AsiaLIFE Vietnam July 2015

AsiaLIFE Media Vol. 88

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Why we love

individuality

Energized Engaged Empowered

Because at ISHCMC we understand that the freedom to be unique empowers our students to discover their passions.

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

Samatha, ISHCMC Student Grade 6

CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM

July 2015

VOLUME 88

REC

This Month's Cover Art Direction: AsiaLIFE Media Photography: Vinh Dao

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Tran Bao Son

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

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www. A s i a L i f e M a g a z i n e .com For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 / +84 903 325 543 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com Director Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialifemagazine.com Editorial Director Brett Davis brett@asialifehcmc.com

Designer

Managing Editor

Kendra Bernard kendra@asialifemagazine.com Photo Editor

Dana Filek-Gibson dana@asialifemagazine.com Contributing Editor

Vinh Dao photoeditor@asialifemagazine.com

Khoi Pham khoi@asialifemagazine.com

Production Manager Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com

Sales Assistant Kieu Khanh Toan khanhtoan@asialifehcmc.com

Administrator Nguyen Hanh Trinh trinh.nguyen@asialifehcmc.com

Front

F OO D & D R I N K

EVENTS . . .............................................................. 0 6 TOP 5: Late-night Food Spots . . ............. 1 2 Q &A Tran Bao Son .......................................................... 1 6

Vintage Emporium

PHOTO ESSAY

Cheesecake Ngon

C ov e r Sto ry

Mien Luon Thanh Thao

Peru fairtrade silver portraits . . ................................ 1 8

Nice Ride

Classic cars in Saigon ............................................... 2 2

F e at u r e s B-Phone

Home-grown smart phone ..................................... 2 8

kids vs career

Making tough choices . . ............................................ 3 0

Cafe serenity . . ......................................................... 4 2

Boathouse

Riverside Mexican ................................................... 4 3 Cheesecake perfection . . .......................................... 4 4 Crispy eel soup ....................................................... 4 5

S TYLE & D E S I G N Dancing Unicorn

Modern dance ........................................................ 4 6

Stitch Appeal

Custom made clothing . . .......................................... 4 8

C OLU M N S

Saigon's Urban Moonshiners

IMBIBE ............................................................................. 5 4

health & wellness

FITNESS .......................................................................... 5 8

Rice wine in the city . . .............................................. 3 2 Don't hold your breath ........................................... 3 8

T r av e l

LOCAL EATS ............................................................... 5 6 Education Hub .................................................... 6 2 HOME IMPROVEMENT .......................................... 6 4

It All Falls Away

Personal Finance ............................................. 6 5

riding ricefields

FASHION RULES ....................................................... 6 8

The Grand Ho Tram ............................................... 3 4 Cable ski Cambodia ................................................ 3 6

PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 6 odd one out ........................................................ 7 6

NGO Focus ............................................................... 7 7

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events

Outcast’s Farmers Markets @Saigon Outcast Entry: Free

Home made food made with love, healthy and organic produce full of nutrition.

Nerd Night @Saigon Ranger Entry:VND60,000

An art exhibition of Mixed Media Paintings, displaying works by Nguyen Da Quyen, winner of an Asian Creative Award last year.

Mixed Media Paintings @ Workshop Café Entry: Free

Join AmCham members, friends and family to enjoy a celebration of a traditional American holiday.

AmCham Independence Day Picnic @Riverside Apartments Entry: Adult VND1.1 mil, Children VND350k

5 July, 9.30am 1–12 July, 8am–8pm

A unique opportunity for people in all areas of IT or technology to meet industry leaders.

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4 July, 11.30am– 3.30pm 1 July, 6–9pm

GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE We are a family focused school Excellent academic results Small class sizes Our commitment to excellence in education for all ages Fully qualified and experienced International teachers Specialised Intensive English and EAL programmes A safe, quality learning environment with first-class facilities Strong community links.

Renaissance is an International British School offering the National Curriculum for England complemented by the International Primary Curriculum ( IPC), Cambridge IGCSE & the International Baccalaureate (IB).

EARLY YEARS

PRIMARY

74 Nguyen Thi Thap, District 7, HCMC (08) 3773 3171 - ext: 120/121/122 admissions@renaissance.edu.vn www.renaissance.edu.vn

SECONDARY

ENROLLING NOW

2015 - 2016 Scholarships up to 100% for our IB Programme Discount up to 20% for Early Years Free shuttle bus pick-up for pupils in District 2, Tan Binh, Tan Phu Contact Admissions

(+84-8) 3773 3171 ext: 120/121/122

events

Book, Wine, Music & More @ DeciBel Entry: Free

For all book lovers. The book for this month is "Mrs. Hemingway" by Naomi Wood.

Night Urban Flea Market @ Saigon Outcast Entry:VND20,000

Future Now - Rave in Colour @ Saigon Exhibition And Convention Center Entry:VND550,000

9–12 July, 10am

The Future Now - Rave in Color is coming to our city that loves to party.

Thailand Week @TBecc Entry: Free

Thailand Week 2015 is a trade fair featuring Thai products and services.

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Special 5th Edition. A great chance for you to add something new to your shopping experience.

11 July, 4PM

20 July, 7pm 12 July, 3–9pm

An International School for students aged 18 months to 11 years

Behind every genius is a team of experts Over 90% of our teachers have Masters Degrees in their specialist subjects. Achieving strong and proven academic results, in the 2013-2014 school year, 90% of our students exceeded their growth targets with an average growth of 2.5 grade levels in reading and 75% of students exceeding grade level in math.

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

events

22 July, 8pm

Choose To Move @ Saigon Domaine Entry: Free The works of resident artists Tran Tuan, Orawan Arunrak, and Ta Minh Duc from session 6 of the San Art Laboratory program.

SpamCham @Jaspa’s Entry:VND250,000

A new event combining ladies night but includes special offers for the guys.

Ladies Vs Gentlemen @ Sorae Entry: Free

All proceeds from the night go to the Loreto Vietnam Australia Program.

Speakeasy @TheObservatory Entry: Free

25 July, 9.30pm

Multiple Lives performing with a selection of downtempo music.

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29 July, 6.30pm

Until 30 July, 6–8pm

Top 5

late-night Food Spots

Brett Davis, along with some brave AsiaLIFE colleagues, seek out the best late-night eating spots to take the edge off the next day’s pain. Photos

by Kendra Bernard.

We’ve all been there: it’s midnight, and after several hours of having more than a few drinks you manage, through the fog, to cast an eye towards the following day. Some food is required to soak up the booze and hopefully minimise tomorrow’s hangover.

Never a group to back down from a challenge (unless it’s, like, kinda hard) the AsiaLIFE team decided to go gonzo and after a night of research for a story on rice wine (page 32) we hit the following five after-hours eateries and reported on the fly.

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m ats u za k aya 17/34A Le Thanh Ton, D1.

Open until 1.40am.

This area is a rabbit warren. It’s generally known as the ghetto, but my colleague Dana Filek Gibson has christened it ‘Japansville’, and declares it her favourite part of town. The place is kind of cosy, with a typical Japanese setup and chairs lined along an L-shaped counter. You do see some weird individuals around here. We are located at the junction of two alleys and, I shit you not, a guy just walked past with six girls dressed in sexy air hostess outfits. I’d like to know where that party is. Anyway, good gyoza (fried dumplings, VND 50,000). I’ll let Dana sum up the place: “You walk out feeling kind of greasy, but that’s what you should do after a night of drinking.” It reminds me a little of the place in the great Japanese food movie Tompopo, just missing the cute ramen lady and the truck driver in the cowboy hat. I can’t believe none of my companions have seen it. “See the damn movie, all of you.”

pho l e

413-414 Nguyen Trai, D5.

Open until 1am.

Wow, I get loud when I get drunk. Not aggressive loud (I hope), just the volume seems to go up a notch. Which kind of works here, since it is packed with mainly locals and the sound bounces off the hard surfaces. Not the cheapest bowl of pho in town, but the pho bo

t a n ha i van 162 Nguyen Trai, D1.

Open 24 hours.

This is actually a proper Chinese restaurant. It looks like it, smells like it and is never closed.

l o ng phi

207 Bui Vien, D1.

Open until 5am.

I think, possibly, where we have gone wrong on this little experiment is continuing to drink as we search for food to recover from drinking. I’m not complaining though; this kind of commitment to journalism comes with a price. So, this place is known for its crepes. I just thank Christ

m c don a ld’ s

Corner Pham Ngu Lao and Tran Hung Dao, D1. Open 24 hours.

And so we reach our nadir. Dana is hanging in, just, trooper that she is. Anyone who can drink like that has a bright future in journalism. Kendra, damn you, still looking way too sober. Anyway, I don’t have to describe what is on the menu or what it tastes like because at 2am we have all been here and we all know: it tastes like self-loathing. Now, just go the fuck home.

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(VND 72,000) is big and comes with slices of beef and meatballs. Some of the others are getting a little slurry, while a few among us seem suspiciously composed. I’m looking at you, art director Kendra. Seriously, the last stop on the rice wine research tour was a curb-side place that sold home-made ‘rum’. Not sure what it was exactly but Kendra was knocking that stuff back. She even refused the coke mixer the rest of us used. I put it down to her Jamaican heritage. I also think I am going to get in trouble for saying that, or thinking it. Did I just say that out loud?

Not a bad Shanghai dumpling (VND 45,000) either. They have a section on the menu called ‘Recovery Dishes’. Ha, quite appropriate. Holy crap! There is something listed called 1st Class Soup and it goes for VND 9.8 million. Doesn’t say what’s in it, but I’m guessing shark fin and panda penis. It does make me think fondly of the two years I lived in China and the great food

they are savoury crepes. If someone put a dessert crepe in front of me right now it would be spontaneously topped with the contents of my stomach. However, the mushroom, onion and bacon crepe (VND 115,000) is pretty good. You know how it’s said that ‘nothing good happens after 2am’? Well, combine that with being in the general vicinity of the Pham and it’s like a factor of 50. God, and we have to literally run the length of Bui Vien to our last stop.

in Beijing, where you could get every cuisine from around the country, from the simplicity of Hainan food, fiery Sichuan or the meaty goodness of Uyghur cuisine from Xinjiang province in the far northwest. Everything else about living there was, frankly, balls. Polluted, dirty, freezing most of the year and people were as hard as a coffin nail. Still, food was great.

With seven films in the last seven years, Tran Bao Son has gone from average citizen to household name. On the heels of his latest movie, Quyen (Farewell, Berlin Wall), which chronicles the tumultuous life of a Vietnamese woman living in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the actor talks about what it's like to play the bad guy, driving over the speed limit in Germany and bringing Vietnamese films to local audiences and beyond.

By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photo by Vinh Dao.

You had an unusual introduction into the film industry: you were a businessman first and didn't begin your career until later in life. Did you always know you wanted to act?

I started [acting] about eight years ago.

I lived in New York and [during] the time I was there I was just working and doing business. I never had a chance to do acting.

Maybe inside of me there was [a talent] I already had but nobody discovered it yet.

When I came back to Vietnam, I married my ex-wife [actress Truong Ngoc Anh] and people started to ask me to play [roles]. That was 10 years ago.

For my first role, I worked with Dustin Nguyen and I won an award for that role [a Golden Kite, Vietnam's highest acting honour, for Best Supporting Actor in 2008's The Legend Is Alive]. Now, I have seven films.

Besides acting I also do business: I have some real estate and investments in the States, in New York, and here, too. I opened my production house two years ago, so I just finished filming – I'm just producing it, I'm not acting – the film [Hy Sinh Doi Trai], which will come out in September.

Now that you've experienced the industry as both an actor and a producer, what is it like to be on the other side of the camera?

Producing is just a part of the business.

I see potential in Vietnam. The film market is growing every day, more theatres are opening up and more Vietnamese films are opening up. I think that in another five years it will be very different. It all depends on the film: if you make a good film, you'll be successful. I always pick a good director, a good crew and a good cast. If you have those three, it's easy for you to win. And the script also, and PR, so that's five.

In Quyen, you play Hung, a gangster with a checkered past who helps immigrants cross international borders. He's not exactly a nice guy, and does some pretty terrible things in the film. Do you prefer playing the bad guy in movies?

In the trailer, the director [Nguyen Phan Quang Binh] wanted people to look at me like I'm a bad guy, but with this story I think in the beginning you will hate me but at the end you will love me.

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I like to play those kinds of characters.

They have a lot of colours. Different kinds of tones, different kinds of colours; I have to play every different scene. I have to change very carefully, because when you're shooting a film you don't shoot from the beginning to the end, so when I read the script I know exactly when I have to get to that point. In your head, you have to know exactly the whole picture. I really liked this role because I think it was very challenging for me.

the role.

At the time, I think that in New York – or not only Berlin but around the world – Vietnamese came from a different country.

When they came, it was something so new to them; they didn't know what they were doing so they just, most of them became like gangsters to survive. I used some of the experiences I saw in the past and put them in the film. That's why I like the character.

It's not that I was in a gang before, but I saw a lot.

Over the course of a few months, the cast and crew of Quyen filmed both in Vietnam and in Germany. There is a lot of fighting, fake snow and sex scenes in the movie. What was it like filming some of Quyen's more intense scenes?

I have done a lot of action films before but this film, the director didn't want us to train at all. He wanted us to fight like it was real. More street fighting, you know?

So whenever we had a scene like that, he explained how we would fight; we just went and fought for real.

I had an experience in Germany when we were racing the cars: if I drove a little bit over [the speed limit], they were so scared. They said: 'Stop it! Stop!' In Vietnam, you know, sometimes the actors just do whatever but in Germany they are very safe. They want to protect the actors and actresses as [best] they can. I love to drive fast and they said: 'No! No! Oh my God, if anything happens to you we're going to die!' The whole crew was like: 'Why did you drive like that? Please don't drive like that!'

In the past few years, Vietnamese films like Dap Canh Giua Khong Trung (Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere), Lac Gioi (Paradise in Heart) and Huong Ga (Rise) have begun to push boundaries and tackle stories seldom covered on the big screen. Why do you think these films are gaining ground now? What are the challenges in bringing more of these stories to local moviegoers?

Before, there were a few of the movies that were different, but I don't think it was the right time yet because, first of all, they didn't have a lot of theatres in Vietnam. Right now, theatres in Vietnam are expanding very fast and Vietnamese people, they love to see Vietnamese films. They want to see something real, they want to see something like everyday life.

But when you do this kind of film your budget has to be very big. It's probably a few times bigger than the other [films] so there aren't so many production houses willing to do it. Just like me, I have three scripts in my company I plan to do this year. One I have to shoot in New York and Vietnam, so for those kinds of films I have to wait for the right time to do it because the budget is high. But I want to do it.

I want to have some films that I can bring to Venice, to Cannes or Berlin, Toronto or even the Oscars. I want to have something to bring to let the world see Vietnamese movies. It depends on the story. In Vietnam, I think with our history we have a lot of good stories. We have a lot of layers [and] so many histories, with the French, the Americans, the Chinese. In our history, we have been [through] a lot of struggle, so we have a lot of stories that the audience out there will want to see.

This film is set in Germany but most of its characters are Vietnamese. As someone who left Vietnam at a young age, how did you draw upon your own personal experiences to play this role?

This role is about a Viet kieu. I'm Viet kieu, too, so I have experience from the time I lived in New York. There were a lot of gangsters, there were a lot of mafia at that time, even in New York. Before, they had a gang called Born To Kill, or BTK. It's a gang that was very, very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. I used some of the experiences that I'd seen, and I put them in the film to play

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PHOTO ESSAY

Peru Fairtrade Silver Portraits Find more work by Sean Hawkey at www.hawkey.co.uk Last year, photographer Sean Hawkey captured portraits of Fair Trade gold and silver miners from the SOTRAMI mine in Santa Filomena, Ayacucho, Peru. By using tintypes to create wet plate collodion images, Hawkey connects his subjects with their work, incorporating silver from the mine as a main ingredient in the chemistry of each photograph.

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Miners deep underground at SOTRAMI's Santa Rosa mine in Santa Filomena, drilling to place dynamite.

An ingot of Fairtradecertified gold and silver is poured and cleaned up at the SOTRAMI foundry.

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Nice Ride 22 asialife HCMC

Retro motor vehicles in HCMC are not limited to motorbikes, as Brett Davis discovers when he talks to members of a group of dedicated classic car enthusiasts. Photos by Vinh Dao and Brett Davis.

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On a Sunday

afternoon in the park at the rear of the Reunification Palace, groups of people lounge around café tables, chatting and sipping on drinks. However, one particular group stands out from the crowd.

That’s because they arrived at the park in some seriously sweet rides. Classic automobiles, from a host of famous auto makers, that have been meticulously and lovingly restored. In a nation that is almost single mindedly obsessed with all that is modern and new, it is a rare thing to find a collection of individuals who value something of form and function from years gone by.

The group is entirely informal, with no name or organizational structure to speak of, but these vintage motor-heads meet here every Sunday with a shared passion that keeps them coming back.

One of the first to arrive is Tuan, 45, who cruises up in his 1960 Citroen ID 19.

He found the car in terrible condition and

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restored everything from the engine to the body and interior himself. He believes it was imported into Vietnam around 1965.

He says he spent several years saving the money to buy the car, then a year gathering the necessary parts and a further year doing the actual work. Tuan works in computer engineering and is a self-taught mechanic.

“I can fix computers, but not cars,” he says in what is obviously a statement of great self-deprecation considering the fine vehicle before us.

Tuan began the project about four years ago and it is the third classic Citroen he has restored, one of which was a Traction Avant, the auto maker’s previous flagship model. The ID series’ (also known as the DS) body styling and engineering were revolutionary for its time, particularly the hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension.

“The ride is completely smooth,” Tuan says of the car’s unique suspension system.

