AsiaLIFE Vietnam January 2015

The road less travelled.

Digital Nomads ISBN: 978-604-905-710-6

Why we love out of the box Energized Engaged Empowered

Because at ISHCMC we understand that out of the box thinking leads to originality and innovation.

thinking

Today’s students need to do more than memorize 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 child’s life.

A fully accredited IB World School, authorized to teach all 3 programs of the International Baccalaureate curriculum to students ages 2 – 18 years.

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

Tet Holiday Package 2015 Feb. 09 - Feb. 27, 2015 Hill Top Pool Villa (2 people) Beachfront Pool Villa (2 people) Family Pool Villa (2-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa) (4 people) 2-bedroom Hill Top Pool Villa (4 people) Rock Pool Villa/ Water Pool Villa (2 people) The Rock Retreat (2-bedroom) (4 people) Hill Top Reserve (3-bedroom) (4 people)

8,000,000++ 9,200,000++ 13,500,000++ 14,700,000++ 14,700,000++ 28,700,000++ 41,400,000++

These rates are in Vietnam Dong, subject to five percent service charge and ten percent goverment tax.

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Including:

. Daily buffet breakfast at Dining by the Bay restaurant. . Round trip airport shuttle bus and boat transfers. . Saturday Hiking, wellness Activity (yoga or Tai Chi), reef discovery, kayaking.. . Children’s activities at the Sub Club from 9.00 am to 12.00 am and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Terms and conditions:

. Validity from Feb. 09 - Feb. 27, 2-night stay requirement. , 2015 inclusive. Minimum . . Applicable for recommended occupancy. . , . Complimentary for maximum 2 children from 0-11 years old on sharing basis with 2 full paying adults; . children are entitled to complimentary daily breakfast buffet and transfers.

.

. Applicable for Vietnamese nationals and Expatriates in Vietnam. . . ID or Residence card must be shown upon check in, or best available rates will be. charged. . . Offer applies for new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other promotions. . . Offer is subject to availability.

To make a reservation or for more information T: +84 58 3 524 268 E: reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com Ninh Van Bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam Sixsenses.com/NinhVanBay Facebook.com/SixSensesNinhVanBay

CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM

www.asialifemagazine.com

January 2015

VOLUME 82

16

Front

F OO D & D R I N K

EVENTS . . .............................................................. 0 6 NEWS .................................................................. 0 8 TOP 5: Networking Events ..................... 1 1 Q &A With Charlie Gorringe . . .......................................... 1 4

Behide CAfe

PHOTO ESSAY

ActionAid in Cambodia . . ........................................ 1 6

Drinks and books in Phu Nhuan .. ............................ 3 6

LovEat

Italian cuisine with an Asian twist ............................. 3 7

Zombie BBQ

Barbecue to awaken your palate ............................. 3 8

Vy Da Quan

Deep-fried fish bones and other local treats . . .......... 3 9

C ov e r Sto ry

S TYLE & D E S I G N

Digital Nomads

Gem Centre

A location-independent lifestyle . . .............................. 2 0

Downtown Saigon's first event space shines .. .......... 4 0

living a dream

F e at u r e s Phraseology

The appeal of foreign language lessons abroad . . ...... 2 6

a league of their own

Inside Vietnam's competitive gaming industry.. .......... 2 8

Taking Off

Wearable art from the capital ................................. 4 2

C OLU M N S IMBIBE ............................................................................. 5 2 LOCAL EATS ............................................................... 5 4

FITNESS .......................................................................... 5 6

Local aviation develops at an unprecedented rate.... 3 0

PErsonal Finance ............................................. 6 0

T r av e l

Hot Property ........................................................ 6 3

Meals on Wheels

A Cambodian culinary Vespa adventure. . .................. 3 2

parks & recreation

An aquatic escape to the forests of Can Gio............ 3 4

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HOME IMPROVEMENT .......................................... 6 2 PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 4 FASHION RULES ....................................................... 6 6 odd one out ........................................................ 7 6 LETTER FROM HANOI ........................................... 7 7

ABC International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Official

vel Top in Vietnam AS Le .

Award Winners 2014

Jong Bin Highest score in the World in IGCSE Mathematics 2014

Graduate acceptance rate into top universities in the USA, UK and Australia is 100%

Top in Vietnam IGCSE Award Winners 2014.

Recognised as an Outstanding British School Overseas by the UK Department for Education.

www.theabcis.com

events Sofitel Metropole Hanoi presents resident singer Kristen Evelyn Rossi

Galerie Quynh presents The Cosmos and the Sea

15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Kristen Evelyn Rossi, Bangkok’s Broadway Babe, has landed a four-month contract as the new resident singer at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. An actress, singer, lindy hopper and entrepreneur, Rossi was raised in New York, has a degree in Theatre from Point Park University and has called Bangkok home for the past six years. In 2012, she created Broadway Babe and Musical Theatre for KIDS, both with a mission to bring Broadway style to Southeast Asia. Last year, Rossi was busy creating live cabaret shows, including Burlesque at Betty for the FICO group and most recently appeared alongside New York jazz singer Laura Brunner, Concrete Jungle: An American Music Revue. For more information please visit BroadwayBabeAsia.com or KristenEvelynRossi. com. You can see Rossi at The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi at Le Club from Tuesday to Sunday.

151/3 Dong Khoi, Level 2, D1 (downtown gallery) // 65 De Tham, D1 (main gallery) Galerie Quynh presents The Cosmos and the Sea from LA-based artist Christine Nguyen, who is known for works that draw upon the imageries of science and nature. Combining drawing with photographic techniques, Nguyen has developed a pioneering practice centered on the manipulation and layering of negatives. Her work revolves around the imaginings of an organic prism, a dream-like world where oceans merge with outer space. Her works depict ferocious ocean currents, meandering creatures, iridescent flora, spiny strata of rocks and other fantastical imagery, each performing a distinctive act in the collective formulation of a mysterious ecosphere. The artist received her BFA from California State University, Long Beach and MFA from the University of California, Irvine.

Entertainment

Art

Standpoint Theories - Vietnam Edition ft Le Cat Trong Ly

T-Ara Concert at Lan Anh Stadium

Cargo Bar, 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh, D4

Lan Anh Stadium, 291 Cach Mang Thang 8, D10

9 January, 8.30pm // 10 January, 8.30pm // 11 January, 2.30pm and 8.30pm

K-pop girl group T-Ara will perform for the second time in Vietnam at District 10’s Lan Anh Stadium. The concert also offers the audience a fan meeting – the first official fan meeting, in fact, of any Korean artist in Vietnam. Tickets can be purchased at Upbeat. vn.

Cargo presents Standpoint Theories – Vietnam Edition, an international project focused on building a graphic novel of six Vietnamese legendary myths through interactive dance performances that connect movement, sound and light organised by swarming algorithms. The Vietnamese myths include the origin story of the Vietnamese people and other tales.

Standpoint Theories – Vietnam Edition is a collaboration between singer/musician Le Cat Trong Ly (Vietnam), dancer Emily Navarra (USA), musicians Bryon Ramsey-Leonard Rudd and David Moses Haimovich known as Space//Panther (USA), media artist Daniel Day Long (USA), illustrator Hoang Trung (Vietnam), scenographer/animator Julien Noyer, percussionist Eric Meftah (USA), bassist Gar Eth Katz (USA), lighting designer Julian Hodgson (Scotland) and sound engineer Alain-Timmy Vegas (UK). Contact gemdartiste32@gmail.com for more information.

Performance

Live Music

for more news and events, features, restaurant reviews and video, visit: gle

wo

young

at

sin

exp

www. A s i a L i f e M a g a z i n e .com

This Month's Cover men

Art Direction: Kendra Bernard Photography: Vinh Dao

ISBN: 978-604-905-626-0

For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 / +84 8 6680 6105 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com Director Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialifemagazine.com Editorial Director Brett Davis brett@asialifehcmc.com Art Director Kendra Bernard kendra@asialifemagazine.com

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Photo Editor Vinh Dao photoeditor@asialifemagazine.com Managing Editor Dana Filek-Gibson dana@asialifemagazine.com Style Editor Ruben Luong ruben@asialifemagazine.com

Contributing Editor Michael Tatarski michael@asialifemagazine.com Production Manager Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com Administrator Nguyen Hanh Trinh trinh.nguyen@asialifehcmc.com

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news Train fares will be reduced by 20 percent during Tet Photo credit: VietNamNet

For the Lunar New Year, the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has announced it will reduce fares by 20 percent from 8 February to 2 March, 2015, according to VietNamNet. Fourteen pairs of Hanoi-HCMC trains, totaling 12,000 seats each day, will be available for passengers. There will be about 3,000 seats per day on trains from HCMC to Hue, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet, 10,500 seats per day for trains from Hanoi to Vinh and Thanh Hoa and 4,500 seats per day on the trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai. This drop in fares is in direct contrast to last Tet, when fare prices actually increased by 10 percent, resulting in many unsold tickets. Train tickets can be purchased online via Dsvn.vn, Vetau.com.vn or VietnamRailway.vn.

Vietnam is no longer a least-developed Asean country vn.

Vietnam is no longer considered one of the four least-developed countries in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report at the Asean Business and Investment Summit. Due to its economic growth, Vietnam will be removed from the acronym that represents the four least developed Asean members – CLMV – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

“Vietnam’s budget allocation toward the education and health sectors is higher than the other three countries. This means Vietnam will be seen in the front-line in terms of human resource development before long,” an official from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry said at the 11th Asean Business and Investment Summit.

According to numbers from 2012, Vietnam had a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.617, education index of 0.539, health index of 0.874 and income index of 0.501. In comparison Singapore, Asean’s leading economy, had an HDI of 0.895, education index of 0.804, health index of 0.966 and income index of 0.925.

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An International School for students aged 18 months-11 years

Why parent’s choose ISSP 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.

The Right Track to University

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.

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.

International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Street 22,Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 2222 7788/99 Email: admissions@issp.edu.vn

www.issp.edu.vn

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news Photo credit: Thanh Nien

Dutch women cycle in Southeast Asia for women’s rights

Four Dutch women arrived in HCMC in late November after cycling from Indonesia through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Four Dutch women arrived in HCMC in late November after cycling from Indonesia through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia to promote their foundation Ride for Women’s Rights (R4WR), reports Thanh Nien.

Recent grads, the R4WR girls – Carlijn Bettink, Lidewij Ponjee, Sophie van Hoof and Monique van der Veeken – have been riding since last September. They plan to ride 14,000 kilometres through 22 countries across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, Eastern Europe and Western Europe in 400 days.

In addition to exploring each country, they will contribute to organisations dedicated to women’s rights, such as Plan International in Vietnam, which advocates for education, gender equality and family planning rights. “We hope to explore the meaning of women’s rights in different contexts by talking to both women and men in the countries we visit and by visiting local women’s projects to give a voice to stories which we think are of value,” Bettink told Thanh Nien.

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Hotline: 0918 802 526 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, HCMC T: (84-8) 3822 6111 Ext.101 F: (84-8) 3824 1835 E: sales@norfolkmansion.com.vn W: www.norfolkmansion.com.vn Managed by Norfolk Group

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top 5

pick of the month

Networking

Groups in HCMC

Dana Filek-Gibson rubs elbows with Saigon's wellconnected professionals.

Photos by Vinh Dao. Models: Tin Mai, Kendra Bernard

By definition, networking is a strange concept. On any given weeknight, a group of people are herded into a room for two hours of finger food, polite conversation and complimentary wine. Business cards change hands. Awkward introductions ensue. Everyone talks about their holidays or pet projects or current feelings on the weather. And at the end of the night, when all the salmon canapes and miniature bruschettas have gone, you may walk away with a stack of names, emails and phone numbers but often few meaningful connections.

While this may not be a ringing endorsement of networking as a whole, Saigon is blessed with a handful of good opportunities to meet new people. From professional suit-and-tie affairs to dressed down, casual meetups, here are five of Saigon's best networking events to attend in the new year.

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M2 Marketing & Media Network M2 may be new to the city's networking scene but its events have certainly picked up steam since they began in April 2014, attracting attention from media, marketing, advertising and digital professionals across town. Organised by regional company Asia Media Partners, these monthly meet-ups include three short presentations on a range of different marketing- and mediarelated topics, often focusing on digital and online content. M2 usually draws high-profile speakers from both local and regional

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Spam Cham

On the last Wednesday of every month, the ground floor of Jaspas on Dong Khoi is overflowing with attendees of Spam Cham, easily one of Saigon's best-value social events. For a flat VND 200,000, entrants can enjoy finger foods and free flow drinks from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. It's best to bring a buddy, as many of Spam Cham's regular crowd are already familiar with one another

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CanCham Breakfast Club For nearly three years now, the folks of CanCham have organised their monthly Breakfast Club, a two-hour networking event complete with several action-packed presentations and a hearty buffet breakfast. The Hour of Power, as it's known, showcases five different speakers, each of whom has five minutes to give an informative, no-frills presentation on anything from corporate social responsibility to personal goals, health and lifestyle to website content and social networking. All topics are

companies as well as around 75 to 80 attendees, though events can reach up to 100 participants. Locations vary depending upon the event, but all include finger foods and at least one complimentary drink. Tickets cost VND 250,000 in advance and VND 150,000 for students, or VND 350,000 at the door. Thanks to the group's success, M2 also has plans to expand across Asia in 2015, potentially holding events in Singapore and Shanghai as well as HCMC. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ M2Events or register for the next M2 at VietnamBusiness.tv.

Network Girls HCMC A half-step between business networking and a casual meet-up, Network Girls HCMC has been going strong since 2006 and organises regular gatherings for women in Saigon of all backgrounds. Each month, the group alternates between a cocktail hour and a breakfast event, where everyone from seasoned expats to newcomers to local Vietnamese are welcome to join. Thanks to its casual environment, Network Girls is a great place to make both personal and professional contacts; while there are no official presentations, con-

and so it can be tricky to break the ice on your own. Be sure to invest in a few raffle tickets, too, as some quality prizes are available at each meet-up, including a monster meat tray and other goodies.

All proceeds from the raffle support local charity Loreto Vietnam. Jaspas is located at 33 Dong Khoi, D1. For more information and monthly updates, visit Spam Cham's Facebook group.

screened beforehand to ensure that only the best are chosen. After each presentation, speakers hold a quick Q&A session before moving on to the next presenter.

The Breakfast Club usually draws about 30 guests a month and there are ample opportunities to get to know your fellow guests both before and after the Hour of Power. Entry to the event costs VND 220,000 for CanCham members and VND 270,000 for non-members. The Breakfast Club takes place at Jaspas, 33 Dong Khoi, D1. For more information, visit CanChamVietnam.org.

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nections at NWG tend to be more natural, taking some of the stiff business card collecting out of networking. Expect to find anywhere from 20 to 60 women at each NWG meet-up. Entry fees also alternate between VND 250,000 for breakfast and VND 500,000 for evening events, both of which include complimentary food and drink. The group chooses different locations around the city for each event. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ groups/NetworkGirlsHCMC or send an email to networkgirlshcmc@gmail.com.

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Create Your Own! While there are plenty of regular industry hangouts in Saigon, networking can mean different things to different people. If small talk and hawking business cards is not for you, try putting together your own regular meet-up. Two years ago, hard-pressed to find a networking event that suited his interests, one Saigon resident began hosting a weekly brunch to bring together expat entrepreneurs living and working in Saigon.

“Most of us do business primarily online,” explains the brunch's organiser, Taylor Pearson, a business, online marketing and digital media consultant, “so living somewhere like Ho Chi Minh where there's

a rich history and culture, intelligent and hard-working locals and a growing community of likeminded entrepreneurs is a slam dunk.”

Since then, Pearson has sought to create a casual meet-up where people in the startup world can connect not only on a professional level but also as friends, talking tech and entrepreneurship but also travel and lifestyle. Today, the brunch – which takes place every Sunday at noon – has grown to around 20 to 25 attendees each week.

Anyone involved in tech or entrepreneurship is welcome to join. Because the group changes venues often, it's wise to email taylor@taylorpearson.me for more information.

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Charlie Gorringe Every Tuesday evening, 25-year-old BIS art instructor Charlie Gorringe invites 15 individuals out for a drink at District 2’s Saigon Outcast – followed by two hours of nude figure drawing. Ruben Luong chats with the English expat about the draw of art and naked bodies. Photo

by Vinh Dao. 14 asialife HCMC

So, beer and nude figure drawing! How did you come up with the idea?

How many models are there? Is it difficult to find them?

There are no art classes, at least not many in Saigon, that are adult, and I think that’s important. I come to Saigon Outcast a lot because I live around the corner. It’s such a communal space. We’re always surrounded by arty people spraying the wall or something. It allowed me to think up this idea. It’s gone really well so far. There are a lot of artists in Saigon and it’s good for people to come together, even if you’ve never drawn before. I think it’s a good space to come have a beer, maybe eat food first, draw. It’s chill.

There’s a new model every week. My model dropped out last week and so my model, Carol, she’s Spanish, is my go-to girl.

We have men and women, Vietnamese and expats. I find them via social media. At the moment, I’ve had zero problems. It’s really casual. We run through it and obviously I pay them for being here, they get some food, they get some drinks. They’re part of the class. Carol will cover herself up and also be involved with everyone.

Since it’s outdoors, what’s the process and how do you deal with any sensitivity to nudity?

We put a screen across the gates. It’s a private space, so people are welcome to come in, but people are also warned they will see a naked person.

I also like for everyone to meet the model first, especially if someone has not done it before. As much as we love nude or naked people, when it’s someone standing in front of you, it’s uncomfortable. It’s important to chill a bit first. As soon as the model gets naked, I want everyone here to start out uncomfortable and draw with eyes shut, draw with the other hand, so you don’t pick up any uncomfortable vibe from looking at the model, you focus on yourself and the drawing process. Then we do three poses, starting with a warm-up pose. There are two half-an-hour sits.

Where do you get the art supplies?

All the charcoal I found from a guy on the street in Thao Dien with a cart full of huge twigs that were burned. He was covered in head-to-toe charcoal. I ran up to him and told him I wanted them and drew on the ground with them. The other supplies are just food coloring and pencils. It’s really cheap stuff: brown paper, sugar paper, things that are easy to find here. The boards, easels, they’ve all been from a dreamland I recently discovered near the art school, which is just out near the airport. It’s just a cave of dreams.

Have you taught nude figure drawing in the past?

I never taught it before. At university I studied quite a lot of flesh and the human figure. So I’ve always been into that kind of drawing and I used to do a lot of oil painting, which is fleshy and tactile in texture. I’ve been to a lot of classes before.

I’d never taught it before but was always really into it.

Personality. A lot of traditional teachers will say it has to be perfect and it’s drilled into you [that] your proportion and perspective have to be right. Yes, the feet and hands need to be perfect, but because it’s such a mixed class it’s more about ‘Oh, how did you do that? Maybe I’ll try that next time.’

Would you ever consider modeling?

