AsiaLIFE Vietnam May 2015

AsiaLIFE Media

CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM

May 2015

VOLUME 86

This Month's Cover Art Direction & Photography: Mario Ramade del Angelo Location: Mia Resort Mui Ne

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 8 6680 6105 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com Director Jonny Edbrooke jonny@asialifemagazine.com Editorial Director Brett Davis brett@asialifehcmc.com

Art Director

Managing Editor

Kendra Bernard kendra@asialifemagazine.com Photo Editor

Dana Filek-Gibson dana@asialifemagazine.com Deputy Editor

Vinh Dao photoeditor@asialifemagazine.com

Michael Tatarski michael@asialifemagazine.com

Contributing Editor Khoi Pham khoi@asialifemagazine.com Production Manager Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com

Front

F OO D & D R I N K

EVENTS . . .............................................................. 0 6 TOP 5: hidden landmarks ....................... 1 1 Q &A With Kiki Phan ........................................................ 1 4

cafe de l'opera

PHOTO ESSAY

chi hoa

C ov e r Sto ry

sui cao viet nuong

Down the Aisle ...................................................... 1 6

reaching new heights

Vietnam's modeling industry soars ........................... 2 0

F e at u r e s vietnam young spikes

Budding talents vie for advertising's top prize .. ........ 2 6

Ahead VIN<ART

Saigon's DJs reach for the international stage. . .......... 2 8

Administrator Nguyen Hanh Trinh trinh.nguyen@asialifehcmc.com Intern Kieu Khanh Toan

Caravelle's new champagne bar .............................. 4 0

relish & sons

Mouthwatering burgers in the heart of District 1 .... 4 1 Affordable, upscale Vietnamese dining.. ..................... 4 2 The best Chinese cuisine District 5 has to offer . . ..... 4 3

S TYLE & D E S I G N Upping the Ante

A school play prop on steroids ............................... 4 4

rip curl

Bold beachwear on the shores of Mui Ne ............... 4 6

C OLU M N S

Saving Cambodia's Mangroves

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

made in vietnam

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

How one fishing village is protecting its future ......... 3 0 Outsourcing Vietnam's tech talent to the world .. ..... 3 2

health & wellness

What to expect at your next well-woman visit . . ...... 3 8

T r av e l

LOCAL EATS ............................................................... 5 6 Education Hub .................................................... 6 2 HOME IMPROVEMENT .......................................... 6 4 Personal Finance ............................................. 6 5 PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 6

northern hospitality

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

a Place in the Sun

LETTER FROM HANOI ........................................... 7 7

Who says northerners aren't friendly? . . ................... 3 4 R&R on the southern coast . . ................................... 3 6 4 asialife HCMC

odd one out ........................................................ 7 6

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events

6 May 6-8:30pm

YAN Beatfest @ Phu Tho Stadium Entry:VND150,000 - 1,200,000

12 hours of nonstop music with Demi Lovato and top Vietnamese artists.

Saigon Soul Pool Party @ Splash Bar, 2F, New World Saigon Hotel Entry: 150,000VND

Pool party, music, food and drinks.

Cuba Libre - Latin Night @ Outcast Entry: Free

Latin dance workshops, performances, drinks and food.

M2 Marketing & Media Network @ Hard Rock Cafe Entry:VND 250,000

8 May 7pm How to advertise to Generation Y.

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9 May 9am-11pm 9 May 10am-10pm

events

2015 Saigon Dodgeball Tournament @ Rach Mieu Stadium Entry: Free

Saigonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dodgeball league hosts its annual tournament.

Lysistrataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toga Party @ Saigon Outcast Entry:VND 150,000

Theatrics, dress-up, live music and prizes.

Farmers Market @ Outcast Entry: Free

Summer pool party with top international DJs

Escape Rain Forest @ Phu My Hung Entry:VND 249,000

16 May 6pm

Organic produce, artisanal products and workshops.

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23 May 10am-6pm 16 May 12pm 10 May 9:30am

An International School for students aged 18 months to 11 years

At the end of summer, children will be able to improve their English Language skills through play and exploration, art, music and sports. There will be a variety of fun and educational activities based on a weekly theme that will also increase knowledge, improve fine motor skills and hone creativity.

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

events

LE FRUIT Triathlon @ Ho Tram to Ho Chi Minh City Entry:Varies

Unique off-road triathlon for adults and children.

EA&OC Loft Party @ The Observatory Entry: Free before midnight - VND 100,000 after

Saigonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Murder Mystery returns for a pirate-themed night aboard a ship.

Murder Among the Mateys @ Elisa Restaurant Entry: USD $15 - USD $35

Blues music and New Orleans-inspired food

Bourbon Street Blues Festival @ Cargo Bar Entry:VND 500,000

30 May 2pm

The very finest electronic, eclectic and techno-focused sounds.

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28 May 8:30pm 26 May 10pm

30 May 6pm11:45pm

Top 5

Hidden Gems If there is one thing the average Saigonese never wants to be called, it's a tourist. Between the backpacker pants, the frantic street crossings and the endless photos of banh mi carts, travelers represent a stage of expat life that most outgrow within their first few months. Still, try as we may to avoid the title, being a foreigner in a city tends to force one into the same category.

But just as you do not have to commit the touristy fashion faux pas, so do you not have to settle for Saigon's more mainstream sights. Expats new and seasoned alike can find new things to discover without having to travel the tourist trail. Here are five lesser-known sights to check out on your next walk around town:

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Secret Cellar B

122/351 Ngo gia tu District 10 Save yourself the trek out to Cu Chi and head for District 10 instead, where a new set of tunnels has just opened to curious visitors. Built in 1952, the Viet Minh used this series of underground tunnels to inform southern forces of their northern counterpart's activities during the struggle against French occupation.

These tunnels are only available for viewing upon special request from the District 10 Office of Culture, Sports and Tourism, so be sure to organise your tour ahead of time.

Cha Tam Church

25 Hoc Lac District 5

With its pretty, caramel walls, white trim and pointy spirals, it's easy to mistake Cha Tam for a European cathedral. Of course, the inevitable, excessive heat will bring you straight back to Saigon, as well as the interesting history linked to this Catholic place of worship. Whilst strolling around the mint-and-white interior, keep your eyes peeled for the plaque identifying the place where President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were seized — and later assassinated — in November 1963 after they fled the Presidential Palace to take refuge in the church. Their bloody deaths marked a new chapter for Saigon and the end of Ngo’s governance of the city.

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Tan Xa Palace 180 Nguyen Dinh Chieu District 1

Any spot that holds the title of 'the oldest' deserves a visit and Tan Xa palace is no exception. Constructed over 200 years ago, this ancient wood-and-brick bungalow is HCMC’s oldest historic monument. After it was gifted to the French by Emperor Gia Long in 1790, Tan Xa moved around the city several times before reaching its current location in 1911, though its original construction has remained intact. As Saigon begins to be consumed more and more by skyscrapers, this spot is one of the few places left in Saigon where visitors can genuinely encounter Vietnam’s bygone years.

Petrus Ky Mausoleum

Corner of Tran hung dao & tran binh trong District 5

Jean-Baptiste Petrus Truong Vinh Ky grew up in rural Vietnam and went on to become a powerhouse in French colonial Saigon. A devout Catholic and a man of great intellect, Petrus Ky used his writing skills and knack at languages — he was fluent in ten — to climb the proverbial social ladder and was a key player in bringing Romanised Vietnamese characters, or quoc ngu, to the masses. The beautiful mausoleum and memorial house in District 5 pays homage to his colossal contribution to Vietnamese literature and is cared for by his descendants.

Venerable Thich Quang Duc Memorial Intersection of Nguyen Dinh Chieu & Cach Mang Thang Tam District 3

On the morning of 11 June 1963, Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc became the first in a series of religious leaders to self-immolate in protest of the South Vietnamese government. On what is now a busy District 3 intersection, the monk's last minutes were captured by photographer Malcolm Browne, whose iconic image was then broadcast around the world. Today, you can visit the intricate memorial dedicated to Thich Quang Duc on this very intersection. You'll find a larger, more modern park in his honour on the northern side of the intersection, while the western edge still bears a small altar erected in remembrance of the monk.

Kiki Phan Lawyer, bar owner and fashion designer Kiki Phan talks Irish pubs and what it takes to build an affordable clothing brand in Vietnam. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photo by Richard Harper.

You have your own fashion line, I Love Kiki, which makes both large-scale and custom orders for clients. What does it take to start a fashion line in Vietnam?

At the moment, there are two kinds [of designers in Vietnam]. Some people, they can try to build a name, they hold fashion shows and they want the name, they want to be famous. A lot of fashion designers here, they don't sell but they always go to events, they always let models or famous people borrow their clothes. If you see a celebrity wear your clothes, you think those people buy it? I'm sorry, they don't. They only borrow. A lot of designers here are famous by name, and they are successful in communicating their name. I agree that they do a good job but [that's not] what I am.

Because I'm not good in that way but I know exactly what I want to do. My dream has never changed from when I was a little girl 14 asialife HCMC

until today. I want to build the Vietnamese label. If I can support Vietnamese, they can wear my style and I'm proud of that; that's all I want.

What inspires you when designing for I Love Kiki?

I focus on the cut. The cut is very important; it holds the body well or not. In the end, everyone is looking for something nice and [with a reasonable] price. We don't say cheap because we don't put the level [of quality] down but we come out with the nice stock [that's] quality, has a nice cut and is a good price.

What plans do you have for I Love Kiki in the future?

I want [to make] one design for 50 pieces and [produce] many designs. I want to do like a Vietnamese fashion brand name but [one that does] not belong to the Vietnamese style; it's more western. The prices I put down because I want to support the Vietnamese.

I want [average Vietnamese] to be my customers. I want to be with them. I want to be their family and my brand name will be their friend. Every week, [I want these customers to] think: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ah, what's Kiki doing?

What's the next collection?â&#x20AC;? They will wait for it to arrive. With the very limited design, the quality design, you [must] buy today or you cannot buy because after two weeks if the stock cannot sell well, I will take it off and never sell it again.

Does I Love Kiki have a shop in Vietnam?

Not yet! I only sell to some people who know me quite well. One thing I'm proud of [is that] if one person likes my design, they will come back again and again and they will talk to their friends. Most of our customers [are word-of-mouth]. We don't have a store but I always have extra. For example, I have 5,000 pieces for a design, I always have 100 or 200 extra that I sell.

Not on the market, but I sell to people I know and they will tell their friends. Most customers I have at the moment, they are business ladies, they work in the office.

They are happy with what I have but to think about building the brand name you need to have a [long-term] plan, and that's my dream.

In addition to I Love Kiki, you're also the owner of Bernie's, an Irish pub in District 1.

Next month, Bernie's is getting a makeover.

Can you tell us what to expect?

The bar will be a professional, real Irish pub. We want people to come here for quality, because in Irish pubs around the world, you know exactly what you get: the food, the service. So here we will change the front door, the decorations and design.

The ground floor will have a chill out space in the back and the main bar will stay the same. I will change the furniture to make it more comfortable and upstairs we'll have an area for more sports and a small garden outdoors so you can chill out there also. In the next three weeks, the bar will change its name to the Dublin Gate Irish pub, [and] then we will complete another Irish pub I will open in Hoi An. I want to be the first Vietnamese girl to own a real Irish pub.

What's next for Kiki Phan?

At the moment, the plan in five years will be to have 10 bars [in Vietnam]. Most things right now are focused [on the bar], so I accept that the fashion, my own brand name, is on the side. We still export clothes like normal but for my label it will not happen right now; maybe at the end of this year. I want to focus on changing the bar in Saigon, opening the bar in Hoi An and, at the end of this year, probably opening a new bar in Hanoi. I want to bring something from the south to the north. Everyone says to me that I can't survive in the north but I like the north; I love it there.

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PHOTO ESSAY

Down the Aisle Find more work by Christian Berg at MottVisualsWeddings.com.

Christian Berg captures weddings across Asia using natural lighting and a photojournalist's approach.

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Reaching New Heights

In less than a decade, vietnamese models have gone from small-time photo shoots to voguing on international catwalks. Dana Filek-Gibson rubs elbows with some of the industry's movers and shakers and finds out what's next for vietnamese supermodels.

Photos courtesy of BeU Models.

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In a black dress and a pair of stilettos, Kha Van stands head and shoulders above us all. It's lunchtime in the dimmed offices of Multimedia JSC, a local television production company, where a few particularly enterprising workers are still buzzing around, making photocopies and phone calls. No one looks up as Van enters the office – as the company behind Vietnam's Next Top Model (VNTM), Multimedia and its staff are used to exceptionally tall, long-legged supermodel types walking around – but her height alone would earn Van a doubletake on the streets of Saigon. Side by side with Cung Xuong Le Vu, PR manager of BeU Models, the agency which represents many of VNTM's former contestants, Van's shoulder comes just about level with the top of Vu's head.

Still a novice to the industry, Van's modeling career is on an upward climb.

The Saigon native, who managed to take the runner-up spot in VNTM's 2012 cycle, is settling into her new home in Milan, where she's just signed with an Italian agency, and learning the ropes of international casting calls. There's a lot of public transportation involved, racing from one end of the city to the other to meet with designers. The way she describes it, casting isn't necessarily the most glamourous part of life as a model but, according to Van, the work pays off.

“I had just arrived in Milan and everything was very new,” she says in Vietnamese, remembering the first international job she ever booked. “If you're a model in Vietnam, you don't have go to castings: someone calls you up for a job and you do it. But in other countries, it's different. One day, I started around seven in the morning and get home around 10 at night. Castings mean you have to go all over town: [you] walk everywhere, get on a train, get on a boat. At the end of the day when I got home, I was exhausted but when I walked in the door I got a message from my agency saying I'd gotten my first job doing a lookbook for Elisabetta Franchi. I remember feeling all the exhaustion go away.”