It also apparently allows it to corner like it’s on rails. “Ninety kilometres an hour and

you can turn just like that,” he says, making a smooth arcing motion with his right arm.

The search for parts can be a tremendous challenge, as any restorer of classic vehicles will tell you. The internet has made this easier in recent years, and Tuan was able to source parts from around the world, including France, the US, Germany and Holland. Social media groups play a part and sometime parts are swapped or even given away among the network of classic car enthusiasts.

As Tuan pops the hood and we look at the suspension system in action, smoothly raising the rear end of the car, he says these are not just any parts he searches for. “It has to be genuine parts; it is not the same otherwise,” he says.

Tuan still has all of the cars he has restored. He says they are difficult to sell in a place where people want new, modern vehicles. However, it is probably just as likely he is unwilling to part with these labours of love.

Long, 46, and his wife, Hai, are at the park in their 1967 Volkswagen Beetle. He talks me through the evolution of this iconic vehicle and what he likes about his model.

“They have a better shape, a better look,” he says in Vietnamese.

If this unofficial group has an unofficial leader of sorts, Long is probably it. He says everyone who comes along has something to share about classic vehicles. It might just be general information, advice on restoration techniques or tips on where to track down authentic parts.

Anyone who is interested can come along, even if they do not have a car of their own.

Most certainly at the other end of the spectrum of classic car enthusiasts is 40-year-old hotel operator Phong, who has brought his newly acquired 1967 Mini Cooper to the park. He says he has no plans to do any special work on it at this stage; he merely bought it because he liked it. It is also just one in his collection of 15 classic

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cars, which also includes a vintage Rolls Royce, Citroen, Alfa Romeo and Chevrolet Bel Air. When asked which one he likes best, it is perhaps a like asking a parent which of their children is their favourite. “I like them all,” he replies.

The cars are part of Phong’s affection for anything he describes as ‘classic’, and extends to motorcycles, watches and bicycles.

Many of the classic cars that found their way to Vietnam over the years came from European companies. Given the country’s period as a French colony this is perhaps not surprising. So while many of the cars restored by this group of enthusiasts reflect this history, there are a couple of examples from Detroit, USA, the beating heart of global automobile manufacturing in its heyday.

Perhaps one of the most iconic examples of American heavy metal produced by the Motor City is the Ford Mustang. Ban, a 37-year-old business man and owner of a 1970 Mustang, has a clear preference when

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it comes to the choice between European or American cars.

“Between the two kinds, European cars are smaller. American cars are bigger and more powerful,” he says. “[The Mustang] has style and it's stronger, like a muscle car.”

Ban has been indulging his passion for restoring vehicles for the past eight years, having previously completed projects including a Volkswagen Beetle, as well as Harley Davidson and Vespa motorcycles.

Like everyone else in this circle, he scoured the globe looking for parts during the two years it took to fully restore his pride and joy. He is so pleased with the results he is keen to tackle another Mustang as his next project.

A car such as this belongs on the open road and Ban has undertaken road trips to places like Hoi An, Danang and Ca Mau. He likes that he can open it up on the highway and that it turns heads wherever he goes.

“Lots of people ask me questions or ask to take pictures. They see that it looks differ-

ent; it's not like anyone else's.”

Although not at the park on that particular Sunday, when I speak to him the next day, 26-year-old Cong, a film producer and director, expresses a similar view. “I love antique things, I’m a collector,” he says.

Cong has several vintage cars and motorcycles in his collection. He also has a fondness for vintage American cars and has much of the work done in the Unites States before shipping the cars back to Vietnam.

His latest project is the restoration of a 1985 Cadillac Seville, a model that features a distinctive sloped-back design. He has a friend in the States who supervises the work for him. “I know what I want but the mechanics who can do this kind of work are very rare,” he says.

All this classic car love does seem very much like big boys and their toys. I ask Cong if it is unusual that someone as young as he is into these vehicles. He chuckles and says: “People with this hobby are never old.”

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While waiting for Vietnam’s first homegrown smartphone to arrive, Khoi Pham talks about its release event, turtlenecks and how national pride plays a role in marketing. Photo by Jonny Edbrooke.

As the music dies down and lights brighten up in the auditorium, Nguyen Tu Quang steps out from the dark in a black polo and jeans to the audience’s applause and a burst of flashing cameras. Held high in his hand is a prototype of the most talkedabout device among the local tech crowd in recent months. The debut event, held last May in one of Hanoi’s most spacious and glamorous event spaces, is reminiscent of Apple’s iPhone showcases in the past, complete with minimalist style and the company’s top executives taking turns delivering the presentation. The only thing that’s missing is perhaps that iconic black turtleneck.

The elusive device is the Bphone, widely heralded by many as Vietnam’s first-ever home-grown smartphone. “We believe that today [we have] created history in Vietnam’s IT industry,” affirms Quang. The 40-year-old Hanoian is currently the CEO and co-founder of BKAV, one of Vietnam’s oldest tech companies, best known for its internet security and antivirus software.

Which makes its recent foray into the lucrative yet notoriously cutthroat smartphone market a rather surprising move.

For decades, Vietnam has been one of the most popular production backyards for foreign manufacturers, due to the local abundance of young, cheap labour. The common perception is that local workers are hard-working and skilled, but local companies tend to lag behind when it comes to invention and creativity. So for a born and bred, locally-based Vietnamese company to publicly declare that they have managed to make a smartphone from scratch right here in the bellybutton of Asia’s outsourcing paradise, it’s a big deal.

According to Vu Thanh Thang, vice president of BKAV, Bphone’s main factory is located in Hanoi where most of the assembling process occurs. “Bphone is a ‘made in Vietnam’ phone,” he told Zing News last May. “Every process, from aesthetics, me-

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chanical and electrical to software design is carried out in the company headquarters.

The mechanical part of the manufacturing process happens right at the factory to produce a prototype, then passed on to our partnering facilities for mass production.”

Bphone is a Vietnamese smartphone and the company vehemently wants you to remember that. Throughout the one-anda-half-hour-long debut event, Quang and his associates repeatedly reiterate that fact, so much so that they might as well call it the Vphone. All video footage demonstrating the phone’s functions feature mild-mannered, attractive Vietnamese actors and actresses enthusiastically going through the motions of their daily activities with Bphone’s help, from transferring a blueprint to jogging along the Notre Dame Cathedral’s pavement.

Using nationalism as a marketing tactic is not a new trick. “Nguoi Viet dung hang Viet” (Vietnamese people use Vietnamese products) is a long-standing program spearheaded by the government in its effort to boost consumption of locally-produced goods. Although the project hasn’t been executed in a professional media campaign, save for the occasional Vietnamese product trade fairs organised annually, it has achieved a moderate level of success. This is mostly due to how the simple message can resonate with Vietnamese of all ages.

Through the years, some local companies have also benefitted from this sentiment by crafting their marketing campaigns in a similar fashion. Many still remember how, years ago, Bitis (a local footwear brand) utilised local mythical and historical figures in their commercial, ending with the slogan “Bitis: Caring for Vietnamese feet”. It might sound cheesy to some but it certainly worked, becoming one of the most memorable messages in the mind of Vietnamese at that point. National pride is without a doubt a powerful force to unite people of a country, and Bphone’s marketing team knows it, putting phrases like, “made in Vietnam”, “world-class” and superlatives like “most gorgeous” and “first-ever” together in the presentation.

By organising a PR event on such an unprecedented scale and tugging at the audience’s heartstrings through ambitious nationalist messages, they have managed to generate a great amount of interest both from the media and netizens, with polarising responses. Sceptics were quick to lambaste the over-the-top nature of the event

and Nguyen Tu Quang’s constant use of self-congratulatory phrases in his speech.

His “It’s unbelievable!” exclamation has already made rounds on forums and social media alike as the hottest new meme.

Dua Leo, Saigon’s newest stand-up comedian and YouTube sensation, says in a scathing vlog: “My opinion is very simple.

I will not support, or purchase, or tell my friends to purchase, or even lend somebody money to purchase [the Bphone].”

He laments the “absurd” way BKAV uses the phone’s made-in-Vietnam status to attract customers and cites its high price as one of the reasons why he discourages people from making a purchase. “[Between existing companies and] a software company that suddenly jumps into producing hardware, I would go for those with an established reputation,” he says.

At the other end of the spectrum, others who are more optimistic hold fast to the sentiment that local products should be given a chance and deserve support from their countrymen. Judging by how Dua Leo’s Bphone rant has climbed to become his most “disliked” video, many share the same belief and are not afraid to spell it out in the comment section.

No matter which camp you belong to, the marketing team at BKAV is already patting themselves on the back for successfully creating conversations and piquing public interest. The rest will lie in the sales figures and actual hands-on experience when the phone is released.

Despite the initial sceptical reception, just 12 hours after its release, Bphone’s exclusive online website had received almost 12,000 pre-orders of buyers eager to have their turn at the new Vietnamese high-tech toy.

At the end of the day, the question of whether Bphone is actually the most gorgeous or the most valuable phone in the world like BKAV claims can only be answered by the people who fork over the millions of VND required to buy it.

Not Dua Leo, Nguyen Tu Quang himself, or anyone else. Ultimately, to me, this whole Bphone shebang has managed to accomplish two important things: spark public conversations on a national level about creativity, technology and innovation; and ignite a glimmer of hope in young Vietnamese that perhaps the leap from the world’s manufacturing backyard to its glamourous well-lit stage is not as daunting as they think.

A brave new

Phone ? asialife HCMC 29

J

ust over two years ago, Le Thi Ngoc Han tied the knot. In 2010, she and her husband, Tri, met at work and, after getting to know one another, began dating. At first, she says, he was shy. Tri didn't say much and she wondered whether the two had much in common. But over time, Tri opened up and, when the couple finally got married a few years ago, Han knew there was much more to him than she had first thought.

It's the usual story of love and marriage in Saigon, and Han lights up as she talks about him, even when making playful jokes. The 27-yearold HR worker has a much more equal relationship with her husband than many other young Vietnamese her age. Once the wedding bells had quieted and the honeymoon was over, the second most important question came around: When are you going to have kids? For Han – and every other woman in Vietnam – this is a standard question, and one for which you usually supply an answer.

But Han and Tri, now married for over two years, are in no rush.

While it's very much the opposite of traditional Vietnamese thinking, these days more and more Saigonese women are waiting to have kids. This trend has caught on the world over, but in Saigon it's particularly prominent: the southern hub has the lowest birth rate in the country at 1.33 children per couple in 2012, a marked contrast to the 2.05 national average.

These figures represent an array of both good and bad news for the country: on the one hand, declining fertility rates mean that Vietnam's population is under control in a way that it certainly was not in the aftermath of the American War, when couples married young, contraceptives were all but nonexistent and rural families needed the extra hands around the house.

On the other hand, as Vietnam faces a rapidly aging population – according to a May article in Thanh Nien, experts believe that one-third of the country's population will be over 60 within the next 15 years – the challenge of caring for its elderly citizens falls squarely upon the shoulders of the next generation, whose numbers are dwindling by the year.

But beyond the larger societal implications of delaying childbirth, women have their own reasons for waiting to start a family. In Han's case, money is the biggest issue.

“Our family is not rich,” she says. “For Vietnamese, you need to have a house already and then you continue with other things. We don't have the house. After getting married, we had to live in my uncle's house.”

Without property of their own, Tri and Han hesitate to bring a child into this world, though the pair have been saving for an apartment of their own. The papers will be signed this fall, opening the door for the rest of their married life to take place, however Han continues to fret over the costs of living in a major city.

“You have to get more money, get a high salary, and then it's easy to live here,” she explains.

“Many people say that Saigon has everything; it's easy to live here if you have money.”

For many women her age, Han's story rings true, not only because of the financial struggles that come with raising a child in the city but also thanks to the familial obligations that begin to weigh down on a young couple after getting married.

30 asialife HCMC

“My mother-in-law says: 'Please, please, give birth! I will take care of it. I am young, too. Why do you keep delaying? I'm getting older and older.

Who will take care of the children for you?” she says.

In Vu's circle of friends, such pressures are a common part of life for women of a certain age.

The 34-year-old Hanoi native, who chose not to disclose her full name, maintains a relatively wide circle of friends and clientele in Saigon who left the capital in part for the southern hub's charms but also because of the increasing pressure placed upon them by their families and friends to get married and have children.

“The funny thing is that whoever doesn't get married at a certain age that their family expected, they move down to Saigon,” she says. “All my friends are from Hanoi. They moved down to Saigon and they wanted to stay in the single life, to pursue their career; they didn't want to get any pressure from their family so they move down to Saigon.”

While this wasn't Vu's primary reason for settling in the south, her career is a major part of her adult life and, in her case, part of the reason she hasn't yet taken the first step toward building a family: marriage. Though Vu has been in long-term relationships in the past, the Hanoian says she's ultimately chosen her career over her personal life in these situations. She has no regrets about these decisions but is also aware that by putting her career first, there is a possibility that children may not one day be in her future.

“I think one day I do want to have kids,” she says, “but I don't want to be a single mom, so if I found the right partner who would pretty much be in on everything then I would actually want to have kids. But if not, then it's not a big deal for me whether I have kids or not. If I haven't found the right partner, I won't have kids.”

Even in western societies, this is a bold statement for women to make, but in Vietnam it is almost unheard of. For many Vietnamese – Han included – children are an important part of a couple's retirement plan. “[Here,] the social system is not good...so you need to have one child who can take care of you when you get older, or you get sick or something,” she explains. “In Vietnam, every couple should have children to take care of their future.”

While these two women and their experiences indicate both a shift in Vietnamese cultural attitudes as well as a growing trend to hold off on having kids, the government is preparing itself for the more serious implications of fewer babies. Last month, Thanh Nien reported that officials were considering whether to drop the loosely-followed two-child restriction in place in Vietnam to encourage more couples to have children. There is no word yet on how, if at all, this rule might change, but in the meantime, Vu believes it will sort itself out.

“I think that's a natural way of going; that is the issue in all developed countries so I think that life [in Vietnam] will be more progressive,” she says.

“It happened to Japan, Korea, America...Women basically have much more power to be able to do what they want, even though some Asians are a little less so, because I guess that in the next few generations we will still have that thought that women are for the family.”

kids

vs career

More and more, women in Saigon are choosing to hold off on starting a family.

With the lowest birth rate in the country, Dana Filek-Gibson explores the reasons behind this delay and its implications for the future. Photo by Vinh Dao. asialife HCMC 31

While beer remains the standard liquid propellant of a night out in Vietnam, Simon Stanley felt the need for something a little stronger. Photo by Vinh Dao.

Saigon’s

Urban Moonshiners 32 asialife HCMC

For foreigners in VietThe Modern nam, rice wine is often Since opening in early 2015, Saigon’s Chi Hoa restaurant has been offering the seen as something of a discerning spirit-seeker a far more palatable novelty – often one to taste of the Vietnamese countryside. Visit for the amazing food but be sure to check be wary of, with tales out their lineup of traditional rice-based tipples. The one that immediately catches of methanol poisonour eye is the 100 percent homemade baing abounding. It’s that nana wine.

In their ground floor store, where many throat-singeing local of their homemade products are available for take-away, Nghiem Xuan Quang, blend of alcohol and manager and business partner, shows us God-knows-what that to a huddle of those ubiquitous plastic ‘sweetie-jars’ with red screw-on lids. Magigets passed around at cal concoctions lurk inside. Quang selects ‘traditional’ celebrations one, pops the lid and introduces us to the deep brown elixir. by an over-enthusiastic “This is not a normal banana,” he says. tour guide, or that which “It is not for eating, just for soaking in rice wine. We leave it for two years. This gives lurks ominously in a us the brown colour, the caramel colour. It’s a natural process.” bamboo skewered pot It starts life as your average fermented rice wine, but according to Quang, having on the floor of a Sapa for so long, a large proportion of the homestay as backpackers infused alcohol has evaporated, mellowing the potion from a scalding forty percent alcohol to dance the hokey-pokey a perfectly sippable thirty. “It’s like the way around it. For the brave, they make whisky,” he adds. “It becomes that first exposure may have taken the form of The Traditional ruou thuoc – medicine Our next stop takes us to a traditional street-food restaurant in the shadow of the wine – and those cling Vietcombank Tower. Squatting around film-covered jars of dead new the standard plastic table beneath the standard Pepsi awning, before we’ve even snakes and scorpions been shown the food menu it arrives. Two and empty promises repurposed 75cl glass bottles filled to the brim with the homemade liquid nourishof virility, fertility and ment that has earned this nameless establishment its unofficial moniker: The Secret everything in between, Rum Bar. A deep, golden brown colour, it all suspended in…well, certainly looks like rum. The taste is…okay. as sweet as we were expecting. And it’s again, God-knows-what. Not weak, very weak. At VND100,000 a bottle, it was hardly going to give Captain Morgan While this is all very a run for his money. We sense danger here, fun, you’re unlikely to though. Sloshed over ice and topped up with coke, it’s like drinking Haribo cola choose a glass of Vietbottles…and we end up drinking a lot of Haribo cola bottles. nam’s most (in)famous “Gao, gao,” says the owner when we ask spirit as your next aperi- how it’s made. He stumbles around a little and I suspect he is also the joint’s quality tif. control officer too. Of course, Vietnamese

◊ Chi Hoa is at 31A Le Thanh Ton, District 1. For more information visit ChiHoaCuisine.com. ◊ The ‘Secret Rum Bar’ is at 13 Phan Van Dat, District 1. Next door to Black Cat. ◊ For more information about Guillemin’s rum, search Facebook for ‘Rhum in Vietnam’ or visit Facebook.com/CreoleParty.

vodka is going to be made from rice, but it seems the rum is too. A nearby regular cuts in to tell us it’s actually made with fruit – hence the colour. We’re finding it difficult to say which type of fruit, maybe grape or plum, but by now the owner is finding it difficult to say anything.

very easy to drink.” And my, it is very easy to drink.

