hoare and Max Claps met over a failed shoplifting attempt. Claps, recently arrived to London from his native Argentina, tried to distract Hoare, who was working at a vintage shop, so that his girlfriend could nick some boots. In the end, the boots weren’t taken, but a bond was formed. As The Proper Ornaments, Claps and Hoare – who is also the guitarist for Veronica Falls – join with bassist Daniel Nellis and drummer Robert Syme to create psych-pop littered with heavyweight influences. The Beach Boys, Nirvana, Jesus and Mary Chain and The Stone Roses can all be heard in the band’s jangly melodies and breezy harmonies. Yet The Proper Ornaments’ curated sound doesn’t sound like stealing, but instead feels effortlessly, pleasantly familiar.

album review

endorsed

by Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen

Passerby

Tzenni

Luluc

Noura Mint Seymali

Music is a beautiful escape.

And when you need to be somewhere peaceful and pretty, Luluc’s sound makes for a sanctuary within reach.

As Luluc, Australians Zoë Randell and Steve Hassett produce indie folk music with an ambling, dreamlike quality. Passerby is the duo’s second album, a follow up to their 2008 debut Dear Hamlyn. Randell, Hassett and co-producer Aaron Dessner of The National didn’t rush to create this record, and the time pays off in quality.

Singer Randell’s level tones are reminiscent of Velvet Underground collaborator Nico, yet less doleful, whereas Hasset provides gentle acoustic guitar that recalls Nick Drake. The subject of Luluc’s lyrics may span the mundane, such as the passing of the seasons, but they draw attention to the quiet magic of everyday life.

Native to Mauritania, the ardine is a nine-string harp traditionally played only by women. In Noura Mint Seymali’s hands, the instrument comes alive with contagious energy. Seymali descends from a line of griots, the storytellers and musicians of the Moors.

Her father is a notable Arab classical music scholar and composer, and her stepmother is Dimi Mint Abba, one of Mauritania’s most esteemed singers. From this background of music royalty, Seymali emerges as a deserving heir. Her third album, Tzenni, showcases a hypnotic form of Saharan desert blues that fuses tradition and modernity.

There’s heat throughout the album – Seymali sings in Arabic with slow-burning, smoke-tinged vocals, accompanied by drums, bass and her husband Jeiche Ould Chighaly’s blazing electric guitar.

Montecristo No 4

By Brett Davis I’m not sure when or where it came from, but sometime in the late 90s I decided it was imperative for every man to have a signature whisky and cigar. A brand he was loyal to and that represented, in some way, his personal style and character.

Chances are it was something I read in the then burgonening array of ‘lad mags’ like Maxim or Loaded.

It was all very suits, cigars and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. What can I say, I was an impressionable youth.

So, last month in this column I expounded on the singular joys of that most wonderful single malt, Lagavulin. Which means that in this installment it is time to turn to the other half of the aforementioned equation. In this case, the Montecristo No 4.

The Montecristo brand was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1935 when a gentleman by the name of Alonso Menendez purchased an existing cigar factory and immediately created a new brand, Montecristo. If you are wondering about the possible literary connection, you would be correct. The name was inspired by the Alenandre Dumas novel The Count of Montecristo.

Apparently it was a popular choice of the factory workers, whose overseer would read the novel to them

while they toiled away at their rolling.

There are 13 varieties of handmade vitolas in the Montecristo range, varying in length from the petit corona No 5 at 102 millimetres to the military-strongman sized ‘A’ at a whopping 235 millimetres. There are also special and regional editions released each year.

So, why is the No 4 my personal choice? Well, it turns out it is not that original a choice, with the No 4 being the most popular cigar in the world market.

Many afficionados proclaim it the best introduction to the world of fine Havana vitolas, with the No 2 as the best in the business for true connoisseurs.

For me, it has just the right heft and, particularly if you select a specimen with a lighter wrapper leaf, a smooth and enjoyable flavour. The No 4 was also reportedly the choice of Argentinian revolutionary leader Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. Not that this had any bearing on my preferred cigar, but it’s interesting to imagine the chat we would have while enjoying this fine Cuban product.

So there you go, a man should have a signature whisky and cigar and these are mine. Now, if someone could just tell me how this reflects my personal style and character I’ll be all set.

Oh, and I need a nice suit.

asialife HCMC 73

boxoffice

Hercules

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Guardians of the Galaxy

The Anomaly

Based on Radical Comics' Hercules by Steve Moore, this ensemble-action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth of Hercules, the son of the Greek god king Zeus. The comic is turned into an epic action film and takes place in 1400 BCE. It follows Hercules’ trials and tribulations and his love of sport and battle as he encounters six likeminded mercenaries who are recruited by the King of Thrace to train his army to be violent and merciless men, forcing them all to face what each of them have become. Hercules also stars Golden Globe Winner Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes and Peter Mullan.