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then, VNTM's success has only grown. The program, now beginning its sixth season, plays on TV stations across the country and has amassed a sizable audience. And thanks to Vietnam's small but growing fashion industry, many former VNTM contestants are finding work.

However, this was not always the case.

When Huyen Trang was crowned VNTM's first-ever winner, Trang knew she had a successful show on her hands but didn't realise the potential talent which could be developed beyond television.

“The first runner-up was very upset,” Trang explains. “She came to see me, crying, and said: 'Ms Trang, can you help me do something? I'm so sad and I don't know what to do.' I decided to help her...even I did not think we would open an agency.”

Yet, a few years later, VNTM has several cross-platform businesses, including BeU, one of the country's top modeling agencies, whose talent includes many of VNTM's former contestants, as well as Vietnam's own version of Project Runway. Last year, with five seasons of VNTM under her belt and an ever-growing web of industry connections, Trang and Multimedia took on the country's first-ever International Fashion Week. What began as a single reality show has now announced to the world Vietnam's presence in the fashion world.

“For the international [market], it's not easy for us but we've already got a good start and then [we'll go] slowly,” says Trang.

“The point of international work is to help [Vietnamese models] to open their eyes and have more opportunities.”

Changing Minds

While there are sure to be more modeling jobs in Van's future, her story is still a rare one in Vietnam. With a fashion industry very much in development, local models are lucky to find success at home, let alone on the pages of an international magazine.

Despite its longstanding appreciation for fashion, Vietnam is new to the concept of fashion as a business: only in the last few years have designers and models alike begun to make a name for themselves abroad.

But with hard work, dedication and a bit of good fortune, Van is likely the first of many Vietnamese models to represent the country's fashion industry on an international stage.

T h e s ta r t o f a n e m p i r e For this reason, Trang Le, president of Multimedia JSC, is extremely proud. In little more than five years, the media magnate has almost singlehandedly introduced Vietnamese fashion to the world. Trang, who used to work in television rights acquisitions, purchased the license for VNTM in 2010 and, with the belief that it would be a wise investment, decided to produce the show herself.

“I'm from zero to fashion,” she jokes.

Though the project got off to a rocky start – this was her first-ever television production – its first season was a hit and, since

Like many Vietnamese models, Van got her start working independently, a practice which is less common in other countries.

Where international models are typically signed to an agency and then sent to casting calls, there are seldom such opportunities in Vietnam. Because of this, success is often a catch-22: models must be well-known in order to get work but cannot get work without being well-known.

“For every international fashion week, models from many different countries will go to one country for casting,” Van explains.

“After that fashion week has finished, they'll go somewhere else for casting in a different country for another fashion week. For most Vietnamese models, they only work in Vietnam and work independently. There are very few models in Vietnam who work through an agency.”

While this alone poses a great hurdle for many young models, misconceptions about the industry itself don't help, either. Trang describes this prejudice as learning to differentiate between the 'miss' – akin to a beauty queen – and the 'model'.

“Before, even myself, I cannot distinguish the beauty between the miss and the asialife HCMC 23

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model,” she says. “People can say [any beautiful girl] is a model; it's not like that. Miss is a title and a responsibility as well. But a model is different. Models are beautiful but beautiful here is more [about] character, more personality, and the look. Maybe you are not a really beautiful girl but you've got strong personality, you've got a different look. You can still become a successful model.”

However, attitudes have shifted in recent years and Van credits VNTM in large part for this change.

“Before I joined VNTM, my father really didn't support my decision to become a model,” explains Van. “At the time, modeling still had a lot of misconceptions. My father really didn't like it...I was in a few small fashion shows but every time I was in a show I had to find a way to hide it from my family so my parents didn't know.”

However, as the weeks passed and Van remained a contender on the show, her father came around to the idea that modeling could be a legitimate profession.

“When VNTM came to Vietnam, my father still didn't support me at first,” she says. “I got on the program and he thought: 'If she wants to go, let her go and try it out. She'll get eliminated and come home early.'

In the end, when I made it to the finals, my father came to the show. He saw that, over time, I'd improved day by day. Now my father supports me and is very proud of me.”

M a k i n g W av e s If the change has been markedly noticeable within Vietnam, its effects are beginning to show abroad, too. Thanks to professional training and a strong work ethic, local models are beginning to break into the international scene, a trend which Trang is pleased to see.

“I have a positive feeling that Vietnamese models will be more competitive in the international market. Western girls normally have a good life, so they don't work hard like Vietnamese [models],” she says.

“Our girls normally just go for work and they come back. They're not involved in the bars, drinking or cocaine. Their attitude is very good and they work very hard so I think that's an advantage for Vietnamese models.”

Van, too, sees the importance of her role as a representative of Vietnam's young modeling industry. Though she still has a career to build, maintaining a positive image for Vietnam is important to her, too.

“When I go to castings, designers ask me where I'm from and I say I'm from Vietnam,” she says. “Everyone is really surprised. People think that Vietnam is a country whose fashion industry is still developing so they don't expect a Vietnamese model to turn up at an international casting.”

Now that Vietnam has its first-ever fashion week in the bag, both the country's models and its designers are turning more than a few heads in the fashion world. With the eyes of many upon them, Trang believes that the next step forward for Vietnam is consistency. This means producing not just one high-quality fashion week but many in the years to come. Given the country's talent and an ever-growing industry with which to support it, success seems more than likely as models like Van continue to climb the catwalk all the way to the top.

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Vietnam Young Spikes It's that time of year again: Young Spikes is back to keep vietnam's young creatives on their toes. By Khoi Pham. Photos courtesy of vietnam Young Spikes.

Pham Thi Dieu Anh, the managing director of AiiM, has heard it all: advertising in Vietnam is still a young and growing industry, our local agencies are only starting to catch up with current trends in regional advertising and Vietnam’s young professionals have a lot to learn from their international colleagues. A veteran of the advertising industry herself, Dieu Anh was fully aware of Vietnam's shortcomings when she decided to bring Spikes Asia to the country in 2014.

A collaborative effort between Lions Festival and Haymarket, Spikes Asia is the most prestigious festival of creativity in the Asia-Pacific region. Every September, teams of creative professionals flock to Singapore to celebrate all aspects of the advertising industry by participating in days of seminars, workshops and other festivities, including the Young Spikes Competition.

Like its regional counterpart, Vietnam Young Spikes is a huge opportunity for young creatives to showcase their talents by devising a communication plan in response to a creative brief, which is based on a real 26 asialife HCMC

“The question is whether they are brave enough to take the chance and express themselves.”

Nguyen Truong Thien Ly, deputy director of AiiM life scenario. Hopeful applicants form teams of two to be considered for a spot in the competition. The teams have to come up with a creative plan in 48 hours and present it to a panel of judges to determine who will take the crown and get to represent Vietnam

in the regional Spikes Asia competition.

The judges, all made up of creative directors from notable ad agencies in Vietnam, couldn’t be happier about Young Spikes’ arrival in Vietnam.

“I didn’t even need to convince them to join. We all know one another from working in the same field and all share the same concern about the industry’s current lack of skilled professionals,” Dieu Anh says. “Each of the judges, as a director in their own agency, has their own frustration with the quality of their staff.”

“Not until they met up last year during the competition did they realize that this is a shared problem,” she adds.

The shortage of highly trained employees aside, it seems the current working creatives also encounter difficulties of their own.

“Because it was the first year, we decided to stick to the traditional format, which requires participants to have at least three previous works in their portfolio to be shortlisted,” she explains.

“We ended up with a lower number of

applicants than expected because, surprisingly, a lot of them don’t even have three works to include in the portfolio.”

According to Dieu Anh, there are currently about 25 ad agencies in total in Saigon to form four teams per agency, resulting in approximately 100 teams who have the potential to apply. In the end, they received only 38 applications, a low level of participation she attributed to the previous experience hurdle.

Despite the initial hiccup, Vietnam Young Spikes 2014 went on to achieve success in creating an opportunity for professionals in the field to share their experience, as well as drawing attention to some common issues in the industry.

Gaining necessary momentum from last year’s success, the team behind this year’s Young Spikes has made major changes regarding both the format and execution of the competition in hopes of reaching out to even more young Vietnamese with an interest in advertising. Firstly, in addition to the existing integrated competition category, this year’s contestants can choose to compete in the new digital category, should they feel digital communication is more their forte. Secondly, university students who are interested in advertising can now apply for a spot in the competition, as a new contestant group has been created just for them.

“The competition is just a part of the big picture,” says Nguyen Truong Thien Ly, AiiM’s current deputy director. “The most important thing is the opportunities a competition like this could give them: a chance to meet very senior and experienced members of the field, a chance to meet

future employers and a chance to encounter talented alumni from top agencies. The question is whether they are brave enough to take the chance and express themselves.”

In order to promote this year’s competition, the organising team has already made detailed plans to tour at least 20 universities in the city.

For Tran Phuong, Young Spikes 2015’s content team leader, who went through all the ups and downs of being a contestant last year, joining the competition is an experience he will never forget.

“We barely slept during the 48 hours of the challenge. We did eat but all we could think about was the brief while locking ourselves in the office the entire time,” he says.

“We did a whole lot of thinking and generating ideas, but the truth is only during the last few hours did we finalise our plans for the presentation.”

Among the memories and lessons he got from the few days of competition, Phuong says, the most important things Young Spikes taught him was that sometimes pressure is good for creative

professionals.

“Don’t get too comfortable, especially when you’re doing creative tasks. Enforcing a limit and exerting pressure could help you with the competition as well as with your career,” Phuong says.

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o j r e P ct J

t r A > n i V

D

Khoi Pham sits down with two of Saigon’s most sought after DJs to discuss the VIN>ART project, Vietnam’s current DJ scene and whether our young DJs are ready to take on the world. Photo couresty of AHEAD VIN>ART.

The ambience at Bootleg Bar on Le Thanh Ton is surprisingly mellow during the day. The coolness of the air-conditioned atmosphere inside stands in stark contrast with Saigon’s punishing April heat. I meet up with DJ Drew and DJ Duy Duy amid muted sounds of traffic rushing past outside, soft lounge music and the occasional booming of blenders mixing up drinks in the far corner.

“I have been working as a DJ for more than 15 years, and have been in Vietnam for the last 10,” says Doru Tudose, who goes by DJ Drew. Originally from Romania, Tudose started his career playing house and progressive. After spending a lot of time travelling and working in Holland and Hong Kong, Tudose finally settled in Ho Chi Minh City.

The story of Vo Dang Duc Duy, better known in the DJ scene as DJ Duy Duy, is not much different. The Dalat native found his passion for music at an early age and has been behind his DJ set for 12 years.

There are not a lot of well-known clubs or bars in Saigon that he hasn’t mixed music for, having been in the trade since 2003.

They might have started out across the globe from each other but both share a passion for creating magic by harnessing the best elements of both the music industry and technological advancement. Now taking on a new responsibility as mentors for the AHEAD VIN>ART DJ Project, they get to groom a new crop of young DJs while giving us a glimpse into the trials and triumps that DJs have to go through.

“The idea is a bit similar to Vietnam’s Got Talent, or The Voice and so on, where the young DJs are given a DJ routine to complete,” explains Tudose. “We as mentors will give them comments on the spot on how to improve.”

“It’s a reality TV show first and a compe-

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tition second,” he affirms.

AHEAD VIN>ART project pits a diverse group of young DJs against one another through various tasks and challenges given

by Tudose and Duy, in hopes of finding promising talents to raise Vietnam’s DJ skills to the global standard. The episodes will be uploaded exclusively on AHEAD’s YouTube channel, airing twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday, featuring a different four-minute segment each time.

According to Tudose, on each episode the young DJs are given a time frame of seven to 10 minutes to perform a short DJ routine to prove their ability. The challenges vary from basic tasks such as mixing music for a specific music genre such as house, electronic or dance, to more complicated ones like composing a mix without the use of computers. This certainly is a huge problem for some of them, who have grown accustomed to the technical assistance of computer programs.

The ultimate prize for the project is a chance to perform at the Escape party, where the winners get to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the international DJ scene.

“Being in the presence of big international DJs, meeting and talking to them, will give them a different career perspective,” says Tudose. “It gives them a reason to dream bigger and not just settle for playing in a beer club in Can Tho.” AHEAD VIN>ART’s goal to bridge the gap between local and international standards of skill among young DJs seems to be as timely as it is ambitious in today’s fast-changing clubbing scene, where even a hit song doesn’t stay on top for long.

“When I started learning about mixing music, we could only play around with the existing technology and even then we didn’t fully utilise their functions,” Duy

reminisces about the beginning of his love for music. “Nowadays, the young generation are so much better, both in terms of technical skills and the ability to seek out new ways to make better music.”

For Tudose, it was all about old-school hip-hop, R&B and house when he first started. The genres have remained relatively the same throughout the years but everything else has changed dramatically.

The clubbing crowd are getting younger by the year and more international, while the music in Vietnam is getting closer than ever to an international standard.

“If you take a look at some Vietnamese music videos before the era of YanTV, they were pretty much like PowerPoint presentations,” Tudose deadpans. “Now music is a huge industry here, thanks to the impact of YouTube and the Internet.”

Vietnam’s young DJs undoubtedly still have a long journey ahead to eventually reach the high bar set by existing DJs in the global arena. However with the assistance of new projects like AHEAD VIN>ART and mentors like DJ Drew and DJ Duy Duy, they’re getting there at a steady speed.

“I’m actually pretty confident: some of them not only have a good technical approach but also a right direction; they have travelled more and had the opportunity to see more and hear more,” says Tudose.

“Some of them have the potential to go far.”

Passion is the most important quality for a DJ, in Duy’s opinion. “People with passion will go the extra mile to learn new things and try out new music,” Duy says in Vietnamese. “Those who treat music mixing like a simple hobby won’t achieve excellence because only passion and a good music sense can get you there.”

For more information visit: Facebook.com/Aheadvietnam vinart.anyarena.com

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Saving Cambodia's

Mangroves

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The rapid dwindling of Cambodia’s mangroves has had a devastating effect on locals’ livelihoods. However, one community has taken matters into its own hands.