As the AsiaLIFE tasting team readied their glasses, we were secretly expecting a sickly, sugary concoction akin to the free shots handed out at the end of a meal in a cheap Greek restaurant. But no. What we got was heavenly. The first thing to learn about Chi Hoa’s banana wine is that it tastes nothing like banana.

“It’s like a really mellow bourbon,” is my first reaction. The sweetness is subtle, the caramel-like flavour carries a slight smokiness, and the after-burn… doesn’t arrive. Oh boy, that’s good. “How much is a bottle?” are my next words. VND300,000 is the answer (a single shot sells for VND50,000).

So are there any other bars or restaurants making banana wine in Saigon? “I don’t think so,” says Quang with a wide smile.

“We are the original!”

He then introduces us to a wheat wine spirit from Hanoi, Nep Moi, a high-quality rice/wheat hybrid. For me, however, it lacks flavour. But Chi Hoa are on the case and Quang points us to their home-infused vodkas. Ginger, coffee and basil and cucumber are on offer tonight, all priced at VND50,000 a shot, but Quang disappears briefly to conjure up a hibiscus flower vodka mojito (VND85,000). If you thought you knew mojitos, think again. It’s a knockout.

The Foreign From his District 2 apartment, Frenchman, cook and former Réunion Island resident Christophe Guillemin has been serving up all the flavours of the Indian Oceans’ French outpost since 2008. Book in for one of his gastronomic Creole dinner parties, delivered and served at your home or venue, and Guillemin will bring along a selection of his much sought-after homemade rum.

A common practice among Réunion residents, Guillemin produces island-style macerations, soaking a range of Vietnamese fruits and dark sugar in a white rum base for up to a year, creating a rainbow of golden, flavoursome indulgences. Passion fruit, lychee and Dalat raspberry are on offer the day I visit. Previous batches have included banana, coconut, lime and mulberries, all sourced locally.

“If you go to the mountains on Réunion island, there are small shops and [here] you will find maybe forty or fifty different kinds,” says Guillemin. “Mint, mulberry, vanilla, sometimes they will have a snake inside…” Sound familiar?

Like Chi Hoa’s banana wine, Guillemin’s creations are extremely subtle in their flavourings, resulting in a supremely smooth and drinkable tincture that’s neither too sweet nor nostril-flaringly potent.

“I take only the fresh fruit for my rum,” he says. “My style is, the more fruit the better.”

Priced at between VND390,000 and VND440,000 a bottle, his current batch is disappearing fast. asialife HCMC 33

It all falls away Shedding his city-dwelling fear and loathing, Brett Davis heads to the coast for some much-needed R&R. Photos courtesy of The Grand.

34 asialife HCMC

It tends to build within you, the need to escape Saigon. For the most part this happens without you really realising it, and then it is there and you just have to go. But as most residents of the city know, getting away somewhere that is pleasant and conveniently located when time is short does not present you with a host of options.

This is precisely the situation I found myself in not long ago. In addition to an escape, I needed to get some work done. I actually find hotels the most comfortable and productive environments for this. I’m not sure why, but the office just seems to inhibit creative thought, cafes are out of the question (too many folks tapping away on laptops, and I actually have a job) and home is prone to too many distractions, like laundry or playing with cats.

Hotels are kind of perfect retreats from the world, where you can relax and focus at the same time. I also happened to be battling a ridiculous flu, so escape, solitude and relaxation seemed the order of the day.

So, summoning my manservant to pack me a case and organising the necessary transportation, I headed to the Ho Tram Grand resort and casino. Opened two years ago among some well-publicised challenges, I thought it time to give the place another look. An additional incentive being that, with the recent opening of the Long ThanhDau Giay Expressway, it was only a smidge over two hours from the city.

On approach it is an imposing beast, dominating the still largely empty beachfront strip. This is due to change in the not-too-distant future, with other condo and five-star resort projects in the pipeline.

But for now there is a sense of isolation and gentle drama to this windswept coastline.

There are 541 rooms here, I pondered after closing the door to my room and taking in the view from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Not surprising, given the size of

the building. Everything did seem to be on a rather grand scale, not least of which was the huge, horseshoe shaped swimming pool spread out below me and fronting the long strip of beach.

The room was well-appointed with a spacious bathroom including a generous tub and a well-positioned desk from which to do my work. The clincher, though, was the bed. I was instantly ashamed of the impoverishment of my own bedding situation and now I knew why: goose down. Yes, the goose down duvet and pillows atop a marshmallow soft mattress were heavenly.

It was all I could do not to flop into bed and drop into a 24-hour coma.

Instead I summoned up the requisite energy for a tour of the facilities. After a stroll by the pool I took a vantage point on one of the sun lounges facing the remarkably clean beach, cleaner than most I have encountered in this country. Some hardy souls were out on the choppy, grey-green ocean taking advantage of the considerable breeze to sail board and kite surf. An even more optimistic soul bobbed upon a longboard waiting for the occasional small wave to surf.

It was all very calming and pleasant, and aided by the abundant flu medication and occasional cocktail coursing through my system, created a delightfully cottonwool sensation.

Next was a peek at the Greg Normandesigned Bluffs golf course. As a rule, I don’t play golf. Here I made no exception, although I did drive in a golf buggy. I find it difficult to believe I am saying this but it was incredibly beautiful. More gigantic landscape sculpture than sporting facility, the integration of the lush, green course into harsh, arid dunes was impeccably executed.

Sometime later, wearing my best dress sandals (all my most valuable fashion advice comes from my Canadian friend, photographer and fashion savant Fred Wissink),

I entered Brasserie, The Grand’s French and Vietnamese fine dining establishment. Oysters on the half-shell and smoked salmon with capers accompanied by a stunning New Zealand sauvignon blanc commenced proceedings. This was followed by confit duck and a stolen taste of Australian ribeye with a classic Barossa shiraz and rounded out with the house-made apple tart. It was simply stunning food, the equal of – if not better than – anything you will find in Saigon.

More than well sated, I went off in search of after-dinner diversion. The Churchill Cigar Bar had earlier caught my attention with its refined Old World styling but my mood seemed to demand slightly more stimulation.

Fortunately, Club 9 was readily at hand.

The house nightclub was a riot of sound and coloured lights. There was also a number of, shall we say, vertically integrated cylindrical dancing apparatuses stationed strategically around the room, with some very athletic and talented dancers practicing their skills upon said equipment. More than a little pleasing to observe.

It gave me pause to think about the obvious allusion made between the so called Ho Tram Strip and that other famous strip.

One could imagine going a little Hunter S. Thompson in these surrounds. However, I doubt Thompson’s much quoted maxim – “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro” – would be tolerated here. This is still Vietnam, after all, not Vegas.

In the end, the siren song of that wonderful bed was too strong and I departed for my room. The Ho Tram Grand weekend was a short escape but just what I was looking for. An escape as easy and comforting as the dreams one dreams when resting upon goose down pillows.

The Ho Tram Grand Resort and Casino will host the USD $1.5 million Asian Golf Tour Ho Tram Golf Open from December 3 to 6. Summer Escape packages are available from now until September 30. For more information visit TheGrandHoTram.com.

asialife HCMC 35

Riding Rice Fields With the opening of a cable park on Phnom Penh's outskirts, wakeboarding is now possible in Cambodia’s interior, and the outfit aims to use the wild rides to spur serious change. by Joanna Mayhew. Photos by Lucas Veuve.

36 asialife HCMC

Fifteen kilometres north of Phnom Penh, down National Highway 5 and across the Tonlé Sap River, Prek Tar Sak village almost resembles any in its surroundings – clay red pathways, long stretches of fields, thatched restaurants full of men reclining between work shifts – with one very notable exception.

Amidst the flat landscape, two sevenplus-metre towers stand erect at either side of a converted rectangular rice paddy, with a cable running the 160-metre distance between them, suspended above muddy water. These towers mark a new mecca for a steady trickle of barangs who make the dusty trek for what is, in the eyes of many locals, an utterly bizarre pastime: wakeboarding.

At the newly opened Kam-Air Wakepark, a crew of wakeboarders, steered back and forth between towers by a generator-powered rope and pulley, take turns skimming over the water as they attempt ollies, back rolls and raley dock starts.

While watersports have been offered on occasion via boats at Cambodia’s seasides and riverways, the cable park is the first of its kind in the country, and has upped the ante on the capital’s extreme sports offerings.

“I feel like there is a niche to satiate peo-

ple’s boredom,” says CEO Alf Evans, who launched the park in March, giving it the tongue-in-cheek name after a bad American pronunciation for “Khmer.”

Raised in Texas, Evans has been wakeboarding for 20 years. He started as a young boy with water skiing – learning to slalom at 12, after his dad refused to take the boat in until he mastered it, and to barefoot at 13.

In high school, he and his friends frequently skipped school to head to the surrounding lakes.

“Then this creation called a wakeboard stepped into our lives,” Evans says. “In 1996 I said, ‘I’m never putting a ski on again’.”

Powering Up

Having moved to Cambodia with his family three years ago, leaving his beloved wakeboarding behind, Evans dreamed of introducing the sport in country. But with prices typically around $30,000 for a basic cable system, the idea seemed out of reach, particularly for a missionary relying on financial support.

“People thought I was crazy,” he says.

Surveying the vast property, lined with palm trees and dotted with a fire pit, grill, and rustic hut with repurposed chairs overlooking the water, he adds with a laugh, “I think I just get to say I told you so.”

The park has been two years in the making, and is mostly the result of donations, as well as do-it-yourself creativity by Evans and CFO John Phifer. But the experience has not been the smoothest ride. After bulldozing the lake, the duo faced a series of difficulties, from equipment malfunctions to ensuring the water is healthy, preventing it from leaking and keeping local cows out of it. “It’s always an adventure,” says Evans.

The resulting facility can now tow riders at 40km per hour, with runs lasting 14 seconds. Riders are jerked upwards and forwards, and – if they can make it through the start without face-planting – can continue in loops by navigating around buoys at either end. When full, the 30-metre-wide lake can hold a million gallons of water. But in April, it was at a quarter capacity and half a metre deep at points, meaning wipeouts into the mud that added to the adrenaline-fuelling experience.

Making Waves

While the park is fun and games on the surface, there is more to the operation than meets the eye. Back in Texas, Evans combined his love for wakeboarding with his experience as a pastor to lead a “wakeboard church”. The group would wakeboard together, and after sunset Evans would provide a sermon on the boat. He jokes he had a captive audience, as they would have to swim to be able to leave.

Though Kam-Air functions as a business and not a church, the duo still plans to use the profit for good, with a tagline of “creating liberty for the oppressed through action sports”. “Any dollar we make goes into the organisation directly, to make things better or to support the local community around us,” says Phifer.

The owners plan to assist the 350 local families through a variety of projects such as literacy and employment training, specifically focusing on fathers, as they feel they can thereby impact the whole family.

Though expats are currently the park’s primary customers, the owners expect it won’t take long for Cambodians to also want to participate. “The truth is, I think they’re going to be better at it,” says Evans.

The two-tower setup, which is less costly than circular systems, will allow the duo to gauge initial interest. “It’s a good stepping your foot in the lake, so to speak, to see if it’ll work,” says Evans. They hope to eventually expand to Siem Reap and Kampot, as well as open a pro shop.

“There’s been days I just want to play video games – like, this is hard; I give up,” adds Evans. “But I feel this is what I’m supposed to be doing. So sure, I’m tempted. But are we giving up? No. Not yet.”

asialife HCMC 37

health

Don't

Hold Your Breath

One quarter of the global population breathes unsafe air, including residents of Saigon.

While that figure isn't decreasing any time soon, face masks can provide some protection against ambient air pollution. Dana Filek-Gibson delves into the form and function of face masks.

Photo by Vinh Dao. 38 asialife HCMC

& wellness When Cindy Tu arrived in Saigon last December, she looked forward to taking that first ride through the city's buzzing traffic. Until, of course, she got behind a Saigon bus.

“I couldn't handle it,” says the San Francisco native. “Because I'm so sensitive to smell firstly but I'm not used to the pollution. I started wearing those medical disposable face masks, which did nothing for me. I ended up layering like three of them... then I moved on to the cloth kind that they have. That didn't do anything for me, either. Honestly, I started getting respiratory problems and I was coughing a lot and I just felt really sick. I thought: 'This is ridiculous.'”

In no time at all, Tu found herself seeking new ways to deal with Saigon's ever-increasing air pollution.

But while it's easy to acknowledge that our city's air is unclean, solutions seem to be few and far between.

Eventually, Tu came across Vogmask, a line of practical, fashion-forward face masks, on a trip to Singapore.

She now swears by them and has begun distributing for the brand in Vietnam.

“It's a good investment,” says Tu. “I use it every day for two months and it makes a world of difference.

Now I feel like, you know, let's go on that ride because I've got my Vogmask. Because [if] I went just with nothing, no way.”

This doesn't necessarily solve the city's pollution problem, but Tu's masks have made it all the way to Hanoi and around the country, helping urban residents shield themselves from airborne particles and debris.

Given the fact that one quarter of the global population now breathes unsafe air, according to the findings of

Yale University's 2014 Environmental Performance Index, there's certainly a market for this kind of protection.

In Saigon and around the world, polluted air contains two kinds of particulate matter. PM10, the larger of the two, includes all particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter and can accumulate in your lungs over time. But the real culprit is PM2.5, better known as fine particulate matter, which is about 1/30 the width of a human hair and so small that it's able to make its way deep into a person's lungs, causing a whole host of medical conditions, from chronic respiratory infections to heart attacks, stroke and lung cancer. In 2012, the World Health Organisation (WHO) counted 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide related to ambient air pollution, nearly a million of which were in Southeast Asia alone.

So, how dangerous is the air we breathe? According to the WHO, safe air contains an average of no more than 10 micrograms of fine PM2.5 particulate matter per cubic metre (μg/m3) per year. While Saigon may not be as bad as Beijing (56μg/m3), Hong Kong (45μg/m3) or even Hanoi (39μg/m3), our annual average is 27μg/m3, or nearly three times the acceptable rate.

As Dr Jonathan Halevy, a pediatrician at District 1's Family Medical Practice, says: “If you live in Ho Chi Minh City and you don't cough, something is wrong with you.”

Over the last 10 years, Dr Halevy has seen a marked uptick in the number of patients who come to his office with pollution-related conditions.

While ambient air pollution is dangerous for adults, children are even more at risk: kids living in polluted

Air Pollution

PM 2.5 levels (µg/m3)

CHINA 48

EGYPT 17.53

VIETNAM 17.87

MALAYSIA 10.65

FRANCE 10.67

areas are more likely to develop asthma, he explains, as well as sinus problems, respiratory conditions and even skin diseases like eczema and atopic dermatitis.

“It just gets worse and worse and worse,” he says. “Kids that have asthma, their asthma becomes more and more difficult to treat. It becomes more chronic [and] less responsive to treatment because they're continuously exposed to pollution, especially kids who live near highways, kids who live near construction sites. There's a construction site almost in every neighbourhood in Vietnam, so you can't escape it.”

However, while there's an obvious risk in the city, Dr Halevy acknowledges that finding a solution to the problem is no easy feat.

UK 8.68

RUSSIA 9.84

BRAZIL 5.08

US 7.47

AUSTRALIA 3.23

“At the moment, the only way to solve this problem is to get rid of the traffic and that's impossible so you either live with it or you go away,” he says.

For individuals, something as omnipresent as air is difficult to control, however it is possible to avoid being outdoors at certain times of day, like rush hour, when air pollution is at its worst.

Across the city, motorbike riders and walkers alike have adopted the habit of wearing a face mask, which some – Dr Halevy included – are skeptical to endorse, as there is limited scientific data on the effectiveness of these masks against PM2.5.

That said, a 2012 study published in US-based journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that use of a face mask can help to reduce the adverse effects of air pollution and lower the

asialife HCMC 39

40 asialife HCMC

associated risks of cardiovascular disease.

Conducted in Beijing, the study tracked mask wearers with a history of cardiovascular disease while walking along the city's heavily polluted Second Ring Road. When the masks were on, patients experience LIZARB and improved heart KU lower blood pressure 0.5 86.8 rate variability 8as well as a self-reported reduction in symptoms and perceived exertion.

Though it depends largely upon the face mask you choose, there are some who endorse face masks as a way to protect against pollutants.

Aharmful ILARTSUairborne A SUDr Richard Saint 32.3Cyr, a US-certified family 74.7 physician, blogger at MyHealthBeijing.com and occasional health columnist for The New York Times' China edition, has written and researched extensively on the effectiveness of a variety of face masks in Beijing's urban areas, where he lives.

By Dr Saint Cyr's assessment, the answer to pollution protection lies not in the local market or the pharmacy but at the hardware store. Dr Saint Cyr refers to 3M particulate respirator masks – often used by construction workers and painters – as the “gold standard”. Cheap, disposable and lightweight, these may not look much different than the flimsy surgical masks worn by many local residents but include a proper filter, fit better on a user's face and are certified by the United States' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Best of all, they can be found at many of the hardware stores located around

of particles, though he acknowledges that District 1's Yersin Market and cost VND there is no one-mask-fits-all solution.

10,000 apiece.