If my model doesn’t turn up, I probably would. I definitely would. I might keep some of my clothes on, but I definitely would!

What makes figure drawing different compared to other art?

For me, looking at figure art is so interesting. As much as we know what people look like, bodies look like, when someone’s in front of you and you’ve got a pencil in your hand, you want to draw it because it’s intriguing, but it’s also uncomfortable. Once you get past that and draw what you see, that’s what’s so interesting. You’ll see the results and it’s really lovely, that it’s not just a naked person standing there.

Who are your students?

People come in droves and drabs. It’s super diverse. Some have never drawn before. We’ve had tourists. We’ve even had a date, it’s so funny. They did the date and snogged over in the corner afterwards. My mum came last week. She surprised me from England. It was the best surprise of my life. She came to the life drawing class and she had never drawn in her life and she said it was so tranquil and peaceful and it’s just a nice place to talk to people.

How do you deal with students at different levels?

People will often say to me and point to their drawing like, ‘Charlie, this is wrong.’

I have one student that’s very particular, so I just have to know everyone. You can instantly tell what they want from this, so between the levels the class is small enough I can go around and have a good three or four minute chat with them and not draw for them but guide them. If you can’t rectify it, you can next time, and so I just play with that.

What do you think makes an exceptional figure drawing?

Obviously if something doesn’t look right I’ll say it’s wrong because that’s what I’m here to do. I’ll give them techniques to do what they’ve done better so they’re learning to build their confidence. Here it is casual, you get the right balance between telling what’s wrong and getting them to be experimental, especially with materials. I’m all about materials.

What becomes of the figure drawings from the class?

At the end, people compare each other’s drawings. It’s good to learn from each other.

If you don’t want to put your work in that’s okay, too. Most take them home. But some people only do it for the lesson, so I’ll give them to the models.

I also don’t do critique. I used to have critique in the mornings for university. It literally was the worst part of my morning.

So when we share our drawings I just feel proud, I guess. I walk around and it’s more a shock factor for everyone else to compare and contrast. I like the process rather than the actual final product. It’s more of a process. But I also love it when it comes all together. It’s all beautiful.

Figure drawing classes are held every Tuesday at 7pm at Saigon Outcast, 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, D2. Reserve a space in advance by emailing charliegorringe@gmail.com. Each session costs VND 250,000 per person.

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PHOTO ESSAY

Actionaid cambodia Photos by Charles Fox. For more details, visit ActionAid.org/Cambodia

ActionAid marked its 10-year anniversary in Cambodia by commissioning a photographer to document the country's key projects over the last decade. The NGO, a global movement of people working together to improve human rights and tackle poverty worldwide, has facilitated projects in everything from agriculture and education to building better and more cohesive communities. The resulting photographs were displayed last month in Phnom Penh. In the future, ActionAid hopes to take the show to other locations across Cambodia.

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The road less travelled.

DIGITAL

NOMAD

The accessibility of telecommunications technology and global travel has made it easier than ever to work as a digital nomad. As a result, Saigon has a growing community of location-independent entrepreneurs who live here either full-time or for part of the year. Michael Tatarski sits down with a few savvy self-starters to find out what makes the city such an ideal location for this unconventional line of work. Photos by Vinh Dao. Model: Matt Bieber 20 asialife HCMC

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By definition, a digital nomad is someone who uses telecommunication technology to perform their work duties and generally conduct their life in a nomadic manner. While this unorthodox approach to a career may not appeal to everyone, many people around

the world are trading in their high-stress traditional jobs for a more adventurous – and unpredictable – way of life.

Over the past few years, Saigon has attracted a steadily-expanding community of digital nomads. Working in an array of fields and with var-

ied backgrounds, some are brand-new to the locationindependent lifestyle, while others have been at it since the Internet began to gain popularity over a decade ago.

These new-age nomads are redefining the traditional paths of their predecessors.

The New Arrivals

Thus far he believes the city is a great place for digital nomads. “You’re never 50 feet from a café, wi-fi is free and you can sit there for hours and no one gives you a dirty look,” he says. He also finds that leaving your comfort zone is beneficial to creativity. “For me, it’s like being outside your own culture and society, your thoughts can sort of flow more evenly, more freely. You’re not constrained by the American mindset or the European mindset,” he explains.

Of course, there are downsides to being a digital nomad, and to working from Saigon specifically. “Internet speed affects me sometimes, especially with Skype calls,” Bieber shares.

Spino, meanwhile, has had other troubles. “The downside is if you’re a really social creature sometimes the isolation can get to you … you can jump on Skype and chat with a friend but it’s not quite the same,” he explains.

Overall, though, both Bieber and Spino seem happy with their decision to go nomadic. “Something about this lifestyle, for me, is that it’s very much about being in the present and taking it as it comes and letting myself live without a plan,” says Bieber. “For me it’s not troubling to not have an answer to the question of what you’re doing next, whereas back home you’re a drifter.”

After finishing graduate school, Matt Bieber began working in teacher training in Colorado. The work was stressful and left him very little time to pursue his creative passions, particularly his writing about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a condition from which he suffers. Bieber lived in Hanoi for a time about nine years ago and so had prior knowledge of Vietnam, but it wasn't until visiting friends in Saigon over Christmas 2013 that he decided to make the move.

“I realised that all I really wanted to do was make enough money to get by and pursue my creative ambitions,” he said.

Bieber arrived in Saigon 10 months ago and got a job teaching SAT prep. “The plan all along was to come over, work 15 hours a week and then spend the rest of the time writing,” he says. His company has been flexible, agreeing not to schedule him to work mornings, which is when he likes to write. Bieber is certain this arrangement would have never been possible with a job back in the US. While he may not be making any money yet from his podcast or website, MattBieber.net, he believes there is a greater possibility of that happening here than back home. It's helpful, too, that Saigon is welcoming of digital nomads.

“There’s a community of people who are doing creative things, who are living equally exploratory lifestyles, and it’s nice to feel like you’re not the odd one out,” he says.

“I’m not aware of too many places in the world where you can live this lifestyle with this small amount of money and have the motorbike culture. There’s something special about this place.”

Tim Spino, who moved to Saigon in November, works in web design and online marketing using the Wordpress platform.

Before coming to Vietnam, he based himself in New York, where he freelanced for two years before meeting an Australian woman on the online dating site eHarmony. He eventually chose to relocate to the other side of the world, and Saigon became his first international foray into being locationindependent.

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The Part-Timers

Unlike Bieber or Spino, Jodi Ettenberg does not call Saigon home but she spends significant amounts of time here. “I’m a former lawyer from Montreal, and I took a one year sabbatical that’s turned into seven years,” she jokes.

When she first began traveling, Ettenberg started a website so her mother could see where she was going. “It kind of just grew exponentially over the years and led to a bunch of other opportunities that I’m still rocking today,” she says. “If you had told me this seven years ago I’d have said, ‘That’s cute, I’m gonna go back to being a lawyer now.’”

Today, in addition to running her website, LegalNomads.com, Ettenberg does social media work and public speaking around the world.

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Ettenberg, who has celiac disease, first visited Vietnam in 2012, intending to stay for two weeks. Instead, she ended up staying for five months, hunting down as many types of gluten-free soup as she could in the central and southern regions.

“Food is legitimately what brings me back,” she shares. “It has to do with my site in that I write about food but most of the writing I could do from anywhere, I just like to eat here.” She also finds Saigon a great place to spend time, as well. “Vietnam does have very good internet compared to Laos or other places in the region and I personally love cities so I love the chaos and there’s a million things to explore every day.”

James Clark, who is good friends with Ettenberg, has been self-employed for 11 years. “I started doing web design in my spare time while I was working in Ireland and it kind of just fell into it becoming a full-time job,” he says. Clark opened a design 24 asialife HCMC

company in his native Australia and decided to continue traveling, spending about half a year in Vietnam, which he fell in love with on a backpacking trip in 2005.

Like other digital nomads, Clark can do his work from anywhere, but Saigon holds a special attraction. “The internet’s amazing, there’s always a lot of people coming through who I can meet, and there’s also this sense that this is a city that’s transforming in front of our eyes,” Clark says. “To be able to say that I’m part of this happening is really amazing.”

When it comes to the benefits of being a digital nomad, Ettenberg made a point to debunk one of the most common misunderstandings surrounding the lifestyle. “The most interesting kind of myth about it is that you’re far away from your family, don’t you feel disconnected? I get so much more quality time with my family now,” she says.

For his part, Clark sees no reason to settle

down any time soon. “I go back to Australia once a year … it’s sort of a re-assessment of my life and I’ll ask, ‘Do I want to buy a house in Australia?’” he explains. “I always know the answer ahead of time. At the moment I still love the idea of traveling the world and running my business from wherever I am.”

The drawbacks to being digital nomads, according to both, are few. “As a woman, having conferences to go to or places to speak, I’m not traveling carry-on anymore because I have to look respectable for those things,” Ettenberg says. "The logistics of packing for the myriad anchor points … have probably been my biggest stress point, but if that’s my biggest stress point, life’s pretty good.”

The Entrepreneur

Jon Meyer is a user interface designer for web and mobile apps who has also founded a number of start-ups. He was working in

Thailand three years ago when he came to Saigon on a visa run and promptly fell for the place. “I really like the motorbike culture, the street culture, a young population, ambitious, hustle-oriented culture,” he says.

“There is more integration between locals and foreigners that doesn’t happen in other Southeast Asian countries … in Thailand, you’re always a foreigner.”

Unlike many other digital nomads, whose clients are overseas, Meyer does have business connected to Vietnam, although he wasn’t expecting this to be the case when he moved. “If you would’ve asked me when I first came here if I would be doing business in this region I would’ve said they couldn’t afford me, but I’ve closed significant business here that’s made me realise there’s real money being spent here,” he says. “What I do is needed and in demand so it’s been very lucrative to be here.”

Meyer believes such location-independent lifestyles will continue to become more popular moving forward, and Southeast Asia

has strong appeal.

“The entire region is on an upward trajectory. I’m really grateful for being an American and all the opportunities that’s given me,” he explains, “but the opportunities that are available for bootstrapping entrepreneurs back in America, there’s a lot more competition, it’s more difficult, cost of living is insane and I don’t feel like it’s on an upward trajectory. Here, you can plant roots, and I’ve had amazing opportunities thrown at me just by being here.”

One aspect of the start-up arena in Saigon is its youth. “When I came here three years ago the entrepreneur scene was pretty anemic but I thought, well this place has the signature of a lot of stuff,” Meyer says. “Now there’s around 100 expats in my immediate circle. In terms of the network here and the quality of people established here and the people who come through it’s pretty amazing.”

Another benefit of Saigon is one mentioned by everyone: fast, easy-to-access

internet, even though many expats seem to gripe about connectivity on a daily basis.

“The quality of the internet overall, and the value especially, is very high,” says Meyer, who has a fiber-optic connection installed at his house.

Like Bieber, Spino, Ettenberg and Clark, Meyer sees the flexibility of being location independent as the greatest asset of the lifestyle, especially when compared to the rigid careers of their home countries. As he, in blunt fashion, summarises, “I can’t imagine if you’re 22 years old and graduating from college and staring down at 20 or 30 years in a cubicle, why the fuck would you go for that?

That doesn’t make any sense. The narrative of what’s happening is established, it’s just a matter of whether or not you have the courage to do something about it.”

asialife HCMC 25

Phraseology Is it ever too late to learn a new language? Locals and expats are finding the opportunity to take cost-affordable foreign language lessons and appreciate its long-term value in the city.

By Ruben Luong.

Photo by Vinh Dao.

“I learned English because I had to in school, German because I had lived in Germany, but after that I realised how useful it is when you move somewhere or get a job,” says Spanish expat Sara Gonzalez, 35, who is also the director of Jaleo, Ho Chi Minh CIty’s first and only Spanish school in Phu Nhuan District. “When I was learning languages in school, I didn’t realise, or wasn’t conscious, how useful it was for the future.”

In a way, Gonzalez’s case is not so unfamiliar. A grasp of a second, third or even fourth language can be anyone’s gold. More are finding the benefits of being multilingual in the city, where it’s already customary for many expats from different cultures to know at least two languages to some degree of proficiency. The city has been a convenient resource over the years, endowed with programs and courses offered in different centres around the city at relatively cheap prices. Weekly classes may cost upwards of USD $400-500 a month back home, but general classes can cost anywhere from nothing for Vietnamese 26 asialife HCMC

classes at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities to perhaps several million dong for Spanish lessons at Jaleo or German instruction at the Goethe Institut, depending on class packages.

“Sometimes I’m really proud to speak English, French, Spanish or Vietnamese in a level that you can communicate with others, you know?” says Gonzalez. “It makes you closer to other cultures.”

Gonzalez started taking French lessons at IDECAF three months ago and hopes to live in Senegal in the future, where ideally the language will bring her opportunities.

“I also have a lot of French friends, so I listen to friends quite often. I want to learn so fast to have a conversation, but it takes time for the acquisition of the language, time to settle a new language in your brain.

I’m just impatient,” she says.

In the short-term, learning Vietnamese is naturally an interest for some expats in the country. “Most foreigners of course try learning Vietnamese,” says Kanika Singh, 24, an Indian expat who has been here for a year and a half and just started taking

Spanish lessons. Her native language is Hindi. “I had gotten Vietnamese lessons last year, but my motivation wasn’t as strong because it’s not a global language and I wouldn’t be able to use it in many places outside of Vietnam. But not a lot of people are aware of the quality of instruction for other languages that exist here as well – not many – but a few.”

There is already a considerable influence of Spanish culture in HCMC – Latin restaurants like District 3’s Khoi Thom and District 1’s La Fiesta or El Gaucho are always crowded, an avid interest in Spanish football leagues continues to deepen and salsa dancing or Latin nights add flavour to the existing nightlife – piquing some interest in learning Spanish for expats who are otherwise discouraged by learning Vietnamese but may be planning ahead to live in a Spanish or Latin American country.

According to Ethnologue, a comprehensive language research site, there are at least three million native Spanish speakers in 44 countries. It also ranks as the world's number two language in terms

of how many people speak it as their first language, with 329 million native speakers.

It sits ahead of English (328 million), but behind Chinese (1.2 billion).

“There’s maybe double the demand in Spanish here,” says Spanish expat Gema Rodriguez Luque, 39, a Jaleo instructor and BIS Spanish teacher who arrived a year and a half ago to teach Spanish. “When I first taught, I went to the Humanities University and started with one course. In Jaleo now I have a lot, but also there are more Spanish teachers here now.”

And while expats like Singh are interested in learning Spanish in the hope of using it to travel – she began semi-private group lessons from a Jaleo tutor last month at Ploughman’s Garden vegetarian restaurant in District 2 and later hopes to live in Mexico and teach English – a majority of students at Jaleo’s centre are Vietnamese, and of all ages.

“People know that probably a lot of companies here now are interested in Latin America and need to do business translation or other related work,” Rodriguez

Luque says. “I think it’s an economic thing.”

Recently, students from a local tourist company have sought lessons at Jaleo so that they can work as Spanish tour guides and perhaps translators, according to Gonzalez.

“I also work in a small company with about 20 people and I have colleagues who are all fluent in English but know Japanese, Korean or French,” says Mai, 27, a Spanish student. She added that she tried studying Japanese, Chinese and even Dutch before committing to learning Spanish. “Japanese was so difficult. But I traveled to Barcelona once and I loved it,” she says. “I want to come back one day or go to a Latin American country.”

For expats taking any language class, one aspect of learning in Vietnam is that they can share the classroom with Vietnamese students, which not only makes it fun but at the end of the day allows for better learning in all realms, especially if expat language students happen to be language teachers themselves. For instance, Gonzalez

says she enjoys taking French lessons with Vietnamese students so she can understand how they learn effectively and adopt teaching strategies suitable for teaching Spanish.

“I think it’s important to realise what your students go through,” says Singh, who currently teaches English at British Council. “I think in a way I try to think from my student’s perspective because I’m having similar experiences as them. It’s beneficial that way.”

Many other expats who teach English find themselves needing an outlet where they can continue to keep themselves interested in language as well.

“My teaching, I don’t think it keeps my mental faculties up to the level that I would expect it to,” Singh says. “That’s with any job, I guess. It’s important to give yourself a challenge now and then from learning a new language.”

“But really it’s not just languages,” she adds. “It’s just continuously learning something new that is important to me. It’s that I’m learning something else.”

asialife HCMC 27

In just two years, e-sports in Vietnam have gone from a much-loved pastime to a lucrative career.

Dana Filek-Gibson steps into the realm of professional gaming.

Photo by Vinh Dao. On the thinly-carpeted concrete floor of Phu Tho Stadium's indoor hall, a crowd has gathered to watch the game. Spectators, most of them teenagers, hang out in packs, sitting cross-legged in the blue glow of a massive television screen. Even with the host of distractions nearby – part of Saigon's inaugural Comic Con convention – all eyes are on the far end of the hall, where Vietnam's first-ever female League of Legends tournament is well underway.

For the uninitiated, it's hard to follow: much of the on-screen action is a flurry of miniature characters and explosions, numbers and symbols floating up from a particular fight, illuminated by the game's dark green field of play. As the commentator's voice rises, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause, ringing off the high ceiling and around the stadium's echoing walls.

Welcome to the world of e-sports. Now a global phenomenon, the lucrative industry 28 asialife HCMC

of competitive gaming has been steadily gaining steam around the world since the 1990s, spawning professional e-sports teams on several continents and millions of fans worldwide. Fueled by big-budget sponsorships, competitive gaming is a career akin to professional sports, complete with teams and coaches, analysts, commentators and a plethora of online forums dedicated to the industry.

While e-sports leagues focus on a variety of different games, one of the most famous is League of Legends, a hugely popular multi-player online battle arena created by American company Riot Games. In Vietnam alone, League of Legends sees over 3.5 million active users a month; on a global scale, that number exceeds 67 million.

Much like the rest of the e-sports world, League of Legends' rise has been meteoric. In 2010, the winning team at the World Cyber Games Grand Finals netted USD $7,000.

At last year's League of Legends World

Championship, the victors, Samsung White, took home USD $1 million.

Vietnam's teams may not yet be in the top tier of e-sports worldwide, but its future certainly shows promise. In the last two years alone, competitive gaming has taken off not only in Saigon and Hanoi but other urban areas around the country. Though it's long been a hobby of young men, today there are 16 professional teams in the country, six of which compete in the Southeast Asian Garena Premier League (GPL) along with League of Legends teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

For In Cheol Lee, head coach of the Saigon Jokers and Saigon Fantastic Five, two GPL teams, the secret behind e-sports' fast-rising star in Vietnam is its widespread fan base.

Lee, who moved to Saigon last year, spent several years in his native South Korea as both a coach and game commentator before arriving in Vietnam.

“[E-sports in] Korea are all focusing in Seoul,” Lee explains with the help of a translator. “But in Vietnam, Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh have many teams based in local cities that have fan bases in local cities.