Marissa Carruthers finds out how villagers are spearheading a drive to revive the trees. Photo by Charles Fox.

To book an eco-stay with Tropaing Sangke Fishing Community, call +855 69 306 505.

A

wooden fishing boat slices through the still waters that wind their way from Kampot to the sea. To one side, thick green mangroves line the river, their thin knotted roots protruding sharply from its surface. To the other, a bed of orange clay stretches to the horizon, the freshly ploughed ground showing no sign of life after the land was felled to pave the way for development and salt fields. The contrast is stark.

“This river was once surrounded by mangroves,” says Sera Him, village chief and leader of a conservation group formed to preserve the disappearing mangroves in the fishing village of Tropaing Sangke, in Kampot. “It’s very sad. The majority of people in the community are fishermen and need these natural resources to survive.”

Decades of tearing up the dense forests that traditionally flanked the waterways

has taken its toll on the minority Cham Muslim fishing communities that populate the area. The mangroves offered protection in the form of barriers to break coastal waves and prevent flooding and act as a home to a surplus of sea life, such as fish and squid. Now they have been cut down, the fishermen are stripped of their steady form of income and families have plunged into poverty.

Many were forced to leave their homeland for neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand to work, often illegally and in appalling conditions, for survival. After watching too many lifelong friends leave the village for neighbouring countries, Sera was spurred into action and spearheaded a campaign to reinstate the mangroves.

In 2009, 18 fishermen formed a working group and visited surrounding villages

to educate people on the importance of preserving the mangroves. Within one month, they had collected 2,007 fingerprints offering support, and in 2011 an agreement was signed with the government. In it, 56 hectares were assigned solely to mangroves and an additional 337 hectares designated to fishing.

Since then, slowly but surely, the mangroves that were felled to make way for salt plains and private developments, and to build homes for locals or provide fuel for fires to cook and heat homes, are being reinstated. To date, more than 1,200 trees have successfully been replanted, providing communities once again with a sustainable form of income. Fishermen today earn on average USD $5 a day compared with USD $0.60 in 2009.

The first batch of trees was bought from Donghou village in west Kampot. Since then, they have been cultivated from seeds in self-made nurseries that skirt the river. To promote growth, saplings are covered with plastic bags to protect them and planted in rich, muddy ground. After six to eight months, the young plants are transferred to their permanent home, where they reach maturity within four to five years.

Under the leadership of the group, fishermen and other villagers have also undergone intense training in natural resources management and have formed teams of officers. These officers patrol the waters day and night to stop any illegal fishing and chopping down of the trees.

Group member Vannarith Nob says: “The community has been keen to support us and we have all come together to make sure we can preserve the resources that we rely on to survive into the future. This is very important work and it has had a good effect so far.”

Members of the organisation still carry out their education mission to teach communities about the importance of maintaining the mangroves and fish stocks, and they regularly visit schools to talk to students about the area’s ecology. They have even embraced tourism by offering engaging eco-stays in four self-built wooden houses and a basic restaurant serving local food that perch in between the salt plains and mangroves.

Sera adds: “To enable us to continue with this good work, we had to come up with an additional way to finance the project and to give a little extra income to villagers, while educating visitors. This has been a great way to achieve this so far and we hope to develop it in the future.”

From here, guests can plant their own mangroves, go kayaking, swim in a lake, take trips out with local fishermen or simply watch laid-back, rural Cambodian life lazily pass by. Nob says: “We aim to improve the lives of local communities through conservation. However, we can’t be a success without their help and support and that is why this works so well.” asialife HCMC 31

m In a e tn e ad Vi

M 32 asialife HCMC

d e ad van tag e of lo w co sts an tak to am tn vie to ck flo s on As mu lti natio na l co rp or ati ur cin g me an fo r nt, wh at do es fo re ign ou tso me on vir en ess sin bu ble sta an inc re as ing ly o. on Sta nl ey . Ph ot o by Vin h Da th e co un try 's fut ur e? By Sim A recent report by global real estate experts Cushman and Wakefield placed Vietnam at the top of their location rankings for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) potential.

Two years ago, Vietnam didn’t even make the list.

What's changed? Low wages and attractive property prices, along with economic reforms such as the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, are throwing open the gates for foreign investment and corporations eager to utilise Vietnam’s capabilities. Timothy Horton, general manager of Cushman and Wakefield’s HCMC office, puts this down to policy changes and a push toward quality training.

“The Vietnamese government has worked very hard to provide a more stable business environment through policies encouraged to raise the education and professional standards of its young and ambitious population,” he says.

With ongoing improvements to infrastructure and rising wages in established BPO hubs like China and India, Vietnam has officially become a ‘Goldilocks zone’ of outsourcing, offering the most attractive balance of costs, potential risks and suitable working conditions.

Despite the apparent ebb and flow of large multinational manufacturing corporations, the Vietnamese IT industry has been riding the BPO tides for decades. A steady rise in computer-based skills has allowed it to become one of the world’s biggest software exporters. In the late 1990s, after an understandably delayed arrival into the IT sector, big names like Microsoft, Intel and Canon quickly established large centres of operation in Vietnam. More recently, however, a shift towards small-scale technology startups has ignited interest up and down the country. Cushman and Wakefield estimate that over 1,000 software companies are now in operation within Vietnam's borders.

In a recent article on TechCrunch.com, Josh Lieberman, president of KMS Technology, a US-based software development and testing specialist in HCMC, spoke of Vietnam’s ongoing “tech transformation”.

Spurred by the success of developers like Dong Nguyen – the sole creator of mobile game Flappy Bird, which caused a worldwide sensation in 2013 – and attractively low startup costs, “the entrepreneurial spirit on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City is palpable,” he writes.

Keeping Pace with the World But even amid this unchecked startup growth, Vietnam has its limits. According to

KMS’s Marketing Director for Vietnam, Viet Hung Nguyen, until IT education is cranked up a gear, an increasingly apparent shortfall of talent may impede its ability to meet the world’s demands.

“We see that companies are competing for [recent IT graduates] everywhere,” he says. “With effective training programs and the right opportunities...it’ll build a great software development workforce, [but] some firms will need to set up a five to 10 thousand resource offices in Vietnam within two years or so, which is very unrealistic.”

KMS is one of a number of organisations seeking to address this, investing in training programs and IT schools across the country.

“What Vietnam lacks is the experience,” he says. “It’ll need time to mature to the next level in terms of scale.”

But will the demand still be here then?

What if a cheaper location comes along?

“Outsourcing is an irreversible global trend,” says Nguyen. “We don’t pursue lowcost services. We continuously add more value in our service and customer experience. Our clients are happy to pay more for their peace of mind.”

Having arrived in HCMC in 1995 as the director of Asian Operations for Morgan Interactive, an edutainment game developer based in San Francisco, Phil Tran saw the country’s potential from day one. Upon starting Glass Egg, his own computer-based art, animation and video-game development company, in 1999, Tran drew on the talents of local artists and craftsmen to form what is today one of the largest production suites in Vietnam, boasting a staff of over 300 and a portfolio of contributions to some of the world’s best selling video-games.

So what does Vietnam have that its neighbours don’t?

“What we do is very art-intensive,” explains Tran from his office in District 4’s REE Tower. “It’s mostly 3D art. And that is something that the Vietnamese are very good at. They are good craftsmen, good artists. I saw that the talent was here, I tried it and they delivered.”

Like KMS, for Glass Egg’s overseas clients, reduced costs are not the only incentive. “The quality comes first,” says Tran. “It doesn’t matter how cheap you are, if your art doesn’t hit the mark, it’s useless.”

Many complain that outsourcing risks jobs and livelihoods at home, but in a world where international borders are no longer barriers to business, costs are crucial.

“The game industry is very much like the movie industry,” he says. “Every 10 games you make, only two will make money, so it’s about making those two hits.”

Time-to-market is also a big advantage of

outsourcing, no matter where in the world it is done. When China lifted its ban on domestic games console sales in 2014, it gave the gaming industry a billion potential new customers overnight.

“To service those markets,” says Tran, “you cannot wait for five years to come out with a new game. If you can crank out a game in two years, you’ll have a tremendous advantage over your competitors.”

Where IT is concerned then, outsourcing appears to be filling a gap rather than creating one. Both UK and US media outlets have been reporting shortages in tech-related skills among their domestic workforces for some years now.

The Birth of an Industry Founded in 1988, telecommunications giant FPT is Vietnam’s largest IT outsourcer, currently providing services across Vietnam and 18 other countries worldwide. The group, which reported 2014 net profits of VND1,628 billion (US$75.3 million), recently signed a VND216 billion (US$10 million) deal with German utility company E.ON, its second largest contract to date.

In a shift that mirrors current trends in China and India, Vietnamese outsourcers are fast becoming much more than cheap back-offices to the west. It’s also happening at every level as the likes of KMS and Glass Egg become increasingly involved in 100 percent homegrown projects, utilising Vietnam’s position as a commercial hub rather than a distant outpost.

According to Cushman and Wakefield, however, rapid growth of BPO runs the risk of reversing such trends. “It may dampen growth into higher value added activities,” says Horton. “Vietnam has worked hard to position itself as a future star of the hi-tech industry in the region. The growth of the BPO sector may cause this to slow.”

With low-skilled manufacturing processes constantly moved from one country to the next with apparent ease, it seems that nurturing the talent of Vietnam’s IT industry may prove to be the best long-term investment.

Whether Vietnam is doing all it can to rise to the challenge remains to be seen – it’s a slow process – but for now, that upward spiral shows no signs of slowing. As for the big electronics manufacturers like Samsung and LG, Glass Egg's Tran believes they're here to stay, at least for a while.

“A decade or more, and then maybe Myanmar will be next,” he says. “Who knows? But for the time being Vietnam is, I think, one of the most attractive destinations for outsourcing.” asialife HCMC 33

Northern Hospitality While on a 2,000-kilometre cycle from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Michael Tatarski finds fast friends courtesy of rice wine in between days of grueling cycling.

Four shots in and my throat is starting to burn. Rice wine is not a smooth liquor and, in my experience, the more you drink the harder it gets to keep the booze down.

Another red-faced local official approaches with a shot glass and a bottle, and I know exactly what’s next: a cheers to my health, followed by a quick “Mot, hai, ba, dzo!” before downing the powerful brew.

We’re visiting a kindergarten in Cat Dang, a dusty village in Nam Dinh province just off the Hanoi-Ninh Binh Expressway. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, or H2H, has supported charity work in Cat Dang since 2009, and whenever we visit ahead of an annual ride, the local dignitaries bring out a huge spread of food and several bottles of rural Vietnam's favourite beverage. Each year we ask them not to supply so much rice wine, as we begin a month-long ride the following morning, but there is no stopping it. Bottles are emptied, the kindergarteners are trotted out to give a performance and then the locals disperse, heading for home.

Three days later and the H2H team is in Yen Cat, a small town off the Ho Chi Minh Highway which has an unusually high concentration of hairdressers. After dinner a few of us stop into a typical quan for some beer and we quickly attract the attention of a table of young men who appear to be several pitchers deep. They wave us over and the

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cheers begin right away, as they command whether we are supposed to down a whole glass or only take 50 percent.

All of the men are wiry, and one of them lifts his shirt to reveal an impressive six pack, while two of our heavier riders show off their beer bellies, much to the delight of everyone at the table. After several rounds and a shared plate of some sort of meat product we inform that we need to go, as we have to get up early to cycle the following morning. They offer to pay for everything, an amazing display of generosity, but we convinced them to let us pay for our drinks.

After a few more days of riding we reach the area around Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a simply incredible part of the world, full of dramatic limestone karsts draped in lush jungle. At times I felt like I was riding through scenes from Jurassic Park, and made sure to keep an eye out for a stray T-Rex. The scenery is awe-inspiring, and I was happy to see that there is still a natural area in Vietnam that remains relatively untouched by human development.

At a lunch stop in Dong Le not far from the border of the park we drew a group of three schoolchildren, two girls and a boy, whose name was Khoa. In surprisingly good English, he discussed popular movies and music, sharing his distaste for Justin Bieber and One Direction, which got a round of

H2H is accepting donations until the end of May. Visit their Just Giving page for more information or to donate.

applause from everyone. He also compared each of us to celebrities and said I look like Mr. Bean, which I found somewhat insulting.

After a rest day in Hue, it was time to hit the mountains west of the city along the border with Laos, a remote, beautiful area which is home to many minority groups.

The ride out of Hue to the town of A Luoi was a beast, 72km long with two major climbs along the way. The views were worth the climbs though, as impenetrable forest draped across squat mountains as far as the eye could see.

Upon arriving at our hotel for the night the owner offered me a shot of soju which he, along with our support drivers and me-

chanic, claimed could get you drunk without any hangover the following morning. I was dubious but the sloshed group clearly wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take no for an answer. How could I turn down such kindness, anyway? Several shots later I was feeling pretty good, so good I almost forgot that I had to ride 105km and climb 4,600 metres the next day.

There is no better way to see Vietnam than on a bicycle, as it allows you to fully interact with the country and its people.

Over the past two weeks Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been on the receiving end of more kind gestures than I could possibly recount in this story; suffice to say northern Vietnam has been very friendly to me.

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A Place in the Sun Walking through the Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang, you get a sense of the variety of experiences available to you. Whether you are there to relax on the beach, hang by the pool, explore the nearby islands or pay a visit to any one of Nha Trang's cultural attractions, the five-star resort is exactly where you want to be.

As the only beachside resort in Nha Trang, Evason Ana Mandara definitely takes advantage of its location, furnishing its pristine palm tree-dotted white beach with sun loungers and umbrellas. Each of the 74 semi-detached bungalows comes with the plethora of amenities you might expect from such an upscale property but the folks at Evason also throw in a few personal touches that notch things up to 11.

