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AsiaLIFE volume 3526front06 News & Events12 Dispatches14 Q&A with Fred Wissink16 Street Smart: Pasteur20 Photo Essay: Made in NZAsiaLIFE’s resident lens-man Fred Wissink is in the frame for this month’sQ&A. We revisit Pasteur, one of the city’s best-know boulevards, to catchup on both old and new, and our photo essay takes us to New Zealand,where we get a glimpse of life on the land.on the cover26 Resetting the Vietnamese Table28 Street Food at a Crossroads30 Dining in the Diaspora32 The Shock of the Newfood44 Sterling's Saigon45 Grapes and Bamboo46 Cote d'Azur47 Lang Nuong Nam BoRichard Sterling stumbles upon a lady from Saigon’s past, and tracksdown a taste of history. Meanwhile in City Bites, we run our eye overGrapes and Bamboo, Cote d’Azur and Lang Nuong Nam Bo.style & design48 The Storyteller and hercanvas50 Side KicksAsiaLife visits the studio of artist and Fulbright Scholar Tammy Nguyen,who at 26 is already well on the way to establishing her reputation in theart world. It is time to put your best fashion foot forward and we take alook at street shoes to give you some strut.Our cover story examines Vietnamese cuisine as it is today, and looksat three paths it will take in the future. The rich tradition of street food iscoming under pressure as the country develops, but its deep roots inthe culture are resilient. The Vietnamese Diaspora has taken the nation’sfood to the world, while at home a new generation of chefs is putting afresh twist on familiar fare.back54 The List94 Spotlight96 Street Guide106 Pub Quizstoryboard34 The Last Emperor36 A Cabled CourseTo sign off, we capture a glimpse of HCM City nightlife; preview what'snew in film, music and literature; and challenge your brain power withthe Pub Quiz.The granddaughter of Vietnam’s last Emperor shares her memories ofBao Dai and opens the family photo album. We also go to Thailand forsome water sports action at the Thai Wake Park.getaways38 Livin' Ukraine42 The Secret KingdomThe city of Lviv in Ukraine is a slice of old Europe still largely off thetourist trail – for now. We take a tour down the World-Heritage listedcobblestones and soak up the atmosphere of times gone by. Boutiquehotels and resorts are springing up all over Cambodia to provide arelaxing change of pace for weary travellers, and we look at six of theKingdom’s best.CoverArt Direction365 Days Creative StudioPhotographyFred WissinkFood provided and styledby Xu Restaurant Lounge,71-75 Hai Ba Trungasialife HCMC 3

TET CELEBRATIONSAT YU CHUnote from the editorMuna KhanTo say that food forms a bigpart of one's cultural identity isstating the obvious but allow meto do so nonetheless. As expatswe crave food from home, beit a burger—no matter howgood a gourmet patty you gethere, it still surprises me thatwe crave that crapfest that isMickeyD's—or, in my case, achicken biryani, which you canalso get here. In fact, you canget almost anything here, downto the biryani masala (all in one)but it's just not the same. Evercatch yourself saying that abouta dish, a tried and tested familyrecipe? It's because it's missingthe extra components, andnot just ingredients, the greenchili can be replaced with red butthe laughter of your family that ismissing is irreplacable, and addsto the lackluster meal. We area strange lot of vagabonds: wecan move from place to placeand never experience the localcuisine, preferring to stick towhat we know, or there are somewho leave their identities andcultures behind and embrace allthat is local upon their arrival. Toeach their own but undoubtedly,we know that food is more thanjust nourishment or a sourceof pleasure/entertainment. Thisgot us to look at the evolution ofVietnamese cuisine for our cover,from the misinformed perceptionthat street food will be wiped outin the near future to understandingthe challenges of moderncuisine to how food forms a partof a migrant's experience andcontributes to the Little Saigonswe see in the west.You will also find a great lineup of features and profiles alongwith our regular features that arebound to enthrall you upon yourreturn from Tet holidays.On a personal note, this is mylast issue as I will be returninghome to attend to family matters.Pakistan is experiencing someof its worst violence and whilethe press writes about its imminentimplosion, there are manysecular sane people who will notlet that happen on their watch.I hope to be one of them. AfterI've had a good plate of biryani,naturally.Alex BelikovRussian expat Alex Belikov has alwaysbeen interested in the visual arts and hisfascination with Japanese animation andcinematography led him to his currentvocation as a photographer. He began bycapturing images of cosplayers—a subculturethat revolves around role-play. Morethan just a hobby now, Alex says photographyallows him to uncover the hidden andsometimes surprising beauty in people andeveryday objects.CambodiaCome to our signature Chinese restaurant Yu Chu to savor the ultimate “All You Can Eat” lunches anddinners. For only 488,000 VND ++ per person, all Chinese food lovers will be pampered with themouth-watering selection of more than 30 authentic Cantonese and Peking dishes.Moreover, the famous and fabulous Lao Yu Sheng – a traditional salad with vegetable and salmon thatconsidered bringing luck and prosperity will be offered complimentary during Tet.4 asialife HCMCNguyen Hong HanhKnown affectionately in the AsiaLIFE officeas “Little Hanh”, the 22-year-old works primarilyas a PR executive for the magazine’sparent company 365 Days Creative Studio.While her passion lies firmly in that field,with dreams to study advertising overseasin Australia or the United States, she alsohas a keen talent for editorial work. This issue,Hanh was enlisted mostly to help withtranslation but also put her writing skills tothe test in our monthly “Street Gourmet”section.Next time you're across the border,check out the latest issue of AsiaLIFECambodia or download it fromwww.asialifeguide.com.Find AsiaLIFE articles onThe guide to life in the Kingdom2 nd until 17 th February 2011 onlyLunch and DinnerYu Chu – 1 st Floor of InterContinental Asiana SaigonFor more information or to makea reservation, please call (84 8) 3520 9099email: dine@icasianasaigon.comor visit intercontinental.com/saigon

