AsiaLIFE Vietnam october 2015

AsiaLIFE Media Vol. 91

I Am William a transgender life

CAMBODIA // THAILAND // VIETNAM

OCTOBER 2015

VOLUME 91

This Month's Cover Photography: Vinh Dao

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

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

Art Director

Deputy Editor

Tam Doan tam@asialifemagazine.com Photo Editor

Lorcan Lovett lorcan@asialifemagazine.com Style Editor

Vinh Dao photoeditor@asialifemagazine.com

Ruben Luong ruben@asialifemagazine.com

Production Manager Hoa Nguyen nguyenhoa@asialifehcmc.com

Nguyen Hanh Trinh trinh.nguyen@asialifehcmc.com

F OO D & D R I N K

EVENTS . . .............................................................. 0 4 TOP 5: chicken wings . . ............................... 1 0 Q &A Mark Bowyer .......................................................... 1 4

D2 sports pub

PHOTO ESSAY

Koto

C ov e r Sto ry I AM WILLIAM

Living transgender .. .................................................. 2 0

F e at u r e s heady mix

Saigon’s new pop-up cocktail bar ........................... 2 4

new money

Richard Branson visits Vietnam ................................ 2 6

Kieu Khanh Toan khanhtoan@asialifehcmc.com

Administrator

Front

Chasing a New Future ............................................ 1 6

Sales Assistant

Sport and cold beer. . ............................................... 4 0

bamboo chic

Contemporary Asian cuisine.................................... 4 1 Fine food with a cause............................................. 4 2

Hu Tieu nam vang lien hua

Cambodian-style noodles. . ....................................... 4 3

S TYLE & D E S I G N Highway 23 Hand-cr afted leather . . ........................................ 4 4

wild tussah

Ethnic minority handbags......................................... 4 6

C OLU M N S

COLOURING FOR ADULTS

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

health & wellness

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

Get creative............................................................. 3 0 Blinded by a bargain................................................. 3 2

T r av e l

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

Breathing for Inner Peace

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

Burning man

FASHION field notes ........................................ 6 8

I Am vietnam - boutique hotel

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

A meditation retreat in the city ............................... 3 4 Art and community in the desert. . ........................... 3 6 Relaxing Weekend Getaway..................................... 3 8 4 asialife HCMC

PEOPLE MATTER ....................................................... 6 6 Sub-topical heat ................................................ 7 6

ABC International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Official Tel: (84.8.) 5431 1833 ABC International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Official Tel: (84.8.) 5431 1833

www.theabcis.com www.theabcis.com

University Destinations Class of 2015 Nguyen Phuong Phuong Dinh Dinh Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Computer Science Science Computer

University of of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA USA University

Na Eun Eun Jin Jin Na Design Design

Seoul National National University, University, Seoul South Korea Korea South

Thuy Duong Duong Dang Dang Thuy Mathematics Mathematics

University College College London, London, UK UK University

Ho Moon Moon JiJi Ho Vietnamese Language Language and and History History Vietnamese

HCMC University, University, Vietnam Vietnam HCMC

Thien Di Di Nguyen Nguyen (Alice) (Alice) Thien

Quang Truc Truc Vi Vi Nguyen Nguyen (Kate) (Kate) Quang

Illustration Illustration

Biochemistry Biochemistry

University of of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany Germany University

University of of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada Canada University

Hai Quan Quan Nguyen Nguyen Hai

Giulia Zavagno Zavagno Giulia

Hoang Phuong Phuong Duyen DuyenDong Dong Hoang

BusinessAdministration Administration Business

Biology Biology

BusinessMarketing Marketing Business

European University, University, Munich Munich European

Ha Neul Neul Park Park Ha Events Management Management Events

University of of Northampton, Northampton, UK UK University

University of of Durham, Durham, UK UK University

Bao Tran Tran Lim Lim Bao

Boi San San Ho Ho Boi

History History

MolecularBiology Biology Molecular

King’s College College London, London, UK UK King’s

Maisie Leung Leung Maisie

Bao Ngoc Ngoc Le Le Nguyen Nguyen (Christine) (Christine) Bao

Videography and and Photography Photography Videography

Fashion Merchandising Merchandising Fashion

The Art Art Institute Institute of of California, California, The San Francisco, Francisco, USA USA San

Quang Huy Huy Tran Tran Quang Computer Engineering Engineering Computer

San Diego Diego State State University, University, USA USA San

Nanyang Technological Technological University, University, Nanyang Singapore Singapore

Academy of of Art Art University, University, USA USA Academy

Kha Han Han Le Le (Kelly) (Kelly) Kha Fashion Design Design Fashion

Parson’s School School of of Design, Design, USA USA Parson’s

University of of Colorado, Colorado, Boulder Boulder University

Tuong Nhan Nhan Nguyen Nguyen Tuong Computer Science Science and and Economics Economics Computer (DoubleMajor) Major) (Double

University of of California, California, University Davis, USA USA Davis,

Wen Ju Ju Tseng Tseng Wen Textile and and Fashion Fashion Design Design Textile

Central Saint Saint Martin’s Martin’s University, University, Central UK UK

Bao Kiet Kiet Truong Truong Bao

Naomi Hua Hua Naomi

Tzu Yu Yu Wang Wang (Juliette) (Juliette) Tzu

Sports and and Exercise Exercise Sciences Sciences Sports

Advertising Advertising

Graphic Design Design Graphic

University of of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK UK University

The Art Art Institute Institute of of California, California, The San Francisco, Francisco, USA USA San

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

Maryland Institute Institute College College of of Art, Art, Maryland USA USA

events

2– 4 OCT, 7pm

Saigon Urban Flea Market @Saigon Outcast Entry:VND 20,000

Enjoy the sunset views as you shop well into the night at this open air event.You can even do a spot of dancing. www.saigonoutcast.com

TIAGO @The Observatory Entry:VND 150,000

Portuguese DJ veteran TIAGO creates a percussive audio aesthetic that drives through an expanse of diverse soundscapes for revellers. www.facebook.com/theobservatoryhcmc

Oktoberfest @Brotzeit Restaurant Entry:VND 1,650,000

The party includes a German buffet with a free flow of beer plus dances, prize competitions and entertainment provided by DJs and Corazon Latin band. www.brotzeit.co

Khoi Song exhibition @Galerie Quynh Entry: TBC

Hanoi-based artist Ha Manh Thang displays his ongoing engagement with Vietnam’s culture and history. www.citynetevents.com/saigon/events

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11 OCT, 2PM –9pm 9 OCT, 9pm 1–31 OCT, ALL DAY

events

A Fictional Journey: Trong Lee @Vin Gallery Entry: Free

15 OCT, 9PM–2AM

The original drawings of artist and architect Trong Le whose work is inspired by Saigon. www.anyarena.com/en/events

Hip Hop Take Down @Chill Sky Bar Entry: Free

A night of hiphop plus a big dance off involving many upcoming movers and shakers. www.anyarena.com/en/events

Lush Ladies Night @Lush Entry: Free Ladies drink free until 12 while DJ Lan and DJ Vu keep the party going, spinning the best in hip hop and mashups. www.facebook.com/LushSaigon

Thanksgiving Family Dinner @Park Hyatt

Entry:VND 1,250,000 / Child VND 335,000 An annual Thanksgiving Dinner welcomes families for fun, thanksgiving and great prizes to win. www.citynetevents.com/saigon/events

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15 OCT, 7PM–2AM 12 OCT, 6pm–10PM

16 OCT, ALL DAY

24 oct, 9pm - 11.45pm

Party In Pink @Royal Hotel Saigon Entry:VND 300,000 The ‘Party in Pink’ event invites you to dance with Zumba instructors while raising money for the Breast Cancer Network.

www. citynetevents.com/

31 oct, 7.30Am–12am

La Mammies @The Observatory Entry:VND 150,000

AmCham Palooza Party @Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel Entry:VND 150,000 for non-members

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A platform to develop new friendships, networking opportunities and information exchange. www.citynetevents.com/saigon/events

Live action game where there is a race of life and death between zombie players and human players, naturally, followed by an after party.

Zombie Park @Cresent Mall Entry: TBC

28 oct, 6pm–8.30pm

Paris-based DJs La Mammies bring tailored quality vinyl sounds to Vietnam, promising a night to remember. www.facebook.com/ theobservatoryhcmc

24 oct, 8.30am–5.30pm

Top 5

CHICKEN WINGS Theres something to be said about that vestigial appendage that is the humble chicken wing. Like most parts of the flightless fowl, it can be prepared all sorts of ways. Vinh Dao and Brett Davis travelled far and wide throughout the city to give you our top five places to get your wing fix.

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1 GAME ON Probably the most famous of wings hail from Buffalo. These deep fried goodies are as ubiquitous to sports bars as pitchers of cheap beer. There are a bunch of places that do buffalo wings in Ho Chi Minh City. We’ve pretty much had them all and found the wings at Game On the best in town. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the thermonuclear red vinegary Franks Red Hot Sauce clings onto the wings perfectly. Licking your fingers isn’t just optional, it’s a must with these wings. Accompanying the wings is the obligatory celery/carrot/blue cheese garnish.

Orders are done via six, 12, or 18 wings.

115 Ho Tung Mau, District 1

2 BANH XEO 46A Oddly enough, we find the best Canh Ga Nuoc Mam in town at a place that is known in the Lonely Planet for a completely different dish. Yes, we know, Banh Xeo 46A is a bit of a tourist trap but do yourself a favour and order these wings the next time you are entertaining out of town friends. The smell of potent fish sauce based glaze can be offputting but take a bite and you will be converted. The perfect amount of sweet and savoury with little flecks of finely chopped garlic in the mix makes for a heady combination. The portion is quite large, even with the inclusion of the most useless of the useless, the wing tip.

46 Dinh Cong Trang, District 1

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3 b.o.c One doesn’t usually put tom yum and chicken wings in the same breath. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad combination as B.O.C. has shown us. The Thai-inspired dish is a deal at VND 55,000 for a portion of six wings with a refreshing side salad. The skin of the wings were the crunchiest we had in the bunch with B.O.C.’s special flour mixture. Thankfully, the meat managed to stay moist and tender. The punchy tom yum sauce wasn’t too spicy as one might expect with hints of ginger and lemongrass with each bite.

43 Nguen Van Giai, District 1

4 Quan Ga Nuong Anh Tuyet

5 TAVERN

It might seem wrong that we’ve mentioned this hole in the wall in a previous issue but if wrong tastes this good, I don’t want to be right. Walking up to the joint, one can see that grilling is king here. And the wings reflect that. The crisp, slightly charred skin belies the tender juicy meat on the inside. The chicken is marinated in a fish sauce/ sugar concoction that most Vietnamese restaurants use. And it’s used to good effect as the flavour punches through the smoky skin to complement the wings.

For those that live in the far­-flung outpost that is Phu My Hung in District 7, there is still salvation for wing lovers. At this venerable watering hole they serve up deep­fried buffalo­ style wings but with a selection of six different sauces. You can go hot or mild, zingy Asian, spicy garlic, spicy BBQ (a personal favourite), Caribbean jerk, or just plain old plain. Orders come in half­-dozen, 12 or 24, while a platter of crudites with ranch dressing is an optional extra.

71 Ngo Tat To, District 1

R224 Bui Bang Doan, D7

From October 01 to October 31, 2015

Indulge in a wide selection of succulent beefsteaks cooked to your liking and enhanced with our chef’s special sauces that surely satisfy any steak lover in town.

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

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MARK BOWYER

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The founder and operator of travel guide Rusty Compass, Mark Bowyer, has been working in the travel business in South East Asia for more than two decades. He talks to Brett Davis about the evolution of his website and the ups and downs of the local travel industry. Photo by Vinh Dao. Before Rusty Compass, you founded and ran a small-group travel company Travel Indochina, what were the most important things you learnt about the region during those years?

From my first visit to Vietnam in 1990, it was pretty clear that Vietnam was at the beginning of an incredible new journey. And I was very excited about the prospect of watching the new Vietnam and a new South East Asia taking shape. I was swept off my feet by the place. I wanted to be here.

So while the travel industry was completely unknown to me, starting a travel company seemed like a pretty good idea.

And it was.

Your website started as a blog about your travels, when did you realise it could grow into something more?

I think I always intended to try and transition from a conventional blog into more of an independent travel guide with independent recommendations as well as galleries and videos, and with navigation that make sense to travellers. Two or three years ago, things started to come together and the traffic to the site started to grow.

This year we’ll receive around 350 thousand unique visitors.

You have a fairly strict policy of independence about the places you list on Rusty Compass, why is that?

One of the annoying things about most travel information online is, it’s simply advertising parading as reviews and recommendations. So travellers are wary and looking for information they can trust.

I’m trying to provide the kind of trusted recommendations and insights you’d seek from a friend who lives in a place you’re visiting. Readers can sense that too. It doesn’t mean you’re always right and it doesn’t always endear you to the places you write about, but at least we’re trying to cultivate trust and it seems to be striking a chord.

You recently took issue with some of TripAdvisor’s recommendations, about Hanoi particularly. Why was that?

With so much changing so quickly in the region, how do you manage to keep up with creating all the content for the site?

TripAdvisor’s a wonderful concept. But it would have been much better in an integrity focused Wikipedia style culture, rather than a business and sales focused corporate culture. There are so many problems with its Vietnam and Cambodia recommendations.

Hotels and restaurants constantly complain to me that scamming is rife.

The blog pieces you refer to, focused on the improbably high placement of a handful

Basically I’m constantly travelling which I still love, even after so many years. The big places like Hanoi, Saigon, Hoi An and Siem Reap need several visits each year.

Some of the smaller places naturally get less attention.

It’s impossible to be perfectly up to date, especially if you visit everywhere first hand.

But we try pretty damned hard. And we’re in the midst of a comprehensive refresh of Vietnam information right now.

“Everybody in Vietnam has a story. I’d rate those encounters as the things that keep me most absorbed when I travel here.” of Hanoi hotels in TripAdvisor’s listings.

According to the TripAdvisor list, Hanoi is home to five of the world’s best 25 and to seven of Asia’s best 10 hotels for service.

When you consider how many fantastic hotels there are in the world, in Asia and elsewhere in Vietnam, these lists aren’t credible.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Rusty Compass covers Vietnam and Cambodia, but you have plans to expand to other countries in the region?

Yes, I’m working on Laos right now.

Have spent a couple of wonderful months reacquainting myself with Laos this year and last and will start publishing material in the coming months. Burma will follow from there.

What have been some of the most eyeopening or unique places you have visited in Vietnam over the years?

Vietnam’s far north around Ha Giang has some of the most dramatic landscapes anywhere in Asia. The ethnic minority cultures are also fascinating. And tourism is still in its infancy so it’s a very special area to visit.

But I also delight in the small stuff, chatting with locals, watching the changes and local life. Everybody in Vietnam has a story.

I’d rate those encounters as the things that keep me most absorbed when I travel here.

What do you think makes for a very special travel experience, something more than just the everyday tourist encounters?

It sounds boring, but nothing beats a bit of reading before you go to add life to your travels. A little historical and cultural insight adds so much to any experience of a new place.

Once you’re on the ground, how you get around is key. Walking is the best way to experience a place. I love a long day of walking in a new place. It’s the way you get a sense of real character. Cycling comes in second. Motorbikes are third, I think you get the picture. I’d love to see Vietnam make a more serious effort to enable safe walking and cycling for tourists.

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Chasing a new

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Calais in the north of France has been in the international spotlight as refugees attempt to cross the English Channel. Over a period of two months, photojournalist Romain Garrigue went into a camp not far from the border crossing to document the daily lives of people seeking a better life.

A refugee hikes up a hill which overlooks the traffic on the highway. There, they can observe traffic holdups which are opportune times to jump on lorries heading to England.

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Smokestacks from a paint factory looms in the background of the camp.

When the wind shifts, the smoke blows into the camp, causing health problems.

As there are no garbage services available, refugees take to burning trash in an attempt to clean up the camp.

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Fire is everything to the refugees as the cold French winter sets in.

Youssef, an interior designer from Sudan has been in the camp for six months. After repeated attempts at crossing, he has stopped trying and is seeking asylum in France.

Laughter is the best medicine as some refugees make jokes around a campfire.

A toothbrush and toothpaste are strapped on top of a tent.

A sign at the camp. asialife HCMC 19

WILLIAM

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Born female, but always feeling ‘a little different’, William represents a small but increasingly confident group of transgender people in Vietnam. He speaks to Claudia Davaar Lambie.

“What can I get for you?” asks the bartender, eager to please his ever thirsty customers. The busy bar in downtown Saigon is packed but we’ve managed to find a few seats at the bar. Ordering my cocktail, I begin chatting to one of the bar staff.