Upon walking into your bungalow, you are greeted with fresh bananas, foiled packets of chocolate truffles and a few complimentary bottles of water on a wicker table.

This begs the eternal question: chocolate or banana? A four-poster double bed comes with soft fluffy pillows, the dresser complete with a bathrobe and a safe, along with the work desk, round out the room.

While the sleeping quarters were impressive, the bathroom was something else to behold. The double sinks are shaped like clams and the spacious tub came with a couple bags filled with herbs that can be placed in the tub to relieve tension or stress, which guests are free to take home and reuse several times.

The newly-opened Ana Beach House is a restaurant-cum-lounge concept with five different areas from which to choose. Along with an open indoor area, walk-in wine cellar and private dining room, the space boasts an open beach complete with lounge recliners and tables around the infinity pool.

The best spot in the Beach House has to be the suspended cabanas located next to the infinity pool. While they looked flimsy at first glance, the gravity-defying cabanas were sturdy as can be and took a beating

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Vinh Dao takes full advantage of Evason Ana Mandara's seaside delights.

For more information contact Ana Mandara

like no other after jumping up and down on them, much to the horror of the restaurant staff.

On the menu, Ana Beach House combines traditional Vietnamese ingredients with contemporary western preparations and presentations. Think fresh Nha Trang seafood with Dalat veggies. While the head chef is English, he spent quite a bit of time in the States and the menu's offerings also reflect these various influences. Dishes such as applewood smoked scallops with banana purée and crispy fried seabass on a bed of chili-coconut rice — topped with tomatocucumber relish — reflect these various influences.

If you are just looking to chill out on the sand or by the pool, Ana Beach House has a plethora of international and local beers, an extensive wine list and signature cocktails along with spirits and liquers, juices and

soft drinks.

Beyond the beach, Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang offers both market and city tours by either car or cyclo. You can tailor your experience depending on time constraints and interests. We went for a combination market and city tour.

While the normal departure time for the market tour is 5am, we opted to leave at a more civilized time of 5.45am. Heading down Tran Phu in a van, you can see the city slowly waking up, with locals taking advantage of the cool temperatures. While the city traffic is at a minimum, Dam Market is already in full swing and stretches over several city blocks, supplying much of the seafood and fresh produce for the city.

Our local guide, Mr. Loc takes a route that gets progressively busier the further you delve into the market. One of the most memorable stops is a cha ca factory. Ww

watch as crates of freshly caught flying fish are gutted, deboned, scraped, pulverised and eventually deep-fried by ladies in flowery pajamas.

A few metres down the road, you can taste the fruits of their labour at a local banh canh cha ca stall. Round, udon-type noodles swim in a bright fish stock, while chunks of fried and steamed cha ca mix with slivers of roasted pork. The soup can be maddening to eat at first, as you aren’t given any chopsticks. After having your fill, the tour also runs out to the Po Nagar Cham towers, Long Son Pagoda and Nha Trang Cathedral.

All three took about an hour to visit and our guide offered a well-rounded overview of the cultural background of the city. As the tour came to an end, we headed back to the resort for a spectacular breakfast buffet and a final morning bask on the sand.

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health

& wellness

THe 'Well-Woman' Exam Dr Aron Schuftan explains why it is important for every woman to have an annual ‘well-woman’ exam.

Well, it’s that time of year again, the one that all women dread: that's right, your dental cleaning. But when was the last time you had your other ‘bits’ looked at?

As a new doctor to Vietnam, I find that many of my patients have foregone their yearly well-woman exams. In all other aspects of their lives, they are organised, timely and educated, but not so much when it comes to their private parts. As such, I have decided to outline some important reasons to come in for a well-woman exam and also to take the mystery out of what to expect when you schedule your annual check-up.

For a lot of expats, it is common to defer their annual preventive health check-ups until they get to their home countries. In principle, this is OK if you go back on a yearly basis – assuming that you are otherwise healthy – but often trips home are postponed or the pull of Bali simply proves too tempting and those annual check-ups fall by the wayside.

A well-woman exam primarily focuses on preventive care for women. While it's not the most glamourous of medical appointments, these check-ups help to ensure your continued good health. Isn't it better to catch a potential problem early on than face more serious troubles down the road? The average well-woman exam may include: • A brief review of your medical history, as well as your family’s, to clue the doctor in to any possible medical issues to which you may be genetically predisposed • Routine services, such as the HPV vaccine and flu shot, to improve your health by preventing diseases and other health problems • Screening tests to check for diseases like diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, liver or kidney issues, anemia or

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venereal diseases. When caught early on, these may be less serious and easier to treat • Education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions on everything from contraception and fertility to general health-related queries During the physical exam itself, the doctor or nurse will examine your body, which may include: • Measuring your height and weight • Calculating your body mass index to see if you are at a healthy weight • Checking your blood pressure • Taking your temperature • Doing a breast exam, in which the doctor will feel your breasts and under your arms for lumps or other changes • Doing a pelvic exam, in which a healthcare provider visually and manually examines your vulva and your internal reproductive organs, including your cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina It's important to clarify here that a pelvic exam is not the same thing as a Pap smear test. Though a Pap smear is often done at the same time as the pelvic exam – and let's be honest: it's probably the reason you dread going to the doctor in the first place – the good news is that you may not need one every visit.

A Pap smear, invented by and named after the Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou, is one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening tests available. You should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21 no matter who you are: sexually active or not, married or single straight, lesbian or bisexual, it's important to continue these regular tests until you are 65, even if you think you are too old to have a child or are not having sex anymore.

It's also important to note that the only cancer for which the Pap test screens is cervical cancer. It does not screen for ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancers. If your Pap test results are consistently normal, you can wait three years to repeat the test with your doctor's approval. However, even if your Pap tests happen only once every three years you should still see your doctor every year for a well-woman exam.

If you are older than 65 and have had normal Pap test results for several years, or if you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions such as fibroids, your doctor may tell you that you do not need to have a Pap test anymore.

Most importantly, the yearly exam provides you the ability to form a rapport with your healthcare provider. All told, the appointment usually lasts no more than 30 minutes and these check-ups are also a good time to discuss with your doctor any ailments you may be experiencing, or even just seek basic knowledge about the human body. You should leave your appointment with a clear picture of what was checked for or found, giving you peace of mind that all is well. So make the decision to schedule your annual appointment in HCMC and take that holiday to Bali guilt-free.

Dr Aron Schuftan is an American obstetrician and gynecologist working at Family Medical Practice in Ho Chi Minh City.

He is also a founder of the popular smartphone app Pregnancy Companion (PregnancyCompanion.com).

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8

CITY DRINKS

Café de l’Opera 44B Ly Tu Trong, D1 7am – 11pm // 08 38 222 495

The bubbles are the star at this revamped venue at the Caravelle Hotel. Review and photos by Brett Davis.

Major hotels are often overlooked places when it comes to choosing a venue for a quiet drink and are often left to the tourists or business travelers lodging there. However, a facelift for the Caravelle Hotel’s Café de l’Opera could change some local minds.

Formerly the Lobby Lounge, Café de l’Opera’s large windows looking out onto Lam Son Square and the Opera House offer a great vantage point from which to watch the world go by while sipping on your favourite tipple. There is also live music courtesy of a piano and vocal duo from 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

The focus of the fare on offer, and what will be sure to attract plenty of attention from visitors and locals alike, is champagne and tapas. Bubbles come courtesy of the hotel’s partnership with Moet Hennessy and are on display in ‘Champagne Corner’, while the tapas is served up from the new open kitchen fronted by a broad marble bar with seating for patrons.

There are bottles of vintage and non-vintage champagne on the wine list, and a glass of Moet and Chandon Imperial goes for 40 asialife HCMC

VND 540,000 (VND 570,000 for the rosé). At the top end, vintage offerings such as a Moet and Chandon Grand Vinatage (VND 3,060,000) or Dom Perignon Rosé Vintage (VND 14,000,000) are definitely something for a very special occasion.

The non-vintage bottles, however, are a little more in the ‘everyday’ price range. These include a Moet and Chandon Imperial for VND 2,700,000, and progress up to the Veuve Clicquot Rosé at VND 3,220,000.

Café de l'Opera's champagne cocktails are both classic and quirky, and are all priced at VND 450,000. The French 75 blends Veuve Clicquot with gin and fresh lemon, while for something more adventurous you could go for the Volcano, a mix of Moet and Chandon and raspberry and blue curacao liqueurs.

The tapas on offer are not designed to be traditional Spanish fare, but rather embody the spirit of the form in that they are small tasting plates that are great for sharing.

The Café de l’Opera has much to recommend it for those looking for something a little special for their after-work drinks.

Relish & Sons 44 Dong Du, D1 // Facebook.com/RelishAndSons 8am – 12am // 012 07 214 294

The race to become Saigon’s next top burger joint intensifies with a new contender in town.

By Khoi Pham. Photos by Vinh Dao.

Everyone knows how to make a burger: toast some buns, grill some meat, slap on a few greens and there you have it; it's not take rocket science.

Making delicious burgers, however, is not an easy feat, if whatever they are serving at KFC and McDonald's is any indication. And it seems the chefs behind Relish & Sons have gotten it down to an art with their range of unique burger creations.

Opened in March, the restaurant’s arrival only adds to the already eclectic mix of cuisines currently on Dong Du’s list of offerings. On the ground floor, customers are greeted by a homey atmosphere with

wooden tables, white painted brick walls, a chalkboard of daily specials and an impressive collection of neatly arranged butcher knives on the wall.

Burgers are the stars of the show in Relish & Sons, with six varieties, all composed of different but expertly combined ingredients. The Classic (VND 160,000) is my new go-to remedy for beef cravings, with layers of juicy grilled beef, gherkin, lettuce, mustard and bourbon onion relish that will melt in your mouth. The New Porker (VND 150,000) – consisting of sticky pulled pork, apple slaw, pineapple and chili chutney – is also worth a try, judging by the way my friend

was humming through hers. If you’re feeling like a full meal, the All Day Combo (VND 190,000) gets you any burger with a side of chips or onion rings and a soft drink or tap beer.

The menu also offers a variety of dishes for all manner of dining: start your day the English way with the muffin, bacon, egg and spinach (VND 110,000); share a quick bite with your friends munching on cheesy fries topped with bacon and beans (VND 85,000); or grab a Bulgur salad (VND 100,000), a refreshing mix of apples, parsley, cucumber, tomato and chickpeas.

To be honest, I’m not really a

burger person, having become so used to Saigon’s abundant offerings of rice and noodlebased dishes. However, if I have to pick a place that has the power to potentially convert me, I’ll go with Relish & Sons, not only because their burgers are delicious, but also because of the amount of thought and consideration that went into creating them. Prices are a bit on the steep side but sometimes good food is worth it. Besides, any restaurant that can turn dangerous cutlery into tasteful decoration deserves a chance; it makes you wonder what they might do with fresh, beautiful ingredients.

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Chi Hoa 31A Le Thanh Ton, D1 // ChiHoaCuisine.com 7am-10pm // 08 38 273 155

Fresh Vietnamese cuisine inspired by home cooking makes this bright, welcoming spot an excellent choice for a downtown meal. By Michael Tatarski. Photos by Brett Davis.

Chi Hoa means ‘Miss Flower’, a name intended to honour Vietnamese women who work in the kitchen to make meals for their friends and family.

Enter the restaurant and you are greeted by an open kitchen, with a staircase leading to three floors of dining, including an open-air terrace which looks out towards the Intercontinental.

The comfortable interior features decorations which pay homage to staples of Vietnamese cuisine, including sacks of rice and the fishing boats which catch your favourite seafood. The terrace, while warm during the day, would be a romantic spot at night.

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The extensive menu covers a lot of ground. Diners are able to combine rice and soup with a meat dish for a very reasonable price, and all of the food at Chi Hoa is MSG-free. Appetizers range from VND55,000VND135,000 and include the likes of crispy featherback fish spring rolls. The main dishes cost VND65,000-VND85,000 and include seafood, pork, beef, chicken and vegetables.

We decided to start with the fried shrimp toasted with Tay Ninh salt (VND120,000), which was an incredible dish. The bright shrimp were beautiful to look at and tasted even better.

The salt added great flavour without overpowering the

dish and the right amount of spice added a deft kick. This is among the best shrimp dishes I’ve had in Saigon.

Next was the Chi Hoa salmon and pineapple hot pot (VND365,000) featuring okra, green beans and cucumber along with vermicelli noodles and five types of flowers. The plates exploded with vibrant colours, including the pink salmon, and once everything was combined in the boiling broth it created a complex flavour profile that was an absolute delight.

Chi Hoa also offers a variety of homemade drinks, including alcohol. The sugarcane juice with chia seeds and jelly

(VND40,000) was extremely refreshing on a hot afternoon and just tasted healthy. You can also choose from banana or wheat wine (VND45,000 per shot or VND300,000 per bottle), as well as coffee or ginger vodka (VND45,000 per shot and VND595,000 per bottle). Breakfast has recently been added to the menu as well, meaning you can stop in for a gourmet banh mi or banh cuon along with a coffee for just VND45,000 on your way to work. With food this good, you might even want to come back for lunch and dinner as well.

Sui Cao Viet Nuong 964 Tran Hung Dao, D5 10am-2pm, 4pm-10pm daily // 09 33 785 258

An answer to the question of where to find affordable, delicious Chinese food in Saigon. By Michael Tatarski. Photos by Vinh Dao.

Ask anybody who knows a bit about Saigon where to get Chinese food and they will invariably say: “Just go to District 5.”

However, as a fairly long-time resident of said district, I can assure you it is not that simple.

While there are a number of Chinese eateries in the area, they are often tucked away down hems or obscure side streets and take some effort to find.

Fortunately, the wonderful Sui Cao Viet Nuong is located right on Tran Hung Dao, one of the main drags running through Cholon and under five minutes from District 1.