additional favor on the magazine’sGold List.The Sofitel Legend MetropoleHanoi, Life Heritage Resort HoiAn, Evason Ana Mandara &Six Senses and the Park HyattSaigon all won inclusion on thevaunted list, which was releasedwith the January issue of themagazine. All four of these propertieswere recipients of Readers’Choice Awards.The Gold List is compiled usingdata collected during CondeNast Traveler's annual Readers'Choice Survey. The scores aregiven based on the percentage ofreaders who rate each propertyfeature (location, service, design,food, rooms and activities) as excellentor very good. A minimumnumber of responses is requiredto qualify for inclusion.New Mekong MerchantBistro opensMekong Merchant Saigon willlaunch their new venture – MMBistro – with an opening partyat 6.30pm on February 11. Thebistro at 23 Thao Dien Street,An Phu Ward, District 2 will beopen for breakfast, lunch anddinner and also has a selectionof snacks and tapas. MM Saigonand MM Bistro will also be holdinga special Valentines day dinneron Monday 14th of February.Dinner runs from 6pm to 10.30pm. Call 08 37446478, or emailinfo@mekongmerchant.com.Bumrungrad InternationalHospital RepresentativeOffices in VietnamBumrungrad is an internationalstandardhospital in Bangkok thatwas recently voted by Newsweekas one of the top 10 health caredestinations in the world. Rateda five-star facility and renownedfor its top-quality facilities andaccess to world-class technology,Bumrungrad annually treats about450,000 patients.There are two Bumrungradrepresentative offices in HCMCity—one located on the fifth floorof the TMS Building at 172 Hai BaTrung, District 1 and the other at136G Tran Vu, Ba Dinh District,Hanoi. Visit bumrungrad.vn.The Body Shop Making Dreams Come TrueKoibito fresh Nama ChocolateNama Chocolate has hit town with the release of Koibito, exclusivelyat MOF – Japanese Sweets & Café. Nama, meaning ‘fresh’ in Japanese,is a melt in your mouth chocolate sensation.Currently available in mild Cacao, Hazelnut, Grand Marnier &Special Blend Guanaja flavours, the chocolates are sold in 20-pieceboxes or a four-piece sampling box. Koibito Nama Chocolateswould make an ideal Valentines gift idea.Avaliable from MOF - Japanese Sweets & Cafe. 30 Le Loi BoulevardD1 & B3-14a Vincom Shopping mall.Cookies for a CauseGrace’s Cookies bake and sell cookies to raise money for peoplein Vietnam who desperately need it. The cookies are homebaked,using the best ingredients like imported vanilla, Hershey’schocolate, fine French butter.As all the baking and selling is done by volunteers, all profitsfrom Grace’s Cookies are donated directly to people in need.Since starting in early 2010, Grace’s Cookies have paid for eightlife-saving heart operations for desperately ill children in Ho ChiMinh City and the surrounding provinces.Working with Heartbeat Vietnam, VinaCapital’s charity program,Grace’s Cookies donate about 80 percent of the profits toassisting with the costs of heart surgery for young children. Theremaining 20 percent is reserved for rapid responses to urgentneeds such as regional flooding, storm damage, or disease.In 2011, Grace’s Cookies hopes to save the lives of around 60children with life-threatening heart disease.To find out more, place an order or see how you can getinvolved contact www.gracescookies.org, getinvolved@gracescookies.orgor call +84913 806111.Free Children's Health TalkMath Whiz at ABC International SchoolThe Body Shop have partnered with renowned holistic lifecoach Gloria Thomas to create a range of products calledDreams Unlimited. The Range includes Eau de Parfum 30ml(490.000VND) and 50ml (650.000VND), Body Wash 200ml(235.000VND), Body Lotion 200ml (325.000VND) and BodyButter 200ml (395.000VND). The products all contain ingredientsfrom the Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade programmethat assists small producers in developing countries. Availableat all Body Shop outlets.An ABC International School student, Park Je Young, 17,recently received the news that he had attained the highest scorein the world in the Cambridge IGCSE—an international mathexamination.Je Young learned of his amazing achievement when the CambridgeUniversity International Examination Board recently contactedthe management at his school. The examinations weretaken by hundreds of thousands of students in 120 countriesthroughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas in 2010. JeYoung puts his success down to continual hard work through theentire academic year.“This achievement will not only be beneficial for my universityapplication, but it will also make me much more confident inwhatever I do in the future. This result will also act as a greatmotivator for my further study at university and I am very gratefulto all of my teachers,” he said.On Friday, February 18 from 9:30am to 11am, Dr. Alain Gonthier,Chief Medical Officer of International SOS, the world's leadingprovider of medical assistance, international healthcare, andsecurity services will deliver a free health talk focused on children'shealthcare at Saigon Star International School, locatedin Residential Area No. 5, Thanh My Loi Ward, D2 in HCMC.Questions for the doctor are welcome. There is no charge forthis event, which includes free refreshments, but please call toreserve a seat as space is limited. Phone: 3742-32228 asialife HCMC

Phnom Penh Events & OpeningsDownload the latest issue of AsiaLIFE Cambodia at www.asialifeguide.com.Valintines DayRun for a CauseOn Feb. 19 and 20, the AnnualKep Trio sporting event will takeplace in the Phnom Voar areaof Kep province. Encompassinga 10K bike ride, half marathon,and 10K and 3K runs, the eventserves as a fundraiser for NGOBridges Across Borders. KepTrio supports the Hand in HandCambodia community developmentproject, implemented inpartnership with the ChamcarBei community, Belgian foundationFriends of the RainbowSchools, and Kep-based luxuryresort Knai Bang Chatt. Theprevious three editions haveraised over US$120,000 delivering200 bicycles for children toattend school, as well as servedto raise greater awareness aboutpoverty in rural Cambodia. Toregister, visit babcambodia.org/keptrio.Guide From The HeartThe recently published To CambodiaWith Love is more than theaverage travel guide, filled with acollection of remembrances andrecommendations from expatriates,travellers, and locals. Editedby Phnom Penh resident andrenowned blogger Andy Brouwer,the guide pairs practical informationwith heartfelt essays—atwilight picnic at Angkor Wat, atour of the Pepsi factory, and asession of bird watching in PreahVihear province are amongst theinspirational experiences shared.This edition is the latest in a seriesfrom ThingsAsian Press, followingthe success of the original To AsiaWith Love. The guide points theway for visitors, yet perhaps willmost resonate with those whohave already fallen in love with theKingdom. For more details, visittoasiawithlove.com/cambodia. A Taste from the EastOne of Ho Chi Minh City’smost popular eateries, QuanAn Ngon, has now extended toPhnom Penh. Specialising in refinedstreet food, Ngon Restauranttakes a market-like layout,with individual ‘stands’ set upthroughout the open-air space.Plumeria trees, illuminated withlanterns in the evening, createan exquisite atmosphere. Anexclusive grand opening eventbrought some of Cambodia’smost prominent families tosample the Vietnamese andKhmer cuisine. Grilled meats onskewers, assorted curries, andbun cha, a Vietnamese specialtycombining vermicelli noodles,pork, and a generous servingof fresh herbs, are among therange of flavourful fare. Disheslive up to the restaurant’s name,as the Vietnamese word ‘ngon’ roughly translates to delicious.Ngon Restaurant, 60 SihanoukBoulevard, Tel: 023 987 151.New Year at NagaRing in the Year of the Rabbitat Nagaworld, which will offerpromotions and activities inhonour of the Chinese NewYear. The festivities kick offwith a traditional lion danceperformance on Feb. 5 at 11am.The lobby will sell a selection offestive foods, including Chinesepuddings, turnip cake, andabalone, until Feb. 17. Newlyopened Chinese restaurantFortune Palace offers a seriesof group set menus, themedby luck, longevity, and fortune,whereas Pangea Fusion restaurantpresents a Lunar New Yearbuffet with unlimited wine fromFeb. 3 to 17. To find out more,visit nagaworld.com.VO VAN TANLE DUANHAN THUYENHOCON RUAPHAM NGOCTHACHNOTRE DAME CATHEDVRALTRAN CAO VANDIAMONDPLAZAPOSTOFFICELE DUANDelectable Seafood atCafé Central An DongCommemorate Valentine’s Daywith seafood specialties suchas drunken prawns and crabwith chili, in addition to over 170Western and Asian dishes. Ifyou bring your special someoneby on Valentine’s Day for aromantic dinner you will alsoreceive a special gift.Valentine’s Day buffet,350.000VND++. Children 10years and under are half price.Call 08 3 833 6688 x2221 oremail cafeventral@windsorplazahotel.com.Decadent Valentinespecial at Xuan SpaIn February the Park HyattSaigon’s Xuan Spa is offering adeliciously different Valetine package,inspired by the VietnameseChrysanthemum blossom,the flower of the season. Thepackage includes: a 30 minuteVietnamese chocolate scrub, followedby a one hour aromatherapybody massage, champagnefor two and a complimentary boxof chocolates.The price is VND 4,100,000++.For more information and reservations,please call 08 3520 2357 oremail spa.saiph@hyatt.com.A Chinese Feast forVelentine’sBring your loved one to indulgein a Valentine’s Day dinner at theWindor Plaza Hotel’s Ngan Dinhrestaurant featuring six coursesof the finest Chinese dishes, twocomplimentary glasses of wineand live music, only on February14th.Price is 1,188,000 VND percouple and subject to applicableVAT and service charge. Dine-inonly. Not applicable with WindsorVIPCard. Call 08 3830 8888or email ngandinh@windsorplazahotel.com.A Taste of ItalyOpera Restaurant in the ParkHyatt Saigon is running a Valentine’sDay special. Chef MicheleGulizzi will prepare his own Italianspecialties such as LobsterLasagna, Dried Fruit CrustedBlack Cod fillet, and Loin ofVeal. Dinner is priced at VND3,700,000++ for two, includinga bottle of champagneand a special Valentine’s Daychocolate surprise for the ladies.Please call 08 3520 2357 oremail opera.saiph@hyatt.com.French fare forValentine's DayDistrict 1 brasserie Cote d'Azuris offering a special for Valentinesday. A set menu createdjust for the day will be availablefor US$39.00 per person. Call08 3911 5473 or email brasserie@cotedazur.vn.10 asialife HCMC