About five minutes into the conversation I ask his name. “I am William,” he replies; a huge smile appearing across his face.

William, 24, is from a small province outside of Ho Chi Minh City. He moved to Saigon six years ago to study Hospitality Management at one of the city’s universities and now works at a bar in District 1; pursuing his passion for mixology.

William, of course, was not born as William. He was born female, and remains genetically so, but as a transgender person identifies as the opposite.

Since he was a child, he has always felt a little different to his peers. “I [have] always liked wearing t-shirts, jeans and hats and played soccer with the boys. When I was 14, I had feelings towards another girl

classmate at school and felt that [it] was unnatural.”

It took four years until William recognised that he was, in fact, transgender and at 18 eventually came out as his true self. He explains that during adolescence he was very confused about his gender and sexuality. “I thought I had a disease because it wasn’t natural and I felt hopeless.” Luckily, information on English language websites quashed this belief and William slowly began to realise that he was ‘normal’.

Interestingly, in Vietnamese there is no specific word for ‘transgender’. Instead the word lưỡng tính which translates into ‘same sex’ or ‘homosexual’ refers to the LGBT community as a whole. Therefore, there is no distinction made between those members of the LGBT community; everyone is grouped together. The reason for this is that Vietnam’s patriarchal culture traditionally focuses upon male homosexuality. This causes confusion for William trying to pinpoint who he is and where he fits in to society. He considers himself heterosexual (he’s a bit of a ladies man, with three women on the go) but he identifies himself as a gay man due to translation limitations. He thinks that there should be a specific word for ‘transgender’ in the Vietnamese language. This would be the first step in helping people define who they are.

However, Vietnam has come a long way in being recognised as one of the most progressive countries in South East Asia with regards to transgender issues. In August the Ministry of Health publicly urged the government to consider legalising sex reassignment surgery. This would be a huge

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step for transgender people in the country.

According to government data there are around 500,000 transgender people in Vietnam, with an estimated 1,000 of them having undergone the operation already. In Asia, Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal legally allow sex-change operations.

William knows a handful of people like himself in Ho Chi Minh City and feels generally comfortable in his own skin and dayto-day life here. At university he studied a module in Gender Development and this helped himself and his fellow classmates understand the complexities in more depth; something he is grateful for. He has many friends who are supportive of how he has chosen to live his life.

Respect is a common thread that runs throughout our conversation. His friends and colleagues are respectful towards him and he gives this in return. Being accepted is very important to him and he explains that “people love me because I am myself”.

In terms of accessing employment as a transgender person, William’s stance on this is inspiring as he explains, “My ability is what is important not my gender. Those that understand me will hire me. I can try my best [at my job].” William has been working ever since he graduated. However, he does think that there are specific sectors that are more favourable for transgender people. “I could never work in finance or banking, the people are too serious and wouldn’t understand me,” he says. “In hospitality, I can be myself and in the [hospitality] field there are a lot of homosexuals like me.”

Current legislation in Vietnam prohibits those who identify as a different gender from changing their name on any legal documentation except if the person is born as intersex. The Ministry of Health has also suggested amendments to the Civil Code

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that would allow transgender people to change their name on official documents.

The ministry says there are about 600 people in Vietnam who have transition and are officially waiting to change their birth certificated and identification cards.

Asking William if he would like to legally change his name he replies with a surprised tone: “Of course! I want my name on the ID Card and passport to be who I am. My name shows everyone this.”

With regards to employment, William has to write his birth name on his resume and it is obligatory that this matches his ID Card.

This can create confusion and embarrassment both for the employer and potential employee when they are invited to an interview. William remains optimistic that changes to the law to permit name change may happen in the future.

William’s gender expression manifests in his clothes and hairstyle. For him, this is central to how he presents himself to others. However, when William visits his family every three months he says he has to hide who he is. “I go home as someone else. I wear colourful clothes but I don’t [wear] pink, maybe blue. I also grow my hair longer.” At home, William’s mother and father know that their child has changed their gender but they refuse to broach the subject. The family calls William by his birth name. “I feel uncomfortable when I go, but I have to visit my family and take care of them.”

When I ask William if he should speak to his family and tell them about his true gender there is a major concern that stops him; the lack of accurate information about transgender people that is available to the public. For him, dissemination of correct information about the LGBT group is crucial. “How can I tell my family when they don’t understand about people like me?” he asks.

Historical snapshot of LGBT community in Vietnam 14th Century: The first record of a transgender person is mentioned in the Complete Annals of the Great Viet.

Modernity: Prejudices begin to develop against LGBT as gender and sexual roles become embedded in society.

1999: A number of community service organisations emerge to advocate for LGBT rights.

2001: The first LGBT online forum is

created.

2005: The first proposal to recognise transgender people is put forward but not approved.

2008: The first LGBT civil society organisation is established called Information Connecting and Sharing (ICS).

2012: Turning point in the law supporting LGBT community from the Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong.

2012: First Viet Pride celebration in Hanoi displaying solidarity.

2012: First transgender woman Pham Le Quynh Tram legally recognised and her name changed on identification documents but revoked in 2013.

2012: Huong Giang comes out as transgender live on reality TV show Vietnam Idol. Media admirably supports this.

2013: Same-sex marriage is legalized but rights of couples not recognised.

However, no interference of police at weddings.

2013: Three state run hospitals nominated to perform gender change surgery for intersex individuals.

2014: USAID and UNDP Report “Being LGBT in Asia: Viet Nam� documents life as an LGBT individual.

2015: Discussions at the National Assembly Law Committee (NALC) centered around legalising gender reassignment surgery for transgender people and giving them equal rights Source: UNDP, USAID (2014). Being LGBT in Asia: Viet Nam Country Report

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S

ome bars may be unrecognisable on the second or third visit. That’s probably down to the alcohol.

But a fresh venture in Saigon’s upmarket drinking scene has heralded the arrival of a fastidiously detailed pop-up bar that lingers like a hazy dream.

Shri Rooftop Bar and Restaurant perched at the top of District 1’s Centec Tower has transformed an underused room, metres away from the stunning skyline view, into a slice of Hawaii, although not for very long.

TIKI certainly could be a tipsy illusion, with its hammocks, birdcages, and a projector showing surfers, topped by goldfish bowls hanging over the tables, harbouring a few oblivious fish.

“The idea for a pop-up was an obvious one,” says Richie Fawcett, mastermind behind the project. “Where you are standing now (in TIKI) was empty all business hours.

“This is a bit of fun. It’s different; it’s fantasy, a break away from the staff’s normal routine and good for moral.”

Opened to a party of 150 people on Friday, 4 September, TIKI claims to be the first of its kind in the city – a temporary concept set to disappear after its first month.

Pop-up bars have appeared across the city before, usually in vacant plots among building developments, but TIKI has forgone cheap beer and barbecues in place of a curious, kitsch den.

Fawcett describes the project as a way of “showing there’s still a pulse somewhere at Shri”, which is among the oldest rooftop bars in Saigon.

“There are a lot of serious places out there,” he says. “I do not know whether they’re fun or not.

“I think (creating TIKI) is because of the artistry in me. I like to draw and take pictures, and it’s coming out like that.

“An artist is never satisfied unless he is making something – drawing or pop up bars.

“Everyone loves something that is new.

If you have a good collection of ideas that can keep going in a circle, there is no reason why you should not have something every few months.”

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Heady Heady Mix Mix An exciting combination of Tiki culture and a pop-up bar is set to shake up the city’s nightlife, if only for a month. Lorcan Lovett visits the new rooftop bar. Photos by Jonny Edbrooke.

Designers in District 2 used Fawcett’s sketches to plan the layout. From there, TIKI was fitted out in 24 hours. Within 36 hours all the exotic cocktails were ready to be prepped and guzzled down.

The Tiki movement spawned from 1930s USA, fusing Polynesian-style décor and mythology with Californian beach-bum panache that soon spread worldwide.

The bar serves a medley of cocktails created in the era, including the Headhunter, served in a totem pole, and the classic Zombie, a combination of fruit juices, liqueurs and rums.

“Two of these and you are a zombie,” says Fawcett, as the Black Pearl, a large pirate ship sharing cocktail, bubbles dry ice on the bar.

It’s a venue full of quirks. The Shipwrecked Sailor is served on a castaway raft and those feeling lucky can spin a wheel for VND 250,000 where the pointer lands on dud or pricey prizes.

Fawcett brings substance to the novelties too, presenting three homemade syrups including pandan leaf and coconut for that local familiarity.

“Cocktails are only as good as the quality of ingredients you have in them,” he says. “You want something

that is going to stand out.”

Like his concoctions, Fawcett stood out during the cocktail renaissance in the 1990s where he worked as head bartender for years at Hush, actor Sir Roger Moore’s business in London.

Bond fans may be disappointed to hear that Sir Roger favoured a weak Bloody Mary over a Martini.

“It was an amazing experience to work there,” he says. “I met all the old A-listers and held his 75th birthday.”

After learning from the best, Fawcett opened numerous bars around the globe, about 10 in total, and began his operations in Saigon four years ago.

Things could have panned out a lot differently for him. Fawcett’s career began with deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics; intrepid endeavours are no rarity in the Fawcett family.

His great, great, great uncle and explorer General Fawcett famously ventured deep into the Amazon in search of a lost civilisation, and was never seen again.

Fortunately, modern day Fawcett is a familiar sight around these parts after launching bars Sixsenses and Sorae, and taking on the task of training a division of Vietnamese bartenders in the progress.

“If I have a bartender working with me I say take attention away from the tools,” he says. “The way you make your money is connecting with the guests.

“The real joy of bartending is making something from scratch. I ask you what you like and if you do not like it, I will balance it out in a different way.”

There’s a plan to renovate Shri in the next six months while creating a whole new world on floors 24, 25 and 26 above the restaurant.

So far the team are reluctant to reveal the details, only sharing that it will have a “natural concept” with a 360-degree view over downtown Saigon. More news is expected next year.

Breezy, quirky TIKI may well be washed away by a wave of creativity soon because Fawcett has plenty of new sand castles to build in the space.

This could be the dawning of a new style of pop-up bar in a city that embraces transience like no other.

“I think people need to think originally,” adds Fawcett. “They need to create something from scratch themselves.

They can’t just copy and paste. There are so many extra concepts out there that you can do well.”

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Sir Richard Branson

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New Money Sir Richard Branson’s motivational talk in Saigon brought together an army of young, Vietnamese businesspeople. Lorcan Lovett attends the conferences and chases up the city’s future tycoons.

A

bout 7000 budding entrepreneurs gave a fanatical welcome to Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson at the finale of Saigon’s biggest motivational conference last month.

MOVE Vietnam 2015, the two-day gathering at Quan Khu 7 stadium, saw renowned speakers sharing their stories of accumulating enormous wealth that would have had the humblest banh mi seller systemising a production line.

So you can imagine the impact felt among the mostly young, ambitious audience whose aim is to turnover millions in the next few years.

Some even forked out $3,500 for a ticket to meet the tycoon – compare that to Vietnam’s annual income per capita of just over $2000 – while other tickets cost $25.

The event heralded the arrival of the self-help business world to a country expeditiously producing start-ups on its long honeymoon with capitalism. Sir Richard attempted to restrain the hype by cautioning the country’s burgeoning business elite to remember their social responsibility.

He also declared the ‘war on drugs’ void and endorsed the principle of treating drugs as a medical rather than criminal issue, however this lacked salience to the masses who only hours before were whooping the orchestrated chants of ‘your network equals your networth’ and ‘I was born to sell’.

Most people throughout the weekend wore headphones to translate those coveted businesses secrets from English, but no one needed help to understand the word ‘Branson’ whose arrival was greeted with the same hysteria a One Direction member might expect.

The 65-year-old came out dancing to Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling before jumping on his armchair and soaking up his untapped fan base.

He talked about Student; a magazine he launched aged 16, which protested against

the USA bombing Vietnam. Cue screeching applause.

Entrepreneur and fellow speaker, Kane Minkus, conducted the interview that brushed upon conservation efforts – Sir Richard’s Vietnam visit involved meetings to prevent the importation of rhino horns - as well as his mostly positive views on social media’s influence and current endeavour Virgin Galatic, a space tourism enterprise.

Focusing on business, he told the crowd of hopefuls that setting up his first firm was more challenging than his current role of running 400 businesses.

He advised them to find an idea which will improve people’s lives and abide by his slogan ‘screw it, just do it’.

“Surround yourself with good people who believe in your business idea,” he said.

“It is important as a leader that you praise people. Too many business leaders criticize people. People do not perform well if they are criticized.”

He revealed that his parents made him

look in the mirror for five minutes when he chastised others because it reflects badly on the person dishing out the criticism.

“Wealth comes with being a successful entrepreneur,” he said. “But you are never more successful in the world than a successful doctor or nurse or bus driver or politician because you are successful at your profession.”

He said “enormous responsibility comes with enormous wealth” and applying skills learnt as an entrepreneur to other aspects of life can offer solutions to problems that politicians may not realize.

The crowd was treated to a few of Sir Richard’s anecdotes such as the origins of Virgin Airlines. The company came about after another airline cancelled a direct flight he booked from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands.

Aged 28 at the time, Sir Richard hired his own plane and chalked on a board the price he’d charge to his fellow passengers caught in the same predicament. The flight quickly filled up, so the next day he contacted Boeasialife HCMC 27

Tin Nguyen

ing to hire a plane for future journeys.

The celebrity ended the session by opening up the floor for questions. An effusive woman ran towards the stage and, gushing in Vietnamese, urged the star to visit her country three times a year.

Both fan and idol sat together, stoking excitement among the audience who rushed towards them and began taking selfies. The question session rapidly disintegrated into chaos.

As Sir Richard left the stage, stumbling in the wrong direction to the sound of screams ringing around the stadium, a belated pyrotechnics exploded, and his fans were left content under a cloud of confetti.

The billionaire won’t forget his time in Vietnam for a while, and it seems Vietnam won’t forget him either. But it’s unnecessary to look abroad for inspiring business talent, this country’s choc-a-block.

A lot of the main players are savvy 20-somethings destined to influence future industries. Visit AsiaLifeMagazine.com to see the video of Sir Richard’s visit and turn over to read the stories of two homegrown talents that would make the tycoon proud.

A quick scan of the skyline from this highrise reveals Saigon’s striking landmarks: the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Bitexco tower and, less familiar, the palm trees that stand incongruously at the top of Vincom.

But 28-year-old Tin Nguyen is far more engrossed in business, pinging off the last email before our conversation begins.

As the boss of Trung Thuy Group, valued at over $100 million, his work revolves around buildings. In fact, his firm owns the very building we sit in today at Ben Nghe 28 asialife HCMC

ward in District 1.

“My biggest challenge right now is basically four big projects,” he says. “My very first one that will start breaking ground at the end of the year is called The Lancaster Legacy.

“It will be in District 4, just before you pass the bridge to District 7. It will have two towers, 35-story each, housing 1000 apartments each.”

That’s what brought me back – that sense of happening, urgency.

Things are moving Also in the pipeline are two 33-story towers, around 470 apartments each, a 500-apartment complex in District 1 and a resort outside the city.

“In total I’m looking to build around 2000 apartments in the next five years,” he says.

Tin has the fresh face of someone climbing his way up the ladder but he already has the power most businessmen can only dream of.

Put candidly, his is no rags-to-riches story.

His parents on the other hand exploited their bilingual skills during the 1980s to open a souvenir shop targeting foreigners.

They rode around on bicycles, opening more shops and restaurants while saving to enter the real estate market.

“It’s their dream to own something that’s

permanent,” says Tin. “So all that paid off after 10 years in 1997, 98, 2000. The real estate picked up and they made good money there.

“With that money they kept investing back. The only thing they spent a lot on is my education.”

Tin studied in Melbourne for eight years until graduating from his commerce degree in 2010, but he decided the pace of living in Australia was too slow.

“The people, my parents included, are so entrepreneurial,” he says. “You always go down the street (in Vietnam) and there’s a four-story house and three-story’s are just businesses and they are living on the fourth floor.

“That’s what brought me back – that sense of happening, urgency. Things are moving.”

During high school he dreamt of being an architect however, he admits, his skills were not up to standard.

He recalls receiving a letter from his father saying architects build for others while successful businessmen hire architects to design buildings for them, ultimately stamping their signature on the city.

After returning to Saigon, Tin worked as a marketing intern in the family business before deciding to follow his own path, loaning $400,000 from his family and launching swanky club Sin Lounge in 2011.

“I thought if I’m just working for my parents I would never be able to have my own failures, make mistakes and learn from it.