The glass doors open up to a simple restaurant with little in the way of decorations. The

walls are largely bare, while a small Buddha statue keeps watch over diners from a counter towards the back. You don’t come to a place like this for atmosphere though, as it’s all about the food, and the menu delivers. Rather surprisingly, the dishes are listed in English, in addition to the expected Chinese and Vietnamese. Fill out the provided sheet with how many of each dish you want and the waiter will take it away to the kitchen.

The selection includes dumplings, both fried and boiled, soups, noodles, rice, vegetables and several interesting side dishes such as pig stomach and ear. Prices are reasonable, with

most dishes costing around VND50,000, while the larger side dishes run up to VND120,000.

The standard soft drinks are offered, with the beer menu enlivened by the addition of Tsingtao for VND25,000.

We began with a plate of beautiful sui cao chien (fried dumplings,VND50,000), a healthy serving of pork and spinach-stuffed goodness. Mix a concoction of garlic, chili and soy sauce in a side dish and dip the dumplings for an explosion of flavour. Next up was banh hanh (scallion pancake, VND30,000), a crispy delight that you won’t find very often here.

With a number of enticing soup options, we went for the

sui cao mi canh bo (dumplings with noodles in beef soup, VND50,000). A dark, rich broth contained thick, chewy noodles, pig stomach, bok choy and three plump dumplings. The hearty bowl could easily be shared between two people. We added a plate of bo xoi xao toi (stir-fried spinach, VND40,000) for some green, which tasted just like it should.

Anyone craving Chinese food should pay Sui Cao Viet Nuong a visit, as you can feast on amazing food without emptying your wallet. Best of all, it’s easy to find, a blessing in a city of often confusing addresses. The restaurant also sells its own chili sauce and rice wine. asialife HCMC 43

Upping the Ante How one man turned an ordinary stage prop into a magical flying car. By Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos courtesy of Adam Astley.

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The goal was to build a lightweight stage car for a school play.

You know the kind: cardboard, maybe, with a stencil drawing of a vehicle, twodimensional, flimsy, but just enough to suspend your imagination during the middle of a young adults' musical production. The sort of craft you could complete in an afternoon, maybe a weekend if you got fancy. Or, if you're Richard Harper, the sort of project you attack head-on and immerse yourself in for the better part of four months.

“We've always built sets for the plays but usually it's like a backdrop and flats and whatever,” explains Harper, head of the art department at HCMC's British International School (BIS). Together with colleague Adam Astley, Harper has been tasked with creating set pieces for school musicals for years now.

“But this is probably the first time I've built something quite like this,” he explains.

“This” is a lightweight, laser-cut antique car with functional wings, wheels and headlights, not to mention the impressive rope-and-pulley system beneath its chassis, used to give the appearance of flight. If that sounds odd, blame it on the script: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the 1968 film classic based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name, tells the tale of a magical car whose capabilities include – among other things – flight.

When BIS high school students brought the story to life last month on their school stage, Harper's car had to make believable the unbelievable.

“It just kind of got away with me, really,” Harper explains. “It just became a really interesting project. I like making stuff, I'm a sculptor. To me, this is a piece of sculpture.

It's not a stage prop. It's a sculpture of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

The project began around mid-December.

Intially, Harper considered a number of different configurations, spanning everything from the above-mentioned cardboard cutout to a Styrofoam creation to placing a lightweight shell around a Honda Cub. Eventually, his technological experience came into play and Harper designed the main body of the car in Adobe Illustrator. His designs were then laser cut and put together like a puzzle to form the basic shape of the vehicle.

From there, the rest of the project became a neverending series of 'what if's. What if the car had moving wheels? Harper installed small rubber tyres. What if it could fly like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang does in the movie?

A lever – not unlike a car jack – went in at the back of the vehicle, using pins to prop up the rear of the car, followed by a rope system which propelled the front back onto a stand, obscured by black fabric. What if the car had wings? Yet another mechanism went in to send a pair of red-and-yellow appendages out on either side of the vehicle.

“I had some time on my hands over Christ-

mas,” Harper explains sheepishly, crouching down to fit into the back of the car. During performances, he was the man behind the magic, pulling levers and flipping switches to make sure all of Chitty's bells and whistles went off without a hitch. “I got a bit carried away.”

Astley, Harper's partner in the remainder of the play's set design, which included vibrant illustrations by Harper's wife and children's book author Khoa Le, also points out that despite all the additional tricks up Chitty's sleeve, the car remains light enough to be manoeuvred by a 16-year-old student.

“The amount of weight reduction [is] worthy of Formula One,” says Astley. “Everything that gets built, we then try to cut holes in everything we can without making it weak.”

At its centre, the car rests upon a basic wooden chassis, which then supports the remaining lightweight pieces of the car. Rather than include interior design, actors stand within the car, making it easier for Harper to manoeuvre the vehicle up onto its stand during the flying scenes.

Beyond the mechanisms, a great attention to detail was also helpful in bringing the car above and beyond your average school play prop. Laser cut acrylic trim lines either side of the vehicle, while fine gold pinstripes decorate the rear of the car. Up front, Harper enlisted a friend to make a custom leather belt for the hood, while Chitty's hood ornament bears the school emblem. It's a touch so small that audience members would never be able to tell but at a certain point, Harper concedes, the car became more than just a stage prop for him.

Astley explains: “It was in Richard's art studio to start off with, where the majority of the work was done, which is why he was able to work on it so often because it was there just staring him in the face everyday, daring him to add some more.”

“For four months,” Harper adds.

“Just kind of mocking him,” says Astley.

Harper shouts: “'Finish me!'”

It's clear from this kind of tag-team storytelling, which flows throughout the grand tour of the BIS Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, that both Harper and Astley have upped the ante for future school productions. Now that students have given their final bows for this year's school musical, the lingering question remains: what happens to the car?

“I did tell the boss that we should put it in his office,” Harper says.

For the time being, the pair plan to keep Chitty at the school on display, at least for a little while. Typically, stage props are broken down and recycled in later productions, but given the time and effort that went into this one there's talk of repurposing the car into some other vehicle for next year's production: perhaps the Millennium Falcon, Harper jokes, or the Batmobile.

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Rip Curl

Photography & Art Direction: Mario Ramade del Angelo Swimwear Collection: 'My Bikini' by Rip Curl Models: Cao Minh Hoa, Thi Thi Pham Make up artist and hair dresser: Kitoan Location: Mia Resort Mui Ne asialife HCMC 47

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listings

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

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

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

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

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

escape

of Vietnam” and discretely hidden along the waterfront of Tuyen Lam Lake, this resort is a perfect launching point for exploring the Highland region. It has two fine-dining restaurants, a 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.

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

New World Hotel 76 Le Lai, D1 / Tel: 3822 8888 www.newworldsaigon.com Located in the city centre, with gym, outdoor pool, tennis court, event space and Dynasty Chinese restaurant.

Sheraton 88 Dong Khoi, D1 / Tel: 3827 2828 www.sheraton.com/saigon Luxury downtown hotel: Level 23 bar, Mojo 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 093 8888 danang.intercontinental.com A world of poetic experiences and jungle-clad romance in a place that cloaks you with luxury. The mastery of traditional Vietnamese design meets modern architectural flair in this distinc-

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

Rates start below US $20 per night.

Located 400 metres from the Old Town.

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

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

NHA TRANG

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang Beachside, Tran Phu, Nha Trang Tel: 058 3522 222 www.sixsenses.com/evasonanamandara Beachside resort set in 26,000 square metres of tropical garden, with 74 guest villas, three restaurants, Six Senses Spa. InterContinental Nha Trang 32-34 Tran Phu Street, Nha Trang Tel: +84 058 388 7777 www.Ihg.com A luxury beachfront retreat located in the heart of the city, the resort overlooks the stunning coastline. From there getting around the city is convenient as shopping, attractions, restaurants and bars are easily accessible within walking distance of the hotel.

Mia Resort Nha Trang Bai Dong, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa / Tel: 58 398 9666 www.mianhatrang.com Ultimate luxury resort with 50 rooms, divided into villas and condos, catering by well-known restaurant Sandals and Mojito's bar.

Play and Stay package at the Grand Ho Tram Strip

take flight with travel promotions around the region

Indulgent Mother’s Day special from Kara Salon & Spa

Revitalisation continues at Spa InterContinental

In honour of busy mothers everywhere, Kara Salon & Spa will be offering their very own Mothers’ Day Retreat, a beauty and wellness ritual promising three hours of total rejuvenation and relaxation. Exfoliate from head to toe in a 50-minute body scrub, then feel the years melt away in an anti-aging facial with luxury products from THANN before enjoying a foot reflexology session or manicure and pedicure.

Extend your spa date with access to Kara Spa’s sauna, steam rooms and jacuzzi. The Mothers’ Day Retreat is available for VND 2,000,000 nett throughout the month of May. Kara Spa is located on the 7th floor of the Caravelle Hotel.

For more information, please contact 08 38 234 999 or email kara.spa@caravellehotel.com.

Re-energise your body and soul with Spa InterContinental's ongoing fresh ginger spa promotion. Begin your luxurious spa treatment with Vietnamese ginger tea before preparing to indulge in a superb body massage. Later, experience a steamed fresh ginger compress, the best kind of warming herb to help reduce cold and pain in your bones and joints as well as relieve muscle strain, before your massage therapy session. Spa InterContinental offers this 90-minute sensory indulgence for only VND 1,420,000++ per person through June 2015, which represents a 30 percent discount off the standard price. For more information and reservations, please contact our spa team via spa@icasianasaigon.com or call 08 35 209 999.

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tive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain.

Spend a weekend away on the shores of Ho Tram, home to a world-class golf course, casino and five-star resort. Package includes 18 holes at The Bluffs, Greg Norman's signature golf course, including caddy service and a shared golf cart, as well as a one-night stay with breakfast for two at the resort. Lounge by the pool, live it up at the casino or book one of the Grand's refreshing spa treatments. Guests who book a 60- or 90-minute spa treatment will also receive a complimentary 30-minute foot massage or facial. Free roundtrip transportation is available from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau by shuttle bus. For more details, contact Ho Tram Strip at info@thegrandhotram.com or call 08 38 251 690.

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

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

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

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

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

SCUBA DIVING

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

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

Rainbow Divers 55 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2 Tel: 3744 6825 www.divevietnam.com Diving tours and career/instructor development offered by Vietnam’s first PADI centre. established in the mid-90s. Operates dive centres in Nha Trang, Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc.

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

VUNG TAU

The Imperial Hotel 159-163 Thuy Van Tel: 06 4362 8888 www.imperialhotelvietnam.com Victorian-style hotel with 152 rooms, outdoor pool, shopping mall and fully serviced gym.

Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa Ho Tram Village, Xuyen Moc Tel: 06 4378 1525 www.hotramresort.com Located about 45km from Vung Tau in the Phuoc Buu Reserve Forest, Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa boasts uniquely designed bungalows and villas.

The Grand-Ho Tram Strip Phuoc Thuan Commune, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Tel: +84 64 3788 888 www.thegrandhotramstrip.com The Grand - Ho Tram Strip is Vietnam's first large scale integrated resort and ultimately will include an 1,100-room five-star hotel, a world-class casino, restaurants, high-tech meeting space, an exclusive VIP area, as well as a variety

of beach-front recreation activities. The first 541-room tower of this development opened 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 11th floor, 36 Bui Thi Xuan St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 info.en@chudu24.com www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008.

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.

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Hideaway Package:

2.2 Đêm

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AIRLINES

Lưu trú 2 đêm tại Bungalow hướng vườn

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.

Điểm tâm sáng hàng ngày tại nhà hàng Gecko

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

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

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

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 0705 www.phattysbar.com Jaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’s sports bar has five widescreen TVs, a large drop-down screen and lots of pub grub and beer for fans looking to take in a game or two.

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

Shrine 64 Ton That Thiep Tel: 08 38 142 917 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

Leisurely Mojito afternoons at Café de l’Opera

VND 380,000++ per person. All teas at Café de l’Opera come with sweet and savoury snacks, plus unrivalled views of historic Lam Son Square. For more information or reservations, please call 09 06 900 523 or email eam-fb@ caravellehotel.com.

Mother's Day Brunch at Market 39

Afternoon tea just got a little better at Café de l’Opera. Just in time for summer, minty mojitos – the cocktail that evokes sunny beach days and sultry Havana nights – are making their way onto the tables of the Caravelle’s street-level café. From May 11 to 17, cool down with free flow mojitos and your choice of traditional English high tea or Vietnamese high tea for only

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Pull out all the stops with a plentiful Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, 10 May at InterContinental Asiana's Market 39 restaurant.

Both Vietnamese and international delicacies, including lobster, seafood and a variety of sumptuous desserts will be on offer, along with free flow of Veuve Clicquot champagne, wine, beer, cocktails, tea, coffee and a selection of soft drinks. A family photo corner will also be set up within the restaurant so that guests can commemorate the occasion with a

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.

complimentary photo. Brunch is served from 12pm to 3pm. Entry costs VND 1,698,000++ per adult and VND 800,000++ per child.

Cheese of the World nights at Sheraton's Saigon Café The Sheraton Hotel's Saigon Café is pleased to present a Cheese of the World night every Saturday in May. Cheese lovers from near and far are invited to enjoy a wide range of delectable fine cheeses including a melt-inyour-mouth Swiss Raclett with traditional condiments, a port salute and other varieties of Italian, Dutch and French cheese. Cheese of the World events will run from 6pm to 10pm every Saturday in May and entry is VND 1,100,000++ including free flow house wine, coffee and tea.

INDIAN

Saigon Indian 73 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 5671 Popular venue with an enormous menu.

Serves both southern and northern Indian dishes like tandoori, biryani, dosa and idly snacks, plus a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Offers a set lunch menu. Cater service is available.  Tandoor 74/6 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3930 4839 www.tandoorvietnam.com Part of a chain of restaurants covering Hanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features a large selection of standard northern Indian dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Excellent cheap set lunches and reasonable prices all around. Will organize catering for events. 