Second, no matter the quality, an ill-fitting The only downside to a 3M mask is that mask allows polluted air into the mask, you'll look like a construction worker. As reducing its efficiency. Look out for features far as fashionable masks go, San Franciscolike adjustable straps or a metal nosepiece based Vogmask provides adequate protecAISarray YALAMof colourful designs.TPYGthat E conforms to your face. ToAensure NIHC that tion as well as an 56.01expensive – your 35.71a mask fits well, eyeglass wearers 84 can do a Though they're more simple test: put on your mask and exhale. If average Vogmask goes for just over VND your glasses fog up, air can get out of – and 500,000 apiece, though it can last you up into – the mask. to five months, depending upon frequency Finally, comfort is important, particularly of use – these microfibre masks are also for those who spend long bouts of time on effective in blocking out pollution thanks a motorbike. Additional toAthe carbon filter inside and ISSU R ECcome NARFwith MANTEIV features like an exhalation valve78can the4added comfort of one or two 8.9 76.0exhalation 1 .71 help to make breathing easier for mask wearers and may even valves. In fact, Vogmask graced the runway reduce the amount of air leakage around a at Hong Kong Fashion Week last year, mask. Straps that go over your head – rather making it one of the only consumer-focused than just around your ears – are often more masks that hasn't sacrificed function over effective, however some might find that ear fashion. loops are more comfortable.

Whatever you choose, there are a few While it's safe to say there's no overarchimportant things to take into consideration ing solution coming to Saigon anytime when buying a face mask. First, keep an eye soon, face masks may afford users at least out for masks which are certified by intersome protection against outdoor pollution. national standards. 3M masks, for instance, According to Dr Saint Cyr, these can be bear an N95 certification from NIOSH, worn for up to a week, depending upon the meaning that they are proven to block at levels of pollution to which you're exposed. least 95 percent of airborne particles. If You'll know when it's time to switch masks, you're unsure of whether or not a mask is as breathing will become difficult when the actually NIOSH-certified, the organisation filter is maxed out. keeps a public list of certified products on its website. While Vogmask doesn't appear on this list, Dr Saint Cyr ran his own Fit Factor tests on a host of face masks last year, including Vogmask. The results were posiFor Vogmasks, visit Vogmask.vn or contact tive, with Vogmask blocking out 95 percent Cindy Tu at cindy@vogmask.vn.

Not sure if your mask is safe?

Find a list of NIOSH-certified masks. asialife HCMC 41

8

CITY DRINKS

Vintage Emporium 95B Nguyen Van Thu, D1 // Facebook.com/VintageSGN 8am – 10pm // 09 04 413 148

A touch of class in District 1. By Dana Filek-Gibson.

Photos by Vinh Dao. Everyone in Saigon is always looking for a café.

Somewhere that's a little quieter or a little more spacious or a little closer to home or maybe a little further from home, depending on how you feel.

We all have our own unique requirements for the perfect café but even so, it seems, most Saigon cafegoers can agree on at least a few things: good coffee, good music and a little peace and quiet.

Those are the reasons that make The Vintage Emporium such a worthy find. Buried along the narrow, sometimesforgotten Nguyen Van Thu, this bright space has managed to amass a steady following of young professionals, artsy types and freelancers, particularly during their daily lunch specials (VND 99,000), which combine a meal with your choice of Vietnamese coffee or soft drink. The cuisine features a few Vietnamese touches, like the Saigon baguette (VND 95,000), but also crosses into western territory with dishes like the Cajun chicken salad (VND 120,000).

On the beverage side, a quality rendition of ca phe sua da will set you back around VND 45,000, while European coffees range from VND 40,000 – VND 60,000. Other standard café fare is also available, including 42 asialife HCMC

smoothies (VND 60,000), fruit juices (VND 50,000), a selection of teas (VND 50,000/teapot) and your choice of Tiger, Saigon, Sapporo or Heineken (VND 35,000).

While the quality of these drinks is reason enough to shell out that extra VND 10,000 or VND 20,000 for a good cuppa, Vintage Emporium's ambiance is an added plus. Simple but sturdy wooden furniture and crisp white walls only serve to highlight the intricate, colourful wall hangings – most of them made by Vietnam's northern minorities – spaced around the café. Blue-and-white floor tiles lead the way up to Vintage Emporium's equally charming first floor, while small touches like the fresh flowers that occupy each table give a nod to the owner's attention to detail.

During lunch hours, you might find the place full of people and good conversation but just wait around until the lunch crowd has cleared, Vintage Emporium will lapse back into its usual easygoing self, playing soft background music that is not of the Top 40 variety and making its bright, cozy rooms a perfect spot to meet with friends, spend an afternoon reading a book or get some work done away from the office.

Boathouse 40 Lily Road, 36 Thao Dien, D2 // BoatHouse.com.vn 8am – 11pm // 08 37 446 790

A Saigon stalwart gets a new lease on life with a recent menu make-over. By Claudia Davaar Lambie. Photos by Jonny Edbrooke.

Though The Boat House is something of a tried and true Saigon haunt, new managers Jeff and Maggi Puchalski have reignited my love for this peaceful District 2 spot with a brand-new menu. When I arrived I could feel the buzz of the atmosphere tempered by a chilled out ethos, thanks to its riverside location.

The menu has been revamped and now includes a mix of family-style meals. Mexican features predominantly, followed by some Italian and Asian fare.

Notably, fresh fish bought locally such as salmon, swordfish and Mahi-mahi are present on the menu in various dishes. The entrée of blackened red snapper

(VND 235,000) served with an avocado and mango salad and vegetable medley is worth trying.

First up was the homemade nachos carnitas (VND 225,000), complete with amazingly tasty slow-cooked pork, refried beans, black olives and jalapeños topped with two types of cheddar cheese. These moreish treats were served with dollops of guacamole, sour cream and a pair of salsas on the side, just to mix things up. The first was fresh and zingy salsa, the second a spicy, smoked chipotle.

The sauces complemented the meals very well. This thoughtful process in the cooking added another dimension to the meal

and Jeff prided himself on the fact that all of the accompaniments and dressings were homemade. I asked Jeff what the secret ingredient was in the heavenly buffalo sauce for the chicken wings (VND 1350,000 – 400,000). He answered jokingly: “Just chicken and butter,” not wanting to give anything more away.

The food kept on coming. I sampled the mini fish (VND 185,000) and beef sliders (VND 195,000); the fillings sandwiched by the softest buns I’ve ever tasted. The pièce de resistance has to be the tacos (VND 55,000 – 95,000). There is the option of fish, beef or pork. Blackened Mahi-mahi topped with

avocado were just delicious and alternatively the fish can be served beer-battered. There was a delicate balance between the crunch of the taco and the cabbage with the softness of the preferred meat and toppings. If I hadn’t been so stuffed I would have asked for some more.

Chocolate lava cake with oozy goodness bursting out served with caramel sauce (VND 135,000) was the finishing touch. Washing down my meal with a couple of the signature frozen Margarita cocktails (VND 125,000) definitely took the edge off of my two hours of gorging.

The Boat House is available for online delivery from 1 July, 2015. asialife HCMC 43

Cheesecake Ngon 44 Truong Quyen, D3 // CheesecakeNgon.com 9pm – 9pm Tue to Sat, 12pm – 9pm Mon // 08 36 100 211

Staying true to its name, this D3 dessert corner’s cheesecakes are some of the tastiest in town. By Khoi Pham. Photos by Vinh Dao.

Tucked away on a quaint street in between the busy traffic of Dien Bien Phu and Vo Thi Sau, Cheesecake Ngon (ngon means delicious in Vietnamese) is surprisingly quiet in the afternoon. The first thing I noticed upon entering the eatery was its neat simplicity, brought about by table sets, walls and a ceiling awash with shades of white and the occasional pop of colour from quirky art prints spaced around the room.

Nathan Milner, one half of the brother duo who started Cheesecake Ngon, has a background in web design and it shows in the minimalist way the place is decorated. According to Milner, the business 44 asialife HCMC

started as a delivery service to local cafés and restaurants a few years ago and only blossomed into a separate store on Truong Quyen in late 2013, selling exclusively cheesecakes.

Since its opening, Cheesecake Ngon has gradually managed to attract a niche following because while Saigon has no shortage of baked goods on offer, finding a delectable homemade slab of cheesecake is no easy feat.

Which is why cheesecake enthusiasts, myself included, will experience a ‘eureka’ moment taking that first bite of smooth, uniquely cheesy dessert. The store has two sizes for all flavours, appropriately named

Little Brother (VND 49,000) and Big Brother (VND 69,000). The range of flavours include classics such as original, blueberry, strawberry, passion fruit and lemon, as well as Asian favourites like coconut and matcha.

When ordered, a slab of cheesecake is tastefully garnished with airy whipped cream that doesn’t taste half bad itself, and an optional choice of drink – ca phe sua, peach tea and ginger tea, among others – for an extra VND 16,000.

The reason behind the store’s success is that the Milner brothers manage to deliver a decent cheese base that’s just the right amount of sweet while retaining some room for the main

ingredient to shine. Apart from delicious desserts, Cheesecake Ngon also strives to be socially responsible by employing locals and helping small business owners, giving them an opportunity to improve their livelihood through microfranchising. However, not many patrons of the store are aware of this. “We want people to know that the business could be successful first and then the community involvement later,” says Milner, clad in the store’s cream-coloured polo uniform.

Cheesecake Ngon also offers online ordering and delivery of whole cakes and sampling platters for parties and events.

Mien Luon Thanh Thao 176/13 Ly Tu Trong, D1 8am – 1pm // 08 38 229 179

Khoi Pham gets a taste of classic Hanoi flavours in one of District 1’s best-hidden corners. Photos by Vinh Dao.

One thing that I absolutely hate about being a late-riser is that my repertoire of good places to have breakfast is lacking. At my usual wake-up time of 11am, breakfast often means a quick bite of banh mi or whatever’s left at the nearby pho stall; otherwise, it's forgone altogether.

So, asking me what and where to eat in the morning is like playing truth-or-dare while sober – uncomfortable and riddled with awkward pauses.

The discovery of Mien Luon Thanh Thao provides a timely and delicious boost to rectifying this shortcoming.

Located at the cul-de-sac of a hem in the heart of District 1, the humble stall appears

out of place with the towering high-rises around. Take a step into the dining area and you can immediately feel a special ambiance that is uniquely Hanoian: a cashier rushing back and forth yelling orders with a thick stack of change in hand, boisterous chatter in that distinct northern lilt and a set of condiments featuring things rarely seen in a typical Saigon food stall.

My favourite, mien luon gion (vermicelli soup with fried eel), is an experience in itself: a smoking bowl of hot goodness with layers of chewy vermicelli, crispy chunks of deep-fried eel, diced spring onions and rau ram (Vietnamese corian-

der). The eel is prepared and fried in a special way so that it doesn’t get soggy too quickly in the hearty broth, which is MSG-free. If you’re not feeling like fried stuff, opt for mien luon mem, an alternate version with steamed eel guaranteed to fill your palate with full-on eel richness. Both dishes come in two sizes, normal (VND 60,000) and special (VND 75,000) and are served with an assortment of vegetables usually seen accompanying bun rieu: shredded banana flower, rau muong (water morning glory) and bean sprouts. To make your Hanoi breakfast experience complete, try nuoc mo (VND 15,000), a refreshing beverage of sweet

and sour pickled apricots, or the homemade yogurt at VND 10,000 per jar.

If I’ve learnt anything eating my way through the wide range of cuisines and eateries in Saigon, it's that there’s a lot to be said for simple but well-crafted dishes. Mien Luon is certainly one whose taste has withstood the test of time, encapsulating the best flavours that Hanoi has to offer.

Besides, your morning can’t go wrong with a bowl of hot soup, especially with Saigon’s rainy season right around the corner.

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Dancing Unicorn 46 asialife HCMC

Contemporary dancer Do Hai Anh takes ballet from the stage to the people. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Ky Anh Tran.

We meet in a bar, either the best or the worst place for conducting an interview. On the one hand, people are more relaxed, more comfortable and so more open to discussing their personal lives. Drinks flow. Everyone's happy. On the other hand, it's too loud and some are, perhaps, too happy.

But amid the frenzy of a weekday happy hour, Do Hai Anh stands out from the crowd. Instead of nursing a cocktail or lounging on the plush velvet sofa behind her, she sits upright, spine straight as an arrow. She's not especially tall but her tell-tale dancer's posture makes the petite ballerina easy to spot; no one else in the place looks quite so weightless.

The Saigon resident has plenty of reasons to stand tall. At 24, she has accomplished more than most, transitioning from child performer to seasoned ballerina over the course of an already storied career, touring in South Korea and the United States and collaborating with both well-known Vietnamese and international artists.

Hai Anh's dance career first began at age three, when her mother discovered Baby Mickey, a children's performance group founded by Vietnamese singer Thuy Uyen.

Throughout her childhood, Hai Anh and her Baby Mickey costars graced the stage at local events, singing, dancing and generally entertaining the crowd.

“Being in the group was a good experience,” she recalls. “I got a lot of access to the stage and it was a good way to help me gradually overcome my shyness.”

But as she grew older, dance became more than just an extracurricular activity.

At age 12, Hai Anh began studying at the HCMC Dance School, where she would spend seven years honing her skills at the ballet barre. After another few years of professional work – first with the HCMC Symphony Orchestra & Opera, then with Arabesque, a Saigon-based contemporary dance company – Hai Anh has arrived as a solo artist, seeking out collaborative projects and pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a professional dancer in the southern hub.

Last month, Hai Anh became the first dancer to grace the pages of Saigon Artbook, an ever-growing book project which aims

to engage the city's artistic community by featuring three local artists in each of its regular installments.

“To be a part of Saigon Artbook is a great honour for me,” says Hai Anh. “It's a challenge that's helped me to introduce and bring dancing closer to young people.”

According to Hai Anh, there is a disconnect between forms of dance like ballet and the general population.

“People still say that ballet is an art form only for rich, educated people,” she explains. “Honestly, I think that ballet is for everyone who loves it. Ballet is a very good platform for young people who want to become professional dancers.”

This is a mission close to her heart and a large part of the reason Hai Anh took a break from Arabesque last year to begin Unicorn Studio, a collaborative business which offers event planning and photography services as well as carrying out its own dance- and arts-related projects. Though the company is very much still in its infancy, for Hai Anh it has brought some balance to her work life, matching the demands of a professional career with her passion as a dancer.

“Through professional photography, projects for clients, renting out space to teach dance or for creative performances and events, I can earn money for the studio,” she explains. “The other part is to balance my work life; I still always wish and look for ways to do my own artistic projects.”

“Now Unicorn Studio is an indispensable part of me,” Hai Anh continues. “It's the place where my artistic ideas can become a reality.”

If dance is all about movement, however, capturing such a fluid medium in static form can be a challenge. For Hai Anh, the four-month lead-up to Saigon Artbook's fifth installment involved crafting 12 individual concepts for the 12 works of art mandated by the organisers. Each dance, she says, was inspired by a single line in a poem, which the young choreographer then used to create a movement. Along with styling, costumes and unique locations, Hai Anh then performed each dance with a photographer in tow. The resulting images capture the core message of each dance,

To learn more about Unicorn Studio, visit Facebook.com/Unicorn.Unlimited.

To learn more about Saigon Artbook, visit Facebook.com/SaigonArtbook.

bringing to life her movements on the page.

In one series, for instance, Hai Anh performs in a shadowy room, lit only from above, her movements reflected in a broken mirror. This, she says, was inspired by a poem which reads: “The world breaks everyone, but in the end, some are strong again and rise up from the rubble.” While a book of images may not be the first medium that comes to mind when expressing movement, this work alone has grown into a larger multimedia dance project, on which Hai Anh is collaborating with fellow artist Ky Anh. It's projects like these that set Hai Anh apart from some of her peers: while making a career out of dance is still not easy in Vietnam, she concedes, those who do often follow a more traditional path, securing steady employment with a dance company.

Of course, such opportunities afford dancers a chance to work and grow – through Arabesque, she was able to perform abroad and make connections not only in Vietnam but with dancers and choreographers around the world – however collaborative projects, while perhaps not as steady as company work, allow her the platform to bring dance to a larger audience.

“I am inspired by the simple things in my life: kids dancing with their shadows in the alley, the housewives who dance in the park, the circus boys who perform on Bui Vien and by my mother, a woman who never became a dancer herself but loves the art of dance,” says Hai Anh. “From all these things, I wish to create opportunities for those who live passionately with their dancing.”

This is the mission statement behind Art for Everyone, Unicorn Studio's latest project. Though still in development, the initiative would aim to do precisely what its title states: allow everyone, young and old, to participate in and learn about the world of dance. For its dedicated founder, this is a step toward bringing her passion into the world.

“Dancing helps give balance to my life,” she says. “You could say dance chose me; it wasn't I who chose to dance. Now I couldn't live without it.”

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Stitch A ppeal Linh Thai, founder of Stitch Appeal, is something of an entrepreneurial spirit.

From growing up with self-employed parents, working in start-ups or blazing trails in the venture capital world, she has always been around go-getters. So when she started The One, her own customisable wedding dress business in 2013, it seemed like something of a natural step. Last year, Thai expanded her business with Stitch Appeal, an everyday answer to The One, allowing women to create customised outfits to fit their lifestyle.

“With Stitch Appeal, I love that I can solve all the issues I had with my clothes when I was in the corporate world,” she says via email. “I want fashion to be both stylish and functional. I look for pockets and versatile pieces that work just as well with jeans and flip flops as they do with a pencil skirt and heels.”

Stitch Appeal's model begins online with an array of customisable outfits. Base items, like skirts and blouses, are available to customers, who can then choose the particulars, like sleeve or skirt length, detailing and other extras. For those who prefer a bit more flair, Thai also encourages customers to come up with their own original ideas for customising each item. The company then sets to work crafting a high-quality tailor-made item.

For Thai, the real appeal is both the functionality and versatility of her items.

“I believe that your career is also highly influenced by what you wear – your clothes should make you look great and they should also support you in what you’re doing,” she says. “If you’re going to a networking event, a clunky purse ruins the fluidity of your look, so you should have pockets for your business cards and phone. For better or worse, people are very visual beings and looking put-together goes a long way to gaining credibility and respect.”