“There were restaurants, bars, martini bars, nightclubs, but there was none really like a lounge atmosphere where people are treated with the VIP experience, very good service, but at the same time catered to the

Vietnamese, not just the expats.

“The first six months we were just bleeding money and I thought ‘shit, I have a huge education debt to pay and now...everything’, but, you know, I persevered and August 2012 was the peak of Sin.” The club underwent a revamp and soared in popularity before fading away again. The two-year success paid off his debts, leaving enough funds to open MAMA restaurant, ACE Nightclub and marketing agency Hush.

Tin envisioned operating on a bigger scale, as his penchant for uppercase company names may reveal, and at the beginning of last year his father passed over the reins of the family firm, which is renowned for the Lancaster buildings in Hanoi and Saigon.

Running an 800-staff operation while implementing plans to cultivate District 4 into the next expat hub isn’t quite enough for Tin. He’s also launching co-working space Dreamplex for ambitious tech and media start-ups this month.

“Young people now days are very entrepreneurial and that’s what pushes me to do Dreamplex,” he says. “We are on our way to make a big change.”

It’s on the brink of a downpour and the drumming of raindrops blends seamlessly with the bubbling deep fryer as Vicky Ton, 25, cooks another piece of chicken for tonight’s customers.

Out of Tin Nguyen’s high-rise and into a hem off Nguen Van Giai in District 1, I hear Vicky relay some instructions to her busi-

ness partner before she sits down.

“By running your own business you can follow your passions,” she says. “Choose the people to work with, get things done faster, and most important of all, you can give back to society whatever you think it needs.”

Vicky recently launched B.O.C Barbeque along with eight other young professionals all in their 20s and they are determined to make this joint selling affordable, scrumptious food a success.

Vicky’s culinary passion took her to the

final 12 in last year’s Master Chef Vietnam.

“It is this very special event that inspired me to start up a business of my own, a restaurant business,” she says.

The B.O.C team would like to create a franchise that will not only reach to Hanoi, but grow beyond their home country one day, although Vicky says staying on top of people’s shifting tastes for food is a challenge. The team need to constantly keep tabs on what’s popular and change the menu accordingly.

Vicky landed an accountancy job after graduating from RMIT University in District 7. Now an investment fund manager, she also finds the spare time to export fish to Thailand as a freelancer.

The entrepreneur begins reeling off business ideas – Thai ice cream, trucks selling sandwiches, locally produced home ware – that emerged as she helped launch B.O.C. What drives all of this?

“More strongly than anything else, it is my desire to be independent.

“After all, running a business of my own makes me feel that I have achieved something I can be proud of.”

Anything can be achieved now this diner is a reality, she says, while imploring young people to start their own ventures.

“No matter how humble your business targets might be, and how tired you are at the end of the day, you can always feel pride in building something of your own.”

At the barbeque I discover that a 24-yearold owns the Japanese pottery shop just metres away.

“Dream big, start small,” Vicky says.

It seems sound advice for the new era of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

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30 asialife HCMC

Lost In Colour Simon Stanley picks up his pencils and enters the world of grown-up colouring books. Photos by Vinh Dao.

2

015 will be remembered as the year of the adult colouring book. What is believed to have started in France in 2014, when a small group of women began colouring as an alternative approach to dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain, has now become a global movement attracting millions.

Colouring books for grown-ups are nothing new, but the sudden interest in their therapeutic potential saw publishers rushing to commission new titles and reprint old ones in a frantic bid to meet the soaring demand. 2014 sales hit 3.5 million in France alone. The craze spread, and by February 2015, British book retailer Waterstones was reporting a 300 percent increase in year-onyear sales.

With very little translation required, adult colouring books quickly began topping the charts all over the world. Offering beautiful, highly detailed illustrations or patterns, often requiring many hours or even days to complete, the craft poses a relaxing, tangible antidote to the chaotic, digitalpowered world around us.

The Foreign Invasion

In the spring of 2015, the trend arrived in Vietnam. Thanh Nien News reported in August that foreign colouring books were making up almost half of the country’s topten bestseller list.

Hanoi-based publishers Nha Nam were among the first companies to produce Vietnamese versions of foreign titles. Their most popular book, British illustrator Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom, is a fantastical exploration of flora and fauna depicted through intricate line drawings and patterns. Even without colour it is stunning.

“It’s simply one of the best colouring books in the world,” says Nha Nam’s Rights Manager Nguyen Xuan Minh. “[Millie’s designs are] very beautiful and with a box

of colouring pencils you can make them even more so.”

The world clearly agrees. Along with her second book, Tropical Wonderland, global sales recently crossed the 3 million mark.

For Marotta, the runaway success of her books has come as a complete surprise. “It’s wonderful to see so many people enjoying [them] across the world,” she tells me.

“Not everyone has the time or the means to learn a new craft or attend an art class, but with colouring books I think people have discovered a simple, affordable and very accessible way to engage in something creative.”

21 year-old textiles student Ngoc Tram spends between one and two hours colouring each day, often taking moments here and there during her part-time job at a coffee shop. “Whenever we don’t have guests, I colour,” she says. “It helps me get new ideas for my own drawings. I’m also getting a better feel for colours.”

As someone who previously lacked creative confidence, Facebook’s colouring book groups have given Tram a much needed boost. “I often feel shy when somebody sees my drawings or my colouring. But last night I posted some of my pictures [online] and I had so many compliments. It was awesome!”

Me Time

While its therapeutic limits are widely debated, evidence has shown that colouring can indeed assist with a variety of mental health related issues.

According to Ngo Minh Uy, Psychologist and Director of WE Link, a counselling and training facility in District 11, the socioeconomic structure of Vietnamese life can cause immense strain. “Many people here have to work extremely hard,” he says.

“When you spend most of your time and

energy earning money just for your basic needs, that is very stressful. You have no opportunity to play, or to free your mind; no time to do the things that interest you.

That is the biggest problem that the Vietnamese face.”

For women in particular, who happen to make up the majority of the adult colouring book market, the gradual intertwining of traditional homemaking assumptions and modern expectations for them to also enter the workplace can leave many with almost no time to themselves.

“Traditionally in Vietnam we talk about sacrifice,” says Uy. “The wife sacrifices for her husband and her children. But when you spend all of your time living for others, you have nothing. If you feel sad you have to keep it inside. Day by day, this can lead to stress or depression.

“If you can spend a certain amount of time focussing on one thing, doing it with all of your energy and concentration, that will help you. When you use a colouring book, it can help you to calm down and will provide an opportunity to spend time doing something for yourself. [But this is] just one way. For me, I take care of my fish, I plant trees and flowers, I spend some time in the early morning or after work, maybe one hour, just to relax. It’s a time to concentrate on your own life.”

“Colouring is something almost all of us will have enjoyed as children,” adds Marotta. “I think there’s a certain comfort in the nostalgia of returning to an activity which is familiar to us, and which we enjoyed at a time in our lives when we were carefree.”

Animal Kingdom and Tropical Wonderland are currently available in most major HCMC bookshops. Marotta’s third book, Wild Savannah, is due for release in 2016. For more information on WE Link visit www.WELink.vn

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health

& wellness

BLINDED

BY A

BARGAIN 32 asialife HCMC

Simon Stanley looks at the real cost of counterfeit designer sunglasses. Photo by Vinh Dao.

T

wo years of riding around Saigon in knock-off sunglasses was all it took for ICT teacher Daniel Gamwell to find out the hard way.

When a worsening eye irritation forced him to visit the opticians, he was immediately diagnosed with pterygium.

“It felt like there was grit in my eye,” he tells me. “I’d tried [over the counter] drops but it wouldn’t clear. It was really uncomfortable.”

Also known as ‘surfer’s eye’, pterygium is a build up of creamy, bloodshot, noncancerous tissue which slowly stretches over the white of the eye towards the pupil.

Being widely attributed to prolonged, cumulative UV exposure, Gamwell’s collection of cheap, imitation designer sunglasses were the main culprits. Low prices mean low quality, which often means low to nonexistent UV filtration.

“Pterygium is very common in Vietnam,” says Dr Nam Tran Pham, Medical Director at District 7’s American Eye Center.

“Anyone who lives around the equator and the tropics [is at increased risk], especially those who spend a lot of time outside or on the beach.”

Fortunately, most cases will clear up without treatment, or with the help of prescribed eyedrops, but if it reaches the iris (and ultimately the pupil), vision can become impaired and surgical removal may be required. Gamwell was able to avoid such drastic measures, but it was the warning he needed. “Wear proper sunglasses!” he says.

Invisible Damage

Dr Pham explains that like skin, our eyes are extremely sensitive to excessive sunlight. Unlike skin, however, they have no early warning system like obviously sunburned skin.

“Unless you have an excessive burst of exposure,” she says, “like those who work in abnormally bright conditions, welders for example, you won’t often have [any short-term] symptoms. It’s usually a cumulative effect over many years.”

In addition to pterygium, UV exposure has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration - the painless but gradual loss of vision - and cancers, both within the eye itself and on the eyelid or surrounding tissue. For those with pale skin and/or blue eyes (a sign of reduced melanin, the body’s natural UV protection), the risks are even greater.

While a fake pair of wallet-friendly designer shades might reduce the visible brightness of the sun, Dr Pham believes that many do not offer adequate protection against the invisible wavelengths which actually do the damage.

“Consumers often don’t understand that it’s not the dark colour that protects the eyes from UV rays,” she explains, stressing that darker tints are in no way an indication of increased safety. “UV protection is actually a chemical coating on top that blocks the UV light. It’s a clear coating.”

The UV Test

With the help of the team at the American Eye Center and their state-of-the-art facility, we put a range of sunglasses through their paces, testing the UV blocking capabilities of everything from the two dollar ‘Bui Vien specials’, to some genuine, high-end designer specs.

Purchased on a District 1 pavement for just VND 30,000, our neon green imitation Ray Ban Wayfarers are an immediate fail, stopping just 30 percent of the UV light fired from the clinic’s purpose-built machine. It’s a long way from the widely recommended safe minimum of 95 percent.

They feel cheap, they feel poorly made, and on close inspection we notice one lens has a

tiny hole in it. “Some people just want the look of these glasses,” says Dr Pham, “but as for the actual protection, they are not good.” Into the bin they go.

Moving on we have a slightly pricier pair of fake Wayfarers at VND 50,000. The build quality is visibly better but the UV protection hits just 45 percent. Still nowhere near adequate.

Next are a pair of counterfeit Ray Ban Clubmasters which came with an initial price-tag of VND 150,000. We haggled him down to VND 75,000 but the higher price does seem to have caused a jump in the UV rating - 80 percent. We’re getting closer.

Our fourth pair, originally priced at VND 200,000, will win us no prizes for fashion - they look like a cross between safetygoggles and a prop from a sci-fi movie.

They bear no designer logo (or brand-name of any kind) but the ‘100 percent UV’ label caught our eye. They come back at 90 percent. Not bad, but not great.

Unsurprisingly, the genuine designer brands in our lineup block 100 percent of the UV light, but, as our next batch confirms, you don’t have to drop $150 or more to get full protection. There are effective options available at a much more reasonable price point. Sitting in the middle of our price spectrum, costing between $10 and $25, are our ‘high-street’ options, purchased from the likes of Aldo, Marks & Spencer, Accessorize and Gap. All come back with a 100 percent UV rating.

Just as we might think twice before covering our skin in counterfeit sunscreen, we should apply the same logic when protecting our eyes. “Good UV protection is a preventative measure,” says Dr Pham. “And there are reasonable options. Sunglasses don’t have to be really expensive.”

For more information on the American Eye Center and their new optical shop in Crescent Plaza, visit www.AmericanEyeCenter.com asialife HCMC 33

Breathing for

peace Inner

34 asialife HCMC

A tranquil temple hidden among the hustle and bustle of Saigon offers a challenging but rewarding meditative experience, as Tom Christie discovers. Photos by Chua Hoang Phac.

W

aking up to the sound of a Buddhist bell on your first morning in a temple must always be a surreal experience.

I was in Ho Chi Minh City on day one of a three-day temple stay. I adjusted my eyes to the near dark of my room which consisted of nothing but me, a yoga mat, a pillow and a creaking fan surrounded by bare walls. I’m up and ready for the morning meditation at 3:30am. The bell is my awakening.

How did I get here? One dear yogi friend knew that temple Chua Hoang Phap in Hoc Mon district would likely accommodate me.

A phone call, some clothing guidelines and a lightly packed bag; I’m ready to go. The number 13 bus takes an hour from Pham Ngu Lao. I wanted to experience silence from, but still within, the city where I could practice meditation and follow Buddhist temple rituals. What better place to develop than in a temple with devotees and little distraction?

On arrival I was told to buy robes from a nearby shop. I chose orange only to be told at the reception to demote myself to grey.

Orange is for the teachers known as ‘Thay’ not me. I was nervous going in at first, feeling like a fish out of water and getting ready to test out my broken Vietnamese. An American who stayed there eight months ago was the last foreigner, staying one day.

I was stared at more than I am used to but all of this disappeared when welcoming smiles greeted me. I quickly became friends with university students who stay at the temple whenever they can. Then I was introduced to my two guides: English speaking monks Thich Tam Truong and Thich Tam Huong.

I enjoyed the three-hour daily early morning and evening meditations. Filling the temple hall, the community focused their attention on the great Buddha at front. The older women often gestured me to join them instead of my back seating place. One cute old woman asked if I understood the chanting.

I couldn’t but felt connected to the serene

nature of the object of the words. However, it was the walking meditation that was most challenging. We’d chant and walk around the temple in unison with every move and spoken word of mantra ‘nam mo a di da phat’ (hail Amitabha Buddha) being deliberate, calculated and conscious. It was an extremely balanced feeling.

I never physically left the vicinity but my mind sometimes strayed from the present moment. What’s awaiting me on my smartphone? Could I return one day sooner? No! I had to continuously refocus my mind on to my surroundings. Mindfulness aims to focus my attention on to what matters in the present moment.

It took me lots of concentration to follow the rituals during eating times, even after Truong’s instructions. I wore an extra robe and walked in line with other practitioners, always a step behind the monks. I tried my best to follow the disciplines correctly. Pick up food with chopsticks, eat with the spoon, hold the bowl to your mouth, chopsticks facing the left on top of your bowl, spoon on the right, bow to the right and opposite your place after

standing to leave. This might sound easy but it broke down my usual eating habits, forcing me to be mindful in silent consciousness. I sometimes caught myself using chopsticks to eat or another devotee would signal an error through eye contact. Every time I also realized that I was distracted by an unnecessary thought pattern that wasn’t present to my current actions. It was all dominated by silence.

One lunch every one sat in absolute silence for what seemed like forever before eating the food in front of us. I was told later that everyone was paying homage to the farmers that produce the rice. After every meal, not one grain of rice was spilt or left uneaten. These rituals were a huge skill to learn Building, studying, cleaning, and cooking: everyone had a role. I was shown the kitchens, gallery, cemetery, a talking bird, and grounds at the back, which were, in stark contrast, being ceded to the military barracks next door. I was asked if I wanted to convert (I am kind of agnostic) and marry the temple.

I wondered how different my life would be.

A monk’s life is much more difficult than I previously thought. They solely and beautifully devote themselves to the goal of attaining enlightenment. My mum thought this course sounded relaxing. It wasn’t! I battled with impatience, frustration, lust, boredom; everything that a mind-made problem could throw at you plus physical pain from sitting for so long. But soon I realised how much a short spree of long, monotonous days gave me such a boost in daily life. I carried a calm sense on the return bus, while everything outside felt more colourful. The feeling of my first hot shower back felt like the first shower I had in my apartment. I felt the water on my back. I felt presence.

The monks welcome people that are interested in Buddhism and practicing meditation.

I don’t know one person who hasn’t had some benefit from their meditation. Put your phone on silent, set an alarm, find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and focus your being on the sensation of your breath. When you get distracted, become aware and return to your breathing. Your breath is the object of Vipassana meditation - the eternal life force of our universe. asialife HCMC 35

Burning Man Last month more than 70,000 people gathered in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada in the Unites States for the annual Burning Man festival, a week-long “experiment in art and community”. Brett Davis ventured out into the high desert for this uniquely bizarre, challenging and, ultimately, uplifting event.

T

he dry lakebed, known as the playa, is flat and vast, and at night plays tricks on the eyes that warp distance and perspective. It is my second night at Burning Man and this is my first sojourn onto the playa after dark.