INTERNATIONAL

Al Fresco’s 21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 8427 27 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3822 7317 D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093 400 Nguyen Trai, D5 Tel: 3838 3840 www.alfrescosgroup.com Theme restaurant boasting a range of Tex-Mex, Italian and Australian-style BBQ dishes. Huge portions and tasty Australian ribs coupled with a good atmosphere and helpful staff. Good lunch menu.  Au Parc 23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772 Lavishly decorated brasserie borrowing from Moroccan and French styles and popular during lunchtime with expats.

Specializes in Middle Eastern and North African food. The salad menu is a favourite, and a great range of lush smoothies and juices are on offer.  Black Cat 13 Phan Van Dat, D1 Tel: 3829 2055 Tiny but popular District 1 restaurant serving up an excellent selection of Western and Vietnamese fare and an extensive range of sandwiches and burgers.  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.

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

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

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

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

Hosts monthly Spam Cham networking event.  Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, corner 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 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 subtle colours and exposed brickwork combine with jazzy tunes. Serves tabouleh, falafel, couscous and kebab.

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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.

By Michael Kloster

imbibe Any Wonder We Tried Gin? I tend to associate gin with India, tonic water, colonialisation and ingenuity. In fact, the most common gin cocktail, the gin and tonic, came about due to some enterprising Brits in India who figured out a tasty way to take their malaria-fighting quinine water. If you dig back far enough, gin itself is a bit of a colonialist. Its predecessor, Jenever, stormed its way across the English Channel from its native Holland with William of Orange. Though there are myriad styles of gin, the London Dry style is now the most common, and has found its way behind bars and into glasses the world over.

The Spirit of Choice The simple yet complex juniper flavours in gin are great for cocktails, as they tend to compliment mixers, adding another layer of taste. In fact, before the spread of vodka as the ‘odourless, colourless, tasteless’ spirit of choice started in the 1950s, most classic cocktails were made with gin. We still see this in some cocktails, like the martini, where, in a real bar, they’ll ask for your choice of gin or vodka. There are also many new and reintroduced gins in the market, each with their own characteristics.

Gin can be made from any sugar source, although makers of fancier gins usually ferment some sort of grain. The gin is distilled twice, and during the second distillation juniper and other botanicals are added to give the gin its flavour profile.

Different gins use different 54 asialife HCMC

combinations of herbs, flowers and spices to achieve a particular taste. This is why each kind of gin is better suited for different types of mixers when making a cocktail. Which one is best for you, and best for your preferred cocktail? Take a taste test and find out!

How Does That Help Me? In one of my favorite poems, the American poet Philip Levine places gin at the center of the drinking world, noting the phrases ‘gin house’ and ‘gin lane,’ “both of which indicated the preeminence of gin in the world of drinking.” I tend to agree. Gin is often my spirit of choice when I’m looking for a cool and relaxing beverage.

Last Sunday I whipped up a batch of Orange Negroni Popsicles to cool down and mellow out. It seemed the perfect partner on a hot day.

Any wonder we tried gin?

Orange Negroni Popsicles • 350 ml orange juice • 50 ml Campari • 50 ml Gin • 50 ml Sweet Vermouth

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.

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

ITALIAN

Basilico InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Ground Floor, corner 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 36 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3915 3343 Two HCM City ouposts of the legendary

recipes vinh dao

Phorrito INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

1 kg sirloin or chuck steak 2 oz fish sauce 1 lime 2 star anise pods 2 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 8 flour tortillas 300g uncooked rice vermicelli

• • • • •

noodles (bun, not pho noodles) 10 oz shredded cheddar cheese 4 oz basil 4 oz cilantro ½ yellow onion, sliced thin Sriracha chilli sauce (or any other chilli sauce)

PREPARATION 1. Place steak in the freezer for at least 2 hours. This will help later in slicing the beef.

chop cilantro.

8. After 15 minutes, fry beef strips in a very hot frying pan for 20 seconds on each side, depending on the meat's thickness. Beef shouldn't be cooked all the way through.

2. Boil water. Place rice vermicelli noodles in boiling water. Drain after three minutes or until they are soft. Do not use pho noodles, as they tend to clump 9. Warm the tortillas. together when left out.

10. Assemble the phorrito. Take 3. Grind cinnamon, clove and a warm tortilla and place an star anise to a fine powder, eighth of a portion of cheese, using either a coffee grinder or beef and noodles in a long, mortar and pestle. thing layer, leaving enough 4. After the steak is almost frozen room to roll the tortilla. through, slice into very thin 11. Add in fresh herbs and a strips with a sharp knife. drizzle of hot sauce and hoisin

5. Combine dry herb mixture with on top. fish sauce and lime juice.

12. Fold the sides over and roll the 6. Mix herb, lime and fish sauce tortilla over the filling, starting mixture with sliced beef and from the bottom. set aside to marinate for 15 13. Crack open a Saigon Red and minutes. dig in!

7. Chiffonade basil and roughly

Recipe provided by Vinh Dao

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Hanoi original serve only one dish: the eponymous and delicious cha ca la vong, fish pan-fried at the table with turmeric and dill and served with cold noodles and peanuts.

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

Local Eats

By Tristan Ngo

Crowd Pleaser 2 Le Hong Beefsteak What is it about a beefsteak that makes people travel a long way and gather in a huddle, like a circle around a bullseye? Beefsteak is basically a flat cut of beef perpendicular to the muscle fibers. Usually pan-fried, grilled, broiled or baked, the Vietnamese style is normally pan-fried and sliced very thin.

I, for one, am a fan of meat.

As I've gotten older I tend to eat less of it, but that doesn't mean I will turn down a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth steak when tempted. I think I cook enough in my own kitchen, so I tend to go out as much as possible with my family for a nice meal.

It’s nice to have someone else create my dish.

So what do you get when you grill local beef in a metal skillet, combine it with Frenchstyle pâté and a baguette, US-influenced fried eggs and fries, Chinese siu mai and soy sauce, chili sauce, pickled cucumber and carrots? Vietnamese beefsteak. For this dish I’ll rephrase Anthony Bourdain’s infamous term 'food porn' as 'Vietnamese food porn'.

Despite being a culture dominated by rice and noodles, Vietnamese love beefsteak, so it’s no surprise to find many beefsteak eateries in Saigon. However, finding the right one is not easy, so you have to rely on reputation or

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try one by one to find the best place.

Within the alley of an alley of another alley in Phu Nhuan District lies a bright, clean beefsteak restaurant called Le Hong. This is not an easy place to find but it is worth the trip. Early brunch or the afternoon are rather quiet and an ideal time to visit versus the evening when it is absolutely packed.

The wafer-thin beefsteak at Le Hong is quite tender and good. The side of pâté, siu mai, fried egg and a slap of butter makes the difference. A baguette, pickled cucumber, soy sauce and chili are added to complement the meal.

Vietnamese-style beefsteak is always thin so don’t expect a thick steak, and most Vietnamese prefer their beef cooked well done so ask for medium rare and you might get medium well. They serve their beef in four different styles: bo ne (ducking beef), regular beefsteak, bo luc lac (shaken beef) and nui ne (ducking beef with noodles).

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

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

at home BAKERIES

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

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

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

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

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.

listings

culture CLASSES

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

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

Helen Kling Oil Painting 189/C1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 0903 955 780 hk.painter@gmail.com/helenkling@ yahoo.com www.helenkling.com Helene is a French painter who teaches beginners (children and adults) various techniques and the art of working with different mediums. She is also a fantastic tool for advanced artists who are looking to increase their creativity.

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

CINEMAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lotte Cinema Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 7897 LotteMart, 469 Nguyen Huu Tho, D7 Tel: 3775 2520 www.lottecinemavn.com Modern cinema with four-way sound system. D7 location houses luxury theatre Charlotte with 32 seats

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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listings

By Phil Kelly

fitness House of Hormones, Part 1 We are all chemical creatures.

Hormones affect all facets of human function from enabling muscle contractions to dealing with both physical and psychological stress to stimulating fat burning and tissue repair. They tell us when we are hungry, when we are full, control our metabolic rate and have a huge impact on our health.

Hormones are the real key to effortless fat loss and good health. When your hormones get out of balance, they cause all sorts of problems. For example, estrogen dominance significantly increases the risk of cancer, can cause infertility, alters brain transmitters – making you depressed or irritable – and causes fat storage around the hips and upper thigh in women and produces 'manboobs' in men.

Too much estrogen is a much larger problem than most people realise. Estrogen dominance occurs when there is too much chemical estrogen in the body or an imbalance between estrogen and other hormones. There are two different ways of becoming estrogen dominant. The first is when there is too much internally-produced estrogen (endogenous estrogen) within our bodies.

This can be caused by simply being overweight, as fat tissue raises levels of an enzyme called aromatase and changes testosterone into estrogen.

The estrogen problem can be exasperated if you are deficient in magnesium, vitamin D3, selenium or zinc. Alcohol, par58 asialife HCMC

ticularly beer, has been repeatedly linked to low testosterone and high estrogen in men.

The second way of becoming estrogen dominant is when your internal system is not causing excess production but is overloaded by external chemical estrogens (xenoestrogens). According to leading fat loss and health experts, these are the main cause of estrogen dominance and all but impossible to avoid. The main chemical estrogens are BPA, phthalates, and parabens. These compounds are found in chemical fragrances such as perfume, air sprays, and candles, as well as personal care products like lotion and moisturisers.

There are two key areas to focus on when treating estrogen dominance. First, avoid exposure to chemical estrogens by using natural personal care products, do not eat or drink food stored in cans and eat quality animal products free from pesticides and hormone treatment. Second, support the elimination of estrogen with diet. Ensure your diet is nutrient dense, eat green, avoid alcohol (or detox regularly), get adequate Omega-3 and fibre, and eat low carb.

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 Phil-kelly.com or Facebook. com/BodyExpertSystemVietnam.

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

CRICKET

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

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

DANCING

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

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

Registration required.

FITNESS & YOGA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FOOTBALL & RUGBY

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

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

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

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

GOLF

Dalat Palace Golf Club Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat Tel: 063 3821 101 dpgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com

The most beautiful course in Vietnam, combining the crisp mountain air with an environment of stately pine trees.

Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the 7,009yard course is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEISURE

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

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

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

Saigon International Softball League sisl@saigonsoftball.info www.saigonsoftball.info The league plays slo-pitch softball every Sunday (usually at the Taiwanese School in Phu My Hung) and always welcomes newcomers.

Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360

A standout facility offering pony rides, riding lessons, horse clinics and pony rentals. Also hosts events and birthdays.

Squash The Landmark, 5B Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 2098 ext 176 www.thelandmarkvietnam.com One of three squash courts in town.

Membership is open to non-Landmark residents and drop-in players. Lessons and racquets are available for additional fees. Balls are provided. Book in advance or phone for further information.

Ultimate Frisbee RMIT, 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 www.saigon-ultimate.com Join in this exciting popular sport every Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm in Saigon South. Pan-Asian competitions also organised for the more experienced.

Contact David Jensen at 0909458890 Vietwings Paragliding info@vietwings-hpg.com Promoted by a local advertising executive turned test pilot, paragliding, hanggliding, trike plane can be performed in several locations across southern Vietnam including Dalat, Phan Thiet, Tay Ninh. Call Loco on 0903 825607 for more information.

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

Excellent facilities for children and annual membership for kids.

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health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

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

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

Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists

Ope

nin g

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.

Opening on 30/04/2015 A fantastic excursion awaits you at the third properties of Vingroup in Nha Trang. Vinpearl Premium Nha Trang Bay boasts 481 luxurious rooms and more than 170 well-appointed villas; a 2000-sqm infinity pool; 8 restaurants and bars; and a challenging 18-hole golf course. Besides the opportunity to enjoy the pristine beach and the crystal blue sea, guests will have unlimited access to the amusement park Vinpearl Land with many fun and thrilling rides or opt for more lively and dynamic activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and jet skiing.

Book with us now via (+84) 8 3911 1177 or email sales@vinpearl.com

Vinpearl Premium Nha Trang Bay | Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Vietnam

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family By Melanie Brown

Education hub People Who Can't Do, Teach People who can’t do, teach – this was the response from a family member when I announced I was moving into university teaching. I was and still am shocked by this dismissal of a profession that can play such a fundamental role in people’s development.

I was brought up to respect my teachers. My parents, to my horror, even invited them to dinner. Sure, there may be some teachers working in primary and secondary schools who are in dire need of career counseling but the standard of pre-service training and performance monitoring must have reduced this number from what it was 20 years ago. Perhaps the barb in the comment was more directed at higher education teachers?

Many of you may have experienced the same ‘teaching’ at university as I did: experts who perhaps could do, but certainly couldn’t teach. These were professors who would lecture for an hour or more on a topic while the students fervently took notes in the hope that something they recorded would be useful when it came to an assessment. Some of the lectures could be fascinating, some sleep inducing, but most of my learning took place when I struggled through researching and writing a paper alone.

University has changed a lot in the last decade, the process dubbed massification has resulted in a 53 percent increase in the number of students entering university since 62 asialife HCMC

2000. Students no longer come from an elite top section of the population. Competition for funding from student fees means universities must now show their graduates are employable.

These changes translate to a transformation in the role of university academics. Diversity in the student body means that there are more students who need support in meeting the demands of tertiary study.

Gone is the expectation that students will merely graduate. They must graduate with a raft of attributes beyond content knowledge. University teachers, on the whole, are not trained teachers. They may have valuable research or industry experience but they need training in how to facilitate learning, how to help high school students make the transition to university and how to develop students’ nondiscipline skills like teamwork.

At all levels of education, ongoing teacher development is key to positive outcomes for students.

How will my relative respond now? If teaching was despicable, how bad is teaching teachers?

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

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.

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 presence in both HCMC and Hanoi.

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

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

CAMERAS

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

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

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

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

COMPUTERS

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

Honours Apple service plans.