dispatchesTravel news from around the region and beyondBaubles for BubleCanadian signer Michael Buble heads to Singapore for aconcert on March 9 followed by a concert in Hong Kong onMarch 11. Known for hits like “Cry Me a River” Buble willperform his greats along with new songs from his CrazyLove album. Tickets sell from S $98 to S $288 and HK $588to HK $1,288.contactus@sportshub.com.sg or info@hkcec.comLit Chic in Hong KongNow in its 11th year, the Man Hong Kong International LiteratureFestival will be held between March 8 and 11 and includes apromising line up. Amitva Ghosh, Emma Donoghue, Hus-MingTeo, Martin Alexander, Monica Ali, Peter Hessler, and Xu Xiu—toname just some—will be present for readings and discussions.Ticketed events included a lecture by the Guardian’s environmentcorrespondent Johnathan Watts on China’s ecological challenges, adiscussion by Steve Crawshaw of Amnesty International on smallacts of kindness. Vincent Lam will also talk about story writing andmedicine. These are just but a sample of events that will be on.Word PlayAll I-Phone users who love their apps (short forapplications for those of us not married to Macproducts, and note to Apple devotees: there arequite a few of us out there) and travel frequentlywill love Word Quest. This application has the abilityto instantly translate words into a language ofyour choice. So if you’re in Spain and see a sign andfind it takes you 10 minutes using your phrase bookto figure out what it’s saying, Word Quest eliminatesall the frustration to tell you that it’s a signfor, say, the tapas in town 20 feet away, or a warningthat the bulls are let loose between noon and 4 pm.This is a useful application for travellers, be theyon vacation or business. Rumour has it that the appwill also be available to androids and Blackberryslater this year. Download from the I-Phone site orI-Tunes.festival.org.hkHoly ColoursIndia comes alive during Holi, the festival of colours, where it isobligatory to throw dried coloured powder and water on people asa way to mark a prank played by Lord Krishna on his wife Radha.This can be a downright dirty event but it will be unforgettableand lots of fun too—especially if you are in the capital, New Delhi,where events are hosted in many locales but a noteworthy one isthe Dilli Haat. It is a fun-filled day with colour-throwing, dancingand singing and of course food, lots of it too, including sweets thatare especially made for the event. Check with your travel agentto get the exact date of Holi, which at the time of writing, wasestimated to be March 20.Groove with SantanaWatch the legendary Santana belt out classics in Singaporeon March 7 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.The Grammy winning artist—10 Grammys in CarlosSantana’s 40-year career as a musician, in which he hasplayed to an audience of 100 million fans around theworld—will be performing tunes the band is belovedfor, which combines a fusion of rock, jazz, African andLatin rhythms. An opportunity to hear Santana, whoRolling Stones named number 15 in their list of topguitarists of all time, is certainly one that should not bemissed. Tickets are priced from S $100 to S $300.sistic.com.sg12 asialife HCMC

From prison guard in training to our very own photographer, Fred Wissink’smove to Asia signalled a complete career change. Photo by Christian Berg.We heard you were a prisonguard back in Canada…[Laughs]. Well, sort of. In 1996I graduated high school andwanted to be a graphic artist. Iapplied, but my portfolio wasn’tstrong enough. So I applied for alaw and security administrationcourse at a vocational college. Igot in and really enjoyed it.After I finished the diploma,I figured I’d do a year or twoworking for the correctionalservice. I applied and got in—they’ll pretty much take anyone.Oddly, it was one of the bestexperiences I ever had. We didtwo weeks training in a mediumsecurity prison. I came acrossso many interesting characterswhile I was there—a mafia hitman and a guy who’d beenin jail since 1968. He’d beenextradited from the States on amurder charge. I didn’t finishthe course though. My trainersthought I had potential to bea great guard, but they said Iwasn’t mature enough yet, sothey canned me. Six monthslater I was in Korea.Why did you decide to go toKorea?I was looking for a job and sawan ad the size of my pinkiefinger in the newspaper thatsaid “Teach English in Korea”. Ithought it sounded like fun, soI got my TESOL certificate andwithin a month I was there. Ilanded in September 1999 andstayed until Spring 2002. Then Iwent to China, worked there fora few months before heading toTurkey and back to Korea. I leftin 2006 and came to Vietnam.What were your impressionsof Korea?I loved it. It was my first timeout of Canada—my flight therewas my second time on an airplane.I had an interest in learningthe language and I met somereally good people there. Therewere so few expats there at thattime that you knew everyone. Itwas a lot of fun.You learned Korean, but youhaven’t really mastered Vietnamese.Why?I learned Korean and Chinese,but I didn’t learn Vietnamese.When I first came here, I wasplanning on going back toChina. I had no plan to stay hereso I wasn’t so inclined to learn.Also, Korean’s non-tonaland once the locals get over theshock of hearing a foreignerspeak their language they’rewilling to listen and try tounderstand. The Chinese expectyou to speak their language.Even though it’s a tonal language,there’s so many Chinesedialects that they need to thinkin context. It’s much harder inVietnam. But, I can speak a lotmore than I did when I firstcame here—survival plus a bitmore.How did your photographycareer begin?I bought my first camera in Koreain 2000. I promptly broughtit to a bar and it was stolen. Mynext one was a 1.3 mega pixelSony Cyber Shot I took from afriend to clear a debt. It had alittle postage stamp sized screenand I shot China with it. I shotall my pictures at the lowest resolutionbecause I had no extramemory cards and no cable toconnect to my computer. I lookback at those photos now andthey’re all so tiny. I can’t use anyof them. I kept upgrading, andeventually held an exhibition inPham Ngu Lao, which sold out.They were real amateur travelshots, but I’d started calling myselfa photographer. Then I metPaul Norris who owns L’Usineand he asked me to shoot theupcoming collection for hisclothing line Unavailable. I tookthe job, it turned out great andI’ve shot for them ever since.I started working for AsiaLIFEin Fall 2006, when it was stillcalled Saigon Inside Out. Themagazine has given me a chanceto grow and get a lot better. Peoplewho’ve known me for yearstell me that my work’s changeddramatically since I first startedworking for AsiaLIFE.Describe that progression. Howhas your work evolved?I think it’s a better eye for whatI’m looking for. It’s willingness,the confidence to try outnew ideas and concepts. NowI know what my strengths andweaknesses are. I used to be apurist and not want to re-touchanything. But I’ve learned thatthere are times when you haveto make your work funky anddifferent—you have to standout.Do you have a favourite shot?I liked the first AsiaLIFE doublepage spread. It had a femalemodel wearing earphones surroundedby coloured lights. Iactually thought of the concept.I shot the girl first, then we tookflashlights with coloured plasticon the ends and whipped themaround, shooting with a longexposure. We light painted likecrazy. Then the graphic designersput all the lights together.That’s one of my favouritepictures.I like some of the portraitsI’ve been doing, too. I do findmyself gravitating towardspeople now. I used to be reallyshy of taking pictures of people,but I’m more confident now.What’s next?I want to expand out of Vietnam.I don’t see a future forphotographers here. The futureis the Vietnamese. There maystill be a place for foreign photographers,but the Vietnameseare learning so fast we’re goingto become obsolete very soon.The next step for me is to gobeyond the borders of SoutheastAsia. I’d really like to spendsome time back home working,as well. Vietnam was an awesomeplace to learn but it’s timeto start thinking global.14 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 15