In this modern remake of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, the four legendary kung-fu turtles Michaelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo and Donatello team up with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save New York City and stop samurai villain Shredder’s diabolical plan. Originally created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman and written by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec and Evan Daugherty, the new TMNT is produced by Michael Bay, director and executive producer of the Transformers franchise.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy introduces Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan (Lee Pace), a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits – Rocket (Bradley Cooper), a gun-toting raccoon, Groot (Vin Diesel), a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and the revengedriven Drax the Destroyer (David Bautista) – meanwhile discovering the true power of the orb.

Set in the near future, a former soldier is taken captive and awakens in the back of a van with no memory of how he got there. Accused of kidnapping a child, Ryan (Noel Clarke) tries to put the pieces together but nine minutes and 47 seconds later he loses consciousness again. Under impossible circumstances he has no choice but to search for the answers to the mystery behind his memory losses. Also starring Ian Somerhalder (Lost, The Rules of Attraction), The Anomaly is a sci-fi thriller that explores the idea of mind control.

Opening Dates CINEMAS CGV

Hercules (25 July)

CGV.vn

Galaxy Galaxycine.vn

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The Anomaly (25 July) Guardians of the Galaxy (1 August) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (8 August)

The information on this page was correct at the time of printing. Check cinema websites for screenings.

bookshelf Blood Feud: The Clintons Vs The Obamas Edward Klein Regnery They are allies by circumstance, rivals in fact, and enemies by personal animosity. New York Times bestselling author Edward Klein pulls back the veil on the most unreported story in Washington — the jealousy and antipathy that divides the two most powerful Democratic families in the country. With unparalleled reporting and access to the most sensitive sources close to the principals, Klein gives an insider's, behind-the-scenes view of the mutual loathing between the Democratic standardbearers. In this highly anticipated follow-up to his blockbuster New York Times bestseller The Amateur, former New York Times Magazine editor-in-chief Klein delves into the rocky relationship between the Obamas and the Clintons. An old-school reporter, Klein reveals just how deep the rivalry between the Obamas and the Clintons runs, with details on closed-door meetings buttressed by hundreds of interviews. Blood Feud is a stunning exposé of the animosity, jealousy and competition between America’s two most powerful political couples.

Mr Mercedes Stephen King Scribner

In the latest from the ever-prolific Stephen King, three of the most unlikely and winning heroes the author has ever created try to stop a lone killer from blowing up thousands.

In the frigid pre-dawn hours in a distressed Midwestern city, hundreds of desperate unemployed folks are lined up for a spot at a job fair. Without warning, a driver plows through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes, running over the innocent, backing up, and charging again. In another part of town, months later, a retired cop named Bill Hodges is still haunted by the unsolved crime. When he gets a crazed letter from someone who self-identifies as the 'perp' and threatens an even more diabolical attack, Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing another tragedy. Only Hodges, with a couple of highly unlikely allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again.

The Silkworm Robert Galbraith Mulholland The Silkworm is the second Cormoran Strike novel under the pseudonym assumed by Harry Potter author JK Rowling. In this installment, when novelist Owen Quine goes missing his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home. But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives - meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.

When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilliance and Redemption Laura Hillenbrand Random House From Laura Hillenbrand, the bestselling author of Seabiscuit, comes Unbroken, the inspiring true story of a man who lived through a series of catastrophes almost too incredible to be believed. In evocative, immediate descriptions, Hillenbrand unfurls the story of Louie Zamperini - a juvenile delinquentturned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero. During a routine search mission over the Pacific, Louie’s plane crashed into the ocean, and against all odds, Zamperini survived, adrift on a foundering life raft. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini's fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will. You’ll cheer for the man who somehow maintained his selfhood and humanity despite the monumental degradations he suffered.

asialife HCMC 75

ODD ONE OUT This month, Dana Filek-Gibson learns that anxiety runs in the family and South Korea has no deodorant.

And yet, serious though they may be, to me these are some of the most rewarding moments of being an expat. Stupid, yes, but rewarding. For they remind us just how far we've come and just how desperately, deeply naïve we were.

76 asialife HCMC

In case you were wondering, there is no deodorant in South Korea. Shocking, I know. But the internet has confirmed and, in this age of Facebook groups and Wikipedia and YouTube comments, we cannot argue with the infinite wisdom of cyberspace. Indeed, it seems unlikely that an entire nation would collectively choose to forgo the prevention of body odour, but there you have it. A word of warning to the overly sweaty and those with a heightened sense of smell: think twice before you a book a flight to the land of soju and fan death.