It is a dizzying experience, and my first reaction is one of almost disbelief that such a sight has been created by humans. The lights from the camps that make up Black Rock City, as this temporary community is known, stretch around in every direction, seemingly distant and close at the same time. Sound from hundreds, possibly thousands, of sound systems washes over the desert. Art cars, crazily modified vehicles ranging from giant flame-shooting octopuses to rolling nightclubs, move around the periphery.

36 asialife HCMC

Then there are the sculptures and instillations dotted around the playa, and in the middle of it all is The Man. This neon-lit effigy stands 60 feet tall and is the geographic centre of this mind-boggling event.

From small beginnings

It all began in 1986 on a beach in San Francisco, when a group of friends gathered to burn a small effigy at the summer solstice. Over the course of the years it grew to the point that in 1990 it was first moved to the Black Rock Desert.

Attendees are known as ‘Burners’, and this year some 70,000 people made the journey 180 miles north from Reno. The camp is organized as a series of lettered concentric roads, bisected by others assigned a time which radiate out from The Man. So, for

instance, Camp Ironika where I was staying was located at 5 o’clock and D. There has always been a strong connection between the event and works of sculpture, and there are many weird and wonderful pieces dotted around the camp and on the playa. But there is more to Burning Man than art, and it involves a journey of individual discovery as well as what is possible when people work together.

Radical self-reliance and radical selfexpression are two of the themes of the event. You are in the desert so you need to bring everything with you, including all your food and water. The self-expression is evident in everything from the art to the eclectic outfits many Burners sport. Or even those who choose to don no clothing at all.

It is also what is called a gifting economy;

the only thing that can be purchased is ice.

This sounds a little fanciful, but it somehow works and is one of the most gratifying parts of the event. People really do share what they have and expect nothing in return. This might range from food and drink, to services like massages or showers.

Dust, heat and cold

Despite all the good vibes, the elements present a significant challenge. Dust storms are frequent, and one severe blow on the Thursday afternoon reduced visibility to a few metres for more than two hours. Not surprisingly, the dust is everywhere; you sleep in it, eat in it, it is in your clothes and hair. That’s life on the playa.

Temperatures also swing wildly, with baking heat during the day and temperatures dropping to almost zero one night. The brazier at our neighbours’ camp was the must-be place of an evening.

However, it is a commonly heard refrain at Burning Man that without the challenges, you would not appreciate the great moments.

If it was easy, everybody would do it.

To cover the vast expanse of Black Rock City people get around on pushbikes. It is one of the greatest pleasures to wander around and drop in on the different camps, where everyone is very welcoming and generous. The conversation comes easily and lends to the air of general kindness that pervades Burning Man. At Camp Ironika we had a small ‘compliments tower’ which we would man throughout the day and, well, simply say nice things to passersby. What was astonishing was how genuinely pleased and surprised people were to hear something nice said to them. Perhaps it says a lot about how we normally interact with others in the rest of our lives.

It also became oddly addictive to deliver compliments and feel the appreciation and kind words in return coming back your way.

It initially seemed a sort of ephemeral gift, but I soon had no doubt as to its value.

Leaving it behind

Saturday is the day The Man burns. After dusk tens of thousands, loaded up with glow lights for decoration and safety purposes, make their way onto the playa. Art cars form a ring around The Man, pulsing with light and sound. A spectacular fire twirling performance takes place as the Burners take seats on the ground some way back.

Then, in an explosion of fireworks, you see the flames begin to pour out of the base of the effigy. Very quickly The Man is engulfed in flames, but it takes almost half an hour before it comes suddenly crashing down in a cloud of smoke and sparks.

It was spectacular, but as I headed back across the playa, it felt something short of the revelatory experience I had been expecting.

More like the ultimate bonfire party. Which was why, on the advice of some experienced Burners, I had gone out the day before to The Temple.

Under a vaulting blue sky I rode my bike out beyond The Man to the far playa, deep on the salt lake. Here, each year, they build The Temple. Temples of different design are built each year and burned on the Sunday night.

True to what I was told, this is where I found the heart and soul of the event. It is a tradition for people to write messages on the structure or leave notes and photographs of lost loved ones or about things they just want be released from.

I had been through a tough few months with the loss of a family member and the

breakdown of a marriage. I took the time to write a few letters, to those I was thinking about and to myself. The temple was full of people when I arrived, but the feeling was entirely different to anything at Burning Man. There was almost total silence inside, and I could see the thousands of messages that had been left there. The only sound was the occasion sob of loss and grief. It was profoundly affecting, and the tears were coming freely as I pinned my messages to the wall.

On the Sunday night there were no art cars, no music or fire dances. More than 20,000 people sat in utter silences as The Temple burned, taking with it all the sorrow people wanted to leave behind.

Without a trace

It is a sort of somber affair breaking camp the next morning and sweeping the area for MOOP (matter out of place). One of the central tenants of Burning Man is to leave the desert exactly as it was before everyone arrived.

While I couldn’t wait to have a shower and sleep in a proper bed, I was already feeling like I wanted to be back here again. There was a lot of talk during the week about being ‘present’, and I know I spent entirely too much time in my head. But one of the great things about the event is there is such a broad spectrum of people who attend, and each has their own experience.

For some it is a week-long debauch, for others more of a spiritual self-exploration.

Either way, it is something entirely its own.

I’m not sure yet how I feel about the experience, or how beneficial it has been. In time, perhaps, I’ll figure out what I found and what I left behind out there.

asialife HCMC 37

I Am Vietnam

Boutique Hotel

I Am Vietnam is at 30/57 Nguyen Cuu Van Street, Ward 17, Binh Thanh District.

For more information and to make a reservation visit www.IAmVietn.am

Simon Stanley finds that a relaxing weekend getaway is never too far away.

Photos by I Am Vietnam.

First-time visitors looking for hotels in Saigon could be forgiven for quickly overlooking those outside of District 1. Even neighbouring District 3 sounds deceptively removed from the heart of the action. But Binh Thanh District? Where’s that? Over a river? Forget it.

has been holding the review site’s number one spot for some time, another ‘outsider’ has been quietly creeping up the top-ten list since opening in May 2015.

A quick scan of Trip Advisor’s listings, however, reveals that quite the opposite is starting to happen as city-savvy travellers seek a more authentic, personalised alternative to your standard bed-in-a-box in the middle of tourist-town. While Villa Song in District 2

I suspect her reaction is the key to I Am Vietnam’s success. The online photos are stunning. We’re looking for a relaxing weekend away without the hassle of planes, trains or hydrofoils, and our search ends about two kilometres from our front door,

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“I want to stay there!” says my girlfriend as the website opens up. “…Where is it?”

just over the Thi Nghi canal and a few hundred metres from Dien Bien Phu. Having negotiated the zig-zag alleyway from Nguyen Cuu Van Street, it’s a welcome relief to realise that the photos do not lie.

A sparkling colonial-style building hugs a corner in an old-school maze of hems dotted with ladies in pyjamas, aluminium food carts, front-room bodegas and scurrying chickens.

Entering via the street-level terrace, the sleek reception/cafe/restaurant is awash with French, yet also uniquely Vietnamese, charm. Decked out with retro seating in cool

pastel colours, chunky wooden tables and exposed brick and pipework, the bright and airy space makes an ideal hangout for the local smoothie and wifi seeking crowd, as well as the hotel’s guests.

No problem! I decide to save the continental option for day two and choose a Vietnamese banh mi bit tet to kick start our day of relaxation. A steak sandwich for breakfast never made so much sense.

As its most defining design feature, the expansive patchwork of vintage-style tiling is another reminder of the charms of old Saigon, finding its way from the flooring to the tables to the shower cubicles. It’s bold yet subtle and sets this place well apart from the beige and brown hotel rooms you may be used to.

Included in the price of each suite (with rates as low as $79 per room), guests can also enjoy one ‘special offer’ per night. Options include an afternoon tea for two or a complimentary meal. We go for in-room foot massages. Wow. Daisy, the in-house masseur, kneads my trotters until I practically melt into the sofa like butter.

“I’m never leaving,” says my girlfriend as we enter the enormous fifth floor suite. It’s not that we were feeling particularly decadent when booking this place, it’s just that every room happens to be a suite, each boasting a kitchenette with dining table and a lounging area, luxurious bathtubs with separate showers, and enormous beds. Ours also opens out to a spacious balcony overlooking a rustling banana grove next door. We’re definitely not in District 1 anymore, although in reality it’s less than five minutes away.

“We are not very far away from the centre,” says general manager Ella Peddell, “but it is totally different here. It is quieter, cheaper, it has a more local feeling. You can see the Vietnamese people and how they live.”

Day two and we give our legs a much needed stretch as we are shown around the local market to collect ingredients for an in-house cooking lesson. Is it still touristy if you’re the only tourists in sight?

Peddell and her team are proud of the highly personalised levels of service they are able to offer. They know each of us by name and we quickly realise that there is no limit to their hospitality. “We take care of our guests like they are friends,” she says. “You are like a friend coming to my house and I want to take care of you.”

Although Peddell and her staff will happily point their guests in the direction of Saigon’s best sights, tours and eateries, they also offer plenty of reasons to stay ‘at home’ and hibernate; reasons which we are all too keen to take advantage of. After a few lazy sunset beers on the balcony we descend to the hotel’s restaurant which cooks up a range of Italian specialities along with modern Vietnamese classics. The homemade Hawaiian quickly enters my top-three-pizzas-in-town list, and the happy-hour mojitos easily match those of their swanky D1 cousins. Even if you’re not spending the night, the restaurant alone is worthy of a visit.

After a soak in the tub and a night’s sleep so deep I start to have evil thoughts about my bed at home, the complimentary breakfast spread is just as impressive as the restaurant’s evening fare. Want to enjoy it in bed? asialife HCMC 39

8

CITY DRINKS

D2 sports pub 55-57 Thao Dien // Dtwo.com.vn // 3pm—12am, Mon to Fri, 11am – late weekends // 08 35 194 138

A new sports bar offers all the latest action along with some classic pub grub. By Lorcan Lovett.

Photos by Vinh Dao. Rugby fans will be seeking an atmospheric place this month to watch their country in the world cup, so now seems an opportunistic time to launch a sports bar, impress the punters and keep them coming back long after the final whistle.

Since its opening last month, D2 in Thao Dien has been trying to achieve this, helped by a slick, spacious layout, a scattering of flatscreen TVs and a tempting pub grub menu.

Although the bar is a newbie to District 2’s drinking scene, it has a wealth of experience to draw on thanks to owner The Al Fresco’s Group, which has been operating in Vietnam since 1996.

The firm brings Australia’s easygoing vibe to its bars in Vietnam’s big cities, catering for a crowd who love cold pints, big portions and live sport.

D2 has cast its net slightly wider, joining the fledgling ranks of Saigon’s no-smoking bars to boost its appeal among families. Smokers do have the choice of using thetables at the front of the bar or the back exit.

The special deals menu supports this approach of attracting a wider crowd by offering an all-day Sunday roast (VND 200,000), pasta (VND 99,000) on Thursdays and cheeses burgers (VND 99,000) on Tuesdays among other deals depending on the day.

Drinks offers stand at all 40 asialife HCMC

‘white’ house spirits for VND 30,000 per shot on Wednesdays and ladies’ buy one get one free on jugs of Margaritas and Daiquiris on Fridays.

A taster of what’s on draft is Tiger beer (VND 40,000) Magners cider (VND 35,000) and Tennet’s Lager (VND 140,000) however drinkers who try the latter will be hard pressed finding a similarity after tasting the same brand in the UK. The bar has a pool table, darts board and, like any respectable sports bar, an array of sports memorabilia such as the kit of top stars. As well as the collector items, it also has TVs, which will be playing all the Rugby World Cup and a lot of Premier League matches along with commentary.

When a big match comes on, expect the place to be buzzing. About 150 people can fit inside, standing or sitting at one of the 11 tables.

“It’s somewhere anyone can feel comfortable in with really good quality food and great service,” says manager Andy Jones, who admits The Al Fresco’s Group jumped at the chance to buy the building in Thao Dien after its sale was announced.

D2’s burnished appearance may not suit barflies who enjoy more dingy nests where the stools wobble and cigarette smoke sullies the air, but those looking for a casual, clean environment to catch a game should drop in.

Bamboo Chic Level 9, Le Méridien Saigon Hotel, 3C Ton Duc Thang Street, D1 // LeMeridien.com/Saigon Dinner 6pm – 10.30pm , Bar Snacks 5pm - 1am // 086 263 6688

Enjoy a mix of Japanese and Chinese cuisine and a tantalising cocktail list stunning views at this fashionable restaurant. By Lorcan Lovett. Photos by Vinh Dao.

If first impressions count, then Bamboo Chic dazzles, with its warm welcome from staff and stylish, minimalistic layout.

But the most striking feature of this ninth floor spot is the sprawling perspective it offers of the Saigon River as it curves around the city’s skyline.

Any table at Bamboo Chic is near enough a window wall to appreciate the view, and by the time customers sit they are served a complimentary mocktail of the day.

Each of the drinks differs depending on the day; they include passion fruit with ginger juice, cranberry juice with vanilla, or my favourite, guava, pineapple juice and grenadine.

Near the entrance is a large rack of wines, which are available for tasting in selections of three

50ml glasses (VND 160,000).

Past the wines there’s an outdoor seating area next to a glamorous swimming pool The restaurant is non-smoking although smokers can head to the outdoor area where drinks are served from 5pm. It also has two private function rooms and an open kitchen that displays sashimi, a sign of its Japaneseinfluenced menu.

Chef Frederic Meynard, who was previously ‘chef de cuisine’ at a three-star Michelin restaurant in Beijing, mixes this influence with Chinese, best encapsulated in the sushi roll with Peking duck (VND 180,000).

We sampled the restaurant’s signature dishes such as Wok-fried udon noodle with Canadian lobster (VND 480,000) and lobster gyoza with tomato concasse and

soy vierge sauce (VND 290,000).

The quality of the produce was outstanding while all portions are cut into manageable pieces to encourage sharing.

The seared scallop with green apple puree, mixed salad and coconut emulsion (VND 310,000) was also a delight.

The juicy scallops soaked up coconut foam that tasted delicious combined with a dab of the unique puree.

Miso braised beef cheek should not be overlooked, and to help wash it down are a large choice of sake cocktails (VND 200,000) like Matcha, chic cocktails (VND 160,000) like Manhattan and Margaritas (VND 180,000).

The personable service is matched with a creative impulse among the bartenders although more neat spirits, especially

whiskey, are bountiful too.

After 10.30pm, the main menu stops and a DJ plays chilled tracks. A small bites menu is available until closing and boasts fresh oyster ‘fine de claire’ with truffle essence, enoki tempura and light goat cheese emulsion (VND 240,000) among its intricate offerings.

There is also a daily happy hour from 5pm to 7pm on signature cocktails and Sapporo beer with complimentary canapé.

Bamboo Chic is on track to becoming one of the classiest additions to Saigon’s fine dining scene, emphasizing that top dishes can be enjoyed in an informal atmosphere.

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KOTO Khumo Plaza, 39 Le Duan, D1 // 8am to 10pm, seven days // 08 3822 9357

A new location and a new menu make this restaurant with a cause worth revisiting. Review and photos by Brett Davis.

The venerable training restaurant KOTO (Know One, Teach One), opened the doors at its new digs in May this year. Now perched atop Khumo Plaza on the corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan streets, its indoor and outdoor spaces make for a welcome retreat from the bustle below.

Head Chef Julien Perraudin has designed a menu that is international in scope, taking inspiration from cuisines around Asia and the world. It is, however, steadfastly not fusion food.

A great example is the tomato salad with cracked wheat, merguez sausage, dukkah and feta (VND 120,000), which has a strong Mediterranean influence, or the stir fried duck with 42 asialife HCMC

Thai basil, peanuts and chili (VND 140,000) that could come straight from an island in the Andaman Sea. For something a little meatier, the barbeque imported US ribs with pickles, chili oil, peanuts and east/west barbeque sauce (VND 295,000) is a standout.

There is a good selection of seafood available, and the wildcaught sea bass with coconut and Chinese cabbage wrapped in a banana leaf (VND 210,000) is well worth a try.

The burger wars have been raging in Saigon of late, and the KOTO Burger (VND 170,000) with Asian remoulade and barbecue chili sauce can hold its own with any of them.

If you are coming along with a group and are organized

ahead of time, there are a couple of slow-cooked options that need to be ordered 24 hours in advance. There is a crispy pork hock with tamarind (VND 7,500,000), and a one kilogram Australian spiced lamb shoulder (VND 850,000).

A new addition is KOTO’s banh mi bar, which operates from 8am to 3pm every day.

Four different styles are available including the Jamaican jerk chicken (VND 60,000) or the banh mi Spain which features chorizo sausage and pickled peppers (VND 90,000).