In the future, Stitch Appeal aims to continue honing its production process as well as creating both a functional line – full of hidden pockets for things like lipstick, business cards and cell phones – as well as a day-to-evening convertible line.

48 asialife HCMC

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listings

hotel & travel CON DAO Con Dao Resort 8 Nguyen Duc Thuan Tel: 06 4830 939 www.condaoresort.com Modern hotel with 45 rooms and seven villas set on 2km of private beach. Onpremise facilities include restaurant, bar, beach-view swimming pool, tennis court and volleyball. Organizes outdoor activities and tours.

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

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

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

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

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 café 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 café, 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.

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 café, Li Bai Chinese restaurant, fine dining at The Signature on the 23rd floor.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza 17 Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3824 1555 www.sofitel.com/2077 One of the city’s top hotels with in-room Wi-Fi, two restaurants with international cuisine, two bars, six conference rooms, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre.

HOI AN & DANANG

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula Tel: 0511 393 8888 danang.intercontinental.com A world of poetic experiences and jungle-clad romance in a place that cloaks you with luxury. The mastery of traditional Vietnamese design meets modern architectural flair in this distinc-

take flight with travel promotions around the region

Cooling treatment at InterContinental Asiana Saigon This luxurious Cooling Treatment is a perfect way to refresh your skin in the summer heat, especially after exposure to the sun. Beginning with a cucumber body wrap, this treatment helps decrease skin temperature and the sensation of discomfort resulting from sunburn.

Then you can choose an aromatherapy massage for your body to reduce muscular tension or an essential mineral and vitamin remedy to nourish your face. Blending the moisturising benefits from a selection of traditional Vietnamese natural ingredients, this treatment will revitalise and moisturise your face with a fresh natural mask, tropical fruits, honey and sweet almond. Spa InterContinental offers a 90-minute Cooling Package at only VND

50 asialife HCMC

Mövenpick Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 www.moevenpick-hotels.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.

1,420,000++/person represents 30 percent discount on the standard price from July until September 2015.

tive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain.

Green Field Hotel 423 Cua Dai, Hoi An Tel: 0510 3863 484 www.greenfieldhoian.com Mid-range hotel with simple but spacious rooms overlooking the garden and pool.

Rates start below Located 400 metres from the Old Town.

Le Domaine de Tam Hai Resort Tel: 0510 3545105 www.tamhairesort.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.ghmhotels.com/en/namhai/ Luxury resort accommodation from single villas to sumptuous five-room dwellings with private pools. Facilities include 8 private spa villas; 3 beachfront swimming pools; library; and tennis, basketball and badminton courts.

NHA TRANG

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

Summertime with your muse at Novotel Nha Trang Couples can enjoy the best of Nha Trang with this two- or three-night package in a beautiful superior room with spectacular ocean views and honeymoon decor just for the occasion.

From the moment you step off the plane, Novotel takes the pressure off your hands with two-way airport transfer, followed by daily buffet breakfast. A private dinner is then served on your balcony. Indulge in a Vietnamese buffet served by a dedicated butler in full view of the Nha Trang coast. The meal includes half a bottle of sparkling wine, a bottle of red or white wine, free flow soft drinks, tea and coffee served after the buffet. Couples get buy one get one free spa treatments, as well free access to sauna, steam bath, fitness center and pool. This offer runs until 20 December 2015. Two-night packages cost VND 5,720,000++ per couple, while threenight packages come in at VND 7,420,000++ per couple. For more information or to make your reservation, visit NovotelNhaTrang.com.

Mojito's bar.

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 Located on a private beach, 60 cosy bungalows, natural spa experiences among other great activities on offer at the resort.

SCUBA DIVING

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

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

Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 0908 781 756 www.divevietnam.com Diving tours and career/instructor development offered by Vietnam’s first PADI centre. established in the mid-90s. Operates dive centres in Nha Trang, Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc.

Octopus Diving 62 Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 826 528 www.divenhatrang.com PADI/SSI dive centre based in Nha Trang and affiliated with the Sailing Club Co. with additional centres in Mui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a range of services.

VUNG TAU

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 with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam.

TRAVEL AGENTS 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 12th floor, 242 Cong Quynh St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008.

a breeze of serenity

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

AIRLINES Air France 130 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 0981 Fax: 3822 0537 www.airfrance.com.vn An airline with a vast and effective global network. Now flies direct to Paris.

Cathay Pacific 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Tel: 3822 3203 www.cathaypacific.com Hong Kong-based airline makes three flights daily to HCM City and two flights daily to Hong Kong’s international airport.

Malaysia Airlines Unit G8 Ground floor, SG Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 / Tel: 3824 6663 www.malaysiaairlines.com Offers daily flights from Hanoi and HCM City to Kuala Lumpur for about $200 round trip, with four economy class fare levels: low, basic, smart and flex.

Vietnam Airlines Hanoi: 25 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem Tel: 6270 0200 HCM City: 16th Floor, Sun Wah, 115 Nguyen Hue, D1 / Tel: 3832 0320 www.vietnamairlines.com The domestic route map is extensive, with several flights daily between major and less touristed cities throughout Vietnam. Flies internationally throughout Asia and to Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Sydney, Melboure, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

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Hideaway Package:

2.2 Đêm

Bao gồm: Lưu trú 2 đêm tại Bungalow hướng vườn Điểm tâm sáng hàng ngày tại nhà hàng Gecko Một bữa tối dành cho 2 người tại nhà hàng Gecko 60 phút trị liệu tại Aurora Spa Sử dụng miễn phí phòng Gym Sử dụng miễn phí sân Tennis vào ban ngày Điều kiện: Thời gian lưu trú tối thiểu là 2 đêm Phụ thu 330,000VND/phòng/đêm nếu đặt phòng vào thứ 6 và thứ 7 Khuyến mãi không áp dụng vào các ngày lễ Có giá trị đến hết ngày 30/10/2015 Giá trên bao gồm thuế và phí phục vụ

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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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.

listings

Mogambos 50 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3825 1311 This restaurant has been around since the mid-1990s, which offers an insight into its enduring quality. Specializes in American grain-fed steaks, hamburgers and salads served in a pleasant atmosphere. 

food & drink BAR RESTAURANTS

Bernie’s Irish Pub D1 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 D2 7 Thao Dien, D2 // Tel: 3744 2080 An Phu institution serves up tasty meals and good drinks in a friendly, chilled environment. Plenty of room to relax inside or out, plus a pool table on premise. 

feast

Phatty’s 46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 0796 www.phattysbar.com Jaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’s sports bar has five widescreen TVs, a large drop-down screen and lots of pub grub and beer for fans looking to take in a game or two.

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

Shrine 64 Ton That Thiep Tel: 08 39 142 817 ShrineBarSaigon.com A sleek cocktail bar on a street full of beer and football, Shrine is a standout for its décor and drink menu. Shrine offers everything from wine to drinks and snacks to full-blown meals, its cocktails are the reason to visit.

The Tavern R2/24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7 Tel: 5410 3900 Boasts good international food, a pool table, dartboards and sports coverage on large screens. Outdoor seating on mutiple levels. Second floor sports lounge hosts DJs at the weekends. 

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.  Guanabana 23 Ly Tu Trong, District 1 Tel: 09 09 82 48 30 Guanabana brings a California approach with its all-natural range of healthy smoothies. The smoothies are available in three varieties and are priced between VND 45,000 and VND 65,000.

Mojo 88 Dong Khoi, D1 www.sheratonsaigon.com A top-end café with an attractive interior, outdoor terrace at street level and comfortable lounges upstairs. Good business coffee or lunch venue.

CHINESE

Li Bai Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828 Imperial-styled restaurant named after a famous Chinese poet. Nightly à la carte menu with dishes going from 100k VND. Lotus Court 1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 ext. 168 www.moevenpick-saigon.com Dim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisine in a unique and elegant setting.

broaden your palate with promotions around town

Caravelle: Early Ramadan breakfast and evening Iftar

Skype from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday at reservation.caravellesaigon.

Travellers in Ho Chi Minh City can now celebrate the month of Ramadan even when on the road.

For a full month until 17 July, Caravelle Saigon is offering a Ramadan Breakfast menu, available to all guests whose bookings include breakfast.

Served before sunrise at approximately 5.30am as one of the hotel’s in-room dining options, the three set breakfast menus feature pita bread, seasonal fruits, fresh vegetable salads and a choice of marinated grilled chicken, tender beef curry or roast sea bass fillet. Additionally, we are pleased to introduce our Iftar offering, including dates, dried fruits, nuts, samosas or farfalle as one of the in-room amenities delivered after sunset. Both breakfast and Iftar are to be ordered by 4.30pm the day prior via our In-Room Dining team. For bookings, please email rsvn@caravellehotel.com or contact us via

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Fine wine at InterContinental Asiana Saigon Known for its history, prominence and excellence, Penfolds is a truly iconic part of the Australian wine-making industry and has earned a global reputation for consistent quality.

To celebrate this excellence, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts have partnered with Penfolds so that you can enjoy this remarkable product in Saigon. Enjoy a glass of Penfolds

Ngan Dinh Chinese Restaurant Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688 Beautiful wood paneling, colourful hanging lanterns and a sparkling mineral gallery make for a relaxing dining experience at the Windsor. Feast on roasted Pi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamed king prawns. Be sure to check out monthly specials.

Shang Palace Restaurant Norfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3823 2221 www.shangpalace.com.vn An upscale Chinese restaurant with a spacious and welcoming atmosphere.

The menu boasts a wide range of Hong Kong Cantonese cuisine, including both dim sum, a la carte and set menus, regularly changed by the creative chefs.

Yu Chu InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Specializing in authentic Cantonese and Peking cuisine. Award-winning chef prepares dishes including handmade noodles, dim sum and wok-fried items.

Wide selection of live seafood. Five interactive kitchens.

FRENCH

Camargue 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 08 35 20 48 88 One of the first western restaurants in Saigon, Camargue offers a great selection of French food and wine in a romantic, rustic French villa.

Le Bouchon de Saigon 40 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3829 9263 This French diner-style restaurant has an emphasis on hearty home cooking, courteous service and a relaxed atmosphere. Chef David Thai is a well-known industry figure, and this venue can hold its own among the city`s many French restaurants.

wine in our restaurants and get a complimentary second glass and a 15 percent discount on your next visit. This promotion is valid until 15 August. For reservations, please contact our F&B team at 08 35 209 099 or email dine@ icasianasaigon.com.

Park Hyatt Saigon's restaurants open again Last month, Park Hyatt Saigon’s restaurants opened their doors once again following a threemonth closure for the hotel's Luxury Redefinition project. The new and improved Italian restaurant, Opera, features brand-new access from Lam Son Square, bringing much comfort and convenience to casual diners. Opera will also introduce its new culinary program, Italian Sunday Feast, offering an extravaganza of authentic Italian dishes complemented by free-flow Bollinger champagne. For reservations please email email opera.saiph@hyatt.com or call to 08 35 202 357. Besides, Park Lounge will continue to serve its much-loved High Tea with Bollinger champagne in a newly redesigned ambiance, delivering unique and luxury dining experiences to its guests.

INDIAN

Jaspa’s 33 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3822 9926 www.alfrescosgroup.com Unpretentious brasserie-style restaurant specializes in Australian-influenced international fusion cuisine. Full range of drinks including Australian and French wines and good cocktails.

Hosts monthly Spam Cham networking event. 

Tandoor 39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke, D1 www.tandoorvietnam.com Part of a chain of restaurants covering Hanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features a large selection of standard northern Indian dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Excellent cheap set lunches and reasonable prices all around. Will organize catering for events. 

May Restaurant & Bar 19-21 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 6291 3686 may.restaurant19@gmail.com We have over 20 years experience in hospitality business in Vietnam with some famous Brand such as Shodow Bar & Café and MAY Restaurant & Bar. MAY- short for ‘Me and You’, it is all in one premium casual kitchen & bar downtown. Located centrally on the historic Dong Khoi street with a fusion of Western and Asian cuisine and pride themselves in their wine list and international standard of service.

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. 

INTERNATIONAL

Al Fresco’s 21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 8427 27 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3823 8424 D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093 www.alfrescosgroup.com Theme restaurant boasting a range of Tex-Mex, Italian and Australian-style BBQ dishes. Huge portions and tasty Australian ribs coupled with a good atmosphere and helpful staff. Good lunch menu.  Au Parc 23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772 Lavishly decorated brasserie borrowing from Moroccan and French styles and popular during lunchtime with expats.

Specializes in Middle Eastern and North African food. The salad menu is a favourite, and a great range of lush smoothies and juices are on offer.  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.  Blackout Dine-In-The-Dark 74/7D Hai Ba Trung Tel: 08 38 24 28 88 Experience gourmet cuisine with the lights off at Saigon’s first-ever dine-inthe-dark restaurant. Blackout currently offers four set menus: seafood, meat, vegetarian and, for the adventurous eater, mystery (VND 600,000) 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.

The Deck 38 Nguyen U Di, D2 Tel: 3744 6632 Serves upmarket takes on regional specialties made with fresh local and imported products. Well-designed, minimalist dining space and bar on the river are a serious draw.

The Elbow Room 52 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3821 4327 elbowroom52@yahoo.com American-style bistro offering a wide range of appetisers, soups, salads, sandwiches, mains and desserts, plus an extensive wine menu. Open daily 7.30 am to 11 pm. Breakfast served all day.

Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Seven interactive live kitchens offering French, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisines, including a bakery, French patisseries, pancakes, tossed salads, grilled steak, seafood, 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 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Contemporary fine dining that combines Asian flavors with classic Mediterranean cuisine in an ambiance of understated elegance and European style. Special culinary events include guest chefs from Michelin-star establishments around the world. Private rooms are available.

Quan Ut Ut 168 Vo Van Kiet, D1 Tel: 08 39 14 45 00 American-style barbecue meets Vietnam-style dining with big wooden tables and benches that are reminiscent of an open-air quan. Serving a wide range of smoked and barbecued meats.

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

Skewers 9A Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 4798 www.skewers-restaurant.com Rustic Mediterranean restaurant where

By Michael Kloster

imbibe Alsace Uber Alles Last month I wrangled an invite to taste some wines from Alsace. Our host’s family has been in the business of growing vines and making wine for about 400 years. It must take something special for so many generations to continue in a family business. The picturesque region of Alsace might just be that special, but for me, the essence of this multi-generational pursuit is in the bottle.

Caught in Crossfire If you look at a map of modern France, Alsace is on the far right, next door to Deutschland.

This proximity, at the cross roads of France and Germany, has shaped its history, culture and, indeed, the tipple they produce. In addition to fantastic wines, Alsace is home to arguably some of the best beers in the country.

A Varietal By Name Alsace is the only appellation (area) in France that names its wines by varietal, meaning that this is the only French wine where the name is likely to be the name of the grape used to produce the wine inside the bottle.

Where White Wines Reign A vast majority of the wines produced in Alsace’s 119 grape growing villages are of the white variety. In fact, Pinot Noir is the only red variety produced in the region, clocking in at only about 10 percent of total grape production. Other than tradition, the biggest reason for this is terroir. Hundreds and hun54 asialife HCMC

dreds of years of trial and error has shown growers that these cool weather varietals thrive in Alsace’s climate, topography, soil and weather. Pinot Noir is also an exception for a red, feeling right at home in colder climes. Among whites, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris lead the way.

Thirsty Yet? Traditionally, Alsace styles have been dry but have become sweeter in recent vintages. Try the dry Pinot Gris, dry and off-dry (read: somewhat sweet) Rieslings, slightly spicy Gewurtztraminer and demure Sylvaner. There are also blends, of which the most popular available from reputable importers is known as Gentil. This wine is dry and features a traditional blend of mostly Pinot Gris and Riesling.

In addition to still white wines, they also make their own sparkler: Cremant d’Alsace.

There are a few Pinot Noirs available in the global market but, sadly, I’ve yet to see any here in ours. There’s always next vintage. The wines of Alsace are certainly ones worth pursuing; France and Germany have been fighting over them for years.

Michael Kloster grew up in the vineyard countryside west of Fresno, California. He organises 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.

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.  Urban Kitchen + Bar 18 Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 08 62 506 363 UrbanKitchenBar.com Urban Kitchen takes a nuanced approach to Western cuisine, producing an eclectic compilation of regional North American dishes – whether it’s comfort food of the American south, Quebecois specialties or East Coastinspired.

Viva Tapas Bar & Grill 90 Cao Trieu Phat, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 08 54 106 721 Tucked away on a quiet street in Phu My Hung, Viva is colourful and welcoming and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Tapas make up the bulk of the menu and cover traditional dishes as well as a few house specialties that put a quirky twist on things.  Zombie BBQ Parkland 628A Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 08 66 853 756 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 of 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.

Good Morning Vietnam 197 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3837 1894 Popular authentic Italian restaurant with additional outlets around the country.

Specializes in thin-crust pizza, pasta and a range of Italian dishes. Good selection of Italian wines.  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

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 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.  The Racha Room 12-14 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 08 791 412 RachaRoom.com.vn With street and hawker specialties from Thailand prepared under one roof – and in one room – The Racha Room is a restaurant-cum-lounge fit for a king.

Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro 17/11 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 08 35 21 85 13 Tuktukthaibistro.com Tuk Tuk, a chic new modern Thai bistro.

With three floors of seating, an open-air roof area and an array of Thai dishes to excite your palate.

VEGETARIAN

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

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

VIETNAMESE

Cha Ca La Vong 3 Ho Xuan Huong, D3 Tel: 3930 5674

recipes

bert traver Sausage and Lentil Sofrito INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 bay leaf 1 medium onion, diced 4 cloves of garlic, minced ½ can whole tomatoes 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• • • •

150ml white wine 900ml stock or water Salt and black pepper, to taste 240g French green lentils

• 450g Italian or Cumberland sausages

PREPARATION 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onions, bay leaf and garlic and cook until very soft. Add the tomatoes and cook for several more minutes until the mixture is a dark brown paste. Add a small amount of water, if necessary, to prevent sticking and burning.