If Hanoi travels, [the fans] travel.”

This is good news for the country's e-sports development, however having fans so far apart can also pose challenges.

For Saigon Jokers and Saigon Fantastic Five, matches generally take place online rather than in person, opening the door for internet connectivity issues and logistical troubles. The teams' District 4 gaming house is equipped with multiple servers to help assuage such problems, but there are still occasional complications.

Because the rest of their competitors are scattered across the region, GPL teams only meet face-to-face during the final rounds of competition. This may not give pro players many opportunities to appear in public, but at gaming events Mai Nhat Tan, team

captain of Saigon Jokers, often gets asked to pose for fan photos. The 29-year-old started playing nearly four years ago and has been with Vietnam's e-sports industry since the beginning. Tall and slight, Tan, who plays under the pseudonym Nixwater, struggled to convince his parents that professional gaming could be a legitimate career.

“In the beginning, they protested,” Tan recalls. “But I tried to convince them to let me join the e-sports league and after about a year they agreed.”

According to Lee, this is a common misconception even in South Korea, where professional gamers are considered elite athletes, earning generous salaries and celebrity status.

“Actually, a lot of countries have a similar problem,” he says. “Parents don't want their son or daughter to play games [but] many younger boys want to be a pro gamer.”

For Lee, who scouted many of the players he now trains, convincing a gamer's family

that e-sports are a worthwhile path can be tough. He likens his experience to scouting professional baseball players: often, families require his vote of confidence before they are willing to accept that their son has the potential to become successful.

“If they have a skill or gift,” Lee explains, “I say to their parents, 'We have many [e-sports] all over the world.' [But] if I don't have confidence, I can't say to their parents, 'Please I want to scout him.'”

Though it took his family some time to accept the idea, Tan knew from the start that gaming was a viable option. “The most important thing for me was to have a job that I loved and to follow my passion.”

And passion is certainly a necessary part of the job. On a typical day, Tan and his teammates wake up around 10am, using the morning to relax, exercise or play for their own enjoyment. Afternoons, however, are dedicated to training: team practice begins at 2pm, breaking for dinner around 6pm.

Players compete in one or two scrimmages before convening to analyse game footage and discuss strategy. By 9pm, Lee and his fellow coach, Heo Young Lee, take their leave but the gamers will stay up to train until the wee hours , going to bed around 2am.

At CyberCore Thanh Thai, a high-quality gaming centre in District 10, roughly 100 amateur players, most of them teenage boys, sit in the cool, air-conditioned darkness at any given time. CyberCore Gaming, the company which owns the facility, boasts 150 locations in Saigon alone and 245 across southern Vietnam. Customers play for a minimum of four to five hours, but some will stick around all day. In fact, Phuc Tran, owner of CyberCore, is trying to keep his gaming centres open 24 hours, however he has had trouble convincing local authorities that e-sports are a worthwhile form of entertainment.

“They are just like regular sports,” Tran explains in Vietnamese. “But in Vietnam the appearance is not the same. E-sports are viewed as harmful for people; it's easy for people to give up school to play games. I want the authorities to recognise [e-sports] to help us develop e-sports in Vietnam.”

Still, despite such setbacks, business is booming: last month, CyberCore opened a second gaming floor at its Thanh Thai location. The company also sponsors a handful of e-sports teams, including some of Vietnam's first women's teams, and regularly plays host to amateur gaming competitions.

At some of its larger local events, as many as 300 spectators will attend.

With such a strong gaming community in the country's urban areas, e-sports may have a long way to go but Coach Lee is confident, not only in the professional arena but in e-sports as a cultural phenomenon.

“Gaming is similar to another mind sport, baduk,” he explains. “In Korea, baduk is a really famous game for seniors. I hope in the future [that people] like the game and they grow up and when they are seniors, they want to watch e-sports.” asialife HCMC 29

Taking Off Vietnam’s aviation industry is rapidly gaining momentum with large-scale developments, resulting in preparations for the infrastructure and safety – and ultimately the future of air travel – for those flying into and out of Vietnam. By Ruben Luong. Photo by Vinh Dao.

30 asialife HCMC

30 asialife HCMC

Last year commercial aviation turned 100.

In 1914, one aircraft flew with one passenger on one route, but in 2014, at least 3.3 billion passengers and 52 million tonnes of cargo were transported, according to the president of the Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) Tony Tyler, who highlighted this milestone at an event for Vietnam Aviation Day in Hanoi.

“Vietnam is more prosperous because of aviation,” he added during his speech. “Including tourism, aviation contributes USD $6 billion to Vietnam’s GDP and supports over 230,000 jobs. It gives access to global educational and cultural opportunities and connects families over long distances.

Aviation connectivity is also providing local firms with access to global markets, and is an important driver of foreign direct investment in Vietnam.”

These days it’s easy to see there is plenty of investment and development taking place on the ground in Ho Chi Minh City.

Last month, construction of the four-floor underground section of the first metro line station at Le Loi and Nguyen Hue Streets began. An 86-story observation tower in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area will eventually become the tallest skyscraper in the city, standing 18 stories taller than the Bitexco Tower.

But not quite as apparent are the unprecedented developments happening in the skies above the city. Vietnam’s aviation market is forecast to be the world’s seventh fastest-growing during the 2013-2017 period, with annual growth rates of 6.9 percent and 6.6 percent expected for international passengers and freight, respectively, accord-

The availability of

""

ing to IATA. infrastructure is critical to The aviation industry here support the growth of the is poised for rapid growth aviation industry. and positive advancement – Vietnam Airlines was finally -Tony Tyler, IATA President able to announce its IPO last year and expects to acquire the world’s most advanced aircraft next year, for instance. Continued Among the 10 Asean states, Vietnam is development of the aviation industry is no ranked sixth. It is encouraging to see that doubt critical for the country’s economy, the Vietnamese government has made it a and the industry is preparing to balance this priority to improve.” pressure for growth and accommodate the This is becoming more essential as local huge influx of domestic and international airlines and low-cost carriers become more travellers that lies ahead while maintaining competitive with each other, fares become high aviation standards. cheaper, new technology and aircraft are IATA finds that between 2008 and 2013, adopted and new routes open up, providing passenger traffic has almost doubled in greater visibility and positive business for Vietnam, and last year Vietnam announced Vietnamese aviation in the global market. an ambitious aviation masterplan of having According to CAPA Centre for Aviation, 26 airports by 2020. Although it may not VietJet Air is looking to expand its fleet so be completed until 2023, the construction that it can fly to Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan of the international Long Thanh Airport 50 and Russia while Jetstar Pacific will focus on kilometres from HCMC seeks to prevent the North Asia this year. CAPA also states that overloading of 25 million passengers at Tan Phu Quoc’s international airport, which has Son Nhat that is expected in 2017. seen a boom in tourism, is now Vietnam’s According to CAAV, there were big fifth largest airport, rising four spots since it investments poured into upgrading infraopened in late 2012 with a seat capacity that structure and facilities recently. Last month, has more than doubled over the past two Noi Bai opened a new, second terminal, years. Moreover, more connectivity is being which is four storeys and can serve 10 milseen, as VietJet Air launched its maiden lion passengers a year. flight to Taipei last month while JetStar Tyler also validated the CAAV's sentiAirways and Vietnam Airlines opened a ment on Vietnam Aviation Day. “The availHo Chi Minh City and Mumbai/New Delhi ability of infrastructure is critical to support route in November. the growth of the aviation industry,” Tyler “Aviation is an industry with tremendous remarked. “Vietnam ranks 82nd in the potential,” Tyler said. “Asia-Pacific is leadInfrastructure Index of the World Economic ing the industry’s growth. But there will be Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. challenges to become ever safer, to provide

asialife HCMC 31

asialife asialife HCMC HCMC 31 31

Mealson Wheels C r ui s i n g a ro u nd Siem Reap o n the b a c k o f a V e spa is the perf ect way to d i s c o v e r Camb o dian cu isine.

M ar i s s a Ca rruth e rs j u mps o n th e ba c k o f a b ik e to f ind o u t m o r e . Pho to graphy b y Rudi To w iro .

A

rattan basket full of plump yellow insects is thrust in front of me. I try to hold back the grimace forming on my face. “It’s a shame, there are normally tarantulas here,” Cambodia Vespa Adventures co-founder Ly Akim says, glancing at rows of tables filled with deep fried crickets, bulging water beetles and grasshoppers.

I secretly breathe a sigh of relief as I recall the time I was cajoled into munching on a spider’s legs during a brief stopoff in Skuon, the notorious tarantula town. Since then, I’ve managed to avoid any creepy crawlies passing my lips.

However, I fear that’s a claim that's about to change because the stallholder at this stop-off on our After Dark Foodie tour of Siem Reap with Cambodia Vespa Adventures doesn’t look like she’s about to take no for an answer.

I discreetly hunt out the smallest cocoon and toss it into my mouth. Surprisingly it’s not that bad, especially when washed down with some freshly squeezed sugar cane juice from a neighbouring stall, with the crunchy shell containing a gritty, woody paste.

The road lined with a colourful collection of food vendors on the outskirts of the city marks the half-way point.

There isn’t another foreigner in sight

32 32 asialife asialife Cambodia HCMC

and the street is alive with crowds of Cambodians clamouring to get their hands on the ripest fruit, plumpest prawns and juiciest pieces of chicken.

“Help yourself to whatever you want,”

Ly out “We want to pass show people real

calls as we tables Cambodian cuisine spilling

in a unique way.”

over with pungent-smelling durian, scaly snake fruit and shells containing steamed egg with salt, pepper and sugar.

In July, Ly and her Dutch expat husband Chris Wijnberg launched Cambodia Vespa Adventures as a sister company to Vietnam Vespa Adventures.

Business has been booming since the latter was started in 2007 by friends in Ho Chi Minh City, where the couple lived before relocating to Ly’s hometown of Siem Reap last year.

“It was always my dream to own a business in Siem Reap that allows me to show visitors the places I grew up; the place I call home,” Ly says. And she has come a long way since her humble beginnings.

Born into the Khmer Rouge era, Ly grew up in the shadows of Angkor Wat, with generations of her predecessors operating as chief monks at the temple complex.

Living in war-shattered Cambodia meant there was no access to education but Ly’s grandfather and grand abbot of Angkor, Loung Sake, was determined not to let this stop his granddaughter from learning.

At the age of five, Ly shaved her head and was told to behave like a boy so she could study and live at the pagoda, where no girls are allowed, with her grandfather. At 11, she left to attend school,

and by the age of 14 had opened her first restaurant, near Angkor Wat. It is now owned and run by Artisans d’Angkor.

“I was determined I wanted to do something for myself,” she says.

“Looking back it was a hard life but it made me who I am today.”

In 2000, Ly met Wijnberg and the couple moved to Vietnam for his work. They married and had two children before returning to Cambodia in July 2013 to kickstart plans for their business venture.

They snapped up a 10-strong fleet of shiny new models of the classic Italian scooter that rose to fame during the 1950s, thanks to the likes of Hollywood icons such as Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, Marlon Brando and Dean Martin. They then set about training guides, who double up as drivers, and mapping out routes.

“We want to show people real Cambodian cuisine in a unique way,” Ly says. And that they do from the moment guests are collected from their hotel and taken via Vespa to the sumptuous surroundings of Asana for meeting cocktails and local snacks.

The next 4.5 hours are stuffed full of foodie delights, from eating frog on the side of the road and lashings of red ant salad, glass noodles and seafood and chicken with garlic and shallots at a beer garden

on the Cambodian Pub Street, to the array of flavours in swanky distillery Sombai’s local rice wine, infused with ingredients such as ginger and red chilli, pineapple and coconut and banana and cinnamon.

“Vespas have the cool factor,” Ly says as we sit down to tuck into barbecued chicken and stuffed, spicy frogs’ legs cooked over a homemade barbecue.

“They’re stylish and very stable, safe and have low carbon emissions.”

Add into the equation that it’s heaps of fun and it’s little wonder the tours have been a hit.

The company is on track to double operations by mid2015, with plans to double up again to 40 bikes by the end of next year so it looks like very soon the city could be awash with Vespas.

For information on Cambodia Vespa Adventures, visit CambodiaVespaAdventures. com.

asialife Cambodia asialife HCMC 33 33

Parks & Recreation

The engine cuts

somewhere outside of town, not far from either muddy, palm-fringed riverbank. Floating south, away from District 7, a pair of brightly-hued wooden fishing boats rock on the waves that move between their boats and ours. Save for a blur of traffic, Saigon stands stock-still in the distance and so does the sun, beaming overhead, lighting up every corner of this riverine landscape.

After the steel-grey Yamaha motor comes to a halt, Kha, our guide, steps in to fill the silence left behind. “We're still in Saigon,� he reminds us in impeccable English, tinged with a hint of the American south.

On a murky brown river, among trees, fishermen and silence, it's a difficult statement to reconcile with our surroundings.

But as we meander along the waterways of Can Gio, the city's southernmost district, heading toward its namesake UNESCOprotected biosphere reserve, Kha is correct:

34 asialife HCMC

we are, technically-speaking, still in Saigon.

Earlier in the day, our motorboat sped away from District 1's Bach Dang pier with surprising ease. All whirls and clicks, we cruised past apartment blocks and under bright red bridges. Barges crowded the riverfront, their shipping containers forming colourful mosaics above the water. Free from the looming shadow of the Bitexco tower, the high-rises of District 4 climbed ever skyward, dwarfing a row of ramshackle tin houses perched on wooden stilts, stretching away from the land.

As we tucked into breakfast sandwiches and icy ca phe sua da aboard the boat, familiar city scenes began to adopt a hint of the Mekong Delta. At the concrete docks of Can Giuoc Market, we officially made the crossover to the countryside.

Now standing, briefly, in the province of Long An, we disembark to wander the market. A web of shops stretches from the docks outward for a few blocks each way. As we

walk, Kha points out knives and cleavers made from recycled Toyota suspensions.

Baskets of sweet garlic and morning glory, purple mint and other Delta-specific vegetables form a colourful patchwork of produce along the street. Everywhere we go, our guide makes a point of sharing everyday anecdotes, from the importance of betel nuts at a Vietnamese wedding to the particulars of rice farming in the Delta to the reason behind the rows upon rows of paper-andcardboard iPhones, BMWs and concubines for sale in one corner of the market.

Back at the docks,

it's another short jaunt to the bat sanctuary at Vam Sat Ecotourism Centre. Though they sleep during the day, the reserve's fruit-eating bats will fly as far as 25 kilometres at night in search of food and can grow to have wings up to one metre long. In low-lying wooden canoes we sit sentinel, our binocu-

Dana Filek-Gibson escapes Saigon's urban bustle without leaving the city.

Photos by Vinh Dao.

lars trained on the surrounding treetops, as a boatman propels us around the outer edge of the tea-coloured pond. While the bats aren't especially active at this hour, Vam Sat's tranquil atmosphere, encircled by spindly mangrove roots and lush green cover, make the slow, laid-back journey a perfect antithesis to Saigon's urban chaos.

Our meander on the water soon slides into lunch as we arrive at Vam Sat's main complex. Within the cool dining pavilion we tuck into seafood and claypot fish, bright green veggies from our morning market visit and fresh fruit. Then it's down the road to meet the reserve's most exotic residents.

Outside a large, pale blue building, Kha spreads his arms, a plastic bag of bananas hanging from one wrist, and waits. In no time at all, one monkey comes clambering down from the pavilion roof, followed by another and another. Soon a crowd has gathered, eyeing the fruit in Kha's hands and the strange visitors with cameras. While

the creatures are certainly wild – and not to be toyed with – Kha handles the pack of monkeys, particularly the alpha male, with confidence and care.

But if the monkeys

out front are comical and, at times, a little cheeky, their next-door neighbours are no joke. To meet Vam Sat's freshwater crocodiles, we board a pontoon boat whose walls are reinforced with three layers of chainlink fence. This is a safety precaution you begin to understand when Kha extends a fishing pole out of the boat. Though wild crocodiles were once residents of the Can Gio area, hunting has diminished their numbers so that today the only creatures still present are held in captivity. In a single motion, a oncedormant crocodile opens its jaws, lunges for the meat at the end of the line and closes its mouth with a startling snap. Though their initial attempts seem clumsy, these creatures

are incredibly swift: blink and the food on the end of your line will disappear.

From here, the afternoon begins to wind down. We return to the main complex for a trip up the reserve's watchtower. Though its rusting staircase doesn't inspire much confidence, the view from the top is well worth an uphill trek, and so we make the journey skyward for a glimpse of the full expanse of Vam Sat. By the time we make it back down to solid ground, Kha is waiting for us, the speedboat's engine humming once more. Our return trip feels like a dream, traveling in reverse back toward the city, watching palm trees turn into streetlights, fishing boats to barges, wooden houses to office buildings and retail shops. The Bitexco stands above the fray, guiding us as we round a bend back to Bach Dang Pier and the buzz of Ton Duc Thang Street and then we're there, back on land in the heart of Saigon, feeling like we've come home from a long trip without ever having left town.

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8

CITY DRINKS

Behide Cafe 200A Le Van Sy, Phu Nhuan District 9am – 9.30pm // 01 686 830 250

A small, out-of-the-way cafe serves up peace and quiet, not to mention an interesting collection of books. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Vinh Dao. From morning to night, downtown District 1 to the furthest reaches of Go Vap, Saigon is forever making noise. We hear it on the streets and in cafes, outside of phone stores and coming from the other side of our apartment walls. While the city certainly has its fair share of cool cafes, upscale restaurants and other trendy spaces, peace and quiet are precious commodities in a place as hyperactive as Saigon.

Which is why Behide, a small, hole-in-the-wall establishment just inside the borders of Phu Nhuan, stands out. Though its aesthetic is much like the rest of your standard Saigon cafes, this tiny corner of the city is dedicated to silence, making the spot a prime location to get some work done, curl up with a good book or simply escape the bustle of downtown.

Wedged between two small boutiques, Behide's red sign is easy to miss from the street.

Motorists will have to park in the alley a few doors down from the cafe, but once you've secured your bike head upstairs to the first-floor entrance, where rows of individual tables and cushions populate its small, air-conditioned space. The newly-opened venue, only a few months old, has minimal furniture but its quiet atmosphere and ample 36 asialife HCMC

outlets around the room are perfect for an afternoon of work or a place to unwind.

On the menu, you'll find an eclectic range of drinks, from coffee and tea lattes to Thai milk tea, matcha and cinnamon hot chocolate. Get your caffeine fix from a Nespresso latte (VND 45,000), hot matcha (VND 35,000) or the signature Son Ha Xa Tac tea (VND 30,000), a blend of Tuyet Son tea from northern Vietnam, mint tea, lemongrass and cumquat. For a more refreshing beverage, Behide's rendition of salted lime (VND 30,000), or chanh muoi, is spot-on, an ice-cold take on the local favourite, which features lime soaked in saltwater with a bit of sugar mixed in to balance the bitterness. All beverages range between VND 20,000 and VND 50,000, and the cafe also offers a small food menu which includes a few Korean snacks, such as gimbap, topokki and a particularly tasty japchae (VND 40,000).