The wide outdoor terrace at the Khumo Plaza venue is a great spot for an after-work drink, and the happy hour specials, available between 4pm and 7pm every day, are

hard to refuse. Patrons can take advantage of a buy one, get one free deal on selected beers, cocktails and glasses of house wine. Given the cocktails go for only VND 105,000 at other times, it represents great value for money.

There are also some fantastic snacks available during happy hour to whet your appetite for dinner, or replace dinner for that matter. A personal favourite is the brava potatoes (VND 25,000) served with chili mayo and topped with preserved black beans and coriander, and the duck confit on a brioche bun with sweet and sour cabbage (VND 25,000). Set lunches and banquets for up to eight people are also available.

Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua 381 Vo Van Tan, D3 // 5am - midnight // LienHua.com.vn

Simon Stanley discovers what happens when history and noodles collide.

Photos by Vinh Dao.

Hu tieu Nam Vang, a KhmerChinese hybrid noodle soup dish, first arrived in the Mekong Delta in the 1970s when civil war and political uncertainty forced many Cambodians to flee their homeland and cross the border into Vietnam. Known in Phnom Penh as kuy teav - pronounced “kway teow” - this flavoursome, pork-heavy breakfast alternative to pho was quickly adopted by the inhabitants of southern Vietnam who, over time, have made the dish their own. “Kway teow” became hu tieu, and Nam Vang, the Vietnamese name for Phnom Penh, serves as a reminder of the recipe’s origins.

It’s 10 o’clock on a Friday morning and I’m heading to Lien Hua, one of Saigon’s oldest

and most famous hu tieu Nam Vang shops, having been opened by current manager Mai Thi Thanh Thao’s grandfather forty five years ago. I realise just how famous the place is as soon as I arrive. I’m well clear of the breakfast rush and two hours ahead of the lunchtime office exodus, yet every chair but one is taken.

As with all of the best Vietnamese restaurants, the choices are simple. “With soup, or without soup?” asks the smiling waiter. Go for “without” and the pork-based broth will be served on the side for you to moisten your meal as much or as little as you wish. Classic rice noodles are the staple, but egg (mi) and soya (mien) are also available.

Whichever option you choose, prices move between just VND 85,000 and VND 90,000.

So just what are you getting in your hieu tieu Nam Vang? On a bed of clear noodles rests a generous helping of tender, juicy and surprisingly lean slices of roast pork that ribbon around a smorgasbord of ingredients, flavours and textures. Exploring with my spoon I’ve got a nice scattering of minced pork, a boiled quail’s egg, a beautifully steamed shrimp and a healthy layer of green leaves and spring onion, all topped off with caramelised flecks of fried garlic.

From a side plate I pinch in a refreshing snap of bean-sprouts, yet more fresh greenery and a few drops of chilli oil. Pickled

garlic, soy sauce and fresh limes are also available to tweak your flavourings to perfection. I mix, pinch and eat, and every part of my tongue lights up. The complex flavours evolve from sweet to sour and everything in between.

In addition to the Chinese breadsticks stacked up on each table, a further nod to Lien Hua’s heritage comes in the form of their homemade dim sum. With just a handful of exquisite pork and seafood creations available, I’d strongly advise ordering the full platter for just over VND 200,000. If you only have room for one, make it their signature pork bun (VND 50,000). It’s the very definition of comfort food.

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HIGHWAY

23

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Bespoke leather goods are still handmade in this Saigon workshop. By Brett Davis. Photos by Vinh Dao. The rich, unmistakable aroma of fine leather is the first thing you notice as you approach the workshop and showroom of Highway 23 in Saigon’s Binh Thanh District.

Inside is like an Aladdin’s cave of quality, hand-made leather goods. Bags of all shapes and sizes, boot, wallets and assorted other products are artfully arranged on shelves.

There is also a strong motorcycle theme running through the decor of the showroom.

Indeed, it was through a love of motorcycles that Highway 23 came into being two years

ago when 28-year-old Cao Phan Quoc Nhan, known to his friends as Dzach Nhan, decided he wanted to create some cool, bespoke accessories for his bike.

“I always ride motorcycles with my friends, and I wanted to create something for bikers in Vietnam,” he says.

The first products he produced were saddle bags for bikes, but two years later Highway 23 is turning out products ranging from travel bags to tablet cases, watch bands and boots.

All the pieces are designed and manufactured onsite, and Nhan says he sources his leather from Thailand, India and Italy for really highend requests.

The bespoke nature of the work really comes into its own when customers want something made to their personal specifications. Customers can also bring in a sample and the team will make a replica.

A simple bag will take about a week to complete, with something larger and more intricate taking around 15 days. AsiaLIFE photo editor Vinh Dao was so taken with the pieces he ordered a custom-made camera satchel on the spot.

Meanwhile, Nhan says his love of riding and travel keeps him inspired to keep creating.

And that is a very good thing for the rest of us. For more information visit facebook.com highway-23.

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Wild Tussah’s Good Threads Tus-sah: a durable and golden silk produced by Asian silkworms in the forest

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The team behind WILD TUSSAH spends their days collaborating with remote Lu, Cham and Hmong weavers to create ethical bags from artisanal fabrics and traditional handweaving practices — practices that are gradually being replaced with global fashion’s mass-manufacturing methods.

In fact, Wild Tussah’s business model mirrors other eco-conscious fashion partnerships as of late. This year, Jessica Alba — actress and founder of the eco-friendly shop The Honest Company — sourced textiles from Guatemalan artisans to create bags with fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff and FINCA, an organisation

that uses the bags’ proceeds to support female artisans in countries where there is little infrastructure.

With the same devotion to culture and sensibility for local artisan talent, Wild Tussah commissions a colourful array of 15 handbags assembled with Cham cotton weaves (USD $95-$134) and more than 30

hand-loomed Cham or Hmong textiles (USD $8-$104, sold by the yard).

Its Day to Night handbag collection comes in a number of spirited patterns, such as five diamond, bow or triangle weaves. The raw textiles are equally precious, especially the Blue Flower Hmong curtain weave. It’s a one-of-a-kind textile made from hemp and cotton

that’s initially dyed in indigo for three to four weeks for a rich blue hue – a magnificent process that Wild Tussah makes sure to preserve and honour.

by Ruben Luong

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Shop all handbags and weaves or learn more at WildTussah.com.

Blog: WildTussah.com/blog Facebook: fb.com/WildTussah Instagram: wildtussah

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listings

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

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

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

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

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

escape

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

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

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

InterContinental Asiana Saigon Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9999 saigon@interconti.com www.intercontinental.com/saigon 305 rooms/suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, five restaurants/bars, meeting/ banquet facilities, spa/health club and lounge with panoramic view.

HANOI

Intercontinental Westlake Hanoi 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Tel: 04 6270 8888 www.intercontinental.com Located on the waterfront with contemporary Vietnamese design, restaurants, business services, fitness centre including exercise classes and pool.

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

Sheraton Hotel Hanoi K5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho Tel: 04 3719 9000 www.starwoodhotels.com “Resort within a city” boasts 299 spacious guest rooms with panoramic views, fitness centre, international restaurant and Hemisphere Vietnamese restaurant.

HO CHI MINH CITY

Caravelle Hotel 19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 www.caravellehotel.com One of the city’s most prestigious venues. Features a casino, Reflections Restaurant and al fresco 9th-floor Saigon Saigon Bar.

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

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

Sheraton 88 Dong Khoi, D1 / Tel: 3827 2828 www.sheraton.com/saigon Luxury downtown hotel: Level 23 bar, Mojo café, Li Bai Chinese restaurant, fine dining at The Signature on the 23rd floor.

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

HOI AN & DANANG

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

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

Rates start below Located 400 metres from the Old Town.

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

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

NHA TRANG

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

and a meal for those who book for six nights or over.

take flight with travel promotions around the region

Big savings at Salinda Resort

Two luxury resorts come together

Enjoy one of Vietnam’s most beautiful islands, and save a bit of money in the process, by taking advantage of Salinda’s special offer.

Pilgrimage Village and Vedana Lagoon, two renowned resorts in Hue, have created a deal perfect for a romantic getaway.

The resort, located on Long Beach in Phu Quoc, is offering a 45 percent discount on bookings until 31 October.

Guests can stay for two nights at Honeymoon Bungalow at Pilgrimage Village and two nights at either Aqua Bungalow or Pool Honeymoon Villa at Vedana Lagoon.

Summer rates start at $169 (about VND 3,800,000) depending on the room, so guests can make a good saving.

The luxury hotel is surrounded by pristine sand and crystalline waters while Phu Quoc International Airport is a 10 minute drive away.

Guests can make themselves at home in one of the 121 deluxe rooms, suites or villas with natureinspired design and spacious private balconies.

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tive retreat within the dense rainforest of mythical Monkey Mountain.

The offer includes buffet breakfasts, tai chi and yoga classes, and transfers from Hue and between the resorts.

The package lasts until October 31 and cost VND 9.352.000 as a whole.

Treat for long stays at Nam Hai A classy hotel in Hoi An is luring guests with a tempting 20 percent discount plus spa treatment

Set along a stretch of sand amid Vietnam’s richest cultural heritage, Nam Hai offers guests a traditional set meal, an hour’s spa treatment and the saving if they book into one of its villas before 22 December.

Inspired by 2,500 years of history, Nam Hai’s architecture and interior design present a dramatic play on wind and water inspired by ancient feng shui philosophy and the grandeur of the Tu Duc royal tombs of Hue. Guests can explore the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An, My Son and Hue with its Buddhist pagodas, royal tombs and historic citadels.

Return to the resort on Ha My Beach to relax around three expansive swimming pools.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

SCUBA DIVING

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

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

VUNG TAU

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

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

first 541-room tower of this development opened with its casino including 90 live tables and 614 electronic game positions. The Grand will be the initial component of The Ho Tram Strip, the largest integrated resort complex in Vietnam.

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

Exotissimo HCMC: 20 Hai Ba Trung St, D1 Tel: 3827 2911 infosgn@exotissimo.com HANOI: 26 Tran Nhat Duat St, Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3828 2150 infohanoi@exotissimo.com www.exotissimo.com CHUDU24 hotel booking service 12th floor, 242 Cong Quynh St, D1 Tel: 1900 5454 40 www.en.chudu24.com Chudu24.com - the locally famous Vietnam hotel booking website now has an English version. The company is known for having the best local prices and reliable service. It has been the number 1 Vietnam hotel booking service for Vietnamese since 2008.

Indochina Ventures 40 Truong Quyen, D3 Tel: 3820 2563/3820 2564 Fax: 3829 2565 info@indochina-ventures.com Tour operator that specializes in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Can tailor packages to suit customers’ time frames and interests. iTravel 175/22 Pham Ngu Lao, D1 Tel: 0836 4876 www.itravel-online.com trung@itravel-online.com

Operated out of Le Pub (Hanoi/HCMC) offering a wide range of tour and accomodation options throughout Vietnam, as well as custom-made tours tailored to customer specifications.

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

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

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

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

Wouldn’t you like to stay at the

Mansion?

1, 2, 3 Bedroom & Penthouse Apartments AVAILABLE NOW. 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, HCMC T: (84-8) 3822 6111 Ext.101 F: (84-8) 3824 1835 E: sales@norfolkmansion.com.vn W: www.norfolkmansion.com.vn Managed by Norfolk Group

Bia Craft 90 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 083 744 2588 A cozy bar serving beer­themed snacks and some of the best craft ales in Saigon. Constantly buzzing with the friendly chat of local expats in the area.

listings

food & drink

Chilli Pub 89 Ton That Dam, District 1 Tel: 098 376 33 72 Located in the heart of the nightlife area of District 1, Chilli pub is a cozy bar full of fun. Hosting regular events such as quiz night, darts, live music and live sports on the big screens.

Menu revolves around Chili dishes with chili dogs and of course big bowls of Chilli.

BAR RESTAURANTS

Dublin’s Gate D1 19 Thai Van Lung, D1 This authentic Irish pub in downtown Saigon has a large wine list, a wide selection of single malt whiskey and local and imported beers, including widgets of Guinness. It also has a western and Asian menu.

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

feast

Corso Steakhouse & Bar Norfolk Hotel, 117 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Located in the chic Norfolk Hotel Corso Steakhouse & Bar is well known for its steak imported from the US and Australia.

D2 55­57 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 35 194 138 Stylish non­smoking sports bar offering all the latest action on a choice of widescreen TVs.Perfect for sports fans who are looking for a cold pint and big portions from a tempting pub grub menu. Mogambos 50 Pasteur, D1 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.  Phatty’s 46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 0796 www.phattysbar.com Jaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’s sports bar has five widescreen TVs, a large drop-down screen and lots of pub grub and beer for fans

looking to take in a game or two.

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

The Tavern R2/24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7 Tel: 5410 3900 Boasts good international food, a pool table, dartboards and sports coverage on large screens. Outdoor seating on mutiple levels. Second floor sports lounge hosts DJs at the weekends.  Vasco’s Bar 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3824 2888 Chic bar decked in deep reds that gets packed to capacity on weekends.

Open Monday to Saturday with live music on Fridays. Food menu by chef with over 10 years experience at La Camargue. Also does excellent pizza.



Game On Sport Pub 115 Ho Tung Mau, District 1 Tel: 08 62 51 98 98 www.gameonsaigon.com A great place to catch all the latest live games while enjoying some great food and a few drinks with friends. The two big screens showing the games via satellite means you will never miss a minute of the action, while the kitchen serves up some truly hearty pub grub.

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 fresh-

broaden your palate with promotions around town

Korean festival at InterContinental Asiana Saigon

It cost VND 1,099,000 per adult including one glass of Sohju or VND 1,199,000 including one bottle and runs from 22 October to 15 November.

Seafood feast at Sheraton Saigon

If you love Korean food, don’t miss out on Korean Culinary Festival Week at Market 39 Restaurant in the lobby level of the InterContinental.

A dinner to excite the palate, the hotel offers a gastronomic adventure of authentic Korean cuisine presented by Korean guest chefs flown in from InterContinental Seoul Coex.

Discover a delectable spread of the finest Korean dishes at the live stations with a flow of Sohju, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee.

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Foodies should head to Level 23 Signature Restaurant at the Sheraton every Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 10pm this month for a seafood extravaganza.

The restaurant boasts a collection of the best seafood including lobster, oysters, green mussels, cod fish and salmon specially grilled in a dish with three kinds of sauce such as lemon butter sauce, cocktail sauce and salty pepper lime juice.

Seafood dishes will be served with Sautee potato rissole garlic and herbs and lettuce with dressing.

roasted 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.

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

Royal Pavilion Reverie Saigon Hotel, 4th Floor, 22 36 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 08 3823 6688 Located in the Reverie Saigon Hotel,

There will be wine pairings recommended for those who love to enjoy the menu with the perfect wine accompaniment in a romantic atmosphere with violin and guitar music and spectacular views. It cost VND 2,500,000 per person.

Top Notch Dim Sum at Hotel Equatorial If your eyes and belly are of proportionate size then take advantage of Orientica Seafood Restaurant’s ‘all you can eat’ Cantonese dim sum.

The restaurant based at Hotel Equatorial offers brunch every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9am to 2.30pm at VND 398,000 per person.

Regulars who collect 10 lunch stamps will also receive a complimentary lunch. The a la carte dim sum menu is available Tuesday to Friday from 11.30am to 2.30pm and cost VND 48,000 per basket.

the Royal Pavilion serves up classic Cantonese cuisine in fine dining style.

Featuring a menu of epic proportions, there is sure to be something for everyone.

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 wellknown industry figure, and this venue can hold its own among the city`s many French restaurants.

INDIAN

Saigon Indian 73 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 5671 Popular venue with an enormous menu. Serves both southern and northern Indian dishes like tandoori, biryani, dosa and idly snacks, plus a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Offers a set lunch menu. Cater service is available.  Tandoor 39A-39B Ngo Duc Ke, D1 www.tandoorvietnam.com Part of a chain of restaurants covering Hanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features a large selection of standard northern Indian dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Excellent cheap set lunches and reasonable prices all around. Will organize catering for events. 

INTERNATIONAL

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

Specializes in Middle Eastern and North African food. The salad menu is a favourite, and a great range of lush

smoothies and juices are on offer.



Bamboo Chic Le Meridien, 3C Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 086 263 6688 Slick, minimalistic restaurant boasting a stunning view of the Saigon River as well as a menu of high­quality cuisine that mixes Japanese and coastal Chinese styles. Worth a visit, even if it’s just for a cocktail.