2. Add thyme to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add white wine and reduce.

Add water or stock and bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Stir in the lentils and cook until soft, about 35 minutes.

4. Heat the sausages in a heavybottomed skillet over medium heat until juices run clear, or roast them in an oven at 175C until done, about 15-20 minutes.

5. Serve lentils with sausage on top and sauteed greens of your choice (suggestion: spinach, Chinese broccoli or kale).

Traver's Bacon and Sausage sells high quality sausages and cured bacon.

To order, please contact Bert at 012 02 280 421 // traversbacon@gmail.com Facebook.com/TraversBaconAndSausage

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Local Eats

By Tristan Ngo

The best of com binh dan Rice has been, and always will be, a quintessential part of Vietnamese cuisine. Rice is served with just about every meal in Vietnam, like Italian pastas or American meat and potatoes.

You can pretty much find a com binh dan (local rice) everywhere in the city, but which is the one you should drop in on and try? I have a sensitive stomach, so my criteria is quite simple: good taste, clean and relatively cheap. Here, in no particular order, are some of my go-to com binh dan places that meet pretty much all my criteria.

Com Tam Kieu Van A hidden gem inside an alley off the intersection of Nguyen Trai, Le Thi Rieng and Ton That Tung in District 1. With a friendly owner, good service and cleanliness despite being in an alley, some of their notable main dishes are caramelised ginger chicken, caramelised catfish (my favourite), rotisserie drumstick and roasted pork belly. The marinated fish sauce is particularly nice.

Com Tam Thuan Kieu Perhaps a step up from your average binh dan spot, Thuan Kieu is a food chain with many

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locations throughout the city but I prefer the original location at 54 Thuan Kieu, District 11.

Notable dishes are grilled pork chop, minced pork wrapped in tofu, caramelised shrimp and stuffed squid.

Com Tam Di Nam A classic hole in the wall at 255 Khanh Hoi in District 4.

The spare rib, pha lau (braised intestines and innards), mam chung (Vietnamese meatloaf) and squid sautéed in spicy sa te sauce are all interesting and crowd favourites.

Com Tam An Duong Vuong Another crowded classic place at 500 An Duong Vuong in District 5. Grilled pork chop, bi (thinly shredded pork mixed with shredded pork skin) and mam chung are must-haves here.

Most com binh dan offer around 10 to 40 different dishes made in advance and displayed in trays. My recommendation is to see what looks good and order away.

Tristan Ngo is the Chef Patron and Owner of Skewers Restaurant and The Elbow Room.

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.

in the evenings. Live entertainment nightly with Cuban band Q’vans except Tuesday from 9:00pm till late.

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.

BAKERIES

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.

Saigon Lookout D1 37 bis Ky Con Tel 09 6688 4668 Saigon's Lookout is one of Saigon's hidden gems where east meets west, with a menu of twisted Vietnamese cuisine complimented by funky oriental cocktails.

nightlife See bar restaurant listings for more popular watering holes.

The Library InterContinental Asiana Saigon, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Unwind with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. The Library provides a welcoming atmosphere for those in search of calm, comfort and personalized service.

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

Saigon Saigon Bar Rooftop via 9th floor, Caravelle Saigon Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 A great iconic bar to watch the sun go down over the city skyline, or dance the night away. The panoramic views of the city are spectacular, particularly

at home Harvest Baking 30 Lam Son, Tan Binh Tel: 3547 0577 harvestbaking@yahoo.com This authentic bakery offers a range of specialty baked goods for delivery.

Offering bagels, scones, breads, desserts,cakes, tarts and more.

Chocolate fudge cake and cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing highly recommended.

Pat A Chou 65 Hai Ba Trung, D1 25 Thao Dien, D2 The home of the long and crusty baguette. Supplies many restaurants but also sells wholesale. The miniature patisseries such as crème brulée and cheesecake are worth a taste. Opens at 6.30 am.

Tous Les Jours 180 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Part of the Korean bakery chain, Tous Le Jours stocks a superb range of freshly baked good from sugary treats like pain au chocolat to superior quality baguettes and loafs.

Voelker 17 A7 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 7303 8799 39 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6296 0066 Small bakery turns out sweet and salted pies and mousses in addition to baguettes and a range of Western sweets.

DELIVERY

Food Panda www.foodpanda.vn Online delivery service with over 500 popular restaurants available. www.vietnammm.com A free website that allows users to order delivery from dozens of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

Simply provide your address and phone number and pay the delivery driver in cash when he arrives

GROCERIES

Annam Gourmet Market 16-18 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 9332 41A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2630 www.annam-gourmet.com Boutique grocer with wide selection of foreign foods; Annam-brand coffee, tea and spices; and household products.

Wine and premium beer, full deli counter, produce, dairy-frozen and baked goods on second floor. Cosy café serves coffee, drinks and sandwiches.

Big C Floor B1, Cantavil An Phu Building, D2, Tel: 3740 7105 www.bigC.vn This ‘supercentre’ offers a clean, comfortable shopping environment with a wide assortment of goods, including fresh food and home accessories, available at reasonable prices.

Classic Fine Foods 17 Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 7105 www.classicfinefoods.com Luxury food primarily imports for wholesale, but also takes orders for its range of dry goods, cheese, meat, poultry and seafood from private clients.

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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.

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

CINEMAS

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

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

Cinebox 212 Ly Chinh Thang, D3 Tel: 3935 0610 240 3 Thang 2, D10 Tel: 3862 2425

Cinebox cinemas show both original language films with Vietnamese subtitles and the dubbed versions.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Our Australian beef is grass fed and selected from farms across Victoria.

We also have Australian lamb and locally sourced fine pork and chicken.

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District 2. Ho Chi Minh City www.meatworksasia.com T:+84 8 37442565

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

asialife HCMC 57

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By Phil Kelly

fitness Deceptive Health Foods, Part 1 There are a number of misconceptions regarding foods that people think are healthy but are actually disrupting the natural functions of your body.

Here is my list of foods that are considered healthy but could be causing minor and major health issues.

1. Milk Firstly, pasteurisation destroys active enzymes and denatures the fragile proteins in milk. It also kills beneficial bacteria and lowers the vitamin content of your milk.

Secondly, the latest research from the States reveals that the hormones cows secrete into milk are suppressing genes that usually detect and kill cancer cells as they develop. When these genes are turned off it increases your body’s receptors on cells that promote cancerous mutations.

2. Fruit Juice Fruit juice is often loaded with even more high-fructose corn syrup than actual juice! High fructose corn syrup has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, blood clots and impaired immunity.

Fructose from any source is related to increases in visceral fat, which increases the risk for many life-threatening illnesses.

Fructose also interrupts how effectively insulin works within the body, which is the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.

3. Whole Grains Research has now found that whole grains drive excessive 58 asialife HCMC

insulin production, fat storage and heart disease. They have also been proven to be allergenic and immune-suppressing, with lower nutritional value than plants and animals.

Better alternatives? Grainlike seeds such as quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth do not promote candida, act as probiotics, have a calming effect and are full of vitamins and minerals.

4. Cereal Conventional cereal undergoes a process called “extrusion” that denatures its proteins and destroys the grains’ naturally-occurring fatty acids.

Better alternatives? Make your morning meal a nutrient-dense banquet by opting for greens smoothies, a vegetable omelette or a fish fillet with nuts and seeds to start your day off right.

5. Soy products Soy is closely related to estrogen dominance. High estrogen levels are linked to digestive distress, immune system breakdown, PMS, endometriosis, reproductive problems for men and women, allergies, ADD, higher risk of heart disease and cancer, malnutrition and loss of libido.

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 7,009-yard course is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.

Dong Nai Golf Resort Trang Bom Town, Trang Bom Tel: 061 3866 288 / 3677 590 www.dongnaigolf.com.vn Large golf resort with 27 holes, plus a villa complex, bar, sauna. jacuzzi and billiards. The resort sits on 160 hectares of land in Dong Nai Province, about 50 kilometres from the city.

Ocean Dunes Golf Club 1 Ton Duc Thang, Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3821 995 odgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com Designed by Nick Faldo, the 6,746-yard par-72 course winds through seaside dunes, with the variable coastal breezes changing its character each day. An enjoyable and eminently playable course and has become a favourite venue for expatriate tournaments.

Saigon South Golf Nguyen Van Linh, Tan Phu, D7 Tel: 5411 2001 sgs.golf@yahoo.com.vn Nine-hole mini golf course and driving range set amongst attractive gardens just behind FV Hospital. Club, shoe and umbrella hire is also available.

Song Be Golf Resort 77 Binh Duong Blvd, Thuan An Tel: 0650 3756 660 info@songbegolf.com www.songbegolf.com Located 22 kilometres from the city centre, the premier golf course in the area features an 18-hole, 6,384-metre course.

Also has tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium.

Vietnam Golf and Country Club Long Thanh My Village, D9 www.vietnamgolfcc.com This facility consists of two courses of 18 holes each, one of which is designed in a more traditional Asian style, and the other in international style. Has other attractions such as boating, tennis and a restaurant area.

LEISURE

Phun Runner info@phun-run.com Social running group that meets Saturdays at 7 am for a scenic run around Saigon before breakfast. Great way to explore the city, meet fellow runners and get fit for future events. Check website for rendezvous points.

Rangers Baseball Club Isao Shimokawaji isao.shimokawaji@sapporobeer.co.jp A baseball club always looking for additional players of any age, race or experience level. Plays Saturdays or Sundays, often against Korean or Vietnamese teams.

Saigon International Dart League www.thesidl.com A highly popular group in town, the darts club runs a competitive year-long league for 16 pub-based teams. There are some excellent players in this sociable and international group. See website for details of how to join and latest 180 scores.

THINKING RELOCATION? THINK SANTA FE. “We make it easy�

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.

Relocation | Immigration | Moving Home Search | Records Management | Pets

Santa Fe Relocation Services Ho Chi Minh City: +84 8 3933 0065 Hanoi: +84 4 3941 0805 Email: Vietnam@santaferelo.com www.santaferelo.com

X-Rock Climbing Phan Dinh Phung Sport Centre 75 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3 Tel: 6278 5794 503A Nguyen Duy Trinh, D2 Tel: 2210 9192 www.xrockclimbing.com Offering safe and professional climbing for anyone aged 4 and up. Featuring mountain climbing routes rated from beginner to advanced, climbing and belay-safety courses and training, birthday parties, corporate team building.

Excellent facilities for children and annual membership for kids.

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health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

American Chiropractic Clinic 161 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3939 3930 www.vietnamchiropractic.com A chiropractic, physiotherapy, foot care clinic staffed by American-trained chiropractors speaking French, English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Treatsback pain, neck pain, knee pain, also specializing in sports injuries, manufacture of medical grade foot orthotics.

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

Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists

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015 An Phu Summer 2

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.

ward for “Excellence ietnam A 014 V by Vietnam Economic Times in Dentis 2 try” 0 201

Starlight An Phu

Starlight City Center

24 Thao Dien, Dist.2, HCMC starlightdental@gmail.com www.starlightdental.net

02 Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, Dist.3, HCM City (Ho Con Rua - Turtle Lake) Tel: 38 22 62 22

MINH KHAI DENTAL CLINIC 199 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dist.1, HCM City - Tel: 39 25 33 99 NO.1 DENTAL CLINIC 51 Ba Thang Hai Street, Dist.10, HCM City - Tel: 39 29 09 09

60 asialife HCMC

Starlight Dental Clinic Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists 24 Thao Dien, D2 2Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, D1 Tel: 3822 6222 With 14 years’ experience providing dental treatment to expat and Vietnamese patients, this well-known dental surgery is staffed by both foreign & local practitioners. Au fait with the latest treatments and techniques, the surgery prides themselves on their high standard of equipment & sterilization.

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, gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, psychology, psychiatry, osteopathy, acupuncture and psychomotor therapy. .

Family Medical Practice HCMC Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 7848 95 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2000 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com Leading international primary healthcare provider, with a 24-hour state-of-the-art medical centre and highly-qualified multilingual foreign doctors. Extensive experience in worldwide medical evacuations with car and air ambulance on standby.

Also in Hanoi and Danang.

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

International SOS 167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3 Tel: 3829 8424 www.internationalsos.com Globally-renowned provider of medical assistance and international healthcare.

Specializes in offering medical transport and evacuation both within and outside of Vietnam for urgent medical cases.

Victoria Healthcare 135A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3910 4545 79 Dien Bien Phu, D1 Tel: 39104545 Well-regarded clinic offering general examinations and specializing in pediatrics, digestive diseases, cardiology and women's health. Offers a membership program and cooperates with most insurance companies in Vietnam and abroad. Open with doctors on call 24/7.

SKINCARE The Body Shop 87 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 3683 www.thebodyshop.com International cosmetics retailer with strong commitment to environment sources natural ingredients from small communities for its line of more than 600 products.

The Face Shop 294 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3820 2325 Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.thefaceshop.com Local retailer for the South Korea-based international brand of natural body, bath and skincare products. The company offers hundreds of products for different skin types. Also has kiosks at in Phu My Hung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza.

Marketing & Communications | PR Design | Video Production | Photography Web Solutions | Publications | Editorial Contact Tel: 0903325543 Mail: jonny@asialifemagazine.com

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family By Melanie Brown

Education hub Myths Revisited Asian learners have a passive and unquestioning approach to learning In contrast to this perception, scholars on Confucianism argue it does not advocate non-questioning groupthinking but actually stresses the importance of education for the development of the individual. This is echoed by studies of Asian learners that show they expect their university education to improve them as a ‘whole person’, not just provide them with professional skills. Basically, there is no strong evidence for the claims that Asian learners are passive and unquestioning due to cultural causes, such as collectivism and respect for teachers.

Asian learners rote learn and therefore can only achieve surface learning Rather than being a form of superficial learning, experts argue that memorisation needs to be considered as part of a process involving reflection and integration with prior learning that leads to deep learning. Put simply, just because Confucian-style learning demands a lot of memorisation, that doesn’t mean learners that have learnt this way are unable to achieve deep understanding.

For teachers, the question to ask is: Does my way of teaching and assessing encourage or discourage surface learning? Many learners, from any

62 asialife HCMC

background, are strategic: they will choose a surface style of learning if that is what will get them through the course. Exams are a perfect example of an assessment type that can lead learners to take the ‘easy’ route of memorising over understanding or higher-level thinking skills.

Asian learners are not open to new learning experiences The view that learners from a Confucian heritage background prefer a teachercentred mode of teaching is not supported by evidence.

Like any other learner being exposed to new experiences, what they need are precise guidelines and instructions.

Please note that while it is another myth to presume all Asian cultures are homogeneous, for the sake of brevity, the term ‘Asian learner’ has been used. Most of the information relates to learners with Chinese or Confucian heritage backgrounds. The information in this column is based on a small review of the literature in this field. If you would like the reference list, please contact me at melanie.brown@rmit. edu.vn.

Melanie works in teacher development at RMIT University Vietnam. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of RMIT.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

listings

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

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

PARTIES

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

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

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

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

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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

By Elizabeth Png

HOME IMPROVEMENT Planning Your Kitchen Layout Kitchens around the world are increasingly evolving from just a space for food preparation.

They are becoming the heart of the home, where more social interactions between family, friends and guests occur.

With the kitchen becoming a multi-functional space, it should incorporate both form and function. That’s where a fitted kitchen, or one with built-in appliances, shines. Such kitchens are usually planned and built to maximise use of available space. Built-in appliances also tend to make the most of a compact space, as they are built into counters or walls and do not take up space on tables or counter tops. Here are some common considerations when planning for a fitted kitchen.

Make sure the space measures up As with any home installation, be sure to take precise measurements of the kitchen area first. Understanding the layout of your kitchen is critical to planning its design. Where are the power points, water and gas pipes, windows and doors?

Making a rough sketch of how you envision the placement of appliances, work spaces and doors. Do keep in mind tried and tested designs like the kitchen triangle, which places the three points of greatest cooking activity – the sink, stove and fridge – in a triangle.

Place your appliances correctly When you have a feel of

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the room you have, it’s time to place the appliances in it.

Leave the final measurements to the experts, but it’s good to start with an outline of what you want. Don’t forget to factor in all three dimensions – height, length and depth. You don’t want large appliances obstructing access to a window or in the way of the door.

Consider the finishing touches Look at the kitchen design as a whole. Beyond selecting what you want to put in your kitchen, think about the colour and texture of finishes, flooring and even cabinet handles. Small touches like these can affect the final look of a kitchen and mean the difference between a picture-perfect kitchen or one with jarring visual elements.

This is why luxury appliance manufacturers like Gaggenau have kitchen collections which give different appliances an integrated look and feel when installed together. The luxury kitchen range features a sophisticated, professionallooking design with high quality stainless steel and clean lines.

For those going for a more striking look, the anthracite oven range is a timeless standout that will turn the area into one that is a pleasure to both cook and dine in.

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

Swiss Business Association 42 Giang Van Minh, Anh Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6996 Fax: 3744 6990 Email: sba@hcm.vnn.vn www.swissvietnam.com Hong Kong Business Association New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1 Business Centre, Room 322 Tel: 3824 3757 / 3822 8888 www.hkbav.com NordCham Bitexco Building, 19-25 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3821 5423 www.nordcham.com

CAMERAS

Hung Hai 75 Huynh Thuc Khang, D1 A good place to purchase hard-to-find gear and some rare equipment, mainly auto focus lenses.

Le Duc 5B Huynh Tinh Cua, D3 A shop for all your professional accessory needs. From lighting equipment to tripods and reflectors, the shop offers the best equipment and service in HCM City.