But perhaps the best part of Behide are the stacks of books that line its walls. Though most are in Vietnamese, you'll also find a reasonable number of English-language novels on the shelves, several of which move beyond the mass-market paperbacks often found in Saigon's bookshops.

LovEat 29 Hai Trieu, D1 9am – 11pm // 08 62 602 727

A new Italian-focused Mediterranean restaurant adjacent to the Bitexco Tower combines great food with a central location. Review and photos by Brett Davis.

Listening to LovEat co-owner Andrea Col talk about his new venture, it is clear how much thought and preparation went into the restaurant before it opened three months ago. A long search was conducted to find a local cheese-maker who could produce the kind of mozzarella and mascarpone that was required, and an Italian coffee specialist helped refine the roasting techniques of the restaurant’s coffee supplier.

This kind of preparation and attention to detail is also apparent in the menu. Col says the concept for LovEat is to take Italian and other dishes from the region and give them something of a twist.

To fit Asian tastes, Col explains that there is a strong fish and shellfish selection on offer.

Indeed, the house’s signature dish is the sautéed mussels, served in a selection of sauces and with fries and housemade bruschetta. We sampled the local mussels in martini saffron sauce (VND 175,000 regular, VND 260,000 large) and they were just as good as you will find anywhere.

Another surprise dish was the Provence zucchini flan (VND 150,000), which Col says is hugely popular already with the restaurant’s Japanese clientele. Served with a very light bechamel sauce, the flan has an almost cake-like texture, and

could well serve as a dessert for those who prefer something savoury instead of sweet. However, it still works superbly as an appetiser.

Next up was a trio of seared scallops (VND 190,000), each served on top of a tartare of avocado and ripe mango. It is a winning combination and perfect for a tropical climate.

Finally, to test the locallymade mascarpone, we tried the tiramisu (VND 140,000). Here is a great example of what can be achieved when time and effort is expended to ensure you have the best and freshest ingredients possible.

LovEat’s extensive menu also includes a wide selection of

hearty pastas, (VND 200,000250,000), salads (VND 140,000190,000) and meals for meat lovers.

The restaurant’s Italian patisserie makes everything inhouse, including the aforementioned tiramisu. However, if you really feel like indulging you can try the ‘half-metre plate’ dessert (VND 320,000), which is as advertised and includes a tiramisu, lemongrass muffin, chocolate salami, cream caramel and fresh fruit and cream tart.

In the new year there are also plans to open a lounge bar on the restaurant’s fourth-floor roof terrace, so you can extend your stay at this wonderful establishment a little bit longer. asialife HCMC 37

Zombie BBQ 4 Thao Dien, D2 4pm – 11pm // 08 66 853 756

Even the most carnivorous of diners will be satisfied by this new Thao Dien spot. By Michael Tatarski. Photos by Jonny Edbrooke.

Much like its namesake, Zombie BBQ has consumed the District 2 villa formerly occupied by McSorley’s. Patrons of the former pub will find that things today look much the same – the pool remains, as does the pool table, along with indoor and al fresco seating. The bar still serves beer, cocktails and liquors. The main difference, however, lies in one corner of the property: a smoker and grill now churn out savoury barbecued treats. Although it is meant to be more permanent, Zombie BBQ's current setup is something like a pop-up-style restaurant one would find back in the West.

The menu is expectedly

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meat-centric, with a range of appetisers, salads, sandwiches, steaks and grilled platters available. Prices are reasonable, with appetisers and salads ranging from VND 30,000-80,000, while barbecue platters range up to VND 499,000 for a full rack of ribs. One highlight of the menu is the return of Willie Woo’s fried chicken and waffles (VND 50,000), a crowd-pleaser that disappeared a couple of years ago.

We began with the fried okra coated in homemade cornmeal (VND 45,000), a light, crispy start to a big meal. Next was the Caesar salad with fried pork skins (VND 50,000). Even though meat is obviously the focus here, the

salad was nice, with fresh, crisp lettuce accompanied by crunchy pork skin, something I’ve not seen added to a salad before.

We decided to try the vegetarian pulled pork sandwich (VND 89,000) as well, as this was a surprise on the menu. Served on a homemade pretzel roll with coleslaw, the pork is replaced with mi cang (wheat gluten), common in vegetarian Vietnamese dishes. The flavour of the sandwich was excellent, but the meat substitute was a bit chewy for my taste, especially as pulled pork melts in your mouth.

Finally, we came to the plane crash platter (VND 250,000), which includes two ribs, a

chicken thigh, sausage, coleslaw and cornbread. The ribs, served with mustard sauce, were fantastic, among the best I’ve had in Saigon. The meat was tender but didn’t fall off the bone when picked up, which is just how I like ribs. The chicken, served with a well-spiced Kansas barbecue sauce, was perfectly cooked and full of flavour, while the sausage made a pleasant pop when it was cut.

Zombie BBQ offers delicious grilled meat from a menu that takes some adventurous detours and is a strong addition to the Thao Dien dining scene. Lunch hours will be added in the near future.

Vy Da Quan 62 Ly Tu Trong, D1 3.30pm – late // 08 38 221 599

Tuck into a plate full of deep-fried fish bones at this delicious downtown spot.

By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Vinh Dao.

Quick: think of the best street food joints in District 1. Most of us can come up with one or two but, by and large, the downtown area tends to be reserved for high-end dining, rooftop bars and other posh venues.

While they are less prominent in the city centre than elsewhere, the quans of District 1 are certainly worth their salt, as most of these have managed to withstand the tests of time and rapid development.

On the corner of Ly Tu Trong and Nguyen Trung Truc, Vy Da Quan is no exception. Now in its 15th year on the block, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is owned by a Hue family but

bears all the tell-tale signs of a Saigonese establishment, from metal tables and open-air seating to a menu stocked with snails and shellfish, grilled meats and seafood.

As soon as you've sat down, place an order for the pork ribs with salt and chilli (VND 70,000), or suon chia nuong muoi ot, a plate of delectable finger-licking Vietnamese-style ribs and one of Vy Da Quan's best dishes. You'll want to get a few of these, as portions are on the small side. Tender, seasoned meat falls off the bone and pairs well with a helping of either seafood or Duong Chau fried rice (VND 90,000).

To the uninitiated, all fried rice might seem the same but the cooks at this establishment have mastered a subtle balance of soft, fluffy rice and crunchy goodness that makes this basic staple a treat all its own.

That said, Vy Da Quan's trademark dish – and one you won't find in many other eateries around town – is the ca da bo nuong muoi ot, or grilled cow skin fish with salt and chilli (market price). Though it can take a while to prepare – expect to wait up to an hour for the whole grilled fish to arrive – it is the most unique dish on the menu and well worth the wait.

After you've devoured the

savoury dish, pass what's left on the plate back to the cook, who will deep fry the fish bones in fish sauce, creating a crunchy, tasty, melt-in-yourmouth snack with a flavour something like pumpkin seeds.

Prices vary depending upon the current market price, but expect to pay around VND 200,000 for the whole fish.

Thanks to its small size, Vy Da Quan is often full, but the owners speak some English and you can phone to reserve a table ahead of time.

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gem centre 0 8 Nguy e n Binh K h ie m, Dis trict 1 Ge mC e nte r.c om.vn

GEM Centre shines with state-of-the-art facilities and intelligent design meticulously curated to host the central business district’s classiest events.

By Ruben Luong. Photos courtesy of GEM Centre.

“This is the time of year for meetings, parties, intense events,” says a sales representative inside the GEM Centre, District 1’s swish performing arts, business and social events venue on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street. “For most companies, this is the last month to conclude what they have done in the previous year, so they will most likely hold an event.”

And what better place to welcome an occasion than within the marvelous interior of the two-month-old centre, which altogether consists of 7,200 square metres of state-of-theart convention, exhibition, performing arts and banquet facilities – including an on-site florist, two grand ballrooms which can be separated into eight smaller ballrooms, two customisable VIP boardrooms, three themed functional spaces and an enchanting rooftop treehouse complex for outdoor functions?

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Last month, GEM Centre assembled its ballrooms to accommodate Vietnam’s very first International Fashion Week before transforming its space to host the International Dance Festival a week later. Then it presented about 30 Harley Davidson bikes on its rooftop in between hosting a plethora of awards galas, meetings or conferences for clients like Google's Think App 2014. The centre has been in high demand, stemming from a loyal and classy client base belonging to the Phu Quy Corporation, which owns GEM Centre but also the White Palace Convention Center in Phu Nhuan District.

GEM Centre takes its concept from the zodiac constellation Gemini, the Latin name for 'twins' known as Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology. The founders of GEM Centre, Mr Phu (Henry) and Mr Quy (Billy),

are also twins.

Equipped with interior features that are not only stunning but efficient, GEM Centre's architecture exudes the precision and earthy sophistication of Japanese design, with colossal wooden panelling, white crystal rock structures, high ceilings and minimal but innovative woodwork in the form of visually mesmerising wooden slats complemented with constellation and ethereal orb lighting.

Intelligent design reveals itself in each of the main ballrooms, which are remarkably adaptable and boast their own retractable seating system, drop-down high-definition projectors and screens, individual control lighting panels and movable partitions that divide the space with flexible audio-visual and stage set-ups. They can accommodate 250 to 1,800 guests, ranging from 392-square-

metre to 1,764-square-metre arrangements in classroom, cluster, theatre, U-shape, hollowsquare, banquet, cocktail or sit-down dinner layouts.

Pollux, the second floor ballroom, impresses at 8.5 square metres high, with a classic, curved wooden-slatted ceiling with more than 300 advanced support hooks that can accommodate 700 kilograms, such as a heavy sound and light truss system or perhaps a car. On the floor above, the 7.3 squaremetre-high Castor is crowned and framed with modern, geometric wooden facades carved with a patchwork of handcrafted patterns and then backlit in warm, luminous mood lighting. Automatic rising doors also allow Castor to connect with its main foyer, increasing the size of the room.

Design is taken to an entirely different level, literally, at GEM Centre’s remarkable treehouse-inspired rooftop, where its premier fusion dining destination The Log resides above three conceptualised function rooms. Open to the public, The Log debuted last month after four months of construction.

It is a 923-square-metre wooden structure elevated around the perimeter of the rooftop complex and supported by brush-wood steel branches in clever, tree-shaped pillars. The

Log can fit 400-450 guests and is divided into a la carte and buffet set-ups, as well as an advanced temperature-controlled wine cellar that is placed unconventionally above ground next to a 15-metre long bar.

Below The Log is the courtyard of Saltus (‘forest’), an airy 238-square-metre quad coupled with an island stage embedded within a fountain, designed for elegant after parties or DJed events.

Other function rooms are endowed with their own respective concept that embodies their name. At one end of Saltus is Sol (‘sound of light’), a 238-square-metre functional space. Its standout design element is the over 300 orbs of light that hover above the tables and complement a living wall of plants. On the opposite end, Papyrus is a two-tiered 126-square-metre library, full of pristine shelving of books and rich carpet, suitable environs for presentations or meetings.

"Before, in District 1, there wasn't really a centre like GEM because their capacity and their function couldn't really provide or accommodate customers," says the sales rep.

"But GEM Centre can. It's modern, sharp, energetic – and designed close to nature."

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Living a

Dream 42 asialife HCMC

Three years ago, Lucy, the young designer behind Hanoi-based fashion line Lucy's Dream, had an epiphany while working at a comfortable nine-to-five office job in Hanoi: her purpose in life was not to conquer the corporate world but, rather, to create wearable art.

Since then, Lucy has given up board rooms and business meetings to pursue her passion, and it's certainly paying off. Her team of artists design original patterns by hand which are then digitally traced and printed onto high-quality fabrics. From there, vibrant, colourful women's dresses are fashioned using distinctly Vietnamese imagery and artwork. Lucy's Dream currently has two shops in Hanoi with plans to come to Saigon in the new year.

For more information or to shop online, visit LucysDream.net.

You can also find Lucy's Dream in Hanoi at 31 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District.

asialife HCMC 43

44 asialife HCMC

Tet Holiday Package 2015 Feb. 09 - Feb. 18, 2015 Feb. 23 - Feb. 27, 2015

Feb. 19 - Feb. 22, 2015

Garden View room

3,900,000++

4,900,000++

Superior Sea View room

5,300,000++

6,300,000++

Deluxe Sea View room

6,100,000++

7,200,000++

Deluxe Beachfront room

7,300,000++

8,400,000++

Ana Mandara Junior Suite

7,900,000++

8,900,000++

These rates are in Vietnam Dong, subject to five percent service charge and ten percent goverment tax.

Including:

. Daily buffet breakfast at Pavilion Restaurant. . Round trip airport shuttle bus transfer for two persons per room for minimum 2-night stay. . WIFI internet connection. . 15 percent discount at Six Senses Spa. . 20 percent discount at Ana Beach House. . Children’s activities at the Kids’ Club from 9.00 am to 12.00 am and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Terms and conditions:

.

.

. Validity from Feb. 09 - Feb. 21, 2015 inclusive. Minimum 2-night stay requirement. . The above rate is per room per night and applicable for 2 adult per room. . Complimentary daily breakfast buffet for maximum 2 children from 0-11 years old on sharing basis with 2 full paying adults; complimentary round trip SIC airport transfer for 2 children for minimum 2-night stay upon.

. . Surcharge extra bed for child, at VND 753,000++/night (maximum one extra bed in a room). . . Surcharge extra bed for adult at VND 1,247,000++/night, (maximum one extra bed in a room). . Applicable for Vietnamese nationals and Expatriates in Vietnam. . . ID or Residence card must be shown upon check in, or best available rates will be. charged. . . Offer applies for new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other promotions. . . Offer is subject to availability. . .

To make a reservation or for more information T: +84 58 3 524 705 E: reservations-nhatrang@evasonresorts.com Beachside Tran Phu Boulevard, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam EvasonResorts.com/NhaTrang Facebook.com/EvasonAnaMandaraNhatrang

asialife HCMC 45

46 asialife HCMC

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listings

hotel & travel CON DAO Con Dao Resort 8 Nguyen Duc Thuan Tel: 06 4830 949 www.condaoresort.com Modern hotel with 45 rooms and seven villas set on 2km of private beach. Onpremise facilities include restaurant, bar, beach-view swimming pool, tennis court and volleyball. Organizes outdoor activities and tours.

Six Senses Con Dao Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist, Ba Ria Tel: 064 3831 222 www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao The first 5 star resort with 50 villas stretch across a mile-long beach, each villas has its own infinity-edge pool facing the ocean and a stunning restaurant.

DALAT Ana Mandara Villas Resort & Spa Le Lai, Ward 5, Dalat Tel: 063 3555 888 www.anamandara-resort.com Luxury 35-acre resort encompasses 17 restored early 20th-century villas and 65 rooms set in the rural highlands. La Cochinchine Spa offers wide range of treatments. Le Petite Dalat Restaurant serves Vietnamese and fusion cuisine.

Heated swimming pool, art gallery and cooking classes in organic garden.

Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa Tuyen Lam Lake, Zone VII.2, Dalat Tel: 063 383 1515 www.dalatedensee.com Nestled in the heart of the “Black Forest

escape

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.

Equatorial 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 www.equatorial.com/hcm On the intersect of 4 districts, with 333 rooms, Orientica Seafood restaurant and bar, Chit Chat cafe, pool (swim-up bar), gym.

Sofitel Dalat Palace 12 Tran Phu, Dalat Tel: 063 3825 444 www.accorhotels-asia.com Stately lakeside hotel was built in 1920s and retains the period’s aesthetic. It encompasses 38 rooms, five suites, a gourmet restaurant, brasserie, piano bar and Larry’s Bar. Golf can be arranged, and there’s tennis, boules, snooker and billiards on premise.

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.

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.

Mercure Hanoi La Gare 94 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3944 7766 www.accorhotels.com Situated in the Old Quarter with 102 bright, spacious and modern rooms, Brasserie Le Pavillion restaurant serves Vietnamese and international cuisine.

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.

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.

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: 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.

HOI AN & DANANG

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula Tel: 0511 093 8888 danang.intercontinental.com A world of poetic experiences and jungle-clad romance in a place that cloaks you with luxury. The mastery of traditional Vietnamese design meets modern architectural flair in this distinc-

take flight with travel promotions around the region

Border Crossing Along the Mekong With Victoria Chau Doc Unwind in the hidden gem of Chau Doc before embarking on a journey to explore the fascinating stretch of the mighty Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia. The two-day, one-night trip includes a stay at Victoria

Chau Doc Hotel, an ideal base for exploring an area of outstanding cultural richness and beauty. Experience the heart of the Mekong Delta on one of Victoria's own Phnom Penhbound speedboats. From comfort of your seat, encounter tiny villages, bamboo-stilt houses, colourful floating markets, farmers at work and smiling children. The trip costs VND 2,805,000 per person and, in addition to a one-night stay and transportation to Phnom Penh, includes complimentary breakfast as well as your choice of a spa treatment or a Xe Loi excursion.

Spirit of Vietnam at Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Get to know the real spirit of Vietnam at Evason Ana Manadara Nha Trang. Guests who book three nights or more at the resort will receive a

48 asialife HCMC

tive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain.

Green Field Hotel 423 Cua Dai, Hoi An Tel: 0510 863 484 www.greenfieldhotel.com Mid-range hotel with simple but spacious rooms overlooking the garden and pool.

Rates start below US $20 per night.

Located 400 metres from the Old Town.

Le Domaine de Tam Hai Resort Tel: 0510 3545105 www.domainedetamhai.com Occupying an island close to Hoi An, the resort features 12 villas, a private beach, and two restaurants serving French and Vietnamese cuisine.

Nam Hai Tel: 0510 3940 000 www.ghmhotel.com Luxury resort accommodation from single villas to sumptuous five-room dwellings with private pools. Facilities include 8 private spa villas; 3 beachfront swimming pools; library; and tennis, basketball and badminton courts.

NHA TRANG

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

complimentary Vietnamese family-style dinner on the beach as well as an early-morning cyclo market tour with Evason Ana Mandara's chef, followed by a cooking class. The Spirit of Vietnam package also includes a full-day Discover Real Vietnam Tour, which takes guests into countryside villages to experience the daily life of rural Vietnam. This promotion applies from 12 January onward. For more information, please contact reservations-nhatrang@ evasonresorts.com.

Discovery Package at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay From 12 January onward, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is offering its discovery package to guests who stay three nights or more. The promotion includes a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival, one complimentary 60-minute Vietnamese massage, snorkeling and kayaking services and a four-course Vietnamese dinner on the resort's jetty, as well as one island-hopping special by speedboat. For more information, email reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com.

PHAN THIET Anatara Beach Resort Mui Ne Beach, KM10, Ham Tien Ward Tel: 062 3741 888 www.anatara.com Beachfront resort with 90 fully equipped rooms, business centre, spa, fitness centre and outdoor pool.