La DoréeLOTUS GALLERY67 Pasteur, D1Opened in 1991 by a local artdealer who has vast experienceholding exhibitions in manycountries, Lotus Gallery showcasesnot just upcoming talentbut also established names intraditional and contemporaryVietnamese fine art. For moreinformation on what is availableand other efforts by thegallery to promote local art tothe world, you can peruse theirwebsite at lotusgallery.com.LA COCHINCHINE LUXURYSPA & FITNESS6th floor, 146 Pasteur, D1In the 17th century the Frenchnamed South Vietnam LaCochinchine, so it’s no surprisethat this luxury spa and fitnesscentre has Vietnamese, French,Cham and Hindu influences.Covering 2,000 square metersin the Rex Hotel, the space isdivided into three separate sectionsreserved for beauty andmedical services. You can relaxat the spa or use the gym andpool.DERMALOGICA108 Pasteur, D1This is a brand that has worldwiderecognition for its skincare products but it is particularlybeloved in Vietnam andit’s a popular choice at spas forfacial care. The studio offers acomplimentary consultation byskin therapists who then createa specific skin care regimenGeisha’s Boutique & CaféStreet Smart:Pasteur, District 1One of the longest streets in HCM City, Pasteur has been through a transformationsince we featured it in our very first Street Smart. Stephy Thai investigates andfinds some great eats and more on this one-way street. Photos by Alex Belikov.suitable for your skin type. Onemust have a Dermalogica facialbefore leaving Vietnam.GEISHA’S BOUTIQUE &CAFÉ85 Pasteur, D1Upon entering this space, onecan be fairly surprised as itscosy ambience and serene airbelies the endless honkingoutside. Inspired by the mysteryof the captivating geishas, theground floor will be liked byfashionistas—all locally homemadegarments for casual andevening wear are designed byan Australian fashion designer;also available are silk camisolesand satin maxi dresses thatcome in sizes ranging fromsmall to large. Go upstairs fora small lounge with comfysofas and a wide glass window,which allows one to take in theviews outside. The cafe servesboth European and Asian foodas well as an extensive menu ofdrinks, which go for a little over20,000 VND.GOM VIET FINE ART89 Pasteur, Dist. 1Artist Nguyen Van Tam iscommitted to introducing to aninternational clientele the heritageof Vietnamese ceramics,which he showcases with prideat Gom Viet. Here you willfind products that have beencreated with special dark redclay, which is seen as a symbolof the country's progress today.Customers can also take lessonsmaking clay products usingtraditional techniques at its uncoveredshowroom right besidesthe small park at the crossroadswith Ly Tu Trong.LA DORÉE65 Pasteur, D1With the slogan “Très Fresh,Très French” (Very Fresh, VeryFrench), La Dorée offers up allkinds of bread, from baguettesto flutes, croissants, sourdoughLa Cochinchine Spa & Fittnessand grain bread along with pastriesand cakes—all preservativefree. It also has a serene loungeupstairs, which makes it a goodplace for a restful day or a workmeeting. The bakery also offersa delivery service.QING BAR110 Pasteur, D1Qing was one of the first winebars in town and its location onDong Du was always crowdedwith expats and tourists. Sinceits relocation to Pasteur notmuch has changed in terms ofits ambience. Its long bar andtwo rows of red-draped chairsagainst the wall continue toinvite, as does its fusion menu.What Qing is best known for,however, is its hot chocolatecake which melts in your mouthand is served with whippedcream.CUNG DINH REXRESTAURANT146 Pasteur, D1A fine dining restaurant that isalways filled with foreignerskeen on Vietnamese cuisine,Cung Dinh Rex evokes imagesof Vietnamese imperial palacesand classical interiors of feudalQuan Ngon RestaurantGom Viet Fine Art16 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 17

Vietnamese royal courts. Thegolden silk-draped chairs,potted dishes with designs ofDong Son bronze drums, theantique decanters and the staffgarbed in traditional costumeall immerse one in a past age.Diners can order authenticroyal cuisine or specialtiesfrom north, central and southVietnam and enjoy their meal tolive music.QUAN NGON RESTAURANT160 Pasteur, D1Opened in 2001 and twicehaving changed its location,Quan Ngon has found its placeon Pasteur. And judging by thepacked crowds that throng it(locals and foreigners alike), itclearly made the right move. Bewarned that it can sometimesbe difficult to find space duringpeak hours so book or comeearly. There is an extensivemenu with a great selection oftraditional food. Quan Ngondoes not have a central kitchen,so chefs cook up their specialtiesright at the stands, whichare arranged in a manner sodiners have a chance to viewthe food choices.BACCHUS CORNER158D Pasteur, D1Bacchus Corner is awell-known—and wellfrequented—winecellarin town, which provides alarge selection of high-gradeimported wines, spirits andchampagnes. The cellar offerswine tasting options as wellas advice on pairings—whichwines to have with whichmeals and how best to keepyour wines given weatherconditions here. Free deliveryis also available.THE ELBOW ROOM52 Pasteur, D1This diner-cum-bistro is agood choice for those whowant a different take on Westernfood and bar entertainment.True to its name ElbowRoom is a relativly narrowspace but it is still cosy andhomely serving hearty mealsand all American staples. Inaddition, activities like livemusic every Friday night andthe hosting of the Single MattClub on the third Thursday ofeach month makes it an idealspot for gourmets in town.The Elbow RoomSail with usthrough the sleeping dragons ofHalong BayOpening 1st quarter 2011The Life CollectionLife Heritage Resort Ha Long BayTel: +84 (0)33 6253 000 | E: reservations_halong@life-resorts.comHCMC Sales and Marketing OfficeT: +84 (8) 3844 3605 | E: sales@life-resorts.com | W: www.life-resorts.com18 asialife HCMC

MADE IN NEW ZEALANDNew Zealand native and AsiaLIFE Art Director Johnny Murphy returned to the land of the longwhite cloud for the Christmas/New Year break. His photographs remind us of the wild andsometimes stark beauty of New Zealand. He also captures everyday moments from the lives ofthose who work the land, proving there is more to New Zealand than just sheep. Although, yes,there are still sheep.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Left: Buff turkey. Right: Sheep shearingBlack and coloured Romney ewe20 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 21

Wool from black and coloured RomneyNesting Buff turkeyLeft: Lake Ferry. Right: Oriental Bay, Wellington Left: Lake Ferry. Right: Cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt and vinegar chips, salami and Marmite sandwich22 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 23

Oriental Bay, Wellington Post office, Timaru. Built by Mr William Shepherd in 1890Rimutaka Forest, near WellingtonLake Ferrywww.johnnymurphy.co.nz24 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 25

Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, are undergoingrapid change and surging into the 21st Century. What does thistransformation mean for one of the most elemental parts of thenation’s culture: its food?The connection between the Vietnamese people and theirtraditional cuisine will always be strong; however the forces ofmodernization and greater exposure to the world are cominginto play. Streetfood will remain the bedrock of Vietnamesecuisine, even as those same streets are redeveloped andvendors are forced to find new sidewalks to ply their trade.The great Vietnamese Diaspora has taken pho to the world,and now other traditional staples are catching up. However,access to ingredients and tailoring dishes to local tastes meansthe bun bo Hue you have in Sydney or Los Angeles will notnecessarily be what you recognize from you favourite stall inDistrict 1.At the same time, talented local and international chefsare setting up shop in the city and putting their own twiston Vietnamese cuisine, incorporating tastes and techniquesacquired from around the world. It is a fine balancing act, andone that will continue to affect the future of Vietnamese cuisineboth here and abroad.Food styled and provided by Xu Restaurant Lounge26 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 27

Trying to define modern and fusioncuisine can be a tricky business.You’re bound to get as many differentanswers as people you ask.Is modern cooking the ‘molecular gastronomy’made famous by controversial Spanishchef Ferran Adria? Although, white garlic andalmond sorbet, tobacco-flavoured blackberrycrushed ice or mini parmesan ice creamsandwich with trout egg tempura is going wellbeyond just ‘modernization’.Most often, the term ‘modern’ is applied tostandard dishes that have been updated ormodified in some fashion.Likewise, the utterance of the word ‘fusion’can be enough to put a fright into seriousfood lovers given some of the mismatches thetrend has produced. Generally it is recognizedas combining ingredients or techniques fromdifferent culinary traditions to form somethingentirely unique.Getting a handle on these terms becomeseven more challenging when you try to applythem to Vietnamese cuisine. The culinarytraditions here are strong, and this vigor isnaturally resistant to change or amalgamation.To put it more bluntly: people want the traditionalfood they have grown up with and thathas been passed down through generations(which is understandable, given it’s generallyso fresh and healthy).This is the essential challenge when tryingto put a modern take on Vietnamese food,and even the best can find it difficult to strikethe right balance. Nguyen Duc Bien from XuRestaurant Lounge is an industry veteranhaving learnt his trade in Australia where hemanaged and owned restaurants. He madehis first trip to Vietnam at age 18 and returnedfor the third time three years ago to open hislatest restaurant.The goal was to create a truly internationalrestaurant, a place you could walk into andbe anywhere in the world. Yet by Bien’s ownadmission they, “set the bar too high” whendesigning their initial menu.“Overseas critics loved us and we got greatreviews,” explains Bien. However, after thisinitial honeymoon period of fascination withthe new restaurant on the block, things hitan impasse with the local clientele. It was alittle too cutting edge, a little too much of adeparture from traditional cuisine.“I think some people left a little bit confused,”Bien says.So changes were made to meet themarket. Dishes and concepts were altered tomake things more appealing to local diners.Individual servings were traded in for morefamily-friendly sharing options, and disheswere redesigned to align closer to tradition.The key, according to Bien, is to capturethe soul of Vietnamese food and then giveit a slight twist. “Don’t try too hard,” he saysis the secret for creating good fusion dishes.He should know, he lived through the fusioncraze in Australia in the 1990s where thingsdid not always work out as planned. “No oneunderstood how to fuse properly, people justthrew it all together.”An example Bien gives of what does workis the pork belly, which is very familiar to localdiners and often served with a type of cabbage.At Xu it is braised in coconut juice andserved with a sauerkraut-style pickled redcabbage and caramelized daikon.Another interesting combination on the Xumenu is the Vietnamese herb infused risotto.“Initially we were trying to make a pesto,” Bienexplains. With a little bit of experimentationand creativity, they came up with what hasbecome a consistently popular dish.New on the scene is Chris van der Kuil,chef at Flow. His focus is to do Europeanfood using almost exclusively Vietnameseingredients.“It is very important to cater to the Vietnamesecustomer, and there should be someelement in the dish that they recognize andhopefully like,” he says.A good example is the rouleau stuffed withbeef in a black olive sauce wrapped in rice paper.The dish is based on bo la lot, and aimsto have something familiar for everyone.“Once I explained the thinking behind it tomy staff they liked it a lot. It is mixed but notover the top,” van der Kuil says.“Vietnamese like it but recognize it as different,while expats see it as something Vietnamesebut when they bite in to it they recognizethe beef that their mother or grandmotherused to make.“It is that kind of mix that we are going for.”Less is more would seem to be theapproach when it comes to modernizingVietnamese culinary traditions, or incorporatinglocal ingredients and techniques into otherstyles. Progress in this area looks set to bedictated by the willingness of mainstream Vietnamto move out of its culinary comfort zone.Yet it is encouraging that there are innovatorsin HCM City’s culinary scene who arepushing the envelope, experimenting andeducating with their food.32 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 33

Elephant ceremony at the Royal PalaceElisa Bui, the granddaughter of Bao Dai’s second “wife”Bui Mong Diep, shares photographs from the royal family’spersonal collection and her own memories of Vietnam’s lastemperor. As told to Beth Young.Elisa Bui’s recollections of her grandfather, thelate Bao Dai, are hazy. She remembers a kind man,who reminisced about Vietnam and spoke oftenof his longing to return. A man who cared for herfather as if he were his own, adoping him oncehe and Elisa’s grandmother became a couple. Sherecalls Bao Dai would take his adopted son onextravagant hunting excursions in Alsace, France.While he was a collector of beautiful things,Bao Dai had humble taste, namely the omelettesElisa’s mother Luce would prepare for him. Andhis clothing of choice while in the comfort of hisown home was simple pyjamas.Elisa’s greatest connection to Bao Dai is hergrandmother, Bui Mong Diep. Now over 80 andliving alone in France, she became one of the emperor’s'wives' after a chance meeting on a Hanoitennis court.They were never formally married, but MongDiep was deeply admired by the Vietnamesepeople for her charitable work. This continuedeven after the couple left Vietnam for Francewith Mong Diep funding poor students to attenduniversity in her new home.It’s through her eyes that Elisa grew to knowBao Dai. Now she honours him in her own way—through a line of baby clothing called Sa MajesteBebe, which Elisa says is for, “little kings andqueens”.Sa Majeste Bebe is available at Gaya and Small isBeautiful.Famous photograph of Bao DaiBui Mong Diep34 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 35

A CabledCourseBeth Young watches riders take onthe cable at the Thai Wake Park.Photos by Bill Crang.Less than an hour outside ofBangkok, wakeboarders line upat the dock, ready to launch ontoa manmade lake. Holding a handlesuspended from an overheadcable that skirts the perimeter,they take off fast, landing on thewater with a heavy smack.Experienced riders edge hardto catapult off the first obstacle—a curved ramp known as akicker. Then, with endless greenrice paddies serving as a backdrop,they execute acrobaticstyletricks mid-air.Just before the corner theygraze across the slider—anotherhurdle—before tackling the“Fun Box”—a tiered structure—way on the other side of thelake. If they crash this far out atiny pickup truck zooms acrossto ferry them back to the dockwhere the process begins allover again.The Thai Wake Park gives ridersthe opportunity to practicetheir craft: a fusion of waterskiing,snowboarding and surfing.A sport usually performedbehind a petrol-swilling boat,the electricity-powered cable isenvironmentally friendly and efficient.(Up to 12 people can ridesimultaneously).Wakeboarding is the mostpopular form at the cable parkbut there are other activities ofvarying difficulty that riderscan try, too. Kneeboarding isthe easiest, while wakeskatingis decidedly more difficult. It isexactly like skateboarding, albeiton water with only shoes to griponto the deck.And for the not so adept atwatersports, a viewing deckfronts the lake and provides aperfect vantage point to watchas riders throw down one trickafter another.Onsite accommodation isavailable at the Thai Wake Parkand a restaurant serves upauthentic local cuisine.For more inforamtiom visitthaiwakepark.com36 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 37