Beets Salad Bar 111 Ham Nghi, District 1 Tel: 08 38 211 282 Arguably the city’s only salad bar, this fresh new spot provides healthy options for downtown diners by sticking to the basics.

BOC Barbeque 43 Nguyen Van Giai, D1.

Situated down a alleyway at the top of D1, this charming outdoor spot serves up quality American­style barbeque at astonishingly reasonable prices. There is also a good selection of seafood and pasta dishes as well as cheap beers and cocktails.

Con Bo Map 178/4B Pasteur, D1 Tel: 08 38 246 607 A small, modest space hidden down an alley off Pasteur serving some of the best burgers in town.

Black Cat 13 Phan Van Dat, D1 Tel: 3829 2055 Tiny but popular District 1 restaurant serving up an excellent selection of Western and Vietnamese fare and an extensive range of sandwiches and burgers.  BoatHouse 40 Lily Road, APSC Compound, 36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6790 Riverside restaurant with umbrellashaded tables spread across outdoor deck and small indoor dining room.

With revamped menu which includes a mix of family-style meals with Mexican featuring predomominately, followed by Italian and Asian fare. 

Shiraz is not just a wine shop, with over 550 different wines in stock, it also has a coffee area, plus is open to private bookings of the upstairs area, which is free if guests buy the food and wine from the shop, making it ideal for birthday parties, wine tastings and company events.

20 Mac Thi Buoi, Ben Nghe Ward, D1, HCMC Tel: 08 - 3822 4868, Hotline (+84) 917 569 668 Facebook: shiraz-wine & coffee shop Website: www.shirazsaigon.com Email: shirazsaigon@vnn.vn

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

Hosts monthly Spam Cham networking event.  Koto 3rd Floor Rooftop, Kumho Link Plaza, 39 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, D1 Tel: (+84) 3822 9357 This is the Saigon arm of the renowned organisation that began in Hanoi a decade ago. Vietnamese food is prepared with innovative twist by young people Koto are helping get a start in the hospitality industry and on a path for a better life.

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

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Market 39 InterContinental Asiana Saigon Ground Floor, corner of Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1 / Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Seven interactive live kitchens offering French, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisines, including a bakery, French patisseries, pancakes, tossed salads, grilled steak, seafood, wokfried items, noodles and pasta dishes.

By Michael Kloster

OMG 15-17-19 Nguyen An Ninh, D1 Tel: 09 37 20 02 22 Perched on the ninth-floor rooftop of a hotel adjacent to Ben Thanh market, OMG has superb views over downtown Saigon and food to match. The menu is focused but includes enough choices to satisfy everyone across hot and cold starters, pasta and risotto, mains and dessert.

imbibe Other Californias Believe it not only four percent of wine produced in California started as a grape in the all-hallowed Napa Valley. Additionally, California itself accounts for 90 percent of the total production in the United States, leaving another ten percent to be shared among the other 49 states, all of which are said to produce wine. As for other regions within California, it must be said that California itself is a large and varied place. It boasts just about every type of microclimate, soil, and weather imaginable. Outside of California there are great wines produced in lots of other places including Virginia, and Upper New York State, but the most important regions are in Oregon and Washington State.

California’s Central Coast Midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco is California’s Central Coast Region. The areas best wines are made from cool weather grapes but also boasts some warmer weather areas, and a lot of Spanish language place names, so look for wines from places like Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Santa Lucia. Often chilly ocean breezes ease in from the cool pacific making these hilly, dry areas great for grapes like Pinot Noir. They are often great values, and taste fantastic boasting bountiful fruit, and harmonious balance.

Oregon While we’re talking Pinot, and who doesn’t these days, let’s look at Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This region sits on roughly the same latitude, and has similar climatic conditions to France’s Burgundy Region. In fact, many of the 54 asialife HCMC

Mekong Merchant 23 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 4713 Set in a courtyard, this rustic Australian-style brasserie has brought modern international cuisine to suburban An Phu. Popular for weekend brunches. Weekly specials and seafood flown in from Phu Quoc. 

wineries there are partnered with, or owned by Burgundian houses.

Although winemaking as a craft began in the 1860s, commercial production didn’t begin in earnest until the 1960s and Pinot wasn’t even really introduced here until the 1970s. Look for some great Oregon values (some available right here in Vietnam), as compared to many Old and New World Pinots.

Washington State Continuing north we encounter Washington State. This isn’t, the Washington State of Starbuck’s and Microsoft fame. The state is cleaved in geographical halves by the Cascade Mountains. The western side is moist and marine (think gloomy, Nirvana sound-tracked Seattle), while the East side is arid and relatively warm, making for nice long grape growing summers.

The area’s latitude, makes for cool nights, tempering the warm days.

This combination of dry summers, warm days and cool nights makes magic when growing wine grapes.

There are several Washington State wines available locally. Look for their juicy (often sweet, but often dry) Rieslings, Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon from warmer regions of the state.

Cheers!

Michael Kloster spent a lifetime drinking, pouring and brewing to research this column. He has been involved in the hospitality industry for the better part of two decades, nearly half of that time in our very own Ho Chi Minh City. Feel free to invite him out for a few: luckydogvn@gmail.com.

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

Reflections Caravelle Hotel, 19 - 23 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3823 4999 Contemporary fine dining that combines Asian flavors with classic Mediterranean cuisine in an ambiance of understated elegance and European style. Special culinary events include guest chefs from Michelin-star establishments around the world. Private rooms are available.

Relish and Sons 44 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 012 07 214 294 Facebook.com/RelishAndSons Burgers are the stars of the show in Relish & Sons, with six varieties, all composed of different but expertly combined ingredients.  Relish and Sons 44 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 012 07 214 294 Burgers are the stars of the show in Relish & Sons, with six varieties, all composed of different but expertly combined ingredients.

Skewers 9A Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 4798 www.skewers-restaurant.com Rustic Mediterranean restaurant where subtle colours and exposed brickwork combine with jazzy tunes. Serves tabouleh, falafel, couscous and kebab.

Highly rated for its grilled meats, bread and dip combos, soups and pastas. Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar 44 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 090 729 2725 District 1 venue with spacious bar downstairs and upstairs dining room.

Serving a full selection of home aged US and Australian beef complimented by a delicious sides.

The Deck 38 Nguyen U Di, D2 Tel: 3744 6632 Serves upmarket takes on regional

specialties made with fresh local and imported products. Well-designed, minimalist dining space and bar on the river are a serious draw.

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

The Refinery 74/7C Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3823 0509 Authentic bistro with cane furniture outside, informal indoor restaurant section and a bar area. Cuisine is light, modern European. The menu spans a price range to suit most budgets.

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

Viva Tapas Bar & Grill 90 Cao Trieu Phat, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 08 54 106 721 Tucked away on a quiet street in Phu My Hung, Viva is colourful and welcoming and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Tapas make up the bulk of the menu and cover traditional dishes as well as a few house specialties that put a quirky twist on things.  Zombie BBQ Parkland 628A Vo Truong Toan, D2 Tel: 08 66 853 756 Inspired by the current influx of American comfort food in Saigon, Zombie BBQ is an American-style barbecue restaurant focusing on birch-smoked meats, eclectic sides and a handcrafted variety of barbecue sauces to suit all tastes. 

ITALIAN

Basilico InterContinental Asiana Saigon, Ground Floor, corner of Nguyen Du and Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3520 9099 dine@icasianasaigon.com Contemporary and casual trattoriastyle restaurant specializing in authentic Italian dishes and homemade desserts. Wood-fired pizza oven and a wide selection of Italian wines.

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

Specializes in thin-crust pizza, pasta and a range of Italian dishes. Good selection of Italian wines.  LovEat 29 Hai Trieu, D1 Tel: 08 62 602 727 Facebook.com/LovEatRestaurant Chic downtown bistro LovEat occupies a prime spot opposite the Bitexco Financial Tower, serving traditional Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian twist. The restaurant prides itself on organic local ingredients and offers full meals as well as coffee, drinks and Italian pastries. Open from 9am til late.  Romeo and Juliet Times Square Building, 57 – 69F Dong Khoi, D1

Tel: 08 38 236 688 TheReverieSaigon.com Underground restaurant of the newlyopened Reverie Saigon, Romeo and Juliet is reinventing local dining to encourage the kind of slower, savourthe-moment experience that allows guests to enjoy the space’s ambiance, food and top-notch service.

JAPANESE

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

Manmaru 71 Mac Dinh Chi, D1 Japanese izakaya with a solid lineup of affordable beers, sakes and whiskies. Whether you choose the casual, pub­like experience downstairs, or the formal dining terrace upstairs, expect excellent food and even better prices.

Nishimura Mövenpick Hotel Saigon, 253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222 Exquisitely prepared sushi and sashimi from a globetrotting chef with three decades’ experience. A wide range of cooked dishes and monthly meal promotions are also available.

The Sushi Bar 2 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8042 3A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3911 8618 This brightly lit Japanese-style restaurant serves over 40 varieties of sushi at reasonable prices. Sit at the sushi bar or in private rooms upstairs. Open until 11.30 pm, delivery available on request. 

KOREAN

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

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

SOUTHEAST ASIAN

Lac Thai 71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506 An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleyway, decorated with art-deco furniture. Authentic Thai cuisine prepared by two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but less spicy than you’d find in Thailand.  The Racha Room 12-14 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 09 08 791 412 RachaRoom.com.vn With street and hawker specialties from Thailand prepared under one roof – and in one room – The Racha Room is a restaurant-cum-lounge fit for a king.

Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro 17/11 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 08 35 21 85 13 Tuktukthaibistro.com Tuk Tuk, a chic new modern Thai bistro. With three floors of seating, an open-air roof area and an array of Thai dishes to excite your palate.

VEGETARIAN

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

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

44

DONG DU ST.

DISTRICT 1, HO CHI MINH

8 AM - 12 AM

(+84) 120 721 4294

VIETNAMESE

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

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

Circus Kitchen 232 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Outdoor barbeque covered by colorful awning, dishing out all­you­ can­eat deals every Thursday plus a combination of grills and a la carte every day of the week in an ambient environment.

OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri: 11:30 am - till late Sat-Sun: 4:00 pm - till late 12 - 14 Mac Thi Buoi St. Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh - (+84) 908 79 1412

Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua 381 Vo Van Tan, D3 www.LienHua.com.vn Lien Hua has been serving Chinese­ Khmer noodle soup on this spot for over forty years. Pork and shrimp set hu tieu Nam Vang apart from your average pho while the house speciality dim sum selection is unmissable.

Mountain Retreat 36 Le Loi, D1 Tel: +84 90 719 45 57 A rustic restaurant perched above downtown offering a secluded getaway and tasty traditional food.

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 four-floor fine-dining restaurant in downtown Saigon. The chic design and ambience, as well as its rooftop garden, are designed to attract a more up-market clientele.

Mon-Fri: 11:30 am - 12:00 am Sat-Sun: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am

(+84) 90 7292 725 44 Mac Thi Buoi St, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh

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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.

Local Eats

By Tristan Ngo

Diem Tam 134 Two years ago I found a gem of a Chinese-style noodle house in District 1 but they didn’t stay open long despite how good they were due to a personal decision by the owner. I was sad for a while since I didn’t have a go to place near my home for a noodle-style breakfast and had to go all the way to District 5 which is a bit of a ride.

Recently I was taken to breakfast at this simple noodle house on Ky Con street offering amazing wonton, noodles, shrimp dumpling and bo kho (beef stew). The wontons and shrimp dumpling are literally made to order and the taste of their fillings is spot on. The broth is well flavored, hardy and comforting. I had written about wonton noodle before in previous articles so I didn’t want to re-write it again but this place was so good I figure I had to find something to write about beside their wonton.

So on my following visits, my wife suggested that I try the wonton again but in their bo kho broth and if I like it I should try their bowl of bo kho next. t is that good.

I never realized that bo kho is proably one of my all-time favorite Vietnamese dishes next to pho.

Back in college days, I’d often cook to save money by making pots of casserole, pasta or bo kho and invite over a few friends to try my cooking and save what was left for the rest for the week.

Bo kho is a sort of like a combination of an American beef stew and the French beef Bourguignon.

It is what I would call the “old standby” meaning when you’re not

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sure of what to eat go with what you know. Bo kho’s distinct taste comes from the use of ginger, lemongrass, star anise, curry powder, cinnamon and Chinese five spices.

The tomato paste and annatto seeds give it the deep red broth color. The pot is simmered with beef and tendon until it literally falls off the bone before adding chunks of potatoes and carrots. Bo kho is normally served either with egg noodles or baguettes. I normally prefer the airy Vietnamese French baguettes.

I love this style of noodle house. A simple, Chinese family owned and operated place right in the heart of District 1. Like I’ve mentioned, their wonton and dumpling are made to order. The broth is flavorful and balanced.

Despite being opened for six years, their taste is as if they have been around for a decade. Make sure to order a bowl of xi quach (chunks of beef or pork bones with meat and cartilage attached) as a side dish. They use these to make the broth so everything literally falls of the bones. Also, order their homemade soybean drink, quite refreshing.

Diem Tam 134 134 Ky Con Street, District 1, HCMC Open daily from 5:30am to 12pm Telephone 0866599528 Tristan Ngo is the Chef Patron and Owner of Skewers Restaurant and The Elbow Room.

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.

Le Padam – Saigon 230 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 090 704 6281 Cheese fanatics can indulge in delicious French imports amid a spacious, airy bistro that also serves wine and desserts. The homemade bread is crisp and soft, attracting many locals to buy baguettes daily.

DELIVERY

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

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

GROCERIES

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

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

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

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

Meatworks Butchery 1, Street 2, Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 08 3744 2565 Imported meats from Australia, including top-quality beef and lamb, and locally sourced pork and chicken..

Proudly Australian owned and managed.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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listings

By Phil Kelly

FITNESS House of Hormones, Part 4 Insulin & Glucagon Insulin health is a complex process.

Insulin management is considered one of the most important factors when striving for a lean physique, have sustained energy levels, preventing chronic disease and to feel better.

What is insulin?

Insulin is the hormone that regulates how the body uses and stores carbohydrates (glucose) and fats. Insulin’s job is to control blood sugar levels. When sugar’s in the blood, high insulin is released to signal our muscles (and liver) and fat cells to ‘take in’ the glucose from the blood.

The first place it tries to push sugar is into the liver and muscles for energy when we exert ourselves.

We have very limited storage space in the liver and muscles for glucose and once these stores are full the glucose is transported to our fat cells. Think of insulin as the storage hormone – we store fat in the presence of insulin.

What is Glucagon?

Glucagon is insulin’s opposite. The two need to work together to keep blood sugar in balance. One of glucagon’s main roles is to breakdown stored fat for use as fuel by cells.

It serves to keep blood glucose levels high enough for the body to function well.

Importance for fat loss?

The key terms to understand are insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. These are not absolute terms and operate as a continuum where you can shift how your cells respond on the continuum to be either more resistant or sensitive.

However, if your body is on the resistant end of the continuum for too long you can ‘break’ the system, which is commonly how type 2 58 asialife HCMC

diabetes develops.

Maximizing insulin sensitivity (when your body only needs to use a small amount of insulin to get its job done) is extremely important for fat loss because when you are insulin resistant (when your cells are less affected by insulin, the receptors stop ‘listening’ and stop accepting insulin and sugar into the muscles) the body is much more likely to store the food you eat as fat. If you are more resistant to insulin your body needs to pump more insulin into the blood stream and high insulin increases fat storage, which is why insulin resistance is associated with obesity. For a normal (md-range) insulin sensitivity person about forty percent of dietary carbs are converted to fat. For a person who is higher on the insulin resistant continuum this percentage is much higher and results in their cells remaining hungry causing them to ‘signal’ for more food. Hence, creating a negative cycle for an insulin resistant person to eat more.

Insulin resistance also produces inflammation in the body, causing a whole lot of heath problems.

By eating foods that are lower on the glycemic index, performing adequate physical activity and ensuring proper nutrient intake, we can place ourselves on the sensitive end of the continuum for effortless and long-term fat loss.

Phil is a health practitioner and expert in body transformation.

His services are available at Star Fitness (Starfitnesssaigon.com), online or at your home. Contact him though his website Philkelly.com or Facebook.com/ BodyExpertSystemsVietnam.

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

CRICKET

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

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

DANCING

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

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

Registration required.

FITNESS & YOGA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FOOTBALL & RUGBY

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

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

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

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

GOLF

Dalat Palace Golf Club Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat Tel: 063 3821 101 dpgc@vietnamgolfresorts.com The most beautiful course in Vietnam, combining the crisp mountain air with an environment of stately pine trees. Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the 7,009-yard course is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEISURE

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

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

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

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

Saigon Pony Club Lane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2 Tel: 0913 733 360 A standout facility offering pony rides, riding lessons, horse clinics and pony rentals. Also hosts events and birthdays.