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

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

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

By Elizabeth Png

HOME IMPROVEMENT Induction Cooking Myths Compared to gas cookers and electric hotplates, induction cooking is a relatively recent invention. It has been widely adopted in many European households but still suffers from numerous misconceptions over its uses and capabilities. Here are a few common myths to reconsider about induction cooking: Induction cooking requires specialised cookware You don’t need specialised cookware to use an induction stove; rather, all you need is cookware that is ferromagnetic, meaning a material that can be magnetised. This includes objects made from iron or certain steel alloys.

Even stainless steel cookware, which is typically not suited to induction, can be used if it has a ferrous base. An easy test to see if a pot can be used for induction is to put a magnet on it: if the magnet sticks, it’s ferromagnetic.

Induction stoves are more expensive Yes and no. An induction stove unit tends to cost more than a gas stove, but they are cheaper to operate in the long run. Gas stoves are much less energy efficient than induction stoves, as they only transfer 60 percent of the heat generated to the pan.

In contrast, it is estimated that induction stoves are about 80 percent more energy efficient, and the savings on your utility bill could outweigh the 64 asialife HCMC

higher investment. Depending on your kitchen setup, induction stoves may also be easier and more convenient to install, as they do not require you to lease gas cylinders or risk running out of gas while you are cooking.

Induction cooking can be hazardous to health A common misunderstanding is that, like microwaves, induction cookers use radiation to cook. They do not. Microwaves use electromagnetic radiation to heat molecules in food, while induction stoves use magnetic fields and resistive heating to generate heat in the cookware. The magnetic fields they use are harmless, and do not project more than a few centimetres above the hob surface in any case. As for safety concerns, while their flat surface may bear some resemblance to cooktops that use hotplates, the cooking surface does not heat up at all when in operation.

Induction cooktops are completely safe to touch even as they are heating up the pan.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELECTRONICS

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

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

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

Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre 63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1 Tel: 3821 1211 www.nguyenkim.com Stocks DVD/CD players, cameras, TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Philips and other major manufacturers. Also a good place to pick up electronic kitchen supplies like coffee makers and rice cookers, as well as large and small appliances, from hot water heaters to regrigerators.

Phong Vu 125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1 Tel: 6290 8777 www.vitinphongvu.com Two-storey electronics store retails in international products conveniently grouped by brand. Carries computers, home audio, printers, hard drives and more, as well as a variety of mobile phones, handheld electronic devices and accessories.

Savico 117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993 One-stop electronics and home appliance superstore. All products have a one to three-year warranty.

Tech Street Huynh Thuc Khang Street between Ton That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1 Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronic money counters, video games and systems, Discmans, mp3 players and portable DVD players.

FURNITURE

Appeal 41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258 A small, upscale shop that offers modern accents for the sleek dining room. The colours of the over-sized vases and fruit bowls are either glistening red or lacquered black.

AustinHome 42 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3519 0023 Outstanding quality and style for your home. The shop says its products are hand-picked by an American furniture expert from the best factories in Vietnam.

Upholstery, accessories, antiques and more.

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

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

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

Friendly staff speak excellent English.

Furniture Outlet 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 2243 7955/3911 0104 Wide selection of well-crafted and carefully constructed pine wood pieces at

good prices, aimed at customers craving a taste of Europe.

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

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

LINH‘S WHITE

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

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

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

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

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

LEGAL

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

Baker & McKenzie Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 5585 www.bakernet.com International law firm providing on-theground liaison and support services to clients interested in investigating, negotiating and implementing projects in Vietnam.

Frasers International Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 2733 www.frasersvn.com Full service commercial law firm providing international and Vietnamese legal advice to both foreign and local clients specializing in transactions in Vietnam.

By Paul McLardie

PERSONAL FINANCE Gold Diggers Like everywhere else in the world, some marriages in Vietnam work, some do not.

There are many reasons why a betrothal might not survive the test of time but, because finance is my field, I will address just one conundrum you might encounter in your quest for true love: Are you married to a gold digger?

Here are five areas to think about with your partner, no matter whom he or she may be.

• Does s/he have a massive secrecy around finances?

You should know roughly how much your partner earns, how much s/he has in savings and where it is.

• Know something about your partner's financial history. How has s/he managed to survive up until this point?

• Ask about your partner's family situation. You should not be met with an out-of-the-blue request for a mother or cousin to borrow money if you have been through this with your partner. Say upfront who and what you will lend money for. If you know that the family are sitting on their own money, why do they have to borrow from you?

• Agree from the outset who controls what in the relationship. I know some people that just give a monthly allowance to their

partner and that is it. No more, no less. I know other couples that are open and honest about everything with their partner, using joint names on their financial assets which require only one signatory. It is entirely up to you how to make this work but it has to be fair to both parties.

Short of a prenup, there are arrangements that can be made through wills, trusts and estate planning. If you are unsure or wary of how trustful your partner or in-law family will be and you still want to be with them then that is your call, but you can protect yourself.

The main thing in any marriage or long term relationship is trust. You have to make decisions not on an emotional basis but a rational one. The second that you start lending or giving money out without getting what you want in return, you will always have difficulties. Be honest with each other from the start and you should have no problems and if things come up early on, you can decide early on in the relationship if it is going somewhere you both want, or just one person wants.

Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management.

Contact him at Paul.mclardie@t-wm.com. asialife HCMC 65

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

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

By Gary Woollacott

People matter Adult Supervision You might think it an odd thing to discuss, but the longer I work in a professional environment, the more I notice the need for adult supervision. It turns out that just because you're an adult doesn't mean everyone acts like one.

From the candidate who lies on his resume, thinking that stretching the truth here and there won’t matter, to the taxi driver who doesn’t know the major streets and thinks that conducting a phone call with his girlfriend while driving is just fine, adult supervision is sometimes absent in our daily lives. On your own time, of course, it's fine to let loose, but what happens when a person decides to skip the professional behaviour at work?

People in these situations need to get a grip on their actions and ask themselves: Is this really the best that I can do? Such circumstances become an issue when there is no managerial staff or supervisor present to tell a childish employee how to behave, although he or she might sorely need it.

Some years ago, I worked with a junior staff member who put in exceptional efforts.

Rather than just giving cash, we bought her a new iPod as a thank you for her hard work.

The reaction from her senior colleague was immediate and unmistakable: she started to sulk and stayed that way for a week. She thought that she deserved something, too. I 66 asialife HCMC

tolerated this behaviour for a bit and then I confronted her directly about the way in which she had reacted to this situation. A grown woman couldn’t handle her own emotions and had let herself become jealous of someone else’s good fortune.

She left us not long after and, given her subpar professional conduct, it wasn't such a bad thing — better an empty house than a bad tenant.

While there are, of course, many people who go above and beyond in their jobs, who work hard and behave as proper adults in the workplace, negative experiences like these can bring down the morale and expectations of anyone's workplace.

Perhaps what's needed is a shift in the overall work culture of Vietnam, or at least a deeper level of communication among staff so that employees don't resort to this type of less-than-professional behaviour.

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.

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

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

LIGHTING

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

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

MOTORBIKES

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

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

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

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

EasySaigon.com www.easysaigon.com Real estate website helps expats find apartments in HCMC.

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

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

Supports professional services and after-sales.

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

Diamond Island Luxury Residences No 01 – Street No.104-BTT, Quarter 3, Binh Trung Tay Ward, 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.

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

RECRUITMENT

First Alliances #609, Saigon Trade Center 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 2080 Fax: 3910 2079 www.firstalliances.net cv@firstalliances.net As Vietnam’s most established recruitment consultancy, First Alliances operates across all major industry sectors and at all levels of seniority. Also providing HR outsourcing solutions for staffing and payroll,overseas employment and

education services.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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listings

fashion By Christina Yu

FASHION RULES Model Behaviour Recently I had the pleasure of working with supermodel Ha Vu Anh and I must admit that the experience was exhilarating. It is unusual to work with a model who is not only professional but also charming and graceful on and off camera. I left the shoot feeling slightly enthralled with her whole persona, not to mention thrilled at her performance in the shoot.

Models in Vietnam have come a long way. My first fashion shoot was in Hanoi around 1998. I asked my staff to get me a famous model here in Vietnam. When she turned up for the shoot, I had no idea what to expect. She had nice features but wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous. I flew in a British photographer, William Furniss, for the shoot and borrowed fabulous gowns from my renowned Hong Kong designer friend Barney Cheng.

The whole shoot was done in black and white and there was a rugged glamour to it when we juxtaposed fabulous couture gowns against a backdrop of shabby eateries and buildings.

It was difficult, though, to get our model to have the right look due to the language and cultural barrier.

She never complained – possibly because she couldn’t.

In the years since, I have come across so many popular models that seem to look the same to me. They are all tall, lanky, pretty and really care about what they look like on the show: so much so that some would refuse to wear what was 68 asialife HCMC

organised because they did not like it or it did not fit (as they had not come in for the fitting ahead of time). After the show and the change, they would squat on the sidewalk and talk on their phones. So much for model grooming. But sure enough, 10 years down the line, everywhere you turn in a high-end restaurant is a model or talent in waiting.

I guess I am the privileged one. In the early 90s, I covered European fashion shows and brushed shoulders with the likes of Elle McPherson, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer – they really defined the word supermodel. It was not just because they were striking in real life, but you could feel their persona and their sensuality as they sashayed down the catwalk. They created a powerful kind of energy, they were great actresses and every show they did was a blockbuster. Off the catwalk, they held their grace and poise, and looked as glamorous as one would expect.

I have yet to see, or experience again, another similar model moment since, but my Ha Vu Anh experience came pretty close.

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.

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3 Thang 2 D1 Alexandre de Rhodes C4 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan C1, C2, D2, D3 Ban Co D1 Ben Chuong Duong E4 Ben Van Don E4, E5 Bui Thi Xuan D3 Bui Vien E3 Cach Mang Thang Tam C1, D2, D3 Calmette E4 Cao Ba Nha E3 Cao Thang D1, D2, E2 Chu Manh Trinh C4, C5 Co Bac E3 Co Giang E3 De Tham E3 Dien Bien Phu B4, C3, C2, D1, D2 Dinh Cong Trang B3 Dinh Tien Hoang B3, B4, C4 Do Quang Dau E3 Do Thanh D1 Doan Nhu Hai E5 Doan Van Bo E4, E5 Dong Du D5 Dong Khoi C4, D4, D5 Hai Cua B5 Huynh Tinh Cua B2 Huynh Van Banh B1 Khanh Hoi E4 Ky Con B3, C3, C4, D5 Hai Trieu C5 Ham Nghi D4, C5 Han Thuyen C4 Ho Hao Hon E3 Ho Huan Nghiep D5 Ho Tung Mau D4, D5 Ho Xuan Huong C3, D2 Hoa Hung B1 Hoang Dieu E4, E5 Hung Vuong E1 Huyen Tran Cong Chua D3 Huynh Man Dat B5 Huynh Thuc Khang D4 Ky Dong C1, C2 Le Cong Kieu D4 Le Duan C4, C5 Le Hong Phong D1 Le Lai C3, C4, D3 Le Loi D4 Le Quoc Hung E4, E5 Le Quy Don C3 Le Thanh Ton C4, C5, D3, D4 Le Thi Hong Gam D4, E3, E4 Le Thi Rieng D3 Le Van Phuc B3 Le Van Sy C1, C2 Luong Huu Khanh D2, E2 Luu Van Lang D4 Ly Chinh Thang B2, C2 Ly Thai To E1 Ly Tu Trong C4, C5, D4, D5 Mac Dinh Chi B3, C4 Mac Thi Buoi D5 Mai Thi Luu B4 Mai Van Ngoc B1 Me Linh B5 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia B2, C2, C3, D4, E4 Ngo Duc Ke D5 Ngo Thoi Nhiem C2, D2 Ngo Van Nam C5 Nguyen Binh Khiem B4, B5, C5 Nguyen Cong Tru E4 Nguyen Cu Trinh E2, E3 Nguyen Dinh Chieu B4, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 Nguyen Dinh Chinh B1

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HBO Now This new stand-alone service allows iPhone users to stream many original HBO series as well as the latest hit movies with nothing more than an internet connection. The app is open to anyone, not just HBO subscribers, adding a new level of convenience from HBO. New users receive a 30-day free trial, with subscription costing just USD $14.99 per month afterwards.

VLC

Highball

A free and open-source multimedia player that plays most types of files.

Features a media library for audio and video files and allows users to browse folders directly. The app is currently in beta form, but is a must if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had problems opening media files on your phone.

An app which lets users collect and share cocktail recipes. Simply choose the ingredients, description and custom drink image for each recipe, and then share a 'drink recipe card' on your preferred social network. You can also add drinks from the appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curated library, meaning you should never be wanting for choice when making an after-work drink.

Volume Analyzer

Ultratext

Google Fit

Measures the volume around you and relays information such as decibels and a reference sound with comparable volume.

Handy for professionals who need to measure sounds or just anyone who is curious about their surroundings. This may prove especially useful in noisy Saigon.

Ultratext quickly creates GIFs that can be sent via MMS and iMessage. Your text is converted into a flashing neon message with letters capitalized. It is also possible to accessorize your message with emojis and selfies to add even more of a personal touch.

This classic helps you track your exercise and achieve your fitness goals. Just carry your phone and access your walking, running or cycling activity. Set goals and connect to third party devices and apps to get all of your data in one place. The app can also recommend ways to reach your fitness goals.

72 asialife HCMC

noi chung la toi kha quyet tam theo duoi muc tieu va co hoi khac nhau o bat ky vi tri nao Ngôn từ tạo nên khác biệt.

Khoá huấn luyện Copywriting Chuyên Sâu đầu tiên tại Sài Gòn đang chờ đón những cây bút trẻ ưu tú. Hãy chứng tỏ tài năng của bạn thông qua Những Bức Thư Ứng tuyển cho những người đang tìm việc.