How do I know this? Because I have a brother, and that brother is a bit like David Sedaris on speed. To say he's anxious is an understatement. We don't call each other anymore – at least not in that old-fashioned way of picking up a phone and dialing – but when we used to, he would sometimes start our conversations with a tickle in his throat and 20 minutes later, voila: lung cancer. At the very least, he worries.

And last month, in a streak of well-planned spontaneity, that same anxious, hypochondriac brother became an expat. After a handful of Skype interviews, my younger sibling managed to fool a total stranger into believing he was responsible enough to employ and this is how he came to live and work in Seoul. Like large swaths of the expat community in Asia, he will spend the next year having children

compliment his golden hair while he corrects their English.

Before he left, we spoke: Me: So, are you ready to go?

Him: Yeah, but my suitcase is too heavy. It's mostly the shoes.

And the deodorant.

Me: Deodorant?

Him: They don't have deodorant in Korea. I looked it up online.

Me: Spence, I promise you they have deodorant in Korea.

Him: No, they don't.

Me: I'm pretty sure they do.

Him: WELL I BOUGHT TEN STICKS AND THEY'RE COMING WITH ME. Already, I am counting the days until he gets the nervous sweats, uses up his entire supply and is forced to go out into that cold and unforgiving concrete jungle to forage for antiperspirant. But not yet: right now it's serious, in the way that everything is serious when you arrive in a new country. Three years ago, a paler, more gullible version of myself remembers the rapid-onset anxiety that came when a xe om driver or a banh mi cart was nowhere to be found.

I, too, feared the unknown. Of course, Vietnam's unknowns have less to do with unwanted body odour and more to do with being poisoned by street food or gambling your life in a rush-hour game of chicken, but still the worry visits on us all when we are new to a place and not yet able to form sentences like “Is this safe?”, “Please drive slower” and “Tell me you

carry Speed Stick” in a foreign language.

And yet, serious though they may be, to me these are some of the most rewarding moments of being an expat. Stupid, yes, but rewarding. For they remind us just how far we've come and just how desperately, deeply naïve we were. Once upon a time, long ago, I was afraid of driving. Traffic was hectic and there was no way that I, the proud owner of not a single license in any country anywhere, could sit astride a motor vehicle and be entrusted with getting myself from Point A to Point B. It seemed impossible, weaving irresponsibly through traffic, and yet now I do it everyday. Just last year, after getting mauled by monkeys on your average day trip to Can Gio, I cried for days, paralysed by the fear – nay, the knowledge – that I was going to contract rabies and die a slow, horrible, excruciating death. Many a seasoned expat dares not speak aloud the embarassing concerns he or she once harboured, but in the end it is these foolish moments that mark our growth as human beings. And so I wait with anticipation for the day when my brother – teacher, expat, walking anxiety attack – can look back on this, too, and laugh about his intense deodorant fears and see the change in himself.

Dana Filek-Gibson is a Canadian expat living in Ho Chi Minh City.

TET Jacobs learns about ventures in LIFESTYLE Katie sustainable tourism and community development in the north.

COLLECTION

Growing up, I was lucky to have parents who not only loved to travel but who loved to travel off the beaten track. We would hike for days through remote landscapes, visit lesserknown destinations and stay in small locally-run guesthouses.

Now I’m not going to lie, as a kid I wasn’t such a fan of this.

Lying in my tent, praying a bear wasn’t about to rip into me, I would dream about the big shiny international hotels we passed in cities. I didn’t want to stay in a shack my parents thought had ‘character’, I wanted the generic interior, soft bed and tiled bathroom of a nice hotel room. However, a funny thing happened when I started traveling independently, I stayed in those I-could-beanywhere-hotels, and I hated it.

They were generic, boring and I never felt I actually connected to the place I was visiting.

So, despite becoming scarily similar to my mother, I now spend hours planning holidays; seeking small, locally-run, guest-houses that embrace the

local community, culture and environment.

When I first moved to Hanoi over a year ago, I found very few of these establishments.

Sure there were small hotels run by local people, but few were consciously embracing the principals of responsible and sustainable travel. Although there are organisations working hard to increase the market in Vietnam, they seem few and far between. Developing sustainable tourism businesses takes time and these initiatives are still in their infant stages.

Or so I thought until I met Pete and learned about the Tet Lifestyle Collection.