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

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

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

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

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

Excellent facilities for children and annual membership for kids.

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health & beauty ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

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

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

Dr. Philippe Guettier & International Team of Dentists

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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.

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family By Poppy NuyenEastwood

Education hub Parental Pressure Most parents see education as one of the most important things in life for their kids. It is the pathway to success.

However, when these parents start to care a little too much about the grades, they often stress their child out.

Some parents can be pushy, pressurizing their children to get better results, to study harder at home, or to sign up for extra activities, like sports.

In some cases, even when the child gets a good or fairly good grade, the parents can be displeased and disappointed and can possibly get angry. Do they just want the best for their children or is their child’s performance a reflection on them?

The child, therefore, doesn’t feel supported. For them, even if they are a high achiever, school is something to fear. They think, ‘If I don’t get an A+ in my history test, that’ll mean I’m stupid.’ In other words, if you’re not good at school, you’re not good at anything. This is not true: school is where children learn, and you can’t learn if you don’t make mistakes.

Not everyone is an academic. Not everyone can read a math formula just once and remember it, write an essay without batting an eyelid, or understand all the facts that science has to offer.

Not everyone is a high -flyer.

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Does that mean that they are inferior or untalented?

Of course not! Just because they cannot find a place amongst the narrow tunnel of academia, it doesn’t mean they won’t anywhere else. They might be more of an artist, an adventurer, an inventor or a craftsman.

Children that aren’t academic may well grow up and become something extraordinary, even an entrepreneur.

To all the children that are being pressured to be the best in their class, to get higher grades, even though they are giving 100 percent, there is no need to stress. Relax, meditate if it tickles your fancy (it is said that students who meditate are more focused and in turn their marks improve!) Don’t let stress get the better of you. Work hard, yes, listen in class, yes, but don’t beat yourself up if you’re not the next Einstein, you might be the next Bob Marley. Don’t worry, be happy!.

Poppy Nguyen Eastwood is a Grade 9 student at Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras

ACTIVITIES

Conservatory of Music 112 Nguyen Du, D1 The established training centre for professional musicians offers private piano and violin lessons to foreigners in the evenings.

DanCenter 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, D 2 Tel: 3840 6974 www.dancentervn.com Children and teenagers from age 4+ can enjoy jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, acro dance and break dance classes at this professionally run, newly built dance studio. Schedule and news on events available on-line.

EDUCATION

ABC International School 2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung, Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833 abcintschoolss@vnn.vn www.theabcis.com UK standards-based curriculum awards diploma with IGCSE’s & A Levels certified

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

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

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

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

British International School Primary Campus 43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3 225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Secondary Campus 246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2

Tel: 3744 2335 www.bisvietnam.com BIS is the largest international school in Vietnam operating from three purpose built campuses in HCMC catering for students from pre-school to Year 13. The school operates within the framework of the National Curriculum for England and is staffed primarily by British qualified and trained teachers with recent UK experience. Students are prepared for both IGCSE & the IB Diploma programmes. BIS is a member of FOBISSEA & is fully accredited by the Council of International schools EUROPEAN International School 730 F-G-K Le Van Mien, Thao Dien. Tel: 7300 7257 www.eishcmc.com jura.cullen@cantab.net The EUROPEAN International School Ho Chi Minh City (EIS) offers an international education from Early Years through Primary and Secondary School. EIS is committed to educating students to become creative critical thinkers and problem solvers. In small student centred classes, students are immersed in a multicultural learning environment which values multilingualism. The language of instruction throughout the School is English; the language program includes Spanish, German, French and Vietnamese.

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

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

International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh District Tel: 2220 1788/89 www.issp.edu.vn Opening in August, 2011, the single purpose-built campus will cater for nursery through grade five. In the second year, sixth grade will be added. ISSP’s longterm strategic plan includes complete middle and high schools. In the spring of 2011 ISSP will host the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (the largest American accreditation agency in Asia). Accreditation will allow children to easily transfer to schools abroad.

Montessori International School International Program 42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, D2 Tel: 3744 2639 Bilingual Program 28 Street 19, KP 5, An Phu, D2 Tel: 6281 7675 www.montessori.edu.vn Montessori utilizes an internationally recognized educational method which focuses on fostering the child’s natural desire to learn. The aim is to create an encouraging environment conducive to learning by developing a sense of self and individuality. A wide array of curriculum/extra-curricular activities are on offer including Bilingual programs.

Renaissance International School 74 Nguyen Thi Thap, D7 Tel: 3773 3171 www.rissaigon.edu.vn An International British school providing inclusive curriculum based upon the British curriculum complemented by the International Primary Curriculum and International Baccalaureate. The school has made a conscious decision to limit numbers and keep class sizes small to ensure each student is offered an education tailored to meet his or her individual learning needs. It is a family school providing a stimulating and secure learning environment with first-class facilities including a 350-seat theatre, swimming pool, mini-pool, play-areas, gymnasium, IT labs, music and drama rooms, science labs and an all-weather pitch.

RMIT 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7 Tel: 3776 1369 Australian university located in District 7, offers a highly regarded MBA and undergraduate courses in various fields.

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

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

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

Singapore International School (SIS) No.29, Road No.3, Trung Son Residential Area, Hamlet 4, Binh Hung Ward, Binh Chanh District Tel: 5431 7477 www.kinderworld.net Students play and learn in an environ-

ment where the best of Western and Eastern cultures amalgamate to prepare KinderWorld’s students for today’s challenging world drawn from both the Singapore and Australian curriculum. The school offers International Certifications such as the iPSLE, IGCSE and GAC. The American School 172 - 180 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3519 2223 info@tasvietnam.edu.vn An independent and private collage preparatory school with a highly individualized and personalized program, The American School of Vietnam offers a strong, US based curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

listings

living BUSINESS GROUPS

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

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

In Vietnam for 15 years, Citibank has a

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

PARTIES

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

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

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

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

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presence in both HCMC and Hanoi.

Eurocham 257 Hoang Van Thu, Tan Binh Tel: 3845 5528 www.eurochamvn.org German Business Group 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 www.gba-vietnam.org Singapore Business Group Unit 1B2, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1 Tel: 3823 3046 www.sbghcmc.org

By Elizabeth Png

HOME IMPROVEMENT Common Oven Mistakes You’ve followed the recipe to a T, and you have the perfect oven for the dish. Yet your cakes or roasts just aren’t coming out right. Here are three common mistakes home chefs make while cooking with the oven and tips on how to avoid them.

Putting food on the wrong shelf Positioning matters when it comes to cooking in the oven, especially for foods that require even cooking. The heating elements in an oven are located at the top and bottom, and placing the meal too close to either could result in burning on the end closest to the heat source and undercooking on the other.

If your cakes or pizzas are coming out too brown or burnt on top, place them on a lower shelf to slow the cooking on top.

If a pizza crust is crisp but the top is undercooked, move it to a higher level in the oven. Meat that needs to be cooked evenly, like roasts, should typically be cooked in the middle.

Opening the oven door As tempting as it is to sneak a peek and see how your meal is doing, try not to open the oven door. Opening the oven door lowers temperatures in the oven by at least 25 degrees, and it can take up to 10 minutes for the heat to return to the initial level. This means that your roast needs more time to cook or worse, results in the collapse of that bread loaf or cake you were baking.

Invest in a probe thermometer or a meat probe if you want to 64 asialife HCMC

keep an eye on your food while cooking. Some of the latest intelligent ovens even come equipped with a heat probe and sensors that can calculate the precise combination of energy consumption, time and cooking level to place your food in order to cook it optimally.

Cutting and serving meat directly after cooking A nice, juicy steak or roast can be irresistible to the hungry diner, but just wait a few minutes and the taste of the meat will be enhanced considerably.

During cooking, the muscle cells in the meat contracts and its juices boil and get squeezed out. When the meat is taken out of the oven, it is actually still cooking and will continue to do so for a few minutes. A roast can rise another 10 degrees in temperature as it rests. If you start cutting into the meat during this process, the liquids inside will run out, leaving the steak or roast dry. By letting the meat cool a little, its muscle cells will eventually relax and soak up the juices again.

This rule applies equally to all meat, although how long it rests depends on the size of the dish.

A small cut like a steak or pork chop requires five minutes, while a whole bird or rack of ribs may need 20 to 30 minutes.

Elizabeth has worked with global household brands with key focus on major home appliances in Vietnam. She can be reached on elizabethpng@yahoo.com. sg.

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

CAMERAS

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

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

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

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

COMPUTERS

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

Honours Apple service plans.

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

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

SYS Vi Tinh Saigon

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

Freeware and shareware also available on the store website.

CONSULTING

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

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

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

Grant Thornton Saigon Trade Centre, 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 9100 www.gt.com.vn International business advisors specializing in auditing, management consulting, corporate finance, risk management and information technology.

IF Consulting IBC Building, 3rd Floor 1A Me Linh Square, D1 4th Floor, 5 Ba Trieu Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: 3827 7362 Fax: 3827 7361 Email: pascal@insuranceinvietnam.com Private insurance and finance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELECTRONICS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Paul McLardie

PERSONAL FINANCE Chaos Theory In 1960, meteorologist Edward Lorenz carried out a study of weather patterns and found out that insignificant factors can have huge effects on the overall outcome. It is the same reason why someone rushing to get to work can make a bad decision at a junction and make you late for work half an hour later. You have no direct relationship with the person that slept in, but their actions have a detrimental effect on you and you cannot have prepared for it.

In finance and economics the same can happen and has been studied to great lengths by some of the greatest minds such as Benoit Mandelbrot and Edgar Peters to name but two. You can go into great depth with these, even going into fractal behaviour models and some serious physicsbased mathematics. It all ends up to the same basic fact.

The last thing to change in the price of a stock will be the price. The price is determined by mathematical predictions of such things as, the traders personal feelings such as national bias and wanting a stock to do well or do badly, the amount of a stock that is available and the speed or momentum that can build up in the wider community of traders who are buying and selling the stock.

Chaos theory does remain controversial though and does have its detracters. Mainly because it does bring into account human behaviours

therefore some see it as it cannot be placed into a purely mathematical equation or algorithm. On one side of the fence you have people that study the purely mathematical side and write algorithms based on that or behavioural economists who bring in the strengths and weaknesses of the human being and attempt to understand and prepare for human choices.

If you are looking for a model or method to follow with your investing, whether it be any theories discussed above or Elliot wave, regression data mining, or even closing your eyes and putting a pin in the financial times, the main thing is that you are comfortable and happy with it. Like any experiment, always let it run its course and then evaluate at the end, not part way through unless you know you have made a grave error in your calculations.

Be safe driving to work and the next time you are late, don’t blame the person in front of you attempting a stupid six lane manoeuvre.

Blame yourself for not giving yourself enough time to adjust for the bloke who forgot his child’s swimming kit and had to turn around and go back to collect it. Even if it was half an hour before you had your cornflakes.

Paul McLardie is a partner at Total Wealth Management.

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

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FURNITURE

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

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

Upholstery, accessories, antiques and more.

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

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

By Gary Woollacott

People matter First Impressions This month’s topic comes after a client visit to a dark, shabby and dilapidated office – in a dark, shabby and dilapidated building. The searches were going quite well: we identified candidates, assessed them, invited them to our office for talks and then submitted a shortlist.

So far, so good.

But at the client interview stage, things started to go wrong: candidates’ feedback was overwhelmingly negative. One candidate turned up but the client interviewer didn’t. Some candidates were met by a relatively low level HR person, instead of the CEO, which did not make a good impression.

In status-conscious societies, such as we have here in SE Asia, this was a negative for candidates who felt that their candidacy was not being taken seriously. The CEO should have been there to show the right level of respect and interest and we are only talking a handful of shortlisted candidates.

And yet none of these was in itself a deal-breaker. No, what really made a difference was the terrible state of the client’s office. The client has a reputation for saving money here and there – we can explain away that when we are selling to candidates – but as soon as the candidates walked into the client’s office they could see that the rumours were true.

And no amount of recruiting sweet talk is going to dispel the image of a dark, dirty office where the furniture looks like it has been there for thirty years.

What made it even worse was 66 asialife HCMC

watching the other staff drift around in cheap slippers (do you wear them in the office? I hope not!), wearing old coats to guard against the inefficient, but freezing air-conditioning, looking miserable. No receptionist on duty; you have to wait until someone sees you and they might – just might – help you.

A terrible first impression; and my client wanted people to become enthused about working there.

If your office environment is of a similarly low quality then take a step back. Ask your friends to visit incognito, like a mystery shopper, and report back to you how they are treated. And if your office resembles the one above then do something about it. We are in a highly competitive hiring market and it helps to have a clean and bright office.

We don’t need a slide between floors, or a pool table, or a room filled with plastic balls – all we want is somewhere that is tidy, well-maintained and clean.

If you want to inspire people to perform their best on a daily basis, isn’t it a good idea to lift their spirits when they arrive at work, rather than making them think they have walked into a dump?

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

Gary Woollacott works for Horton International in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. He can be reached at +84 8 3910 7682 or via woollacott@ hortoninternational.com.

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

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

Friendly staff speak excellent English.

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

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

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

LINH‘S WHITE

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

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

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

LEGAL

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

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

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

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

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

LIGHTING

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

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

MOTORBIKES

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

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

REAL ESTATE

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

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

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

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

Supports professional services and after-sales.

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

Diamond Island Luxury Residences No 01 – Street No.104-BTT, Quarter 3, Binh Trung Tay Ward, D2 T: (84) 968 293 388 / 3742 5678 F: (84-8) 3742 3232) www.the-ascott.com Diamond Island Luxury Residences offers 68 fully-furnished apartments, ranging

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

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

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

RECRUITMENT

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

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

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

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

Horton International 5F, Vitic Building 6B Nguyen Thanh Y Street, D1 Tel 3910 7682-3 www.hortoninternational.com Established in HCMC in 2005, Horton International services local and multinational companies seeking to recruit high quality personnel. Horton International is one of the world’s leading executive search groups with 50 offices in 30 countries. For more information, contact vietnam@hortoninternational.com.

RELOCATION AGENTS

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

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

Not just International or local moving and storage. Crown Relocations offer a wide range of services including orientations, immigration, home search, intercultural training through to pet relocation. Call the team on the above number and check out our website for more information.

UTS Saigon Van Intl’ Relocations 1st Fl, 214 Nguyen Van Huong, D2 Tel: 3744 7102 MOVING!? www.saigonvan.com Full service relocating agency with ware! housing, handyman, insurance & claim, ! orientation an partner career support services also availble. !"#$%&&'(!)%*#)%&&'(!+),-.)%*#)%&&'/!

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

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

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

STATIONERY

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

Stationary and Printing Street Ly Thai To Street, D3 More than 25 stores providing photocopying & printing services.

listings

fashion By Ruben Luong

FASHION Field Note

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.

Fashion Field Videos

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

Contemplating ideas for a fashion field note each month, it’s almost easier to imagine a fashion field video each week instead.

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.

Style content by nature translates well into short video series.

Fashion Q&As are especially interesting reads, but they also resonate as clips with a special context. I’m particularly a fan of Vogue.com’s 73 Questions series. In the series, prominent personalities answer quick-fire questions as they saunter candidly in one take, often in their own homes. In my favourite episode, actress Nicole Kidman gives a charming and bucolic tour of her Australian farm, revealing things like the coolest part of her home (“my six alpacas”) or her favourite curse word (“shit”).

Of course, anyone can manage a Snapchat, Vine or YouTube account to create fashion video content like 73 Questions. But not all are produced with an original idea or are as witty and engaging. So it’s with admiration that I notice savvy digital editors and fashion figures who are working hard to diversify their library of creative videos. They are quickly improving the streaming of style and presenting relatable fashion stories.

Twenty-three-year-old American supermodel Karlie Kloss debuted her YouTube vlog Klossy in August. Kloss shares personable video diaries of her very coveted, itinerant life. Channeling a little cheer, glamour and nerdiness, she has chronicled her time backstage as a former Victoria’s Secret angel, on location at a Glamour cover 68 asialife HCMC

shoot, through Haitian communities for charity, and also in New York from her West Village townhouse, where she occasionally answers questions she receives from Twitter fans.

GQ.com, which redesigned its website this past summer, facilitates over 30 video series geared towards men’s fashion. Its Style and How-To videos are ideal for sharing because they develop a rapport between editors and subscribers. In August’s How to Go Platinum, viewers can live vicariously through GQ style writer Jake Woolf as he transforms his brunette locks into a platinum blonde coiffure, à la It-model Lucky B Smith.