Princess D’Ânnam Resort and Spa Khu Hon Lan, Tan Thanh, Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan.

Tel: 062 3682 222 www.princessannam.com Located on Ke Ga Bay with 57 exclusive villas, eight swimming pools, two restaurants and 1,800 square metres spa complex.

The Sailing Club 24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet / Tel: 062 3847 440 www.sailingclubvietnam.com Open bar overlooking the sea, spacious rooms, restaurant, swimming pool and day spa.

Victoria Phan Thiet Resort and Spa Mui Ne Beach Tel: 84 62 3813 000 www.victoriahotels-asia.com Located on a private beach, 60 cosy bungalows, natural spa experiences among other great activities on offer at the resort.

SCUBA DIVING

Note: AsiaLIFE only lists dive centres recognized by international dive training programs, such as the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI).

We strongly advise against diving with unaccredited dive centres in Vietnam.

Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 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 Tel: 058 826 528 www.divenhatrang.com PADI/SSI dive centre based in Nha Trang and affiliated with the Sailing Club Co. with additional centres in Mui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a range of services.

VUNG TAU

The Imperial Hotel 159-163 Thuy Van Tel: 06 4362 8888 www.imperialhotelvietnam.com

Victorian-style hotel with 152 rooms, outdoor pool, shopping mall and fully serviced gym.

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 Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam.

iTravel 175/22 Pham Ngu Lao, D1 Tel: 0836 4876 www.itravel-online.com trung@itravel-online.com Operated out of Le Pub (Hanoi/HCMC) offering a wide range of tour and accomodation options throughout Vietnam, as well as custom-made tours tailored to customer specifications.

daily to Hong Kong’s international airport.

AIRLINES

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.

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

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.

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.

Indochina Ventures 40 Truong Quyen, D3 Tel: 3820 2563/3820 2564 Fax: 3829 2565 info@indochina-ventures.com Tour operator that specializes in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Can tailor packages to suit customers’ time frames and interests.

LOUISIANE BREWHOUSE Beachside Nha Trang Asian & Western Cuisine Swimming Pool & Private Beach www.louisianebrewhouse.com.vn

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American grain-fed steaks, hamburgers and salads served in a pleasant atmosphere. 

listings

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.

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.

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

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

feast

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 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.  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

Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688 Beautiful wood paneling, colourful hanging lanterns and a sparkling min-

eral 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. 

broaden your palate with promotions around town

Ultimate Sunday Brunch Experience at InterContinental Asiana Saigon Be sure to book a table for the ultimate Sunday brunch experience! On 11 January, the talented team at InterContinental Asiana will create a truly outstanding Sunday brunch journey covering three distinct culinary zones across two floors. Spend eight hours grazing through over 15 live stations whilst indulging in a signature selection of cocktails and freeflow Veuve Cilcquot champagne. The Sunday Brunch experience runs from 10am to 6pm and costs VND 2,750,000++ per person, however a 10 percent discount is offered to groups of 10 or more. To be part of this first-time event and start 2015 with a touch of indulgence, please call 08 35 209 099 or email dine@ icasianasaigon.com to make your reservation.

50 asialife HCMC

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 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

can be cooked to your liking or served as part of a special a la carte menu which includes deepfried lobster with garlic and chili, steamed lobster with XO sauce, braised lobster with cheese and butter, wok-fried lobster with e-fu noodle, onion and ginger, wok-fried lobster with chili sauce and steamed lobster with garlic sauce. Li Bai restaurant is located inside the Sheraton Saigon, 88 Dong Khoi, D1. Lunch is served from 11am to 2.30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 10pm.

Classic With A Twist at Park Lounge The InterContinental Asiana Saigon is located on the corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan Streets in District 1.

A Fresh Taste of Boston Lobster Throughout the month of January, Sheraton Saigon's Li Bai Chinese restaurant is offering delicious Boston lobster for VND 350,000++ per 100 grams. The delicacy, also known as Maine lobster, lives in cold water and is famous for its tender white meat. Li Bai's Boston lobster

This spring, be prepared to dazzle your palate with the rich and delightful taste of foie gras lollipops, complimented by one of the Park Lounge's classic handcrafted cocktails, either an Old-Fashioned or Rusty Nail. This promotion is served throughout the month of January at Park Lounge for just VND 250,000++. The Park Hyatt Saigon is located at 2 Lam Son Square, D1.

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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.

By Michael Kloster

imbibe The Home Bar Now that our extra long festive season has arrived, my mind drifts to taking care of all my guests. You should always be prepared to welcome someone into your home for a refreshing beverage.

I have a friend back home who has decorated his basement like a dive bar. There’s a neon Cerveza Coors sign and a lovely 70s Crown Royaleemblazoned mirror behind the bar. Comfy backless stools belly up to the bar, at attention, ready for rounded bottoms to pass the night away, watering their souls and considering advice from a sympathetic, impartial ear.

Be Prepared My friend is always prepared for a party or a surprise guest. His bar’s beating heart is the curated shelves of spirits standing proudly in the dimly-lit space. Most of us don’t have the luxury of such a spread here. However, this doesn’t dismiss you from your friendly obligation to pour a real drink for your pals when they pop by. My home bar sits atop my vintage home safe.

While there’s not much inside, the top is loaded with the essentials. It doesn’t take much to show a little hospitality and class.

Spirits & Mixers Unlike wine, which is finicky storage-wise, and beer, which sours and goes flat, spirits are ready to roll whenever. You can keep the bottle open and the nectar will stand up to our often brutal elements. You only need the basics to create 52 asialife HCMC

a variety of cocktails, like gin, light rum, vodka, whiskey and brandy. From here you can get fancier (dark rum, a nice Armagnac, or, one of my favourites, a rustic bottle of rye).

I recently happened upon Picon (a French bitter beverage which is consumed in France with beer and makes a California–Basque concoction called Picon Punch) and picked up three bottles here for future use.

Essentials & Accessories Consider a few key items like robust glassware that’s impressive and feels good in your hand. I also made my own bar recipe book for inspiration. It’s sheathed in a tattered two-ring binder and includes magazine clippings and internet printouts.

I’ve simply segregated the formulas by spirit. Fancy gadgets and measuring devices have no place at my bar, just a waiter’s corkscrew and a groovy gifted handmade lever-action beer bottle opener (thank you, Richard).

Keep your bar simple, make it personalised and ensure suitable stock for yourself and your guests. Cheers!

Michael Kloster grew up in the vineyard countryside west of Fresno, California. He has been involved in the hospitality industry for two decades. He has organised the Lucky Wine Buyers' Collective for spirits and wine lovers in Saigon. If you want something to drink, please contact him at luckydogvn@gmail.com.

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.

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.

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.  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.

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.  Viva Tapas Bar & Grill 90 Cao Trieu Phat, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 08 54 106 721 A bona fide Spanish tapas bar featuring both traditional and innovative small bites along with beer, wine and mixed drinks.

Both indoor and outdoor seating are available. Open 11am to midnight.  Zombie BBQ 4 Thao Dien, Q2 Tel: 08 35 194 659 Inspired by the current influx of American comfort food in Saigon, Zombie BBQ is an American-style barbecue restaurant focusing on birch-smoked meats, eclectic sides and a handcrafted variety of barbecue sauces to suit all tastes. 

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.

LovEat 29 Hai Trieu, D1 Tel: 08 62 602 727 Facebook.com/LovEatRestaurant Chic downtown bistro LovEat occupies a prime spot opposite the Bitexco Financial Tower, serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian twist. The restaurant prides itself on organic local ingredients and offers full meals as well as coffee, drinks and Italian pastries. Open from 9am til late. 

JAPANESE

Kissho 14 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3823 2223 Fax: 3823 3343 kissho.wmcvietnam.com Saigon’s newest Japanese restaurant boasts a multi-concept cuisine set in a cutting edge interior. Specialties include teppanyaki, yakiniku, sushi and sashimi crafted by expert chefs. The freshest imported meats and seafood round out the menu, accompanied by an extensive selection of fine wines and Japanese spirits. Open 11.30 am to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 10 pm.

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

Hana 8 Cao Ba Quat, D1 Tel: 3829 5588 Japanese-Korean fusion in the heart of District 1. Contemporary decor with a private, yet open feel. Broad menu including cooked and raw fish and traditional hot pot with fish eggs, rice and vegetables.

Kim Bab Chun Gook R4 42 Hung Phuoc 2, Phu My Hung Tel: 6296 9057 Korean boonshik/snack food eatery serving up a wide variety of light but substantial foods including dumplings, rameyon and fish cakes.

Kumdo 6A Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3824 3253 Korean beef barbecue served in small, welcoming dining rooms with barbecues built into tables. Large selection of raw meat specialties.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN

Baan Thai 55 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 5453 If you have been missing the delights of Bangkok nightlife then this restaurant and bar should be for you. The Thai chefs whip up all the traditional dishes

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recipes

Strawberry French Toast Doughnut This recipe came about one night while I was crafting a midnight snack and got creative. Putting a spin on a traditional brekky favourite can give it new life as a sweet late-night indulgence. It's turned out to be one of the smartest, most kickass desserts I have ever made!

INGREDIENTS • 3-4 slices white bread • 3 eggs • 1/2 cup milk • 1 tbsp vanilla syrup

• 2-3 tbsp icing sugar • fresh strawberries • whipping cream • oil or butter

PREPARATION • Whisk the eggs and milk with a dash of icing sugar and vanilla syrup inside a bowl.

• After whisking the liquid mixture, set it aside. Get a blender or food processor and combine the fresh red strawberries, icing sugar and a bit of vanilla. Blend it all together and set aside.

• Heat a pan with oil or butter.

• Take the bowl with the egg

mixture and dip one slice of bread into the bowl. Soak it until both sides are fully covered with the mixture.

Fry both sides of the bread on the pan.

• When the French toast is complete, cut some fresh strawberries and put them on top, along with whipping cream.

• Drizzle some of the strawberry syrup that you blended earlier and serve.

Recipe provided by Joanie Manalang Culinarian Food Stylist Artist-chef.blogspot.com // artist.chef@gmail.com

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you know and love, while in the bar there are a host of drinks and activities to help while away an evening.

Lac Thai 71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506 An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleyway, decorated with art-deco furniture. Authentic Thai cuisine prepared by two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but less spicy than you’d find in Thailand.  Little Manila S2-1 Hung Vuong 2, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 5410 0812 Small, no -frills eatery with outdoor and indoor seating located on a quiet street.

Serves a range of dishes from the Philippines (pictured on menu for those unfamiliar) and draught San Miguel.

VEGETARIAN

Local Eats

By Tristan Ngo

Crowd Pleasers Cruising the streets of Saigon is what locals do on a daily basis.

They're always on the go with their scooters, mopeds and motorbikes, and chances are that if you're hungry while cruising you will easily find some sort of street food.

However, the most popular crowd pleasers amongst Saigonese are hotpot, snails and shellfish. The reason is that these particular foods are meant to be shared. The bigger the crowd, the better the conversation and atmosphere.

Moreover, the food just seems to taste better.

I am not a huge fan of hotpot, but I am a fan of snails and shellfish. When it comes to local and street seafood, the fresher is always the better.

There are many places in the city, but knowing where to go, especially when it comes to these delicacies, is a must.

Deep down a tiny winding alley off Do Quang Dau Street, which is between Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao, you’ll find a small, modest house with no sign, but to those who know it, the place is Oc Dieu – Oc meaning shell and Dieu, the name of the owner.

You know you have arrived when you find a small crowd gathered at some tables in the alley and in their open living room. Bowls full of all sorts of different shellfish line the metal shelves. Then there is a charcoal burner and grill serving up some of the coolest shellfish 54 54 asialife asialife HCMC

dishes in town.

I highly recommend calling ahead of time to reserve a table for the snails and shellfish. Here is what my group ordered: 1. Oc Huong (ivory/flower snail shell) pan-fried with chilli, salt and pepper 2. Oc Toi (large glass snail) grilled with fish sauce, oil, green onions and roasted peanuts 3. Oc Ca Na (a roasted type of snail) floating in a deep buttery sauce with a side of banh mi to dip and soak up the sauce 4. So Diep (scallops) grilled with green onions 5. Hao (oyster) grilled with cheese 6. Steamed So Long (ark clams) 7. Oc Nhung (I'm not sure what this is called in English, but it is one of my favourites) grilled with fish sauce.

8. Standard steamed clams with lemongrass and garlic All snails and shellfish are served with sides of marinated fish sauce, salt, pepper, lemon and chillies.

Oc Dieu 26/50/52 Do Quang Dau, D1 12pm – 5pm (or until sold out) Tel 09 092 281 63 Tristan Ngo is the Chef Patron and Owner of Skewers Restaurant and The Elbow Room.

Hoa Dang 38 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1 Swish vegetarian restaurant on a quiet street that serves up nutritious dishes, including meatless versions of bun bo, pho and steamboat. Cosy bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, fruits and other sweets.

Viet Chay 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3526 5862 Upscale vegetarian restaurant specializes in fake meat dishes. The attractive dining room is suffused with natural light. Located within the walls of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.

VIETNAMESE

Cha Ca La Vong 3 Ho Xuan Huong, D3 Tel: 3930 5674 36 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3915 3343 Two HCM City ouposts of the legendary Hanoi original serve only one dish: the eponymous and delicious cha ca la vong, fish pan-fried at the table with turmeric and dill and served with cold noodles and peanuts.

Com Nieu 19 Tu Xuong, D3 Tel: 3932 6288 The house specialty, com nieu (smashed rice), comes with a shattered-crockery and flying-rice show at this well-known restaurant, prominently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s A Cook’s Tour. An extensive and tasty selection of southern Vietnamese cuisine rounds out the menu.

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.

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.

nightlife See bar restaurant listings for more popular watering holes.

The Library InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Unwind with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. The Library provides a welcoming

atmosphere for those in search of calm, comfort and personalized service.

Purple Jade InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 Chic lounge blends the stylistic influences of contemporary design and opium dens. Hosts live music and serves special drinks, including Shaoxing and Maotai rice wines and an exclusive selection of luxury spirits.

Saigon Saigon Bar 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

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 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.

Metro Anphu An Phu, D2 Tel: 3740 6677 www.metro.com.vn Warehouse wholesaler located just off the Hanoi Highway in D2. 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. Phuong Ha 58 Ham Nghi, D1 Tel: 3914 1318 A mini-supermarket that sells an extensive assortment of imported packaged food, cheese, meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and fine wines.

Veggy’s 29A Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8526 Sky Garden Pham Van Nghi, Bac Khu Pho, D7 Riverside Apartments 53 Vo Truong Toan, Thao Dien, D2 Popular expat market with a 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

Bacchus Corner 158D Pasteur, D1 Reliable wine and liquor store owned by Tan Khoa Wines with a good range of spirits, whiskies, wines and more all at decent prices.

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.

DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, D.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.

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.

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 show-

ing 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

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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By Phil Kelly

fitness New Year Insanity – Bad Habits Welcome to 2015. Is this going to be the year you achieve your health goals? Or does every year begin with good intentions, yet you never obtain your desired result? Then you need to take a different approach. Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity! To conquer your goals, learn how to effectively adjust your habits.

A habit is an action or series of actions we perform in a subconscious manner. Have you ever driven home or to work and then had no recollection of the ride? Do you unwittingly walk the supermarket aisles in the exact same order? Our minds become conditioned to doing things in a certain way. This can be a good thing because our daily routine becomes somewhat effortless.

However, negative actions can also become habits, and that makes them extremely difficult to change. How many times have you tried to adopt an exercise program, quit smoking or lose weight? It takes between 21-30 days to form a new habit. Until then, it takes consistent effort and focus.

When trying to break a bad habit, substitute it for a good habit. Otherwise you'll feel restless, deprived and gravitate back to the bad habit again to fill the void. For example, do you always buy sweet popcorn, chocolates 56 asialife HCMC

and a fizzy drink at the movies? Instead, buy water and snack on nuts. At first, the new habit may not seem like an adequate substitute but with consistent reinforcement you will let go of the old habit.

When trying to adopt a new habit, you may need to place visible reminders at your desk, on the refrigerator or on the bathroom mirror. Remember that your mind is accustomed to not thinking about exercise.

It will take some focused attention to change that.

It is important to have patience as you work on changing your habits. No one is perfect, and you will probably have days where you don't meet your goals. The most difficult aspect of forming new habits is becoming aware of the automatic actions we take each day and making a conscious decision to change them.

Remember, if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. Change is a very individually specific process. If you don’t know where to start or are tired of trying and failing, then try something new this year. Don’t do the same thing and expect a different result.

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.

sports & leisure Sport Street Huyen Tran Cong Chua, D1 between Nguyen Du and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Services include mending and restringing broken tennis rackets. Products range from badminton birdies and rackets to basketball hoops, free weights, roller blades, scooters, soccer jerseys and all manner of balls.

CRICKET

Saigon Cricket Assocation Social cricket league plays 25 overs a side matches Sunday mornings at RMIT’s District 7 pitch. Season runs November through May, with friendly games throughout the pre-season. Practice on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.

Australian Cricket Club Terry Gordon terrygordoninasia@yahoo.com.au saigonaustraliancricketclub@yahoo.com www.saigoncricket.com English Cricket Club Richard Carrington Richard.carrington@pivotalvietnam.com info@eccsaigon.com www.eccsaigon.com Indian Cricket Club Manish Sogani, manish@ambrij.com United Cricket Club Mr. Asif Ali, asif@promo-tex.net keshav.dayalani@rmit.edu.vn

DANCING

DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, District 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Purpose built studio with foreign trained dance instructors. Classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, yoga, zumba, belly, hula, capoiera and more. Kids can start from 4+ and adults of all ages and levels are welcome. Schedule and news on events available on-line.

Salsa Dancing at La Habana 6 Cao Ba Quat, D1 www.salsaigon.com salsaigon@gmail.com Salsa package for single persons and couple, run by Urko. Lessons every Tuesday (beginners L.A. style at 7.30 pm; intermediate L.A style at 8.30 pm).

Registration required.

FITNESS & YOGA

AIS Sports Centre 36 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6960, ext 126 sportscentre@aisvietnam.com www.aissportscentre.com Six-lane, 25-metre pool, basketball and netball courts, astroturf hockey/football area and outdoor gym equipment.

Available for party hire - BBQ included on request. Membership packages available. Kids swim club and adult masters programmes. Rainbow Divers offers scuba diving courses for children and adults. Free morning yoga.

California WOW Xperience Parkson Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, D5 28/30-32 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6291 5999 The world’s biggest fitness centre chain is one of Saigon’s most modern places to get your sweat on. Located in Hung Vuong Plaza, CWX offers a huge workout area and all kinds of classes including spinning, KickFit, yoga and more.

Caravelle Club Spa 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Modern and stylish gym with lots of cardiovascular machines and free weights.

The swimming pool is a great place for a dip, and the massage parlour, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are there for winding down.