Với tác phẩm xuất sắc nhất, bạn sẽ có cơ hội trở thành Copywriter của Happiness Saigon – một thành viên của công ty sáng tạo hàng đầu.

www.giupnguoithatnghiep.vn Chương trình được tổ chức bởi

Cùng các đối tác đồng hành

sound fix

The Very Best Makes a King As I was listening to this album, my boyfriend wandered into the room and asked what he was hearing: “The very best of what?” Although their name may end with the superlative, in a way the duo has set out to create the very best of AfroEuropean pop. Their third album was recorded in the

Malawian village of M’dala Chikowa, features the chants of local musicians and includes an appearance by Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal. But it was in London that Swedish DJ Johan Hugo and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya met, and their sound is equally tuned to what’s palatable in the West. Fortunately, Makes a King doesn’t come off as culturally appropriating but rather reverent and from the heart. Compared to The Very Best’s previous albums, this one is less dance-oriented, although electro-jams 'Sweka' and 'Mariana' will still inspire movement. However, The Very Best are at their best when sounding organic, particularly when honey-voiced Mwamwaya sings in Chichewa, a Malawian language.

album review

by Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen

Bop English Constant Bop Whereas some musicians craft their music out of torment and tears, James Petralli embraces unembarrassed elation. The lead singer of White Denim, Petralli strikes out on his own for a solo effort as Bop English. It’s a rollicking pop rock record, with the Texan musician’s enjoyment of the ride imprinted on each

track, from the beat-driven, seemingly familiar-at-first-listen opening 'Dani’s Blues' through the anthemic closing 'LongDistance Runner'. Melodies are bold and breezy, with impulses of 1960s and 1970s psychedelia.

It would seem Petralli is a fan of the British Invasion, taking notes from late Beatles and Herman’s Hermits, but also folding in complementary, twangy traces of what one might call Americana. On 'Falling at Your Feet', he weaves in a Simon & Garfunkel-like ballad. And then he occasionally throws in a jazzy passage, with sparky riffs and drumrolls, which gives the impression of being brilliantly improvised.

He’s the type of rascal that succeeds in turning work into play, with a gift for making irrepressible music.

Young Fathers

This Is the Kit Bashed Out

On 'Vitamins', This Is the Kit’s Kate Stables sings about “all we need”: green leaves, the sea, a place to be. She croons that these things will “sort you right out”. With these lyrics, delivered in her mesmeric, elfin voice, Stables makes a compelling case for simplicity. English-born, France-based Kate Stables is the frontwoman of This Is the Kit, whose membership has varied since the project’s debut album in 2008.

Bashed Out is This Is the Kit’s third effort, a continuation of the homespun folk-pop sound Stables has sharply honed over the years. Comparisons can be drawn to Joni Mitchell, although This Is the Kit works towards more fluid narratives. With Aaron Dessner of the National’s gentle production, their music floats on strains of Staples’ agile guitar and banjo and collaborator Jesse D. Vernon on violin, among other instruments, but soothing vocals are at its core. By embodying the purity championed in their lyrics, This Is the Kit sends a quietly powerful message.

74 asialife HCMC

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Last year, the Mercury Prize panel made an unexpected choice. The award was given to Young Fathers, a Scottish hip-hop trio that was underwhelming in album sales but outstanding in vision. With the group’s second album, the provocatively named White Men Are Black Men Too, Young Fathers proves their win was no fluke. To describe the group’s music as hip-hop is narrowing: although rhythmic sensibilities are central, it’s hard to compare their soul, rock and electronic textures to any rappers out there. For starters, the track 'Shame' evokes a Kings of Leon number with its freewheeling cries and underlying anxiety. The album succeeds in making you think, making you feel and making you want to dance. The cerebral aspect comes from the desire of the trio – which includes Liberian-Ghanaian, American-Nigerian and Scottish members – to promote dialogues about race. The combination of politically conscious lyrics and multilayered, resonant sound will earn the group even more honors to come.

io

White Men Are Black Men Too

The Beat

Gig List

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

2 May, 2pm

Da N a n g M u sic F es ti va l Entry: VND 300,000 VND350,000

Sundays

from 5pm AHOY! - M ar it ime M u sic Wit h El Capita n

27

@ Observatory Disco/Funk/Tropical Entry: Free

@ Cargo Bar Hard rock Entry: VND 350,000

Wednesdays

May, 7:30pm L ittl e B a r r ie

8pm Ope n M ic Nig h t @ Outcast Entry: Free

SOAK Up the Sounds

By Samia El-Balawi SOAK is no longer just another average word but the definition of an emerging young artist who instantly captures the hearts and minds of anyone who has had the pleasure of coming across her profound sound. SOAK is a combination of the words ‘SOul And folK’, which simply and yet so perfectly describes the heartfelt and haunting nature of Bridie Monds-Watson’s unique and sincere songwriting skills.

Hailing from Derry in northern Ireland, she is only 18 years old.

Bridie first picked up a guitar at the age of 12 after her brother received one as a Christmas present and proceeded to learn Deep Purple’s 'Smoke on the Water'. In an effort to compete with her sibling, she quickly learned tablature and the song, soon realising that she really enjoyed her newfound hobby. And so began her relationship with what would become her forte: creating beautiful music. SOAK cites Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon as her favourite album of all time, as well as drawing upon other musical influences of the past including Joni Mitchell and Led Zeppelin.

Recently signed to Rough Trade records, who spotted SOAK playing at Glastonbury in 2014, she is set to release her 14-song debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, on 1

June 2015. SOAK’s style has a sense of innocence, reflected in her tender and sometimes high-pitched vocals that gently lull the listener deeper into her distinctive way of looking at the world.

There is also a sense of sadness to some of SOAK’s songs evident in tracks such as 'B a noBody' and 'Blud', but at the same time there is an underlying positivity that can be heard.

'Sea Creatures', the latest single from her upcoming debut album, tells the tale of a friend who is experiencing a hard time at school while trying to tell her that all will one day be OK. This is an example of yet another track that portrays purity and honesty in a way that only SOAK can.

These beautiful songs are just a taste of what’s to come and if there is one thing that can be guaranteed, SOAK’s songs will bring a range of emotions to the surface. So brace yourselves for 1 June, when a record that will deserve a spot on your shelf in years to come will be released.

SOAK is playing a variety of gigs and festivals across the United Kingdom and Europe over the coming months. You can find further information relating to those tour dates, learn more about the musician herself and have a listen to SOAK on her official website, SoakMusic.net.

asialife HCMC 75

odd one out...

For normal, welladjusted people, this is meant to be an exercise in creative thinking, nothing more.

76 asialife HCMC

If we're being honest, I spend a lot of time on Craigslist.

Not because I'm searching for new apartments or rideshares but because, like all expats, I'm open to new possibilities.

Rather than accept life as it is, I've been known to while away an afternoon wondering what it would be like to live in Manila doing customer service calls or work as a plumber in Sao Paulo. This is wanderlust in the digital age.

And what better place to imagine a new reality for yourself than on Craigslist, the scourge of job posting websites? You can visit a travel blog, sure, or an expat website, but what you get is all the pros and none of the cons. When in doubt about a city's true local colour, the answer – good, bad and completely bewildering – lies within Craigslist's missed connections. For me, this is how best to gauge a place from

Dana Filek-Gibson dreams up a new life for herself using the power of the internet.

afar. Only within this dark corner of the internet do you see all the eccentricities and mental instability of a city in one uniform location.

The idea is simple: spend a few lost hours online, Googling and surfing the web for jobs and houses and all the other practicalities you might need to build a pretend life in another place. Because I am easily persuaded, all it takes is a few read-throughs of a Craigslist job posting and I can think up a few dozen ways in which I am qualified to work as a certified accountant in Tijuana or an event planner in Bismarck. Let that idea germinate a little longer and before you know it I've found an affordable flight, my desired accommodation and two months' worth of activities in my new home.

For the most part, this is just for entertainment; good read-

ing material isn't exactly abundant in Saigon so sometimes it pays to invent your own stories. For normal, well-adjusted people, this is meant to be an exercise in creative thinking, nothing more. But because I've learned how to land in a foreign country with little money, limited work experience and no friends to speak of, everything seems possible.

And so I file away these fake identities so that next time life gets me down and I've overslept myself into a feverish haze I can say: “Well, there's always that yoga instructor/ shoeshine/stamp collector position in Nicaragua/Mumbai/ Palm Springs!”

L ette r f r o m

Hanoi — N o st a l g i a —

Hanoians are famous for nostalgia. Being the great storytellers that they are, there are myriad poems, paintings, folk tales and other art forms depicting the sentimental beauty attached to this city. Despite – or sometimes because of – the drastic modernisation witnessed over the past few decades, there remains a pride in the certainty that Hanoi is, and always has been, a city of unsurpassed charm and romance.

From the moment I arrived in April 2013 I, too, found this charm impossible to resist.

Don’t get me wrong: there are plenty of aspects of life in this city that irritate me.

Truth be told, there are moments when I have wondered what it is with the sprawling suburbs, crowded streets, temperamental weather and questionable driving techniques that allows this city to still be considered charming. In the end, however, Hanoi is a good seductress: she woos with imagery and flirts with imagination, captures hearts and stimulates minds, persuading one to overlook her flaws.

Upon a recent rereading of my early blog posts, I discovered that I still get a kick out of many things I originally loved about Hanoi. From babies in bicycle baskets to unidentified squealing animals toted around on the handlebars of a scooter to toads in a bowl on the footpath – a new take on toadin-a-hole – there are some Hanoi quirks that never cease to enchant me.

Katie Jacobs says goodbye to the capital.

As my day of departure nears, I find myself in limbo. I have not yet left – although by the time this is published I will have – but I’m not quite here anymore. Unable to fathom a life back in the US, where my days won’t begin with dog walks through parks of dancing couples, nor end with beer drunk on tiny plastic stools, I don’t want to start packing up my home. Yet I already feel that my too brief participation in this city is over.

I will lead my final walking history tour for Friends of Vietnam Heritage, submit the last of the magazine articles, hand over my projects and finish my final column.

Summer is commencing as I book my flights and fret about moving details, such as how much we will have to pay for the furniture our dog, Marmalade, has chewed.

Winter drizzle is turning to heavy rain showers, the damp street drying quickly in the hot sun. Perhaps it is these changes that give the city her charm. Seasons change in cities around the world but in no other have I felt and smelled and seen the changes as intimately as I do here. I cannot think of a more succinct way – nor a more nostalgic one – to sum up my time here than to highlight my favorite parts of the seasons. Hen gap lai, Ha Noi! Summer Feel – Damp, always. Bare legs sticking to taxi

seats, sweat running down my back as I ride the scooter.

See – Lakes of lotuses flowing in the morning sunshine.

Autumn Feel – The rare combination of sun and low humidity as I walk Marmalade in the park.

Hanoi actually looks like the postcards.

Hear – The sound of “Ai ca phe nao!” echoing through empty streets at midnight.

Winter Feel – Fog — and pollution — and endless drizzle turning the city into a watercolour painting as the liquid sky hangs heavy overhead.

Smell – Cold dampness penetrating through cracks in the windows, seeping into furniture and making everything smell of mothballs.

Spring Feel – The happiness of spotting bicycles laden with mounds of floral colour, the yellow roses smiling at the still sleeping lilies.

See - Trees laden with orange fruit and spindly branches full of pink blossoms weaving their way through traffic.

asialife HCMC 77

Round 1

Words 1. Hasta la vista means ‘goodbye’ in which language?

2. Boyzone had a UK hit in 1996 with the song ‘Words’. Who sang the orginial?

3. Which military word is also a collective noun for a group of baboons?

4. In which year was Microsoft Word first released?

5. Which seven-letter word is the longest word in the top 100 most commonly used words in the English language?

Round 2

Numbers 6. How many prime numbers are there between 0 and 100?

7. In traditional rugby numbering, what shirt number would a scrum half be?

8. Michael Phelps has the most amount of Olympic medals. How many?

9. In The Hobbit, how many dwarves travelled from Hobbiton with Bilbo?

10. How many different Roman numerals are still used?

Thông tin du lịch và văn hoá ở Việt Nam ASIALIFE HCMC 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 Thực hiện liên kết xuất bản: Công ty CP TT QC AsiaLIFE Media In 2,000 cuốn, khổ 20,5cm x 27cm tại Công ty ITAXA địa chỉ 126 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Q3.

Giấy ĐKXB số: 511 - 2015 /CXBIPH/08 - 15/ThT Quyết định xuất bản số 89/QĐ-NXBTT, cấp ngày 22/04/2015 In xong và nộp lưu chiểu tháng 05/2015

Round 3

AsiaLIFE Media Advertising Communications JSC 2 Street 11, Thao Dien Ward, District 2

Shapes 11. What is the name of the square that the British soap Eastenders is set around?

12. What is the name for a nine-sided shape?

13. Which famous landmark was known as Khufus Horizon?

14. Dagonet, The Green Knight and Leodegrance were lesser known people who sat at which famous place?

15. In which US state is the Pentagon located?

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Round 4

Places

Round 5

Sounds 21. What does the Italian word adagio translate to in English?

22. Who was the character played by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music?

23. What are Foley sounds made for?

24. Which London nightclub founded in 1991 is now a major record label?

25. Which American rock band is lead by Chris Cornell?

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: Spanish, The Beegees, Troop, 1983, Because Round 2: 25, 7, 22, 13, 7 Round 3: Albert Square, Nonagon, Pyramid of Giza, King Arthur’s Court (Round Table), Virginia Round 4: Philadelphia, Palestine (Israel), 13, Plaice, Spain Round 5: Slowly (at ease), Maria Von Trapp, Movie sounds, The Ministry of Sound, Soundcloud

16. The Liberty Bell is located in which US city?

17. The legendary city of Jericho is found in which modern day country?

18. How many African countries does the equator pass though?

19. Which species of fish comes in European, American, Alaskan and Scale Eye varieties?

20. Which country has the lowest age of sexual consent in Europe at 13?

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Pub Quiz Answers

78 asialife HCMC

Why we love out of the box Energized Engaged Empowered

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

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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.

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