Pham The 11 Le Cong Kieu, D1 An authorized service centre for Nikon camera that also specializes in repairing all camera makes. Measurement equipment and spare parts also available.

Shop 46 46 Nguyen Hue, D1 Small shop run by photographer and collector. The owner’s more collectible pieces are pricey, but entry-level manual focus SLRs from the 70s and 80s are affordable.

COMPUTERS

Computer Street Luong Huu Khanh, D1 between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nguyen Trai This stretch of District 1 is literally wall to wall with small shops selling computers, printers, monitors and everything computer related, more so toward the NTMK end of the drag. iCenter 142A Vo Thi Sau, D3 Tel: 3820 3918 Professional, polished Apple retailer and repair centre with an attractive showroom featuring some of the latest in accessories and audio. English-speakers on staff.

Honours Apple service plans.

Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards.

Phong Vu Computer 264C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3933 0762 www.vitinhphongvu.com The biggest and busiest of the PC stores in town. Known for good, efficient service, in-house maintenance and aftersales repair on the second floor.

SYS Vi Tinh Saigon

96C Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1 www.vtsaigon.com A superb place with an excellent reputation for after-sales service with competent English speaking staff and a wide range of products and services.

Freeware and shareware also available on the store website.

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.

Indochine Councel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law firm specializing in legal services to corporate clients in relation to their business and investment in Vietnam.

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

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

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

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

TMF Vietnam Company Limited Unit 501, 5th Floor, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2262 ext. 113

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

By Paul McLardie

PERSONAL FINANCE Living For Tomorrow It is just after 6am and I am sitting on my balcony with a cup of tea watching the sun start its never-ending race after the moon. This is my favourite part of the day and I am thinking: What could possibly go wrong? I open up my laptop to read the news from the UK. The first thing I see is HSBC announcing 8,000 redundancies in the UK and closing numerous high street branches. I can only think of my friends and exbanking colleagues that work for HSBC and hope they will be safe.

It just shows once again that there is no longer something called 'a job for life'. It can be fickle here. One day, you are the toast of the town; the next day, you are put in the bin with the other stale bread.

What do you do now?

The first thing is don't panic.

Hopefully, you have taken on board my missives about having emergency savings. Again, you should have a minimum of three to six months' salary in savings that you can access within a few days. This will carry you over paying your rent and living expenses when you are looking for new employment or go towards starting up a business on your own. If you haven’t done this, it is time to take a job – any job – whether it be in Vietnam or further afield.

There are insurance policies out there that can step in to assist you if you have left work through no fault of your

own. Specialist redundancy insurance can be taken out at any time, normally as an extension to a life insurance policy. These can pay out a certain percentage of your salary for between six to twelve months and are there to give you peace of mind and the time and space needed to get re-employed.

What happens, though, if you have an accident and cannot work? Once again, these circumstances can be covered through accident insurance, paying a percentage of your salary until you are fit enough to get back to work, or a PTD (permanent and total disability) plan that will pay either a living wage or an agreed lump sum if something like this happens.

These plans are a bit like an extended warranty. Some people think they do not need them, but the difference is that extended warranties are attached to something like a car purchase, not the human body.

However you look after yourself and your family's future, please make sure that you do something. Too many people have had to leave living in this mad but wonderful country because they have been living for the now, not tomorrow.

Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management.

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

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FURNITURE

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.

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.

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.

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.

By Gary Woollacott

People matter Recruiting for Clients We’ve been working on several projects across the region recently and one thing keeps taking me by surprise: clients’ different attitudes. Some of them are super when it comes to recruitment: they know that candidates have choices and that not everyone wants to work there. They court candidates, showing them reasons why working at their company is a good idea, whether it’s a great working environment, business expansion plans, a viable career path or good, old-fashioned money. Other clients take an opposite tack: they expect candidates to want to work for them and can even become offended when a candidate refuses.

So, what drives these behaviours?

Some of it is definitely due to poor managerial skills; managers who have spent all of their careers in one organisation may be blinkered to the outside. Their belief may be: I’ve chosen to spend my career here, so why don’t others? What’s wrong with people that they can’t see how great a place this is? Well, the answer might be that it isn't so wonderful – from the outside – and that's where we come in. Telling clients this requires a delicate touch, as you’re about to criticise them – implicitly or explicitly – by saying that their organisation isn't actually that exceptional. This is not easy.

The flip side is when a company understands how they are perceived in the market.

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a joy and they welcome feedback on external perceptions.

It doesn’t mean, of course, that they will change anything, but they want to know what the market thinks. They ask us to tell them what candidates are saying, why they are interested and, just as importantly, why not. Recruiting under these circumstances is so much easier: there are no unsavoury bits to gloss over, no market gossip to counter. Instead, the client sees themselves in a positive light, it is accepted that not everyone wants to work there and their reasons for feeling that way are respected.

Compare that to the client who gets into a huff when a super candidate says they are not interested in pursuing an opportunity. Suddenly, communication becomes more difficult and we start to get blamed for the short supply of candidates. To an extent, we don’t mind – we take on some assignments knowing it might be hard to attract quality – we look at it as an extra challenge.

And if we can complete the job to the client’s satisfaction then everyone is happy and we can move on to the next one.

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 7682 or via woollacott@hortoninternational.com.

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

Esthetic 11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 7371/7372 Fax: 3514 7370 esthetic@vnn.vn www.estheticfurnishing.com.vn Design and manufacture as order with a mixture of antique and modern furniture.

Friendly staff speak excellent English.

Furniture Street Ngo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai To and Nguyen Chi Thanh Very affordable furniture can be found on this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks, chairs, etc. It often takes some looking to find a gem. A connected sidestreet, Ba Hat, features woodworkers’ shops.

Gaya 6/39A Tran Nao Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 6009 www.gayavietnam.com Gaya is re launching with new name at the new location featuring the work of foreign designers: furniture and lighting

by Quasar Khanh, laquerware decor by Michele De Albert and other home accessories and outdoor furniture .

LINH‘S WHITE

37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9863 Furniture shop that focuses on solid wood furniture and decorative items ranging from pillows and lamps to bedding. Also offers kids’ furniture and custom pieces.

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

The Lost Art 31 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1 Tel: 3829 0134 Extensive product range as well as comprehensive interior design service, from initial conceptualization to design, manufacture and installation of unique products.

LEGAL

Allens Arthur Robinson Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 www.vietnamlaws.com Australian law firm for law translation services and legal advice on foreign investment and business in Vietnam.

Indochine Counsel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law practitioners specializing in mergers & acquistions, inward investment, and securities & capital markets.

Phillips Fox Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 Full service law firm providing legal services in healthcare, education, crime, banking and hospitality among others.

Pricewaterhousecoopers Legal Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3823 0796 www.pwc.com/vn Part of a network of international legal and financial advisors, PWC gives both specialist and general legal advice with a focus on mutli-territory projects.

Rödl & Partner Somerset Chancellor Court 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3824 4225 / www.roedl.com European legal firm assisting foreign investors with structuring/establishing companies, investment projects, and mergers & acquistions.

LIGHTING

Luxury Light 1483 My Toan 1, Nguyen Van Linh, Phu My Hung, D7 For those who really want to bring a touch of luxury to their homes, this place deals with Italian imported lighting from the ultra - modern to the traditional Murano style chandeliers.

Mosaique 98 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 One of the best and most diverse selections of lamps in town with everything from the ordinary decorative lotus silk lamp to more inventive and original designs in lacquer and silk.

MOTORBIKES

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

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

REAL ESTATE

CB Richard Ellis Me Linh Point Tower, 2 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3824 6125 www.cbre.com International property consultants and developers with both commercial and private properties for sale, lease and rent.

Diamond Plaza 34 Le Duan Street Tel: 3822 1922 lntdung@diamondplaza.com.vn Located in the heart of District 1, connected to Diamond PLaza. Services 1- to 4-bedroom apartments with gym, swimming pool and panoramic views of the city.

InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3520 8888 saigon@interconti.com www.intercontinental.com/saigonres Contemporary residential space in the heart of the major business and cultural area in District 1. There are 260 one, two or three-bedroom units plus health club and outdoor swimming pool.

Namhouse Corporation 48A Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 0989 007 700 www.namhouse.com.vn Provides rental properties, construction services and interior decorating.

Supports professional services and after-sales.

Thao Dien Village 195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel. 3744 2222 A riverside complex of international-standard hospitality and F&B outlets with a boutique hotel, four restaurants featuring Italian, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine, an event house, meeting rooms and a day spa with well-equipped health-club.

Diamond Island Luxury Residences No 01 – Street No.104-BTT, Quarter 3, Binh Trung Tay Ward, D2 T: (84) 968 293 388 / 3742 5678 F: (84-8) 3742 3232) www.the-ascott.com Diamond Island Luxury Residences offers

68 fully-furnished apartments, ranging from two- to four-bedroom units with private balconies providing panoramic views of the stunning surroundings in one of the most spectacular sceneries in the city. Each lavish space features plush interiors, modern amenities, elegant furnishings and carefully chosen trimmings and fixtures, creating a luxurious harmony of comfort and sensorial tranquility that will have you relaxed and recharged, and functioning at peak performance.

Savills Viet Nam Level 18, Fideco Tower, 81-85 Ham Nghi, D1 Tel: 823 9205 www.savills.com.vn Savills Vietnam is a property service provider that has been established in Vietnam since 1995 offering research, advisory services, residential sales, commercial leasing, asset management, retail advisory, valuation, investment advisory and more.

Sherwood Residence 127 Pasteur St., D3 Tel: 3823 2288 Hotline: 0917470058 leasing@sherwoodresidence.com www.sherwoodresidence.com Sherwood Residence is a luxury serviced apartment property and the first property certified by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Modern living spaces meet prime location, comfort and class with 5-star facilities and service.

RECRUITMENT

First Alliances #609, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2080 Fax: 3910 2079 www.firstalliances.net cv@firstalliances.net As Vietnam’s most established recruitment consultancy, First Alliances operates across all major industry sectors

and at all levels of seniority. Also providing HR outsourcing solutions for staffing and payroll,overseas employment and education services.

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

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

Opus Vietnam 2A Rolanno Offices, 128 Nguyen Phi Khanh, D1 Tel: 3827 8209 www.opusasia.net Established in HCMC in 2005, Opus services local and multinational companies seeking to recruit high quality personnel.

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

RELOCATION AGENTS

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

Crown Worldwide Movers 2ndFl 236/6 Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh Tel: 3823 4127 www.crownrelo.com hochiminhcity@crownrelo.com Not just International or local moving and storage. Crown Relocations offer a wide

range of services including orientations, immigration, home search, intercultural training through to pet relocation. Call the team on the above number and check out our website for more information.

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'

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

Santa Fe Relocation Services 8th floor, Thien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu, D3 Tel: 3933 0065 www.santaferelo.com vietnam@santaferelo.com With over 150 offices around world, Santa Fe offers local & international moving, pet transportation, relocation services including home search, orientation, cultural training, immigration & records management.

STATIONERY

Fahasa 40 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3822 5796 Bookstore chain carries an expansive stock of office and home stationary; a one-stop shop for basic needs.

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

listings

fashion By Christina Yu

FASHION RULES Impure Beauty It is rare these days that a beauty queen will make interesting international headlines, unless there is a scandal involved. One recently made headlines with a storm: the new Miss Universe Japan, Ariana Miyamoto, the country’s first biracial beauty queen. Many in Japan felt that she was not Japanese enough, as she was born of an American father and a Japanese mother.

For those of us who have been to Japan, this criticism does seem ironic. Although always proud of their roots and traditions, the Japanese have always aspired to the west.

Japanese fashion conglomerates have been, for decades, creating fashion brands with French- or Italian-sounding names to give consumers the perception that the products are made in countries that sound phonetically close to its name.

Open any Japanese magazines and haafu (the Japanese word for mixed race) models appear on every second page.

It seems that the core of the issue is not because Ariana is not 100 percent Japanese but that she is half black. This defies the traditional notion of beauty, especially in the context of a homogenous society like Japan, where paleness or whiteness is glorified as a key part of being beautiful. Even Ariana admitted that she was ostracised in school not because she has an American father but because of the colour of her skin – no other kids would want to touch her or swim with her for fear that they would turn brown as well.

68 asialife HCMC

So, if Ariana did not have an Afro-American father but a white father and looked more Asian like her Japanese mother, would this make her more acceptable?

I sometimes think that we have a rather warped notion of beauty today in Asia. We don’t actually seem to celebrate the beauty in a person’s face as it is but rather what it should be.

The 'standards' seem to be the same – the whitened face palette, the large dolly eyes, the ruler straight nose, the slim V-shape face and the pouty lips – complete with a set of C cups. All such features, by the way, seem to follow a European facial structure rather than an Asian one. So, if a Japanese girl has a little enhancement done to her face, does this make her a perfectly acceptable beauty queen because she ticks all the boxes? I wonder.

The international crowd is of course proud of Ariana, who dares to speak up and use her beauty as a platform to break racial barriers. I feel more proud of the panel of judges who dared to step out of traditional Japanese values and make her a beauty queen. To me, this is the crowning of true beauty: acknowledging a woman for being who she really is, and not the woman they want her to be.

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

ACCESSORIES

Accessorize Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorize Fashion-forward accessories including necklaces, handbags, wallets, flip-flops, sunglasses, hair accessories, belts and more.

Banana 128 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Women’s accessories and more, from bags, clutches and belts to clothes and jewellery, all at reasonable prices.

Coconut 100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Bags of all shapes and sizes rule the roost in this small shop. Made of silk and embroidered to the brim, these unique bags start at about USD $30, and many are suitable for both day and night.

Creation 105 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 5429 A two-storey shop selling scarves, intricate handbags (from USD $30), tailormade silk dresses and tops. Has a wide range of materials on the second floor.

Ipa-Nima 71 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 3652 77 Dong Khoi, D1 Well-known Hanoi-based fashion brand.

Founder Christina Yu is a former lawyer turned designer who produces eclectic and eye-catching handbags. Also stocks costume jewellery and shoes.

Laura V Signature 11 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 7304 4126 www.laurav.net Vintage designs aplenty with everything from jewellery and hair accessories to funky styled sunglasses, umbrellas and colourful maxi dresses.

Louis Vuitton Opera View, 161 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 6318 Designer brand name housing traditional craftsmanship of luxury leather goods for men and women. An array of bags, wallets, cuff links and watches are available.

Mai O Mai 4C Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 4007 A superb little place with beautiful jewellery and accessories to suit all budgets.

Silver necklaces, bracelets, rings and more in both classic and imaginative designs, as well as gorgeous handembroidered bags.

Mont Blanc Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Notable for fine writing instruments, Mont Blanc also houses cuff links and other male accessories Scorpion Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9889 www.scorpionbag.com Selling high-end leather products for both men and women, including shoes, handbags, belts and other accessories.

Features a variety of leather in bright colors and styles.

Umbrella 35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6276 2730 www.umbrella-fashion.com Sophisticated boutique showcasing a diverse range of imported women’s accessories. Also houses women’s garments from office wear to cocktail and party creations.

ACTIVE WEAR

TBS Sports Centre 102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan This store stocks a range of good sports clothes and equipment from big name brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco, Nike and Converse.

Volcom Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand from America. Lots of tank tops, minis and shorts for day tripping with girlfriends or lazing on the beach.

READY TO WEAR unisex

L’Usine 151/1 Dong Khoi, D1 Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a period building restored to evoke the aesthetic of an early 20th-century garment factory. Carries an exclusive, frequently refreshed line of imported men’s and women’s fashion, including T-shirts and footwear, and a range of unique accessories. Entrance via the street-level Art Arcade.

Runway Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3993 9988 runway.sg@global-fashion.vn Massive and minimalist design-led interior lets ultra high-end designer garments stand out. Carries men's, women's and children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes, accessories along with home décor. Brands include Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Sergio Rossi and Eres.

Versace 26 Dong Khoi Designer brand in men’s formal wear.

Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts as well as an array of men’s accessories.

Also stocks womens clothing and shoes.

men

Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Bespoke menswear shop also boasts its own brand of contemporary preppy attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a line of European-quality shoes, bags and accessories designed in-house, as well as exclusive Orobianco unisex bags, designer fragrances and eyewear.

Timberland Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Sells everything the brand is known for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and trousers that are both smart and casual.

Emphasises muted tones and unobtrusive logos.

women

BCBG MAXAZRIA Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 American brand sells women’s day dresses and tops, evening gowns and wear-to-work attire in many prints and colours. Also carries a small selection of accessories, sunglasses and watches.

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.

Sergio Rossi 146AB Pasteur, D1 Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1 World-renowned Italian brand stocks a diverse European-style collection of upmarket shoes and bags made of quality materials, from crocodile and python skin laterals to garnishings of Swarovski crystals and colourful beads.

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.

TAILORS

Marc Jacobs Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue , D1 Tel: 6291 3580 This spacious shop with high-ceilings carries up-market clothes, shoes and accessories from the internationally recognized designer brand.

Valenciani Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3821 2788 66-68 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 7302 4688 valenciani.sg@gmail.com www.valenciani.com Homegrown luxury boutique carries silk dresses, velvet corsets, chiffon shawls and a range of accessories, all designed in-house.

SHOES

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.

Dieu Thanh 140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851 www.dieuthanh.com Experienced tailor shop specializes in swimwear and cotton clothing, as well as business suits, evening dresses, luxury fabrics and accessories.

Dzung 221 Le Thanh Ton, D1 One of the most reliable and respected menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tailors in town with prices and production time to reflect the quality of the workmanship.

Fabric Street Hai Ba Trung, D1 across the street from Tan Dinh Market.

Spools upon spools of fabric manufatured locally and abroad, with more than ample variety of textures, colours and materials to choose from.

Massimo Ferrari 42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3 Tel: 3930 6212 Traditional Italian sartorial techniques are employed to offer a full wardrobing service and custom tailoring for men.