Moreover, Vogue.com UK enlisted its contributing editor Alexa Chung to produce the online documentary series The Future of Fashion, which launched last month. Chung exemplifies that video is, literally, an effective method for looking at fashion differently.

“People are very dismissive of fashion in general,” Chung narrates in episode one. “It’s considered frivolous or indulgent…Fashion should be allowed to be fun and all of those things, but it shouldn’t be defined by those ideas…I found the industry to be full of very hardworking people who take their jobs very seriously, and that’s what I want to celebrate.”

Ruben Luong is AsiaLIFE’s style editor. Contact him at ruben@ asialifemagazine.com.

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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icture the scene: your friend is running toward the penalty spot, preparing to launch a football as your iPhone’s video records the moment, and then BAM, your friend misses the ball and – legs splaying – hurtles to the ground.

Reliving that humiliating wipeout is important to us all, and Shutta gives us the ability to pinpoint the precise impact by taking stills from any video taken with or stored on your iPhone – any footage synced from a GoPro or drone camera can also be accessed – and saving your favourite moments as photos.

James Shimell released the first version of the Vietnam-based free app in January 2014 and its user number is rising after a

period of testing and refining the tool.

Perhaps one of the reasons thousands of people download the app across 80 countries is because of its simplicity: it does one job and it does it well.

Photographers need not worry about missing the perfect shot because Shutta allows users to pull high definition stills at the frame rate that the video was recorded.

That means up to 240 photo opportunities a second with iPhone 6+ or GoPro footage. These images can then be downloaded, emailed, sent by SMS, and shared on the integrated social network or on Twitter and Facebook. Shutta recently came second in the Vietnamese leg of the Tech in Asia conference for best new app.

Microsoft Translator

Hello Heart

Ninja Jamm

This free app helps you break the language barrier wherever you’re traveling or have a need to translate anything in your daily life. Quickly translate phrases from 50 languages on your Apple watch, or use the companion Android phone app when it’s more convenient.

Too many honking horns and deep fried food can be hell on the blood pressure. At no cost, Hello Heart provides realtime explanations of what your blood pressure readings mean, and tells you how you’re doing overall.

Independent label Ninja Tune allows users to download this free app and tap into its stable of their artists for songs and samples that can be remixed, or mixed into new tracks of your own.

72 asialife HCMC

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

sound fix

Dengue Fever Tokay (Video for single) Tuk Tuk Records The ever popular Dengue Fever continues its relentless touring in support of the Cambodian band’s latest album, The Deepest Lake. Single ‘Tokay’ proved popular when it made its video

premiere, featuring stills from old black and white Bettie Boop cartoons interspersed with members of the band viewing shots through the iconic Viewmaster. Cambodian lead singer Chhom Nimol and her band continue to dish out beautiful moody music that is 100 percent Cambodian fusion. Tokay is a type of gecko whose cries can commonly be heard across the region, and in Cambodia feature in the game of young lovers wanting to find out if they are destined to be together. Sticking to the band’s signature style, the song screams American psychedelic meets classic Cambodianpop, with surf guitar licks that define the band and the Golden Age revival that has placed Dengue Fever on such a deserved pedestal.

albuM review

bY Mai Lynn Miller Nguyen

A FAT COMP: A Fan​-​Made Tribute to Fat Wreck Chords Danger Records This is a fan-made tribute compilation to Fat Wreck Chords, one of the most productive and recognisable

punk labels still going today.

The compilation is available as a free download and all the bands that contributed are big fans of the label. Embracing the punk ethos this comp is 100 percent DIY, and has been put together by the Fat Wreck fan community. For anyone who grew up in the 1990s on a staple diet of bands such as Lagwagon, Strung Out, No Use For A Name and a string of other, will enjoy these tributes that take listeners on a nostalgic rollercoaster ride.

Some notable songs include Big D and the Kids Table cover of Propagandhis’ ‘Ska Sux’ and Rude Kings’ version of Screeching Weasels’ ‘Cool Kids’.

A definite for fans of punk rock, ska, pop punk.

Dr. Dre

Snow Train (Single)

Miss Sarawan Band has been gigging consistently across Cambodia for a while now, and the quirky quintet, fronted by adorable identical twin vocalists Lay Mealea and Mealai has recently seen the addition of French drummer percussionist KCM Nayabinghi to band regulars Tro and Joe Wrigley. The band has been part of the revivalist movement of the Khmer rock and roll scene, but thankfully, in addition to performing fantastic classics made famous by legendary Cambodian singers, such as Ros Sereysothea and Pan Ronthey, have their own original songs in the form of new single ‘Snow Train’. This hit is a beautiful fusion of Khmer vocals and Joe Wrigleys easygoing style, a haunting throwback but simultaneously a modern twist on a sound that refuses to go away, and rightly so. Let’s hope we get a full album soon from this talented group.

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Miss Sarawan Band

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Dr. Dre’s first album in 16 years is billed as a soundtrack to coincide with the new N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton. The album has received general acclaim from music critics since its release, with production for the album spanning a lengthy four years.

The contributor list features A-list guest appearances from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Cold 187um, The Game, Ice Cube, and Xzibit, among others. Continuing his trend for feeding off others to inspire his musical genius and cement his legacy in showcasing talent, this is a very personal and communally enriched album. Its energy and Dre’s abilities to produce and put out something new creates fresh layered sounds that encompass his career, making it fitting for what is seen as a farewell record.

io

Compton (Album)

The Beat

Gig

New Releases

List

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

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October M a r c o L en z i @The Observatory Entry: Free until 11pm, 150k after DJ

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October J a m es o n A c o u s tic J am @Saigon Outcast Entry: Free Acoustic open mic

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October K e nny G

@ National Convention Centre, Hanoi Entry: Ticketbox for details Elevator

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October DJ K yot o @Soare Entry: Free EDM

I was lucky to see Ngaiire perform in January 2014 at the Rabbit and Cocoon in Miami, Gold Coast. It was an intimate crowd and from the minute she took to the stage I was mesmerised by her breathtaking voice and incredible costumes.

Ngaiires soulful vocals and energetic delivery were a standout.

Playing songs for her debut album Lamentations she revealed to the audience about an eclectic life in Papua New Guinea.

Since then she has played at Glastonbury, supporting Alicia Keys and John Legend.

I am very excited that she is back on the radar with a new single “ Once “ taken from her forthcoming second album Blastoma.

Co-written with Megan Washington and Paul Mac she has described the song as, “completely surrendering to a moment and being ok with it”. It’s a chilled out tune with a vibe created by her soaring voice. Listen to it a few times and you will be hooked.

Watch out for Ngaiire’s new album due to be released early next year. It’s taken her two years to put it together and I am positive that once again she will prove to us that she is a unique, eclectic, talented singer and songwriter.

OH WONDER! One album worth having a listen to this month, just released in September, is the debut self titled album by Oh Wonder! The South East London electro pop duo consisting of Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West who have written, produced and mixed the 15 tracks on this new album.

The pair managed to release a song per month for a year, starting with the release of “Body Gold” on Soundcloud in September 2014. As a result of slowly releasing songs, the duo received a lot of attention (2 million plays on Soundcloud) and sold out tours before the LPs arrival.

It’s easy to see why. The LP is chilled, electronic ballads with prominent piano and distinct crisp male and female vocals. The first track “Live Wire” is a standout track, along with “Technicolour Beat”, “Drive” and “Loose it”.

The meaningful lyrics, and the inclusion of subtle sounds from guitar, violin and percussion is what makes this album unique. Definitely one to have a listen to.

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Bradley Green decides his best years aren’t behind him, they just need to adapt to his new reality.

T

en years ago almost to the day I was a fresh-faced skallywag who had just turned 17 with the whole world ahead of me.

I was discovering the joys of adolescence and my body was in prime condition, the vices having not yet taken their toll.

Running ridiculous distances through field and forest and barely breaking a sweat. It feels just like yesterday, although my knees would disagree.

Now, I certainly wouldn’t say I’m past it, and I’m by no means ‘old’, yet I do realise the distance from my bright-eyed and bushy-tailed teen self is getting ever greater and that bountiful verve has some what diminished. Slightly. It is only my 27th birthday and not my 57th so I should really just keep it zipped, but its just odd to think that 10 years ago I was already an active, almost adult person. You can’t really say that if you were 23 or 24, so there is some relevance to it.

I believe (hope) I’d beat my younger self in a fight, and what joy it would be slapping that little upstart across the room, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and shaking

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him around a bit, but my god he’d certainly be able to run away. Ten years of living has metaphorically slapped me about, and I’m wondering what bumps and bruises the next decade has in store!

So as we get older self preservation gets more important, and everyone turns into fitness fascists and experts on nutrition (my hometown is bursting at the seams). And they’ll inevitably shove some painfully obvious pearls of wisdom down your throat ie “don’t eat five donuts, why not eat five cherries” or “don’t smoke a cigarette, take a puff on this celery stick instead”. I’m all too aware that I also often think I’m god’s gift to a helpful pointer. Insufferable.

It’s not all bad though, with your body faltering there comes a new sense of responsibility on yourself, you invariably will watch what you eat and perhaps take up that yoga class which is always on the to do list. I myself have always very much enjoyed playing football (soccer to a few of you) and I don’t want to stop, especially when I’m in my ‘peak’ years.

Yes I’ve lost a bit of pace and the old engine needs oiling at more regular intervals, but I’m

still there chugging away like an old locomotive.

Because of my enthusiasm for said sport, I decided to start a five-a-side team with my pals, both good for the fitness and mind, and also a nice thing to do with your friends on a weekly basis. Now I wouldn’t want to brag, and I’d say the team mates deserve most of the credit, but as it stands three games, three wins, 26 goals scored and zero conceded. Yes, I’m quite smug about that, but must not get complacent!

So as I begin this new trip around the sun, it’s good to know it is important to keep an eye on your waistline and to always eat your greens, but in reality it’s just another birthday, another year of experience and another year of feeling like a child in a man’s body. So cheers, here’s to all the people who might not look as fresh or be as sprightly as their 17-yearold selves, but still have that childish wonder bubbling up inside just waiting to boil over.

Time to celebrate, I’m going to have several pints of beer and the greasiest thing on the menu.

Yoga can wait a little while longer.

N.g.O. Focus

V ina C a p ital F o u ndati o n VinaCapital Foundation was founded in 2006 to help prevent needless deaths of underprivileged children.

The Vina Capital Foundation (VCF) team works in three areas: •Improving access to health care for very poor children needing surgery including children with heart defects, tumors and disabilities; •Increasing capacity for quality pediatric health care by making equipment donations and operating nationwide training programs in cardiac, neonatal, intensive and emergency care; •Providing mentoring and school expenses for Vietnam’s most disadvantaged children, ethnic minority Girls.

VCF CEO, Robin King Austin said, “The team at VCF is committed to helping those who cannot help themselves, so that they may someday stand on their own feet and take advantage of all the opportunities provided

by Vietnam’s bright future.

Donations and volunteers are always needed and currently the team is seeking help in online marketing, social media, research

and grant writing.”

VCF’s grassroots medical programs include Heartbeat Vietnam funding heart surgeries for disadvantaged children including pre and post-operative care, and medical outreach clinics to screen children in rural Vietnam. Outreach clinics have given free care to over 30,000 poor children since 2007.

With the help of thousands of individual and corporate donors, Heartbeat Vietnam has saved over 4,200 little children from death and a life of misery.

Over 12,000 children are born each year with congenital heart defects so the waiting list of children needing help stays full.

VCF’s medical capacity building programs include The International Symposium for Cardiac and Pediatric Carean interactive tele-medical education program with 6,574 participants in 40 sessions to date in Cardiac, Neonatal and Intensive Care; Critical Response – Emergency and

ICU care including Pediatric Advanced Life Support Training of over 50 trainers, 700 doctors and 130 nurses and donation of Crash Carts; Survive to Thrive – Reducing neonatal mortality in central Vietnam with design and construction of a regional center of excellence in Da Nang, and training and equipment donations in surrounding referral hospitals; instruments in hand- 3,506 pieces of equipment donated valued over $850,000 VCF’s education initiative, the Brighter Path program, is an empowerment and scholarship program for disadvantaged but academically talented female ethnic minority girls with 47 girls in a seven year program finishing this year when they graduate college and 35 additional girls who started college this year.

VCF’s vision is a Vietnam where all children, regardless of health complications or a lack of access to education, can take advantage of the opportunities available

so that they can contribute to society and achieve their dreams.

As a US-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and a licensed international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Vietnam, VCF addresses nationally recognized health and education challenges. It effectively runs programs in 62 provinces and cities of Vietnam, thanks to the numerous incountry partnerships VCF has formed, including that with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, provincial health services and others.

VCF’s administrative and fundraising costs are covered by one generous donor, thus 100 percent of all donations go directly to support its programs.

Don Lam, CEO of VinaCapital, supported the founding of VCF rather than establishing a corporate foundation, to advance and encourage philanthropy in Vietnam and model best practices for NGOs.

For further information see the website at www.vinacapitalfoundation.org; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest or stop by the office at 24 Nguyen Thai Binh, D1 for a visit. asialife HCMC 77

HISTORY

ENTERTAINMENT 1.

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3.

4.

5.

Which US president declared that the American war was over in 1975?

Taylor Swift’s song Bad Blood is said to be about a conflict between her and which other popstar?

After beating South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, Japan lost their next match. Who was it against?

Elegantly Wasted was the last album before which lead singers band died?

Who is the only actor who has won an Oscar for Best Actor three times?

Responsible for Publication: Director Nguyễn Thế Sơn Responsible for Content: Chief Editor Lê Thị Thu Hương Editors: Phương Lam Giang Trần Ngọc Thương Designed by: ASIALIFE ADVERTISING LIMITED Cover & content by: ASIALIFE ADVERTISING LIMITED VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY PUBLISHING HOUSE 116 – 118 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3 Publishing Corporation: ASIALIFE ADVERTISING LIMITED Printed 2000 copies, size 20,5cm x 27cm, at ITAXA Printing House Address: 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3 Publishing license number: 2577 - 2015 /CXBIPH/03 - 64/ThT. Designation number 281QĐ - NXBTT issued on 29 Sept 2015 Printed and submitted for archive in Sep, 2015 ISBN: 978-604-945-199-7 AsiaLIFE Advertising Limited 2 Street 11, Thao Dien Ward, District 2 For advertising and marketing enquiries please contact: +84 938 298 395 or adsales@asialifehcmc.com For online advertising and video enquiries please contact: +84 903 325 543 or jonny@asialifemagazine.com

Geography 1.

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5.

What is the name of the line that runs north to south in the Pacific Ocean and is used to differentiate between one day and the next?

What is the newest declared independent country in Asia?

If you were to put all of the world’s capital cities in alphabetical order, what would be last?

Which is furthest south? The Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn?

Greenland belongs to which European country?

Distribution: Super Long +84 937 633 283 (VN) +84 168 6830 250 (EN) AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark. No content may be reproduced in any form without prior authorisation of the owners. © AsiaLIFE Advertising Limited

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SCIENCE 1.

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Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with inventing what table?

Which time period came first? Jurassic, Cretaceous or Triassic?

How is Trinitrotoluene better known?

If the temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit, what is the temperature to the nearest degree in Centigrade?

If you are an Ornithologist, what would you be studying?

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

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

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History: Turkey, Rasputin, Bolivia, Gerald Ford, 15th.

Entertainment: Christopher Waltz, Katy Perry, Scotland, INXS, Daniel Day-Lewis.

Geography: International Date Line, East Timor, Zagreb, Tropic of Capricorn, Denmark.

Science: Periodic Table, Triassic, T’n’T, 38, Birds.

General Knowledge: Ecuador, Paris, 2015, 1140, Allied Powers.

4.

5.

Which country do the Galapagos Islands belong to?

In which city is Jim Morrison’s grave?

What year in the future does Marty McFly travel to in Back to the Future 2?

How many minutes are there in a day?

During WW1 was Japan on the Allied side or the with the Central Powers?

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General Knowledge 1.

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3.

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Pub Quiz Answers

1. In which modern day country was Troy located?

2. Which important figure in the Russian revolution died in 1917 after allegedly surviving a stabbing, a poisoning, and two bullet wounds before being battered by a candlestick holder, shot again and then thrown in a river?

3. Che Guevara was murdered in 1967 whilst assisting revolution in which country?

4. Which US president declared that the Vietnam war was over in 1975?

5. In which century did the Roman Empire collapse after the fall of Constantinople?

SÁCH CHUYÊN QUẢNG CÁO

ISBN: 978-604-945-199-7 SÁCH KHÔNG BÁN