Equinox Fitness & Leisure Centre Equatorial Hotel, 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5 Tel: 3839 7777 Decent-sized 3rd-floor gym with modern cardio and weights machines, sauna, steambath, jacuzzi, and large 4th floor pool great for swimming laps.

Hollywood Fitness World H3 Building, 384 Hoang Dieu, D4 Tel: 3826 4639 One of the latest & best workout environments in the city, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Personal training is offered.

L’Apothiquaire Fitness Centre 64A Truong Dinh, D3 Tel: 3932 5181 www.lapothiquaire.com Internationally-certified teachers offer daily classes in Sivananda, Iyengar, Power, Yoga, Abdo-Pilates, Taebo and Aqua-Aerobics. Peaceful swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

La Cochinchine Rex Hotel, 146 Pastuer, D1 Tel: 3825 1812 (ext 7477) New and affordable fitness centre located in the heart of the city. This gym has a wide range of weight machines, as well as many cardio machines, including treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes. A good variety of classes are available, including yoga and aerobic dance.

NTFQ2 Spa 34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3744 6672 Therapeutic massage with a focus on sports massage to increase circulation, remove lactic acid build-up, restore flexibility and relieve back pain.

Sheraton Fitness Level 5, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 sheraton.saigon@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/saigon Sheraton Fitness features a team of trained professionals and new Technogym equipment. Members have full use of leisure facilities and receive discounts at hotel bars and restaurants and Aqua Day Spa. Star Fitness Gym Manor Apartments, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0255 This 1,600sqm gym is apparently the biggest in Vietnam. Has a good range of machines for any type of workout.

Membership involves one time entry fee plus monthly subscriptions and gives free access to regular fitness classes.

Saigon Yoga Tel: 090 835 2265 info@saigonyoga.com www.saigonyoga.com A yoga centre with highly qualified instructors offering hot yoga, Hatha Flow, restorative yoga, kids’ yoga, pre and postnatal yoga and injury rehabilitation.

Also does corporate team building and yoga teacher training as well as organising yoga retreats.

FOOTBALL & RUGBY

Australian Rules Football Tel: 093 768 3230 www.vietnamswans.com vietnamswans@gmail.com The Vietnam Swans play regular international footy matches around Asia. Training sessions are held weekly in HCM City (2.30 pm Saturday, RMIT D7) and Hanoi (midday, Saturday, UN International School, Ciputra). All skill levels and codes welcome.

RMIT Vietnam sports.recreation@rmit.edu.vn A new player on the SIFL scene with a team made up of students from the University. They have their own football ground on-site consisting of two brand new pitches. Contact Landon Carnie.

Saigon Raiders jon.hoff@saigonraiders.com Sociable football side who are always on the lookout for new talent for their weekly matches and training sessions. The team participates in the Saigon International Football League and also has regular fixtures against local teams in the outlying provinces and also participates in international tournaments.

Saigon Saints chris@saigonsaints.com www.saigonsaints.com Expat football club of all ages, which has been running since 1995 and plays in the SIFL. Regularly venture on international tours especially to Bangkok and Manila and play in other local and international tournaments. The players train weekly, and new players are encouraged to join.

GOLF

Dalat Palace Golf Club Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat Tel: 063 3821 101 dpgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com The most beautiful course in Vietnam, combining the crisp mountain air with an environment of stately pine trees.

Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the 7,009yard 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.

a breeze of serenity

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.

0 .00 D

VN 36

Hideaway Package:

2.2 Đêm

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Để biết thêm chi tiết xin vui lòng liên hệ: Tel: (84)-(064) 3781 525 - Fax: (84)-(064) 3781 433 - Hotline: 091 3 781 524 Email: Reservation@hotramresort.com - Website: www.hotramresort.com

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health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

American Chiropractic Clinic 161 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3939 3930 www.vietnamchiropractic.com A chiropractic, physiotherapy, foot care clinic staffed by American-trained chiropractors speaking French, English,

Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Treatsback pain, neck pain, knee pain, also specializing in sports injuries, manufacture of medical grade foot orthotics.

Ciro Gargiulo CARE1 Executive Health Care Center The Manor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0757 care1_reception@vietnammedicalpractice.com www.care1.com.vn A holistic approach is used by this acupuncturist and traditional medicine practitioner to rebalance the body’s energy fields. A wide range of ailments are treated including back pain, allergies and insomnia.

Institute of Traditional Medicine 273-275 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Dr. Le Hung is the man to see at this well-established traditional hospital & training centre. He speaks good English and provides excellent treatments in a

clean environment. The Institute also provides acupuncture lessons.

DENTAL

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.

HANH PHUC, International Hospital Binh Duong boulevard, Thuan An, Binh Duong.

Tel: 0650 3636068 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. 260 –bedder, provide a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services: Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Immunization, IVF, Health checkup, Parentcraft, Woman Cancer, Cosmetic Surgery… Just 20- minute driving from HCMC. HANH PHUC International Hospital Clinic 97 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3925 9797 www.hanhphuchospital.com The 1st Singapore Standard Hospital in Vietnam. The clinic is located at the center of Dist. 1, provides a comprehensive range of services specializing in Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Peadiatrics, Immunization, General Practice and Emergency. Open hours: Weekdays: 8am to 5pm; Saturday: 8am to 12pm.

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.

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.

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 offers hundreds of products for different skin types. Also has kiosks at in Phu My Hung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza.

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

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- www.linhfurniture.com

listings

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.

Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 Close to X-rock climbing centre, kids from three and upwards can ride one of the stable’s 16 ponies. Lessons with foriegn teachers last 45 minutes for kids from age six.

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.

Babyland Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Quality products including car seats, buggies, prams and travel cots and a good selection of baby toys. Carries Avent bottles and sterilizer sets, and a small range of educational books. Prices are higher than the other places, but so is the quality.

Maman Bebe Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3825 8724 Stocks an assortment of modern strollers and car seats. Also sells various utensils and practical baby products. Small selection of clothing for ages newborn to 14 years.

Me & Be 230 Vo Thi Sau, D3 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.

Me Oi 1B Ton That Tung, D1 A small shop adjacent to the maternity hospital bursting at the seams with everything you need for your baby. Clothing, footwear, bottles, nappies, nappy bags and toys all at reasonable prices.

New Parent Street Nguyen Thong Street, D3 between Ly Chinh Thang and Ky Dong Street.

An interesting array of baby formula and hard liquor. A one stop shopping cluster for first time parents.

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. Newborn to 10 years old (girl) and fourteen years old (boy). Also stocking home linens. Prices are reasonable.

EDUCATION

ABC International School 2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833 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 extracurricular activities.

American International School 220 Nguyen Van Tao, Nha Be, HCMC Tel: 08 3780 0909 www.ais.edu.vn info@ais.edu.vn Established since 2006, American International School is a private school serving students from Preschool through grade 12. Operate on 4 campuses, the school offers innovative American curriculum with true Vietnamese heritage.

All students are well prepared for academic success appropriate to their needs and aspirations in the US and around the world.

The Australian International School Xi Campus (Kindergarten) 190 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 35192727 Thao Dien Campus (Kindergarten & Primary School) 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6960 Thu Thiem Campus (Kindergarten, Primary, Middle & Senior School) 264 Mai Chi Tho (East-West Highway) An Phu ward, D2 Tel: 3742 4040 www.aisvietnam.com The Australian International School is an IB World School with 3 class campuses in District 2, HCMC, offering an international education from Kindergarten to Senior School with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Cambridge Secondary Programe (including IGCSE) and IB Diploma Programme (DP).

British International School Primary Campus 43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3 225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Secondary Campus 246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 2335 www.bisvietnam.com BIS is the largest international school in Vietnam operating from three purpose built campuses in HCMC catering for students from pre-school to Year 13. The school operates within the framework of the National Curriculum for England and is staffed primarily by British qualified and

trained teachers with recent UK experience. Students are prepared for both IGCSE & the IB Diploma programmes. BIS is a member of FOBISSEA & is fully accredited by the Council of International schools EUROPEAN International School 730 F-G-K Le Van Mien, Thao Dien. Tel: 7300 7257 www.eishcmc.com jura.cullen@cantab.net The EUROPEAN International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) offers an international education from Early Years through Primary and Secondary School. EIS is committed to educating students to become creative critical thinkers and problem solvers. In small student centred classes, students are immersed in a multicultural learning environment which values multilingualism. The language of instruction throughout the School is English; the language program includes Spanish, German, French and Vietnamese.

International School HCMC 28 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9100 www.ishcmc.com One of 136 schools around the world to be accredited as an IB World School. Offers all three of the IB programmes from primary through to grade 12. The school is fully accredited by CIS and NEASC and has a strong focus on community spirit and fosters an awareness of other languages and cultures.

The International School HCMC American Academy 26 Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 3898 9098 www.aavn.edu.vn The International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Academy is a worldclass middle and high school for children aged 11 to 18 years old. Offering a comprehensive academic program built upon the principles and standards of the American education system..

International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh District Tel: 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 longterm 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.

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By Paul McLardie

PERSONAL FINANCE Decoding Financial News One of the best parts of my job is that I get to read and watch the financial press from across the world. Normally it is not too bad but, that said, once in a while you read or hear some complete and utter dribble.

Here are some recent sound bites I've come across and what they actually mean.

"Apart from the mortgage and student loans, they do not have any debt."

Right, and I am a vegetarian apart from having steak five nights a week.

"Earnings missed estimates."

The earnings didn’t just miss estimates they, more importantly, missed earnings. As in they didn’t make as much money as they wanted to.

"It's a Ponzi scheme."

This is just an excuse for disagreeing or not liking something. It is lazy journalism not knowing the difference.

"He predicted the market crash in 2008."

He might have done, but if you look, you will most likely find out he predicted 34 crashes in the past 20 years that didn’t happen. Don’t look for someone who predicts a crash, find someone who acts properly in your interests after the crash.

"Stocks suffered their biggest drop since October."

October was only six weeks ago. A bit of short-thinking and panic-mongering can go a long way when viewing figures.

"We're optimistically cautious."

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Pure genius. One of the best clichés I have heard.

"It's time to buy or sell a particular company's stocks."

Who is this information for?

The 25-year-old woman with at least another 30 years of investments and savings to go, or the 60-year-old who is getting ready to retire? It makes a difference.

"Investors are leaving the market."

Even if you sell a stock, someone has to buy it. The nature of the market is that all stocks are owned all the time.

This may refer to the difficulty of selling on your stock, known as a secondary market. The investors are not leaving; there is a shortage of new investors.

"More volatility is expected."

When is this not the case? It will always be this way. It is the same as saying you expect more rainy seasons. The word you are looking for is increased, not more.

Financial journalists, especially the ones who work for 24-hour news channels, have to tow the channel's guidelines on reporting each story and how it should be portrayed. For yourself, look on the internet and find writers and publications you like and trust. I am not going to tell you who to read. That’s your job to find out for yourself. You will only find the good once you have tasted the bad.

Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management.

Contact him at Paul.mclardie@t-wm.com.

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.

Saigon Kids Centre 104A Tran Quoc Toan, D3 Tel: 3932 5579 saigonkidscentre@yahoo.com An international childcare centre for children aged between two and six years old. Offers a homely and warm environment for children to play and learn.

SmartKids 1172 Thao Dien Compound, D2 Tel: 3744 6076 www.smartkidsinfo.com An international childcare centre that provides kindergarten and pre-school education for children aged between 18 months and 6 years. A fun and friendly environment, the school focuses on learning through play.

Saigon 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.

Saigon South International School Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7 Tel: 5413 0901 www.ssis.edu.vn An International school environment offering an American/international program in a large, spacious campus, to children from age 3 to grade 12. Great facilities, extra-curricular activities and internationally trained teachers giving unique opportunities to learn.

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 environ-

ment 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. Stamford Grammar 214 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3930 7343 4Bis Phung Khac Khoan, D1 Tel: 3822 3339 www.stamfordgrammar.com enquiry@stamfordgrammar.com International kindergarten following a Singapore curriculum for children from 18 months to 6 years of age. Taught by Vietnamese and native English-speaking teachers. Outdoor play areas, swimming pool, music and art & craft rooms where students can play and learn in a safe environment.

The American School 172 - 180 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3519 2223 info@tasvietnam.edu.vn An independent and private collage preparatory school with a highly individualized and personalized program, The American School of Vietnam offers a strong, US based curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.

ENTERTAINMENT

Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan, D1 The top floor arcade and bowling alley is bound to keep your little ones entertained for hours with an impressive array of video games. Some child-friendly dining options too, with Pizza Hut on hand, a KFC and a New Zealand Natural ice cream concession.

Gymboree Play & Music Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3827 7008 The Gymboree Play & Music offers children from newborn to 5 years old the opportunity to explore, learn and play in an innovative parent-child programmes.

Parkson Plaza 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Arcade game after arcade game line the top floor here with a bowling alley and a decent food court thrown in on the floor below. A good place to take the kids after trawling through Parkson’s numerous concession stands.

PARTIES

Beatrice’s Party Shop 235 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A lovely little shop selling everything you need to throw your little ones a good party. A catalogue of entertainers showcases a number of party favourites such as magicians, circuses and more.

Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong 131C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 A curious shop stocking a range of hand-made fancy dress costumes such as masks, superman outfits and much more. The stock changes seasonally, so this is a good place to stock up on Halloween, Christmas and other costumes.

Bibi Clown - Chu he Bibi Tel: 0933 131 012 bibiclown.blogspot.com Does exactly as his name suggests.Great service has earned him a reputation for turning up almost instantly with a superb selection of balloons and games in both English and Vietnamese.

The Balloon Man Mr Hoat 0903 837 326 Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons. He will come to your palce for decoration but English not as good. Also provides helium balloons.

listings

NordCham Bitexco Building, 19-25 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3821 5423 www.nordcham.com

CAMERAS

living BUSINESS GROUPS

AmCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 323 Tel: 3824 3562 www.amchamvietnam.com AusCham TV Building, Suite 1A, 31A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3911 0272 / 73 / 74 www.auschamvn.org British Business Group of Vietnam 25 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 8430 info@bbgv.org / www.bbgv.org CanCham New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 305 Tel: 3824 3754 www.canchamvietnam.org Citi Bank 115 Nguyen Hue St, D1 Tel: 3824 2118 Citibank Vietnam offers a wide range of banking services to both consumer and corpo-rate. Services include Corporate and Investment Banking, Global Transaction Services, and Consumer Banking.

In Vietnam for 15 years, Citibank has a presence in both HCMC and Hanoi.

Eurocham 257 Hoang Van Thu, Tan Binh Tel: 3845 5528 www.eurochamvn.org German Business Group 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 www.gba-vietnam.org Singapore Business Group Unit 1B2, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3823 3046 www.sbghcmc.org Swiss Business Association 42 Giang Van Minh, Anh Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6996 Fax: 3744 6990 Email: sba@hcm.vnn.vn www.swissvietnam.com Hong Kong Business Association New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 322 Tel: 3824 3757 / 3822 8888 www.hkbav.com

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

A superb place with an excellent reputation for after-sales service with competent English speaking staff and a wide range of products and services.

Freeware and shareware also available on the store website.

CONSULTING

Concetti 33 Dinh Tien Hoang, D1 Tel: 3911 1480 www.concetti-vn.com Consulting and research company for technology transfer and investment.

Embers Asia Ltd. 4th floor, 04 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3822 4728 www.embers-asia.com As the first team building provider established in Vietnam, Embers specializes in making teams better in globally competitive markets. Embers' HR performance management services include: team building excursions, strategic planning retreats, conference facilitations and training workshops.

Ernst & Young Saigon Riverside Office Center, 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3824 5252 www.ey.com Professional service firm specializing in advisory, assurance, tax, transactions and strategic growth markets.

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 4th Floor, 5 Ba Trieu Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: 3827 7362 Fax: 3827 7361 Email: pascal@insuranceinvietnam.com Private insurance and finance.

Quality, Humanity, Humanism

Paediatrics

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.

Dr. Nguyễn Công Viễn 26 years practising paediatrics and family medicine in Vietnam and France.

Former Senior Physician in Paris 4 Interuniversity Diplomas in infections diseases and emergency

Han Thuyen Notre-Dame Cathedral

SYS Vi Tinh Saigon 96C Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1 www.vtsaigon.com

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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.

By Elizabeth Png

HOME IMPROVEMENT Lunar New Year Etiquette Out goes the Horse, in comes the Goat. On 19 February, many people around the world will be celebrating the Year of the Goat the start of the Lunar New Year (LNY).

The festival is celebrated throughout Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Vietnam mark the occasion with up to several days of public holidays. In Thailand, Cambodia and Japan, where it is not a public holiday, the LNY is still considered a major festival. Vietnam celebrates its own version, called Tet Nguyen Dan. The festival celebrations last seven days. On the streets, expect to see LNY street markets, lion dance performances, spring bloom displays and prayers at Chinese temples. Major cities also now hold organised fireworks displays at midnight to mark the beginning of Tet. Before the festival, it is common practice to perform a thorough spring cleaning to clear out any remaining bad luck from the preceding year, before holding a reunion dinner on the eve of LNY. All members of the family are expected to gather for this dinner.

Encouraging luck and prosperity in love, life and wealth for the coming year is a major theme among LNY customs. Essential foods served during this period include banh chung/banh tet which is made of mung beans (cooked until soft and sticky) and stuffed with meat or beans and spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed over several hours.

Today it is not uncommon for Vietnamese people to invite non-Vietnamese friends for home visits, usually from the second day 62 asialife asialife HCMC HCMC 62 62 asialife HCMC

onwards.

If this is your first time celebrating the LNY, here are home etiquette tips to consider: • Wear red when visiting homes.

Red is a lucky colour for Vietnamese, and is believed to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. Other bright, vibrant colours like yellow, which represents gold, are also considered lucky.

• Avoid wearing black or white to homes, as it is considered an unlucky colour. While many younger Vietnamese no longer mind, more traditional, older Vietnamese in their household may take exception.

• Bringing a gift to your host’s house is a nice gesture. The more popular gifts are cookies, chocolates, fruit baskets, wine or liquor. Most supermarkets around the city sell ready-made gift hampers. If you have a Vietnamese business partner, take this opportunity to enhance the relationship.

• Red envelopes filled with li xi, or lucky money, are given to the young and elderly for good luck. Non-Vietnamese guests are not expected to give them out. If you do, however, a red packet with some new notes for the children ‘to eat more and study well’ and to ‘stay healthy’ for the elderly will gain mutual respect and appreciation from your hosts.

Elizabeth Png is the retail and consumer business director at Hafele Vietnam. She can be contacted at elizabeth.pngreade@hafele.com.vn.

Inspired Image 42/2A Ho Hao Hon, D1 Tel: 091 635 2573 www.inspiredimage.co.uk Image consultant and personal stylist.

Previous clients include business leaders, TV presenters and busy professionals.