Stocked with imported fabrics primarily from Italy.

Uyen 13 Nguyen Thiep, D1 An excellent option with English-speaking staff and a good selection of fabrics (although the price takes a dip if you bring your own) and some off-the-rack staples to copy. Reasonable prices.

asialife HCMC 69

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Handpick Not sure what to make for dinner? Pulling dishes from Instagram, food blogs and other culinary sites around the web, Handpick helps users create the perfect meal using only the ingredients in your kitchen.

6 Seconds

Installer Hijacking Defender

Feeling lost without Pandora? 6 Seconds to the rescue! Search for an artist, song or genre on the app, 6 Seconds will find a radio station somewhere in the world playing that song and tune in, all free of charge.

This is a brilliant evolution in the world of music streaming apps.

Thanks to a flaw in the Android app downloading system, hackers can replace benign apps with malware, leaving your device vulnerable to attack. Protect your sensitive data with this app, which scans and diagnoses any existing problems, as well as notifying users of further malware attacks.

Twicer

Playboy Now

Moleskine Timepage

Finally, an answer to the question, “What if I want to take a selfie and a photo of my food at the same time?” Enter Twicer, an app which allows you to create two videos in one, using both the front and rear cameras on your smartphone.

Record two separate videos – a main video and one for Twicer's corner inset box – and upload to your preferred social media.

An app for everyone who subscribes to Playboy “for the articles”. This nudity-free app – no photos – curates lifestyle, entertainment, humour and news-related content from around the web, bringing the magazine's quality content to a digital platform.

So you're a hipster who can't afford to shell out VND 800,000 a pop for your usual supply of hard copy Moleskine calendars?

Never fear: Moleskine has created its own Timepage calendar app, a beautifullydesigned digital planner which helps to organise your everyday life at only USD $4.99.

72 asialife HCMC

sound fix

Leon Bridges Coming Home While so many modern day musicians are trying to find ways to reinvent sounds of the past—spawning genres that start with neo and nu prefixes—here is one who knows that if it ain’t broke, there’s no need to fix it. Leon Bridges picks up where crooner

Sam Cooke left off, delivering an obsessively accurate recreation of 1950s soul music on his debut album Coming Home. With a velvet voice that would melt even the toughest cookie, the 25-year-old Texan is sweetly swoon-inducing. His endearing lyrics include lines like: “Don’t you know you’re a cutie pie?” and “I’d swim the Mississippi River / If you would give me another start, girl”. Not only does he sound like a blast from the past but he also looks like one, with a wardrobe of cardigans, highwaisted trousers and fedoras.

Although it could all come across as gimmicky, Bridges performs with an ease and earnestness that can’t be faked.

album review

by Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen

Major Lazer Peace is the Mission Just in time for summer, Major Lazer releases another album of sun-drenched stompers with some Caribbean influence. Led

by DJ Diplo – whose original collaborator Switch has been replaced by Jillionaire and

Walshy Fire – Major Lazer produces bass-heavy numbers crafted for music festivals and sweaty basement clubs. Guest artists feature strongly, ranging from chart-toppers Ariana Grande and Ellie Goulding to reggae stalwart Tarrus Riley.

Although elements of dancehall, soca and reggae continue to shape Major Lazer’s sound, Peace is the Mission shows an increasing shift towards an EDM pop vibe. This sometimes works but often feels lackluster.

Among the meatier tracks, lead single 'Lean On' is a ballad of rallying cry vocals by Danish songstress Mø and beats polished by French producer DJ Snake, while 'Night Riders' serves up hard-hitting rhymes from rappers Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz and Pusha T together with reggae star Mad Cobra.

Jenny Hval

FFS

Sparks is a Californian duo of brothers that’s been making cult art rock for five decades. Franz Ferdinand is a Glaswegian indie rock quartet best known for its 2004 hit 'Take Me Out'. What do you get when you mix the two together? Answer: FFS, a supergroup with a double entendre name that slyly references more than a combination of initials. A marriage of ingenuity and wit, FFS makes its debut with an eponymous album recorded over only three weeks. The record may include a Queen-reminiscent operatic track entitled 'Collaborations Don’t Work', but the music proves otherwise. Both bands have a knack for zany grandiosity, which makes for a record of amusing, off-the-wall yet skillful ditties. Singers Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand and Russell Mael of Sparks trade punchy barbs back and forth, punctuated with sparkling keyboards and swelling vocals that make for something more than the sum of its parts.

74 asialife HCMC

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as i a .c o li f m er a d

“Statistics and newspapers tell me I am unhappy and dying, / that I need man and child to fulfill me, / that I’m more likely to get breast cancer,” sings Jenny Hval on 'The Battle is Over', voicing the aching anxieties of the modern world.

With lyrics that are blunt and poetic, the Norwegian singer-songwriter isn’t shy to confront gender stereotypes, sexuality, death and other prickly subjects. Like Fiona Apple, whom Hval has cited as an inspiration, she channels a palpable rawness, but her abstract musical style is more comparable to the experimentalism of Bjork or Kate Bush. With a silvery slip of a voice, she twists between speaksinging and elfin trills. Hval has stated that she tried to avoid sounding beautiful for years but it’s hard to deny the beauty in her eerie musical dreamscapes. In the hypnotic, robotic narrative that starts the album, Hval’s first words are “Think big, girl / like a king” – which is exactly what she does.

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Apocalypse, girl

The Beat

Gig List

Coming up in July A sampling of Saigon's music scene

3 July, 9pm

Ki mmes e @DeciBel Entry: Free Acoustic

16

July, 8pm Braid

@Cargo Entry: Advance VND250k, Door VND300k Indie-pop

17 July, 9pm

Pu lse 8

@TheObservatory Entry: Free before 11pm, VND150k after Techno

18

July, 9pm Ale x M e t r ic

@Cargo Entry: Advance VND200k, Door VND290k Electronic

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

By Prim It’s always been a conundrum to me that way back when, many centuries ago, beardy-man etched a naked bison on a slab of rock in a dank French cave or, more to the geographical point, the rock on which Gwion Gwion exhibits ladies replete with handbags. With not so much as a paint-by-numbers kit in sight, it is difficult for me to comprehend the ease of complexity in which King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard effortlessly roll out tune after tune with the natural impulse of ambient psychedelic beach pop, stemmed from an instinctive intuition.

For with King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard, it is the procrastination of hands undoing what a collective mind induces. I am a firm member of the procrastination club, especially when it comes to shaving, cutting my toenails and combing what hair is left, but in this band there are four guitarists, two drummers and a harmonica that, in a weaving, rambling mosey, flow together between a loose-tripping jaunt to freak out-zone and back again.

From Melbourne, they formed in 2012 as pooled offshoots from other bands and described themselves as a bit of a joke band. Now, six albums in, they’ve changed that to “completely fried theremin-wielding psychopaths”.

There’s a definite spaghetti western / 13th Floor Elevators / Floyd inspiration that creates a tone of pure base rock 'n roll dipped in a jumble brewing cauldron of preternatural blues. Three tracks I’ve selected note their interchange-

able sound from hard-core heavy to over-easy. Cellophane, off the 2014 album I’m in Your Mind Fuzz, is a fast-paced taste of their lengthier epics designed to get the meerkats' heads above the parapets with its revving pulse.

Head On / Pill, from 2013’s Float Along – Fill Your Lungs, is 16 minutes of a pure and unadulterated lull into a false sense of security, such is the loose jam and swing back and forth from a meat-gristled amble groove in your psychedelic pants to a who let the reverberation wham-out in through the back door.

The River comes from the recent album Quarters, which came out in May on Relentless / Remote Control and does as it says on the tin, meanders dazingly hypnotic with a splint of grit to ebb its flow.

It's also 10 minutes and 10 seconds long, as all four songs on the album are, which is as blindingly absurd as a 10,000 year-old bloke pipping Michelangelo to the al fresco rock post.

It’s not for everyone; my mate Dave says it’s a bit repetitive. I just tell him over and over again that I like it.

KingGizzardAndTheLizardWizard.com

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odd one out...

At 26, I can fit most of my possessions into a large duffel bag and wouldn't really be that upset if that duffel bag never made it to baggage claim.

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We've come full circle.

Last month, my first-ever work wife returned to Saigon.

Nearly five years ago, Phu was my flatmate, friend and co-worker, at a time when I sunburned easily and often wondered if my life here was a mistake. We went through the ugliest stages of expat life together and came out the other end a little inebriated and greatly transformed.

Though it's mostly a longdistance thing we have these days, we've managed to keep our friendship intact. She lives in London now and saves children for a living; I live here and write about cat ladies, sex toys and traveling 11 hours by bus for a sandwich.

But sure enough, it took no more than a few hugs and hellos to pick up exactly where we left off, talking about our lives in Saigon and what it had been like in the old days (read: 2010). While plenty has remained the same – xe om drivers, street food, the interior of TNR Bar – there's a lot that's changed, too. I can't remember when Starbucks appeared in town but one day it was there. Same for McDonald's and Burger King and Popeyes.

Same for the swanky cafes and barbecue joints, burger shops and small boutiques that now make up most of my monthly spending. I have no idea how or when they started, but they're here.

Compare that to the days of

Dana Filek-Gibson clears the clutter from her closet and her life.

2010, when Phu and I arrived in gym shorts, each with a single suitcase and about USD $100 to our name. We were that optimistic and ambitious breed of young English teachers, decked out in ill-fitting office wear and school-issued backpacks. The sky was the limit: we dreamed of traveling Vietnam, exploring a new culture, making new friends and never paying more than VND 100,000 for a meal.

Which brings me to my current existence. While I never have – and never will – turn down a good streetside meal, I find myself part of a different community. These days, everyone I know is eating Mexican food and buying furniture and neither of those things are inexpensive. Sure, I have a few foreign friends who continue to budget heavily and drink only beer, but most of the expats I know now lead lives far different to my old one. It is a life of cheese and red wine and framed paintings.

While I straddle both sides of that world myself, it sometimes worries me that, at 26, I can fit most of my possessions into a large duffel bag and wouldn't really be that upset if the duffel bag never made it to baggage claim. I have been convinced over the last year to purchase clothes that make me appear to be an adult woman, but otherwise my tangible investments in this country are few.

This has all been troubling me over the past few months – OK, years – until I was introduced to a new line of thinking, thanks to my mother.

Debbie Filek – yoga practitioner, vegan and avid reader of Expression, my university's alumni magazine – has taken up minimalism. Already, I know this means my next trip home will involve the discovery that I own 50 percent less stuff. In the immediate, it also means that, every few days, I receive another email tidbit about the joys of throwing all your belongings away. It is vaguely amusing that Debbie's fervent minimalism has resulted in a bunch of extra junk mail to my inbox, but I've also begun to take some of her advice to heart. Own less stuff.

Let go of the things you don't need. It's OK to move on when you feel it's time.

Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of learning and writing about cat ladies and chickens, samurai swords, dating apps, sex toys, abortion, vacations, the local work force, parkour, sandwiches and e-sports. I've interviewed film stars and rappers and TV chefs. I have achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a no-face cover model on a foreign magazine. It has been a long, strange trip, indeed, but it is time for me to move on.

So long, AsiaLIFE. It's been real.

The latest class of graduates from KOTO Saigon celebrates their achievement and begins the next phase of their life’s journey.

Ngo Focus Koto KOTO (Know One Teach One) is one of Vietnam’s leading non-profit social enterprises that serves at-risk and disadvantaged youth. KOTO transforms the lives of youth in Vietnam through its unique holistic hospitality training program and training restaurants. The graduation ceremony for the KOTO class of 2015 was held last Friday, June 26 at the Sofitel Plaza Saigon.

Jimmy Pham, KOTO founder, global ambassador, and chairman of the board of trustees said, “Our 2015 graduation theme, ‘I Do’, highlights the fact that our graduates are committed to first changing their own lives, and then to changing the lives others around them.

KOTO trainee’s actions will create a ripple effect around the world, because if you ‘Know one, then you should teach one’.”

At the start of each trainee’s journey at KOTO, each one creates a ‘dream bottle’, symbolizing their hopes and dreams for the future. Each KOTO graduation ceremony features the Dream Bottle ceremony, a touching moment symbolising the achievement of the necessary life skills, technical, and service aptitude to begin a successful career in hospitality.

Graduating trainees earn a Certificate III in Hospitality, accredited by Box Hill Institute, Australia. The credential enables

graduates to enhance their career path either working in Vietnam or overseas.

At the event, the 7th class of KOTO in Ho Chi Minh City, and the 20th class KOTO’s 15 years of operation, 20 graduates were celebrated by over 300 guests, including KOTO trainee sponsors and parents, KOTO staff and volunteers, and KOTO Foundation donors. The Sofitel provided the ballroom, while other sponsors included Starbucks Coffee, Celliers, Le Pub, Budweiser, Yaly, AsiaLIFE Magazine, Soul Academy, Red Apron, Box Hill Institute, and ABLINK.The event also featured a special appearance by celebrity performer, Trong Khuong.

“KOTO appreciates the generosity ofour trainee sponsors, whom we now call “Dream Makers”, our donors, KOTO alumni, and our staff for supporting and making graduate’s dreams come true.

Congratulations to graduates for their efforts and achievement, and we wish them the best.,” said KOTO CEO Dana McNairn.

Addressing the graduates and community at the commencement were special guests, Mr. John McAnulty AM, Consul General, Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Bertrand Courtois, General Manager, Sofitel Plaza Saigon; and Mr. Ben Hall, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EMpower.

asialife HCMC 77

Round 1: 1960s 1. Which famous event, known in Latin America as ‘Invasión de Playa Girón’, occurred on 17 April, 1961?

2. Name this song: ‘Standin' on your mama's porch / You told me that it'd last forever / Oh, and when you held my hand / I knew that it was now or never’.

3. ‘The Battle of Santiago’ between Chile and Italy took place at which sporting event?

4. Peter O’Toole starred in which 1962 Oscar-winning film?

5. ‘Early morning April 4th / Shot rings out in the Memphis sky’ is a U2 song about the death of whom?

Chịu trách nhiệm xuất bản: Giám đốc Nguyễn Thế Sơn Chịu trách nhiệm nội dung: Tổng biên tập Lê Thị Thu Hương Biên tập: Phương Lam Giang Trần Ngọc Thương Designed by: ASIALIFE MEDIA JSC Cover & content by: ASIALIFE MEDIA JSC VIETNAM NEWs AGENCY PUBLISHING HOUSE 116 - 118 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Q3

Round 2: 1970s

Thực hiện liên kết xuất bản: Công ty CP TT QC AsiaLIFE Media

6. Buried in Paris, which member of the '27 Club' died on 3 July, 1971?

7. In which year did north and south Vietnam reunite?

8. On which river would you find the Aswan Dam, completed in 1970?

9. How many squares in total are there on a Rubix cube?

10. The Indo-Pakistan War ended in 1971 and resulted in which newly formed country?

In 2,000 cuốn, khổ 20,5cm x 27cm tại Công ty ITAXA địa chỉ 126 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Q3.

Giấy ĐKXB số: 1490 - 2015 / CXBIPH/03 - 44/ThT Quyết định xuất bản số 165/QĐ-NXBTT, cấp ngày 29/06/2015 In xong và nộp lưu chiểu tháng 07/2015 AsiaLIFE Media Advertising Communications JSC 2 Street 11, Thao Dien Ward, District 2

Round 3: 1980s

Round 4: 1990s 16. Who died on 1 May, 1994 at Imola, San Marino?

17. In which year was Prince’s song ‘1999’ released?

18. Which film features Lex and Timmy as main characters?

19. What major event happened in Nagano, Japan in 1998?

20. For which two films did Tom Hanks receive consecutive academy awards in 1993 and 1994?

For online advertising and video enquiries please contact: +84 903 325 543 or jonny@asialifemagazine.com Distribution: Super Long +84 937 633 283 (VN) +84 168 6830 250 (EN) AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark. No content may be reproduced in any form without prior authorisation of the owners. © AsiaLIFE Media Advertising Communications JSC

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For more mindless trivia, join The Tavern's weekly pub quiz every Wednesday at 8.30pm.

The Tavern is located at R2-24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7.

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Round 1: The Bay of Pigs Invasion; 'Summer of 69' by Bryan Adams; FIFA World Cup 1962; Lawrence of Arabia; Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Round 2: Jim Morrison; 1975; Nile; 54; Bangladesh Round 3: The death penalty; New Zealand; The Goonies; E.T.; Madonna Round 4: Ayrton Senna; 1982; Jurassic Park; The Winter Olympics; Streets of Philadelphia and Forrest Gump Round 5: Terminator 3; Winona Ryder; Jennifer Aniston; Zimbabwe; Swine flu

21. Released in 2003, which film was the last leading role that Arnold Schwarzenegger played before retiring to focus on politics?

22. Which actress was arrested for shoplifting in 2001?

23. Since Friends ended in 2004, which of the stars has gone on to earn the most money?

24. In 2009, Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as prime minister of which country?

25. Which disease originated in Mexico in 2009?

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Round 5: 2000s

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Pub Quiz Answers

11. What was abolished by France in 1981, The Netherlands in 1982, Australia in 1985 and New Zealand in 1989?

12. Which country won the first Rugby Union World Cup? 13. Which film follows the adventures of optimist Mikey Walsh, his older brother Brand, the inventive Data, the talkative Mouth and the overweight klutz Chunk?

14. Which of Stephen Spielberg’s films is the best rated on the website ‘Rotten Tomatoes’?

15. Who’s debut singles were ‘Everybody’ and ‘Burning Up’, released in 1982 and 1983 before her third single, ‘Holiday’, made her a global success?

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

Sﾃ，H CHUYEN QUANG CAO

ISBN: 978-604-945-111-9

Sﾃ，H KHﾃ年G Bﾃ¨