On a grey Hanoi morning, with rain streaming out of the sky, I arrived, a little soggy, at Tet Décor Café on Dang Thai Mai Street in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district. Snagging a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows, I settled in to watch the red, orange and white koi drift lazily through the courtyard pond. Admiring the Hmong textiles draped

over wooden tables and walls lined with various handicrafts, I was joined by Pete Wilkes, founder and manager of the Tet Lifestyle Collection, the umbrella company to which the café belongs. Although I was there to interview him about the Collection’s newest venture, Backyard Bia Hoi, we settled into an easy conversation about Hanoi, travel and why he decided to move to Vietnam and start a travel company rooted in community development and responsible tourism.

“To me, responsible tourism is about traveling with generosity,” says Pete, “and we want to make it easy for people to give back to the community they are visiting.” Pete and his team hope to not only give visitors a unique experience but also create a community within the organisation and build spaces where people feel they can connect.

Relaxing into the colourful cushions handmade by the women that attend the

Collection’s regular life-skills and handicraft workshops, I decided to stay on for lunch.

Whiling away a pleasant hour, happily enjoying my avocado and mushroom on toast, I paid extra attention to the food on my plate. All meals at Collection properties are made with ingredients that have either been sourced locally or grown on their 65-hectare farm in Soc Son, 40 minutes from Hanoi. The Fragrant Path farm will soon be opening its doors to regular overnight visitors who will have the opportunity to enjoy a weekend of northern Vietnam’s peace and tranquility, while hiking in the hills and feasting on the farm grown produce. My parents will be visiting for Christmas and I immediately knew that this was just the ‘characterfilled’ type of place they would enjoy. With eight properties in the north and plans to expand nation-wide, it seemed that the Tet Lifestyle Collection is exactly what I was looking for. asialife HCMC 77

pub quiz 21)

August Celebrations

23)

11. Which country has celebrated Independence Day on Aug 15 since 1947?

12. Hari Merdeka is celebrated on Aug 31 in which Southeast Asian country?

13. The Glorious Twelfth celebrated the start of what?

14. An international arts and culture festival started in 1947 in which European city?

24) 15. Which rapper and actor was born Artist Leon Ivey Jr and will celebrate his 51st birthday on Aug 1?

Fill in the First Names 16. Preston and Logan from a 1989 comedy film.

17. Abbott and Costello.

25) 18. Browning and Barrett – poets and lovers.

19. French and Saunders – creators of Absolutely Fabulous.

20. Mulder and Scully – from the X-Files.

Opposite Personalities

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Publishment Manager: Nguyeãn Theá Sôn Editor in Chief: Leâ Thò Thu Höông Editors: Phöông Lam Giang Traàn Ngoïc Thöông Designed by: ASIALIFE MEDIA JSC Cover & content by: ASIALIFE MEDIA JSC VIETNAM NEWs AGENCY PUBLISHING HOUSE 116 - 118 Nguyeãn Thò Minh Khai, Q3 Thöïc hieän lieân keát xuaát baûn: Coâng ty CP TT QC AsiaLIFE Media In 4,000 cuoán, khoå 20,5cm x 27cm taïi Coâng ty ITAXA ñòa chæ 126 Nguyeãn Thò Minh Khai, Q.3.

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Pub Quiz Answers

1. The males of which edible animal are known as either jimmies or bucks?

2. What name is given to a male bee?

3. What is a male duck called?

4. What type of animal is a tiercel or tercel?

5. The males of which animal are bucks or boomers?

22) 6. What term is applied to a female donkey?

7. What is a female sheep called?

8. A male swan is a cob, but what is a female swan?

9. If the male is a billy, what is the female called?

10.What is a female goose called?

Thoâng tin du lòch vaø vaên hoaù ôû Vieät Nam ASIALIFE HCMC

1) Crabs 2) Drone 3) Drake 4) Falcon 5) Kangaroos 6) Jenny 7) Ewe 8) Pen 9) Nanny 10) Goose! 11) India 12) Malaysia 13) Grouse shooting season 14) Edinburgh 15) Coolio 16) Bill and Ted (Theodore) 17) Bud and Lou 18) Robert and Elizabeth 19) Dawn and Jennifer 20) Fox and Dana 21) Putin 22) Gandhi 23) Sylvester Stallone 24) The Dalai Lama 25) Hugh Heffner

Animal Genders

Why we love a

mess

Because at ISHCMC we understand that sometimes you have to get your hands a little messy to be truly innovative.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students need to do more than memorise information in traditional classrooms. They need a more evolved approach to education that allows them the freedom to pursue their passions fearlessly. In addition to a strong academic foundation, they need opportunities to be creative, innovative and analytical, all of which lie at the heart of the ISHCMC philosophy.

Come and see the difference we can make in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

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28 Vo Truong Toan, District 2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: +84 (8) 3898-9100 Email: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn www.ishcmc.com

Carla, Grade 4 & Ella, Grade 1 ISHCMC Students