International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV) info@imiv.org www.imiv.org The International Management Initiative for Vietnam (IMIV), a non-profit initiative within VinaCapital Foundation that promotes excellence in business leadership and management by bringing to Vietnam proven international executive education and professional development programmes.

Phuong Nguyen Consulting TPC Business Center, 92-96 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3829 2391 www.pnp-consulting.com Specializing in business facilitation, conferences, education counselling, market-entry research and IT/business consulting.

TMF Vietnam Company Limited Unit 501, 5th Floor, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2262 ext. 113 Fax: 3910 0590 www.tmf-group.com With headquarters in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, TMF Vietnam specializes in accounting outsourcing and consulting.

Total Wealth Management 66/11 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 3820 0623 www.t-wm.com Specialists in selecting and arranging tax-efficient savings and pension plans for expatriates. Offers councel on private banking services, wealth protection in offshore jurisdictions, currency risks and hedging strategies.

Towers Watson Vietnam (formerly Watson Wyatt and SMART HR) Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, Suite 808, D1 Tel: 3821 9488 Global HR consulting firm specializing in executive compensation, talent management, employee rewards and surveys, HR effectiveness and technology, data services and total rewards surveys.

DECOR Antique Street Le Cong Kieu Street, D1 between Nguyen Thai Binh and Pho Duc Chinh A variety of antiques and faux antiques from Thailand, China and Vietnam including silverware, compasses, lighters, brass knockers, urns, vases, abacuses, religious and pagan statues, candlestick holders, furniture and watches.

Aquarium Street Nguyen Thong Street, D3 between Vo Thi Sau and Ly Chinh Thang Dedicated street has everything one needs to display fish: tanks, decor, feed, filters and the fish themselves.

Budget Housewares Street Corner of Pasteur and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Stock up on shower heads, kitchen supplies (juicer, spatula, grater, etc.), coat racks, clothes hangers, pots, pans, champagne flutes, bowls, coolers, trash bins, ironing boards, magazine racks and the like.

Chau Loan 213 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 7991 Gallery based in a colonial shophouse stocking mainly Vietnamese-themed oil paintings and images of Buddha. Also deals in better-known reproductions.

Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request.

Dogma 175 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 0488 www.dogmavietnam.com Located upstairs from Saigon Kitsch, this art gallery deals in Vietnamese propaganda posters, apparel, accessories and random paraphernalia. Large prints are sold at USD $60 each and small prints cost $25.

Minh Boutique 15 Nguyen Thiep, D1 Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapot warmers, ice buckets and sake drinking sets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sells a range of silverware, egg holders and ice tongs.

OUT-2 STUDIO L6 Fafilm annex 6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056 STUDIO@OUT-2.com www.out-2.com Studio space for independent designers to showcas their wares, sell their work and meet with clients. Open Monday t Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.

Phuong Mai 213C Dong Khoi www.phuongmai-gallery.com Gallery specializing in original oils by Vietnamese artists. The works here are a mish-mash of styles but do contain some standouts, particularly well-known local artists La Hon, Quy Tam and Pham Trinh.

Sapa 125 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Offers a better selection of hill tribe handicrafts than most of its rivals.

Concentrates mainly on the hand-woven clothing of the indigenous tribespeople of the region. There is also a line in ladies’ shoes and the standard range of silk wraps and bags.

Unity 12 Dang Tran Con, D1 Tel: 3823 9375 info@unitycompany.com www.facebook.com/unitycompany Located opposite Galaxy cinema, Unity offers accessories that are designed to seamlessly blend in with your life. Familiar basics are given a contemporary update with the use of modern, alternative materials like silicone, rubber, and brushed aluminum. From orbital lamps and eggshell-white china, to wire-clasped water bottles, each individual piece complements the others in the collection to give your home a sense of Unity.

ELECTRONICS

Hi End Audio 84 Ho Tung Mau, D1 A standout that stocks the very latest and greatest in home entertainment.

Retails in everything from giant plasmascreen TVs to audio equipment. Most top brands are available. iDEAS Shopping Centre 133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3 The largest of the electonics stores along the street, the three-storey iDEAS sells every type of electronic and home appliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties. Staff speaks some English.

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.

Mai Home 92 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 08 62 818 399 MaiHomeDecor.com Producer of fine lacquerware lamps and furniture, Mai Home combines modern design with the traditional art of Vietnamese lacquer to create tasteful and durable homewares. Also provides worldwide shipping and customisable designs.

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.

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.

By Greg Ohan

hot property New Foreign Ownership Law Some good news for the new year! To all you budding property investors: on 25 November, 2014, Vietnam's National Assembly passed the long-awaited amended Housing Law that finally addresses the issue of foreign ownership of properties. So how has this changed and what does it actually mean for you?

We all know the Vietnam residential market has seen slow growth in recent years due to a number of factors, including the previous restrictions on foreign ownership, the lack of quality developers, a speculative bubble from 2006 to 2008, the small size of the leasing market and more attractive and transparent investment opportunities elsewhere in the region.

However, the recent amendments to the new law are expected to play a major role in addressing many of these issues, making Vietnam ‘sexy’ again and removing those cumbersome conditions that foreigners previously faced.

WHO: Individuals – all foreigners who are granted a visa to Vietnam are allowed to buy residential properties in the country.

ENTITIES: All foreign investment funds, banks, Vietnamese branches and representative offices of overseas companies are eligible to buy.

TYPES: All types of residential sectors including condominiums and landed property such as villas and

townhouses (previously only applicable to condominiums).

VOLUME: The total number of dwelling units owned by foreigners must not exceed 30 percent of the total units in one condominium complex, or not exceed 250 landed property units (previously, an eligible foreigner could only buy one condominium in Vietnam).

PURPOSE OF PURCHASE: The properties owned by foreigners can be sub-leased, inherited and collateralised (previously only for owner occupying purposes).

TENURE: The tenure allowed to foreign individuals buying homes is a 50-year leasehold with renewal possibility upon expiration, which remains unchanged. Foreign individuals married to Vietnamese citizens are entitled to freehold tenure.

This relaxation of foreign ownership restrictions is much more significant than we all anticipated and marks a strong step towards opening up the Vietnam real estate market to overseas investment. More importantly, it will boost property demand from overseas investors, Vietnamese residing overseas and expatriates looking to enter or those already in the Vietnam market. Bravo, Vietnam.

Greg Ohan is the Director of CBRE, a Fortune 500 real estate services provider. Email your questions to greg.ohan@ cbre.com or visit Cbrevietnam.com. asialife HCMC 63

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.

By Gary Woollacott

People matter CSR and Recruitment I was at a seminar recently where the topic was Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). To me, one of the more surprising aspects was the emphasis on carrying out worthwhile CSR and using that as a tool to attract and retain talent. I’ll come back to that.

First, CSR was portrayed as not only a good thing to do, but an essential thing for businesses if they want to add to their bottom line.

Why that would be probably isn't immediately apparent to most of us, but the speaker went on to explain. In short, he said that by integrating a quality CSR approach and activities, this engendered a stronger feeling of goodwill within the organisation, in addition to the results which benefit the community outside the organisation. So everyone is a winner with CSR. I thought that was a wonderful explanation for anyone who doubts the merits of this practice.

So back to recruitment and how a sensible CSR approach helps. What one speaker after another reiterated was that younger people these days often assess the suitability of an organisation by the quality of its CSR activities. If you aren’t doing it, or you’re doing it badly, expect the younger generation to ignore your efforts to attract them.

And if you do manage to recruit, don’t expect to hold

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onto them for long once they find out that you lack in your commitment to CSR. We all know very well that recruitment is a time-consuming and expensive process, so anything that can reduce the time spent and cost of that is going to be welcome. What a good idea to use your CSR programme to help!

If you are unsure about CSR and how to implement a successful and sustainable scheme, then simply carry out an internet search for ISO 26000. This will give you heaps of information – as well as a very comprehensive explanation of what CSR is and what it isn't – that should set you on the right track. CSR doesn’t have to be the preserve of big companies. All companies, no matter their size, can make a meaningful contribution.

We all have to start somewhere. And if the end result is that your organisation is that much more attractive to prospective employees, well, that's a bonus these days.

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

Gary Woollacott works for Horton International in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. He can be reached at +84 8 3910

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 designs in lacquer and silk.

MOTORBIKES

Bike City 480D Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Luxury motorcycle shop carries a range of accessories, including apparel. Sells Vemar helmets, a brand that passes rigorous European Union standards.

Protec Helmets 18bis/3A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 248C Phan Dinh Phung, Phu Nhuan 417B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 American nonprofit manufacturer makes helmets with densely compressed polystyrene shell with ABS, PVC or fiberglass exterior, available with polycarbonate shatter-proof shield. Options for kids.

REAL ESTATE

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, con-

nected 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, D2 T: (84) 968 293 388 / 3742 5678 F: (84-8) 3742 3232) www.the-ascott.com Diamond Island Luxury Residences offers 68 fully-furnished apartments, ranging from two- to four-bedroom units with private balconies providing panoramic views of the stunning surroundings in one of the most spectacular sceneries in the city. Each 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.

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: 3744 7102 MOVING!? 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'

HR2B / Talent Recruitment JSC Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 Tel: 3930 8800 www.hr2b.com HR consulting advises businesses on how to improve employee productivity.

The search team specializes in matching senior level Vietnamese professionals and managers to top level opportunities in both major cities.

RELOCATION AGENTS

AGS Four Winds 5th Floor, Lafayette De Saigon, 8A Phung Khac Khoan, D1 Tel: +84 8 3521 0071, www.agsfourwinds.com ags-vietnam@agsfourwinds.com Global leader in international removals and relocations, with 128 offices in 78 countries.They can move customers to and/or from any location worldwide.

Crown Worldwide Movers 2ndFl 236/6 Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh Tel: 3823 4127 www.crownrelo.com hochiminhcity@crownrelo.com

!!!

<=>=?!@!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

JVK International Movers Saigon Port Building, 3 Nguyen Tat Thanh, D4 Tel: 3826 7655/6 chris.honour@jvkasia.com www.jvk.com International agengy with a full range of services including sea/air freight services and worldwide transit coverage.

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.

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 asialife HCMC 65

listings

fashion By Christina Yu

FASHION RULES A Lifetime Bag Recently a friend kindly commented that Ipa-Nima is better than Bottega Venetta, basically because her BV wallet ripped at the seams and BV charged her USD $500 to repair it, whereas I did it for her free of charge and it looks as good as new. It is amazing when some of my customers bring in a seven-year-old Ipa-Nima bag, obviously used and worn to death, and ask us to magically give it a new life as they cannot bear to part with it. Well, there are things that we can do and there are things that we can’t.

A woman will usually overstuff her handbag, throw it around and then wonder why her bag looks defective. Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your beloved companion: Lighten Your Load. Otherwise you will distort its shape, wear out the straps and tear the lining. Never carry a loose pen or perfume oil as these stains are impossible to get out in the lining and may smear the bag’s outer shell. Empty your bag at the end of the day – throw away stray papers, store away name cards. Taking care of your bag from the inside out is good training.

Don’t Get it Wet. It is very difficult to repair a leather or fabric bag with water damage.

Given the local thunderstorms, keep a spare bag in the office, like a laminated canvas shopper from our Ipa-Nima Signature series or a Cath Kidston. If your bag ever gets 66 66 asialife asialife HCMC HCMC

wet, my trick is to put the bag on top of a dehumidifier for a couple of days, then spray it with anti-mold spray before you store it.

Get It Off the Floor. The floor is where a bag gets ruined easily – someone might kick it or spill wine or food on it by accident. I don’t feel guilty taking an extra chair when a restaurant is busy so the bag can be close to me for security.

Clean It Right. Brighten dingy leather bags with a leather moisturiser and spray your bag with a leather protector when you first buy it.

Computer-screen dust wipes are great for patent-leather and synthetic leather bags. Canvas bags can be cleaned with a damp kitchen towel and a little detergent. Always blot. Don’t rub. Always store your bags away from direct sunlight to prevent colour fading.

Trust The Experts.

Customers who try to fix the damage themselves usually make the damage worse. Most brands here provide after-care service, but in case you are really stuck, do what most people do – put the bag aside for your next trip out of Vietnam to see whether a handbag expert can do the repair for you.

Christina Yu is the creative director and founder of Ipa-Nima, an award-winning accessories brand. Email your questions to

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.

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.

Corner Boutique 23 Ly Tu Trong, 1st floor Tel: 012 36 310 099 Corner.com.vn Hidden on the first floor of a downtown apartment building, Corner Boutique boasts an elegant, eclectic collection of womenswear, accessories, handbags, shoes and small trinkets. Open daily from 9am to 9pm.

ER-Couture Boutique 43 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2411 www. er-couture.com erolskov@er-couture.com Exclusive Scandinavian brand offering designer garments. Versatile fashion for women in European sizes 34-44. Each style is released in limited quantities and can be tailored to individual taste.

Mango 96 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 6624 Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 A favourite with fashion-conscious women, this mid-range store stocks clothes from simple tees and jeans to evening wear.

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.

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.

==

Tet Holiday Package 2015 Categories

Feb. 09 - Feb. 27, 2015

Ocean View Duplex

VND 8,000,000++

Ocean Front Duplex

VND 8,450,000++

Ocean Front Deluxe

VND 9,550,000++

Ocean Front 2 Bedroom

VND 20,450,000++

Ocean Front 3 Bedroom

VND 23,450,000++

Ocean View 4 Bedroom

VND 23,450,000++

These rates are in Viet Nam Dong & are subject to 5 percent service charge and 10 percent Tax Daily breakfast at By the Beach restaurant Shared round-trip transfers from Con Son Airport Wi-Fi internet connection, children’s club activities Return domestic air tickets Ho Chi Minh – Con Dao – Ho Chi Minh at VND 4,500,000 net/adult • •

• • • • •

Minimum 2nights stay Rate is per villa, per night, and is applicable for 2 adults in Ocean View Duplex, Ocean Front Duplex or Ocean Front Deluxe Pool villa; 4 adults in Ocean Front Two- Bedroom Pool Villa; 6 adults in Ocean Front Three-Bedroom Pool villa; 8 adults in Ocean View Four-Bedroom Pool Villa.

Offer exclusively for Vietnamese nationals and expatriates in Vietnam; ID cards must be shown upon check-in or Best Available Rate will be charged.

Offer applies for new bookings only, and cannot be combined with other offers This promotion is not applicable to groups, conferences or meetings.

The offer follows normal terms and conditions as per Six Senses Con Dao. Offer is subject to availability For more information, please contact our Reservation department at: Tel: 064 3831 222 Email: reservations-condao@sixsenses.com http://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/con-dao/accommodation/villas-and-suites

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DISTRICT 4

appchat Workflow

Trello

A personal automation tool that allows users to create GIFs or PDFs, Tweet the song you are listening to or get all of the images on a web page. Workflow opens up new creative possibilities for your iPhone or iPad with over 100 available actions.

Trello is like a whiteboard with superpowers, letting teams and groups organise their projects together. Users can create boards that can be worked on solo or in a collaborative effort and write Trello cards which share checklists, comments, updates or photos and videos.

Fitocracy

Nuzzel

This app follows the trend of ‘gamification’, turning fitness goals and workouts into a competition with other users. Fitocracy allows users to track workouts, earn points, unlock achievements and beat quests in an attempt to make dreary trips to the gym fun again.

Like a stripped-down newsfeed, Nuzzel connects to your Facebook and Twitter accounts to show you the news stories your friends are sharing while ignoring all the other chatter associated with those sites. The app can also be used to share stories with friends.

Hyperlapse

Wayfare

Created by the team behind Instagram, Hyperlapse lets iPhone users easily create smooth time lapse videos on the go. The stabilisation feature means even videos taken from the back of a motorbike look high-quality. Clips can be sped up to a maximum of 12 times the normal speed, allowing you to show an entire sunset in less than a minute. Videos can also be shared directly to Facebook or Instagram.

Pen pals may be a thing of the past, but Wayfare brings the tradition into the digital age by pairing users with someone from another country. Pairs are matched for one week, during which you’ll compete in photo challenges and chat to learn about each other’s culture and country.

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ear candy Photo credit: inhmag.com

Portugal. The Man

By Michael Tatarski Possibly the most northern band you’ll ever listen to, Portugal. The Man is a rock outfit from Wasilla, Alaska.

And no, that period is not misplaced. Frontman John Gourley began the band as a side project in the early 2000s before relocating to Portland, Oregon with the rest of the four-piece outfit, which has since accumulated a considerable canon of psychedelic indie rock.

Waiter: “You Vultures!” was released in January 2006 and kicked off Portugal.

The Man’s prolific run. The release featured heavy doses of electric drums and acoustic guitar, a sound that would change through subsequent albums. In 2007 came Church Mouth, followed by Censored Colors in 2008, both on independent record labels.

By 2009, the band had gained enough steam to play at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, two of the biggest American music festivals and proving grounds for indie acts.

That same summer, Portugal. The Man announced their next album release, The Satanic Satanist, which featured an acoustic counterpart called The Majestic Majesty and centred around Gourley’s memories of growing up in Alaska. In 2010, Portugal. The Man released their fifth studio album and last on an indie record label, American Ghetto.

With several albums under their belt and a considerable following, that April the band made the jump to a

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major label by signing with Atlantic Records and began recording In the Mountain In the Cloud, which dropped on 19 July, 2011. Befitting of a major record release, In the Mountain In the Cloud featured more polished tunes than its predecessors but retained the upbeat, often trippy sound that is the band’s signature, particularly on the opening track, 'So American'.

In 2013 the group teamed up with producer Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, for their seventh album. This upset some fans, who felt Portugal.

The Man was becoming too mainstream, as Burton has worked with major artists like Jack White and Broken Bells.

However, Evil Friends, the product of this collaboration, is a fantastic album. Each song is heavy on guitar and synth, with the exception of 'Sea of Air', a Beatles-esque jaunt with beautiful vocal harmonies. Gourley’s lyrics are as strong as ever, ranging from the political in 'Waves' and 'Plastic Soldiers' to the self-deprecating in 'Creep in a T-Shirt'.

In an era of over-processed sameness, Portugal. The Man stands out from the crowd for their unique sound and song structures. They are currently working on their eighth album with producer Mike D from The Beastie Boys. Expect a new release from this exciting band in the near future.

soundfix soundfix Run The Jewels

Jessie Ware Tough Love

Run The Jewels 2

On the night that a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury announced its decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the death of Michael Brown, Run The Jewels – a hip-hop duo made up of rappers Killer Mike and El-P – happened to be performing in nearby St. Louis. The pair heard the news before the show started, leading Killer Mike to deliver an impassioned speech on stage, expressing his frustrations and fears about being a black man and father of two sons, sentiments which are echoed on Run The Jewels 2, their second studio album Speaking out in the media, the Atlanta-based rapper became one of the many voices of outrage against police brutality and racial discrimination in the United States. Even before the killing of Michael Brown, Run The Jewels tackled these issues musically with lyrics like “Please don’t lock me up in front of my kids” on the track 'Early'. Beyond the pertinent, thought-provoking content, the album’s explosive rhymes and savvy production has rightfully clinched its position on many a 'Best of 2014' list.