Livin'UkraineA time capsule of centuries-old European charm liestucked away in western Ukraine. Brett Davis exploresthe ancient, World-Heritage-listed streets of Lviv.There is no sign, but we’vebeen told by our local friend thebar is down a passage off thewestern side of Ploshcha Rynok,the medieval market square inthe centre of Lviv in westernUkraine.It’s around midnight and thetemperature is well below zero.The light dusting of snow hasturned the cobbles treacherouslyslippery and it takes some concentrationto stay upright., Wekeep repeating the words ‘SlavaUkrainie’ under our breath likea mantra.My wife and I are headedfor a place known as Kriyivka,which means 'hiding place' inthe local language. The nameis apt as it is an old militarybunker and now a Ukrainiannationalist bar. It is early Decemberand there are not a lot ofpeople on the street as we turndown what we think is the correctalleyway.We knock on the door and itopens to reveal a grey-hairedman toting a World War II eramachine gun. He asks for thepassword and that is when weuse our well rehearsed line,“Slava Ukrainie”, or Gloryto the Ukraine. Next we arepoured a shot of the local firewater and only after downingthat we are permitted inside.We reach the bottom of a spiralstairway giving way to smallrooms packed with people.Singing and cigarette smokefill the air, beer and vodka aresplashed around liberally. Musicianswith violins and accordionslead the crowd in Ukrainianfolk songs, and photographsof long-dead partisans line thewalls.Working our way throughthe rooms to the very back wesee the opening of a narrowpassage where there is, of allthings, a firing range. For a fewhryvnias you can shoulder anold machine gun converted tofire pellets and let loose a clipat paper targets featuring theface of Josef Stalin. Welcome towestern Ukraine.The tides of history andconflict have washed back andforth across this part of Ukrainealmost from the time of Lviv’sinception. Founded in 1256 bythe Ruthenian King DanyloHalytskyi and named in honourof his son Lev, the territory wascaptured by Poland in 1349.Subsequently the country wasconquered by the Polish-LithuanianCommonwealth in 1569,the Austrian Empire in 1772,and the second Polish Republicin 1918. At the outbreak of theSecond World War, the countrywas occupied by Germany until1944 when it was captured bythe Soviet Red Army and integratedinto the USSR. After thecollapse of the Soviet Union in1991, the city remained part ofthe finally independent Ukraine.All of this turmoil has leftwestern Ukraine, and Lviv asits largest city, something apartfrom the rest of the nation. Thecentre of the country, includingthe capital Kiev, and the eastare generally Russian speakingand very Russian in outlook andpolitical persuasion. The westis the bastion of the Ukrainianlanguage and nationalist feeling.After a month in Russiaand moving westward acrossUkraine, it is nice to know wewill be in Lviv for almost twoweeks. We like to travel slowly,spending a good amount oftime in each place, but this willbe the longest layover of ourthree month European journey.We have booked an apartmentin one of the old buildings onKrakivska Street which leadsinto the old market square inthe middle of the world heritagelisted old city. There are anumber of websites were youcan view and book apartmentsin the Ukraine for as little as $60USD a night, making it a muchmore attractive option than ahotel room. Our apartment islarge and clean with modern38 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 39

amenities, and I spend hourssitting at the window lookingacross the cobblestone streetto the snow gathering on thebronze dome of the early 18thCentury Church of Transfiguration.Lviv is a great city for walking,although there are publictransport options. Almost everycorner you turn down presentsa vista that seems straight out ofa Tim Burton fairytale. A goodplace to start and get a lay of theland is to take a walk up to theHigh Castle, the 413-metre-highhill overlooking the city. Thename comes from the fortificationsthat were some of theearliest constructions in Lviv.The fortress was destroyedand rebuilt many times overthe centuries, and now only aportion of the stone southernwall remains. From atop the hillyou can take in the old city withits tightly packed streets andjumble of architectural stylesthat betray the many influenceson Lviv’s development.If you are a lover of architecture,and enjoy the atmosphereand sense of place a city’sbuildings can create, you willnever be bored in Lviv. Wespend hours just walking inno particular direction, takingin the streetscapes. Fires in the1500s reduced most of the city’sgothic-style buildings to rubble,but there are many fines examplesof other styles includingrenaissance, baroque, classical,Art Nouveau and Art Deco.One of the principal touristattractions is the Lychakiv cemetery,created in 1787. This maysound a bit morbid howeverthe grounds, home to more than400,000 graves, set around ahill to the southeast of the oldtown, are solemnly beautiful.Paths wind through the gravesof poets and composers, sectionsdevoted to the fallen fromvarious military campaigns,family crypts and simple gravesof ordinary people. The trees arebare and the only sound is therustle and crunch of the deadwinter leaves underfoot. We areaccompanied on our walk by agroup of crows, hopping fromheadstone to headstone, silentand watchful.In the evening we head tothe Opera and Ballet Theatrewhich is located in the centreof Pl. Slovbody, Lviv’s mainboulevard. Built in the Vienneseneo-Renaissance style and completedin 1900, the theatre hostsa rotating roster of opera andballet performances most nightsof the week. The interior is stunninglyornate and we feel liketwo VIPs as we take our seatsin a box to the right of the stage.These seats, some of the best inthe house, cost the equivalent of$16 USD each for this performanceof Rigoletto.There is no shortage of placesto eat and drink in Lviv and,during a chilly December, noshortage of motivation. Twoplaces that quickly becomefavourites are only a few yardsfrom each other, tucked awayoff Rynok Square in a lanebetween the Latin Cathedraland the 17th Century Chapel ofthe Boim Family (itself a marvelof ornately carved black stone).The restaurant Amadeus recallsthe city’s golden era as part ofthe Habsburg Empire, with astyle and menu that could belifted straight from Vienna.The roast duck is life changing.Nearby is Café One, which iswarm, relaxed, and with heartyfood and good wine is theepitome of cosiness.Walking back out on tothe cobbles it is a short strolethrough the chilly night backto our apartment. Full of goodfood and good wine, we don’tmind the cold. It is enough tofeel content and imagine weare in another century. Lookingaround at the Lviv night, it is avery easy thing to do.Photos courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek.40 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 41

Boutique hotels are all the rage, offering oases of calmaway from the city bustle. AsiaLIFE picked its favouritenew and improved chill out spots in the Khmer Kingdom.Photos courtesy of AsiaLIFE Cambodia.1 2 3 4 5 61. BAMBU HOTELAs Battambang rises on the touristradar, the demand for upscaleaccommodation is being met byBambu Hotel, open since September.Ideal lodging for thoseseeking comfort and quality, theboutique hotel is run by warmstaff eager to make guests feelright at home.With a total of 16 rooms,Bambu offers suites, deluxesuperior, and deluxe standardrooms priced at US$60, US$80,and US$90. The chic yet unpretentiousdesign incorporatesmulticoloured colonial-styletiles and a mix of contemporaryand Khmer furnishings. Wearytravellers seeking to unwindcan enjoy wireless internet, flatscreen televisions, and iPoddocking stations installed inevery room.Respecting eco-principles, thehotel operates mostly from asolar power energy source, andthe pool is filled with chemicalfreesaltwater. A draw in itself,the Russey Restaurant caters toguests and non-guests alike withhigh-standard Cambodian andwestern cuisine. Basic dishesstart from US$4, ranging up toUS$15 for imported Australiansteak, chips, and salad. Foodiesare even invited to accompanycooks on their daily marketvisits, providing they rise earlyenough.Walking distance from thetown centre, Bambu is well situatedfor exploring, but so pleasantthat you’ll also be perfectlycontent staying in to rechargeyour batteries.Bambu Hotel, Phum Romchek 5,KO Street, BattambangTel: 053 953 900www.bambuhotel.com2. CIRCA 51Phnom Penh’s newest boutiquehotel promises to deliver stylishexclusivity only a short walkfrom the capital’s main action.Housed in a renovated early1960s Khmer New Architecturevilla, the establishment has onlyeight rooms, making it ideal forthose looking for that comfortablehome-away-from-homefeel.Combining a retro-design vibewith modern and traditionaltouches, all rooms (from US$40)come with A/C, flat screen TVand DVD player, iPod docking,mini-bar and writing desk. Thesuite (US$90) is perfect for familieswith young children. Despitethe inner city location, trees andplants add a touch of nature.An old tree overhangs the 11mpool, and the adjacent bar servesdrinks and bar snacks.With a menu featuringwestern, Khmer, and Pakistanidishes, a first floor balconyrestaurant is set to open inDecember once the hotel is infull swing.Circa 51, 155 Street 51, Phnom PenhTel: 012 585 714www.circa51.com3. FRANGIPANI VILLAHOTELMinimalist and modern, thelatest arrival on Siem Reap’sboutique hotel scene is a cutabove many of its competitors.Exuding the same air of simpleelegance as its sister hotels inPhnom Penh, Frangipani VillaHotel offers a classy respitefrom the bustle of Angkor.The stylish front garden givesway to a white, colonial-stylebuilding with a grand columnedportico. Large windows furtherthe sense of space, while theclassic backyard pool, surroundedby green plants and woodendecking, is distinctly art deco.Set over three floors, the 51rooms start at US$40 for deluxerooms, going up to US$50 for asuperior room with pool view.Despite the minimalist decor,all rooms have the amenitiesexpected of a boutique hotel:WiFi, complimentary laundryservice, TV, mini-bar, tea andcoffee making facilities, a safe,and writing desk. Complimentarybreakfast is served in theattractive ground floor restaurant,which also serves a mixof western and Khmer dishes,seating up to 60 diners.Be sure to make use of thehotel’s bicycles, which guestsare free to borrow for roamingaround the city.Frangipani Villa Hotel, 0603 StreetWat Bo, Siem ReapTel: 067 999 930www.frangipanihotel.com4. NATAYA CORAL BAYRESORTA private beach stretchingkilometres, a 300m pier, onlyeight bungalows–can youask for more? Since openingaround a year ago, NatayaCoral Bay Resort has becomethe perfect romantic hideaway,and increasingly the venue forbeachside weddings.Accommodation consistsof beachfront, roundhousebungalows divided into twodouble rooms (US$100/night)with open-air showers. Interconnectingdoors between therooms make the bungalowsfamily friendly, while kidsare further taken care of withswings and rides dotted aboutthe landscaped gardens.The 25m infinity pool, locatedright on the beach, ranksamongst the most fantasticpools in the Kingdom. Drinksare served from a bar right inthe pool, while the view of thesea really does make the waterseem endless. An oyster barserves local, fresh catch, andthe South Asian fare cooked bythe resident Pakistani chef isa rare treat. A driving range ison its way, as is a second pool,according to the owners.Located some 16km fromKampot along the road towardsSihanoukville, Nataya is theplace to go for a good dose ofexclusivity and class.Nataya Coral Bay Resort, KampotTel: 033 690 2011www.natayaresort.com5. PAGODA ROCKSSihanoukville may be bestknown as backpacker central,but the opening of PagodaRocks marks the Kingdom’sbeach resort city’s first hesitantsteps towards becoming a moreupscale destination. The “boutiqueguesthouse” is located ona hill overlooking Victory Beachand offers a complete disconnectfrom the regular Snookyexperience.Nine well-appointed bungalows(from US$50), eachwith its own private balconyfacing the sea, offer luxuriousseclusion, while the panoramiccoastal views from the 30minfinity pool leaves you withlittle desire to trek down to thebeach.Eating at Pagoda Rocks isa joy. With a helping handfrom Phnom Penh’s Pacharantapas bar, the restaurant onthe premises boasts a variedmenu featuring lunch-timesandwiches (US$4) made withfresh home-made bread, as wellas Mediterranean mains suchas paella (from US$9 for two),grilled fish steak (US$6), andstuffed squid (US$5.50). Theswanky cocktails are ideal atsunset, while its remote locationmakes midnight stargazingworth staying up for.Pagoda Rocks, SihanoukvilleTel: 077 524 275www.pagodarocks.com6. VERANDA NATURALRESORTLocated in the foothills of KepNational Park, Veranda hasbeen around for a while, butwith constant improvementsit remains one of the top spotsfor a weekend away. The latestaddition is the lagoon-like pool.Lounge on the sun chairs, graba drink at the poolside bar, orsimply laze in the water for anultimate chill-out day.Accommodation at Verandaranges from standard bungalowswith private balconies(from US$35), to the partlyopen-air hillside bungalow(from US$70), to the stonevacation villa that can berented either as a whole or inparts. With breathtaking viewsof Bokor Mountain and theGulf of Thailand, the resort’srestaurant is also worth tryingout. The bakery, full of mouthwateringgoodies, should notbe missed.Though it would be easyto while away several days atVeranda, popping out for thejungle trek around the mountainmakes for a nice diversion.Starting just outside the resort,the two-to three-hour trekoffers panoramic views of thearea, and if you head off earlyenough you can even spot somewildlife.Veranda Natural Resort, KepTel: 012 888 619www.veranda-resort.com42 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 43