“If this isn’t love, then I don’t want to know,” croons Jessie Ware on 'Keep On Lying', from her album Tough Love.

The follow-up to her 2012 debut Devotion, the album reveals a matured Ware, as the London-born and -bred singer channels the pangs of complicated romance with a more nuanced understanding of romantic illusions and heartbreak. With a voice that could master nearly any genre, Ware works in a sophisticated mix of pop, electronic, R&B and soul – touching on gospel for 'Say You Love Me', with a stirring bridge sung by a choir.

There’s a hint of Sade in the most delicate of her vocals, matched by Mariah Careyesque potency at Ware’s grandest. A crew of wellchosen co-producers includes Devonte Hynes, Ed Sheeran and Miguel, who help give Ware an edge beyond her sweetness. Ware may sing about tough love but listeners will find it easy to adore her.

album review

by Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen

endorsed Guanabana Veggie Smoothies

By Dana Filek-Gibson

Tony Allen Film of Life

Angaleena Presley American Middle Class

As the drummer for Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 during the 1970s, Tony Allen helped to define the groundbreaking genre of afrobeat. With his drumsticks, the Nigerianborn artist finessed a racing rhythm that continues to inspire today’s musicians in Africa and beyond. Now 74, Allen has yet to retire from his 50-plus years of making music. Film of Life is his 10th album, a vibrant record that’s proof of Allen’s enduring resonance.

The musician delivers his trademark exhilaratingyet-cool, percussion as well as occasional vocals with the sheen of modern production. One of several collaborators is Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur and Gorillaz, whom Allen also worked with on 2007’s concept album The Good, the Bad & the Queen, and the result, slow-burning 'Go Back', showcases the genius of both. 'Ire Omo' is the album’s most infectious track, a danceable number featuring energetic horns and Nigerian singers Adunni & Nefertiti.

Taylor Swift may have seemingly abandoned the genre to pursue mainstream pop, but country music remains alive and well. One of the prime torchbearers is Angaleena Presley, the Beauty, Kentucky-raised daughter of a coal miner. On a break from the Platinumselling female trio Pistol Annies, Presley strikes out on her own with debut solo album American Middle Class.

The singer-songwriter digs deep to offer a glimpse into her own background, set against the context of life in rural America. Presley’s lyrics are narratives of economic hardship, drug abuse and longing for stability, delivered in her creamy Southern drawl.

With both rollicking tunes and candid ballads, the album pays homage to traditional country, blues and folk with an entirely disarming approach.

Though pop music may reach a wider audience, Presley shows the distinctive power of Americana to tell compassionate stories.

With a new year upon us, resolutions are in full swing.

Across town, people are back to hitting the gym, retiring at 9pm and laying off the dessert.

Beer sales have slumped.

Yoga classes are full. Vision boards are complete and wellorganised.

For everyone trying to start off 2015 on a health-conscious note, Guanabana has done much of the work for you.

The District 1 smoothie shop, located on the corner of Ly Tu Trong and Thai Van Lung, prides itself on using fresh, organic produce and skipping the dollops of condensed milk and sugar found in most Vietnamese sinh to. Now, by popular demand, Guanabana has rolled out its new line of veggie smoothies. Four brandnew combinations feature leafy green ingredients like spinach and kale alongside natural flavour enhancers such as coconut, cinnamon and ginger.

Late last year, the shop debuted drink combinations like Ginger Green (VND 65,000), a blend of spinach, celery, cucumber, banana and fresh coconut milk with an added kick of ginger. Coconut Kale (VND 75,000), too, is a hit thanks to its namesake ingredients. It's tough to come by: Guanabana's kale comes from Dalat, where it's just barely cold enough to grow the vegetable, and so the shop's supply depends upon the weather. When it’s in stock, however, this light, ultrahealthy smoothie combines fresh coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon with bananas and honey for sweetness, along with the superfood, which is packed with vitamins A, C and K as well as fibre, protein and omega-3 fatty acid. If you happen to turn up on a day

when kale is not available, never fear: Coconut Spinach (VND 65,000) is equally delicious, swapping out one vitamin-rich leafy green for another.

Finally, Guanabana's fourth veggie offering is Mint Cacao (VND 65,000), a tasty blend of cacao powder and mint leaves, spinach, banana, honey and coconut milk which creates a delightful, all-natural mintchocolate flavour that's neither too subtle nor too overpowering. You can also add a shot of whey protein or spirulina to any of these smoothies to make your drink extra-healthy.

In crafting the recipes for his veggie smoothies, Guanabana owner Luke Nguyen spent ample amounts of time researching the origins, transportation and even different varieties of each produce, working with local farmers and suppliers to find the freshest, healthiest ingredients possible. As the shop grows, the California native is hoping to streamline his supply chains from around the region in order to ensure quality.

Along with serious dedication on the beverage side, Guanabana now offers baked goods and paninis including the caprese, Italian, Cuban ham and cheese and tuna melt. All are made fresh daily with the same attention and care that goes into the shop's drinks, leaving you with no excuse not to start off the new year on a healthy note.

Guanabana 23 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel 09 09 824 830 8am-10pm GuanabanaSmoothies.com

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boxoffice

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Taken 3

Jupiter Ascending

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Using state-of-the-art visual effects and 3D immersion, director Ridley Scott brings new life to the captivating Biblical story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton). Setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues, Exodus relives one man's daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver and Aaron Paul also star in this action-packed epic.

In the third installment of Taken, Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whose long-awaited reconciliation with his ex-wife is cut short when she is brutally murdered.

Consumed with rage and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his particular set of skills to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter.

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things.

Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Channing Tatum), a genetically-engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along – her genetic signature marks her as the next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

Written and directed by the Wachowskis, Jupiter Ascending follows its main character from the streets of Chicago to farflung galaxies whirling through space.

After evil pirate Burger-Beard (Antonio Banderas) manages to get his hands on a magical book allowing him to wreak havoc on the high seas, one small, squareshaped yellow sponge must venture beyond the sea in order to save his home. SpongeBob Squarepants (Tom Kenny) and his eclectic group of friends – the rotund, lovable starfish Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), grouchy Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), Sandy the aquatic squirrel (Carolyn Lawrence) and Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) – take to the land with a combination of live action and 3D animation in this fun-filled adventure movie.

Opening Dates Cinemas Movies CGV

cgv.vn

Exodus: Gods and Kings (25/12/14)

BHD Star Cinema Exodus: Gods and Kings (25/12/14) bhdstar.vn Jupiter Ascending (6/2/15) Galaxy galaxycine.vn

Exodus: Gods and Kings (26/12/14 – 8/1/15) Taken 3 (9/1/15 – 22/1/15) Jupiter Ascending (6/2/15 – 19/2/15) The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (6/2/15 – 19/2/15) The information on this page was correct at the time of printing. Check cinema websites for screenings.

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bookshelf Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat John McQuaid Scribner Taste has long been considered the most basic of the five senses, yet it’s really the most complex and subtle. With reporting from kitchens, supermarkets, farms, restaurants, huge food corporations and science labs, Tasty tells the story of the concept of flavour and how our sense of taste will evolve in the coming decades. Pulitzer Prize-winning author John McQuaid explains the scientific research taking place on multiple fronts: how genes shape our tastes, how hidden taste perceptions weave their way into every organ and system in the body, how the mind assembles flavours from the five senses and signals from the body’s metabolic systems, why something disgusts one person and delights another and what today’s obsessions with extreme tastes tell us about the brain.

The Birth of Korean Cool Euny Hong Picador

When she was a child, Euny Hong moved from the US to the Gangnam neighbourhood in Seoul. She witnessed the most accelerated part of South Korea’s economic development, when it leapfrogged from third-world military dictatorship to first-world liberal democracy. In The Birth of Korean Cool, Euny Hong recounts how South Korea vaulted into the 21st century. Featuring lively, in-depth reporting and numerous interviews with South Koreans working in all areas of government and society, as well as her own personal anecdotes, Hong reveals how a nation that once banned miniskirts, long hair on men and rock ‘n’ roll could come to mass produce cult-status boy bands, fashion-forward trend-setters and entertaining soap operas.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North Richard Flanagan Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Winner of the 2014 Man Booker Prize, The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a novel of love and war that traces the life of one man from World War II to the present. The novel begins in August 1943: Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans is haunted by his affair with his uncle’s young wife two years earlier.

Meanwhile, Evans must navigate and survive a brutal Japanese POW camp on the Thai-Burma Death Railway and it becomes a daily struggle to save the men under his command.

This is the case until he receives a letter that will change him forever. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a poignant novel about the many forms of good and evil and of truth and transcendence as one man comes of age and prospers, only to discover all that he has lost.

Family Furnishings Alice Munro Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Family Furnishings brings readers 24 selected short stories from Alice Munro, winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature. Many of her stories are set in the small towns of southwestern Ontario. They illuminate the quotidian yet extraordinary in the lives of men and women, parents and children, friends and lovers as they discover sex, quarrel, suffer defeat, set off into the unknown or find a way to be in the world – from first love in Passion to the lengths a once-straying husband will go to make his wife happy as her memory fades in The Bear Came Over the Mountain. “Reading one of Alice Munro’s texts is like watching a cat walk across a laid dinner table. A brief short story can often cover decades, summarising a life, as she moves deftly between different periods,” according to a Nobel Prize presentation speech.

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odd one out...

Left unchecked, a single twinkle on someone's holiday sweater could turn into an epidemic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fabulous, sparkling plague on all your outfits.

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Welcome to 2015! Clear the sequins from your closet, the alcohol from your system and the New Year's photos from your iPhone: we are in a new age!

Or, at least, that's what the calendar says. Chances are it'll take the souls of Saigon another month to catch up with the rest of the world. Thanks to another impending holiday, January is more of a grace period in Vietnam. Recovering from the gluttonous debauchery of New Year's, this month serves as a soothing lull in the action before giving way to Tet's calm, wholesome energy. We spend this time convincing ourselves that salads are delicious and wine isn't a food group. Household objects get repurposed as free weights and at home, blinds drawn, some of us attempt to keep up with Suzanne Somers on the Thighmaster. We open our closet and realise everything in it makes us look fat. Two weeks later, we realise that we are fat, a direct result of holiday parties and hotel buffets. Indeed, January is a sensitive time.

Which is why it's important that you, dear reader, are prepared. Over the first few weeks of 2015, you are susceptible to many things, including but not

Dana Filek-Gibson rings in the new year with a public service announcement on January's most dangerous epidemic.

limited to seasonal illness, new habits, post-holiday depression and a danger that few consider but which affects millions of people across the world every January. You may talk about it or even make jokes but this epidemic is no laughing matter: I am talking about the lingering effects of glitter.

Before we go any further, I know what you're thinking and no, I do not mean Glitter, the 2001 romantic musical drama starring Mariah Carey. That woman has had her time. While the magical, shimmering holiday dust may have seemed like a brilliant idea in the final days of 2014, a deadly combination of drunk girls and house music have no doubt already wreaked havoc on the homes, bodies and wardrobes of much of Saigon.

Left unchecked, a single twinkle on someone's holiday sweater could turn into an epidemic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fabulous, sparkling plague on all your outfits.

Sure, you think, it'll never happen to me. But if I've seen it once I've seen it a million times: glitter does not discriminate. It does not see race, class or gender. It doesn't care if you didn't go out that night or stayed away from the women in

sparkly dresses or happen to be meticulous with a lint roller. It will come after you. And faster than you can contain the situation, it will bedazzle you and everything you own.

You may have noticed it already, at brunch with friends or in the quiet confines of your own apartment. Like all contagious conditions, glitter begins with one single seed. It's nothing, you think. This will pass.

And so you attempt to brush off the shimmering fragment and carry on with your day. Little do you know your carelessness has just launched a scourge on all of Saigon that could last for weeks.

As such, I urge you to remain vigilant over the coming month: that extra sparkle in someone's eye may literally be a sparkle in someone's eye. Be cautious around family and friends still wearing their holiday attire.

Keep a roll of Scotch tape handy at all times. And if you see something, say something: don't let a friend go on unaware of their condition when you could be the difference between a fresh start and a twinkling, magical reminder of the past.

L e tt e r f r o m

Hanoi

- T h e I mp e r ial Citad e l -

This year the city of Hanoi turns 1,005. I know this is not news to many, but let’s just stop to consider that for a moment – 1,000 years is a very long time. One thousand years ago, Medieval Europe was flourishing, the Byzantine Empire in Eastern Europe was expanding and the new Khmer Empire had yet to build Angkor Wat. In what is now modern-day Vietnam, Emperor Ly Thai To, first emperor of the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225 AD), founded the dynamic city now known as Hanoi. This makes Vietnam's capital (with the exception of a brief interlude in Hue) one of the oldest continual seats of power in the world. That’s a pretty big deal. Yet many people, myself included, forget the deep history that lies beneath our feet.

I pass the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long daily, drive by the flag tower on my way to work, circle the faded yellow walls on my dog’s evening walk. I even live on the edge of what was once the Forbidden City, now just another urban block. But then there are moments – passing the main entrance as it lights up at dusk or watching shadows catch the craters left by canon fire on the north gate – when I remember that this is not just another city block. This is the heart of ancient Hanoi.

I’m embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t until months after moving to Hanoi that I visited the Citadel. Despite living a fiveminute walk from the Imperial complex, I was unaware of the impressive piece of history next door. As it turns out, I’m not alone. Many other expats guiltily admit to the

Past and present collide on the streets of Hanoi as Katie Jacobs takes a deeper look at her everyday surroundings. Photos

by Jura Cullen

same ignorance. In all fairness, there’s not a lot left of the citadel, so the visit takes a little imagination. With so much renovation and remodeling – not to mention war – most of what is still standing is no more than a couple of hundred years old. However, excavations which began in 2007 have since revealed artifacts not only from the founding of the city in the 11th century but also from as far back as 767 AD, when the Chinese built the citadel of Dai Lai on the same site.

Visiting the excavation site is interesting, allowing one to imagine the palaces, gardens and lakes formerly occupying the extensive grounds. According to legend, the city was named when Ly Thai To saw a dragon rising from a bend in the Red River. At the time, the capital was 100km south but, with no room for expansion, the emperor sought a new location. After seeing the apparition, Ly Thai To moved his city to the banks of the Red River and named it Thang Long, or rising dragon.

When it came time to construct the Imperial city, however, Ly Thai To found that the city walls kept collapsing. One evening he dreamt of a white horse galloping across his land.

The horse left marks in the ground and the following day the Emperor instructed his workers to build the walls on the footprints of the horse. The construction was a success and Hanoi’s oldest temple, Bach Ma, was founded in the horse’s honour.

These stories and the history they represent can seem a little abstract on the bustling streets

of today’s Hanoi but if you look closely, remains of the original city layout are still evident. The old quarter reflects the historic guilds that serviced the Royal Citadel and the three sections of the palace – ceremonial, military and living and consultation palaces – are still loosely followed. The main gate and grassy field that are today used for festivals and graduation celebrations is a remnant of the ceremonial grounds for which they were once used.

My favourite part of the citadel, however, is much more recent than the ancient foundations. Towards the back of the compound, below one of the many Frenchera buildings constructed on the site, are the war rooms used by Ho Chi Minh and General Giap. Decked out in 1960s furniture and decorated with maps used to plot war strategies, one can see where they worked, sheltered and slept.

These rooms are not in my guidebook, nor have I read about them online. In fact, if I hadn’t been with a guide I would have passed right over them. Like so many interesting parts of this city, it was thanks to a little exploration and luck that I found them.

As 2015 dawns and my remaining time in Hanoi starts to slip away, I worry that there are still places in the city that I have not properly explored. While I will never visit every corner of Hanoi, there are still many things I wish to learn and places I want to visit (and re-visit). Starting with the Imperial Citadel, it is my New Year’s resolution to

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pub quiz

Celebrity Sideshow!

Gems 11. Which song gave the Kaiser Chiefs their first UK number one single in 2007?

12. American TV character Archie Bunker was based on which British character, star of Till Death Us Do Part?

13. What is Eddie’s daughter called in Absolutely Fabulous?

14. What is the capital of The Land of Oz? 15. Who played Ritchie Valens in La Bamba?

Giaáy ÑKKHXB soá: 2372 - 2014/CXB/18 - 54/ThT Quyeát ñònh xuaát baûn soá 472/QÑ-NXBTT, caáp ngaøy 24/12/2014 In xong vaø noäp löu chieåu thaùng 01/2015 AsiaLIFE Media Advertising Communications JSC 2 Street 11, Thao Dien Ward, District 2 Tel: +84 8 6680 6105

Water 21. Which city in Ireland is famous for its crystal?

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Fire 16. Who claimed 'we didn’t start the fire' in 1989?

17. What is the name of Mozilla’s free open-source web browser?

18. What is the Italian name for Florence?

19. Fire was one of the classical elements. Name the other three.

20. Who invented a lamp to reduce the danger of firedamp in coal mines?

In 2,000 cuoán, khoå 20,5cm x 27cm taïi Coâng ty ITAXA ñòa chæ 126 Nguyeãn Thò Minh Khai, Q.3.

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Jan 6. Which city is served by the airport that was, until 1994, named Jan Smuts Airport?

7. Which actress was famously stabbed to death in the shower in Psycho?

8. Who died in a hotel room from an overdose of heroin in October 1970?

9. Jansher Khan won the World Open a record eight times in what sport?

10. Who, in 1993, lost the Wimbledon final despite being 4-1 up in the final set?

Thöïc hieän lieân keát xuaát baûn: Coâng ty CP TT QC AsiaLIFE Media

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Pub Quiz Answers

1. Which docu-drama directed by Ron Howard stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Ed Harris?

2. Who released the album 13 in 1999? It reached number one in the UK charts.

3. Which Southeast Asian public holiday usually starts on 13 April?

4. In the Friday the 13th films, what does Jason wear on his face?

5. In the 2001 film Thirteen, what are the thirteen conversations about?

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

22. Which box office flop was, in 1995, the most expensive film ever made?

23. How many players make up a water polo team?

24. In 1815, the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo. In what modernday country is Waterloo?

25. 'Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink' comes from which famous poem?

1. Apollo 13 2. Blur 3. Buddhist New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey or Songkran) 4.

A “hockey” mask 5. One Thing 6. Johannesburg 7. Janet Leigh 8. Janis Joplin 9.

Squash 10. Jana Novotná 11. Ruby 12. Alf Garnett 13. Sapphire (Saffy) 14. The Emerald City 15. Lou Diamond Phillips 16. Billy Joel 17. Firefox 18. Firenze 19.

Earth, Water, Air 20. Sir Humphrey Davy 21. Waterford 22. Waterworld 23. 7 24.

Belgium 25. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 26. Phil Collins 27. Samuel L Jackson 28. Tommy Lee Jones 29. Leonardo DiCaprio 30. Julia Roberts

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