Sleeping BeautyMore than half a century ago,some time in the 1950s, a smalltriangle of vacant land lay atthe confluence of Tran HungDao and Nguyen Cu TrinhStreets. Its address today is148 Tran Hung Dao, on theway west to Cho Lon. Sometime back in those olden days,I don’t know exactly when, itmight even have been in thewaning days of French rule, abillboard size advertisementwas painted on the easternwall of the adjacent building.The ad was for Negrita Rum, avery popular tipple here fromearliest French days to Reunificationin 1975 when it prettymuch disappeared. But untilthat time it was the drink ofchoice for many Foreign Legionsoldiers, their heirs the AmericanG.I.s, and who knows howmany hard drinking journalists.The ad features Chinese script,which is appropriate to one’sdestination should you see itdriving westward down thestreet.Negrita Rum (the Frenchspell it “rhum”) was first blendedand labeled in 1847 by theBardinet Company of France.And Bardinet still produces it.It’s the most popular rum inSpain and high on the list inother European countries. It’sa blended rum, being made indistilleries on Reunion, Guadeloupeand Martinique islands.It’s the Martinique elementthat gives Negrita its distinctivetaste. Rums of Martiniqueare “agricole” rums. They aremade from sugar cane juice,not molasses, a by-product ofthe refining process.The painted ad on TranHung Dao (in the French timeknown as Rue Marine, or SailorStreet) would have beckonedthousands of soldiers andsailors as they headed into ChoLon for nights of debauchery atthe House of 500 girls. It wouldhave stimulated the thirst ofgamblers flocking to Le GrandeMonde. The dark lady on thelabel might have winked atGraham Green as he scouredthe steamy streets for atmosphereto spice up The QuietAmerican. She was part of aneighborhood and a city whoseformer character is now almostentirely gone. But she has been(temporarily) preserved. In1960 the Metropole Hotel wasbuilt on that triangle of land,hard against the adjacent building,sealing up the commercialart as a time capsule. Throughall the subsequent decades ofwar, upheaval, high times andlow, change and hyper change,the painted Negrita slept.She had not been seen for62 years, until last December.With yet another tower inmind, developers demolishedthe Metropole in December,revealing that shrouded bit ofbibulous history. I stopped inmy tracks when I saw her. Imust have stood and contemplatedher for ten minutes,imagining all the people andevents that she had witnessed,and those she had sleptthrough. I resolved to have adrink of Negrita. I had to havea sip of Saigon history. Butwhere to find something thatdisappeared decades ago?I called my bibulous buddies.Michael Kloster, formerlyof Black Cat fame and nowwith The Vine Group winemerchants; Linh Phanroy ofGringo’s; and Charlie Wongthe Hot Dog King of Saigonall sprang into action. But thesearch seemed to be in vain.Kloster managed to locate abottle in Phnom Penh and wasstanding by to have it “transferred.”Phanroy promised toinvent a dedicatory cocktail forit upon arrival. But King Charlie’snetwork of informantsand operatives is unmatched.As we sat despondently onenight nursing our suds at theDrunken Duck, a dusty andbattered old xe om arrivedat the door. Both driver andvehicle looked hard-ridden. Abarman was dispatched to meetI must have stood andcontemplated her for ten minutes,imagining all the people andevents that she had witnessed, andthose she had slept through.him. A fat wad of cash changedhands. A bottle of Negrita rumwas set before me. It was athing of beauty.We four repaired to myquarters. With due ceremonyI cracked the bottle. I pouredfour measures. We toasted oldSaigon. We tasted. How was it?Well may you ask. “She weren’ta goer,” as an Aussie might say.But she weren’t bad neither. Ididn’t care. I tasted Old Saigon,and that was more than enoughfor me. Phanroy made goodon his promise. He combinedequal measures of café sua da,Kalua and Negrita. He calls itthe Negringa.I plan to make that bottlelast until the Negrita ad is oncemore consigned to darkness,probably for good this time. Ipass by that echo of Old Saigonevery day. And every day inmy mind I drink a silent toastto her. And she replies, “I justcame back to say goodbye.”Grapes and BambooFrenchGrapes and Bamboo has beenserving up French fare with aVietnamese twist to the residentsof Phu My Hung in District 7 forjust over a year. The purple andgreen highlights in the interiorrepresent the elements of therestaurant’s name, and the twocultures that influence the fare.It is a family affair with therestaurant owned by localwoman Doan Hong Truc andthe kitchen headed up by hermother Lan Phuong, whohas 30 years experience in thebusiness.Originally the restaurantserved a mix of French andVietnamese cuisine, and thebrunch menu is still made upof Vietnamese standards suchas com tam (32,000 to 70,000VND) and various noodle soups(42,000 VND). However, thedecision was made to movetowards more French food tocreate a point of difference withthe local competition.To suit local tastes the fooduses less salt and less fat thanwould normally be found inFrench dishes, and there is alsoan emphasis on using vegetablesand presenting dishes well. LanPhuong says, “People first eatwith their eyes.”The focus on presentationis apparent from the verybeginning with the cream ofpumpkin soup with fresh tigerprawn (42,000 VND) and theclear seafood soup (72,000 VND)covered with a Mille-Feuillesthat is golden and crispy andperfectly risen. The pastry workswell dunked in the wonderfullyflavoured soup.The Grapes and Bamboofare meets local cuisine in District 7.By Brett Davis. Photos by Fred Wissink.summer fruit and chicken salad(large 72,000 VND, small 48,000VND) is one of the signaturedishes, and the sliced applecombined with the grapes andasparagus make for a refreshingdish.For mains there is the‘famous’ grilled chicken legin red wine sauce (49,000VND), and chicken breast withhomemade pasta in mushroomsauce (52,000 VND). All thenoodles, pasta and pastry usedat Grapes and Bamboo is madefresh on-site every day. Otherpopular choices are the beefbourguignon (78,000 VND),roast duck in citrus sauce(130,000 VND), grilled salmonwith shiitake mushroom sauce(195,000 VND), fillet mignonwith foie gras (268,000 VND)and the imported rack of lambin red wine sauce (390,000VND).The dessert menu includesassorted homemade tarts (12,000VND each) and some slightlydifferent offerings such as sweetlotus seed soup (15,000 VND).The wine list is impressivewith almost two dozen bottlesfrom France, Chile, Australiaand New Zealand. The red andwhite Bordeaux house wine isonly 65,000 VND a glass.Grapes and Bamboo issomething of a surprise packetbut well worth a visit for thosewanting well-prepared food thatwon’t break the bank or add toomuch to the waistline.SD2-1 Nguyen Duc Canh, Phu MyHung, D7Tel: 54122965Open 7am to 10:30pm44 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 45

Cote D’AzurClassic French cuisine served inambient surroundings. By M. Khan.Photos by Ho Huynh Ho Quang.Cote D’Azur exemplifies the“tucked away in a corner”eatery. Blink and you’ll missthe alley it’s located in but findit, and you’re transported to aquiet little restaurant, where, ifweather permits, al fresco diningcan prove to be a pleasantexperience.One of Cote D’Azur’s owners,Le Nhat Dong, has vastexperience in French cuisinefrom his time at Le Bordeaux,and was kind enough to join mefor dinner. He explained howhe and his partners wanted toopen a restaurat to serve Frenchcuisine in intimate surroundings.To this end, they have createda menu that serves classicFrench fare, from the Foie Grasterrine served with fig chutney(255,000 VND) to a scrumptiouschocolate soufflé (90,000 VND)to cite two examples.The space appears small butis perfect for a quiet meal thatcan be had at a leisurely pace.The long alley that leads to theal fresco dining space ensuresthat outside noise, so typicalto Saigon, is left at the door.This enhances outdoor diningbecause you are divorced from,for example, the motorbike driverspulling to a few inches awayfrom your table. The small spacehas been used well—diners aregiven ample space betweentables so as to ensure privacyand not the cramped one-inchbetween tables where you can’thelp but eavesdrop on eachother’s conversations.Because of this, Cote D’Azuris devoid of any pretention Ioften hear Saigon residents saypermeates French restaurants. Ican’t comment on this argument,not having dined at toomany French establishmentsbut I can say that Cote D’Azur’sstaff were very attentive toevery detail. My glass was neverempty for more than a nanosecond,my plate cleared withinmoments and this was donewithout any hovering over me.The staff were almost tuned intomy thoughts—and accommodatedthem.The dinner we sampledlived up to its promise of beingclassic: a lovely AmuseBouche (parma ham and salmontartare on toast) welcomed mycompanion and I and preparedour palette for the Foie Gras.We sampled a lovely Chinesesea grouper, which was servedwith Noilly Prat (245,000 VND).For our main course, we had avery good steak. The prime filletof Australian beef was cookedmedium and was thankfully justright at medium and not welldone as can sometimes happen.All in all, a pleasant diningexperience, even on a balmySaigon evening.12 T3 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai,District 1Tel: 3911 5473Lang Nuong Nam BoBarbequeFor an authentic Vietnameseexperience head to Lang NuongNam Bo, a massive two-storeywarehouse-type structure downan alley off Cach Mang ThangTam in District 10.With a clientele that is almostentirely local, Nam Bo specialisesin barbequed meat and seafoodgrilled to smoky perfectionatop coal-filled tabletop burners.While there’s game to satisfycurious eaters (think porcupineand weasel) the five spice marinatedbeef is a much safer option.The special squid is anothermust-try (Both dishes are 72,000Vietnamese style. By Beth Young.Photos by Ho Huynh Ho Quang.VND per plate). For best results,dip in bean curd sauce, soy withchilli or a tart combination ofsalt, pepper and lemon. And fragrantCynanthe flowers sautéedwith garlic (49,000 VND) are atypical accompaniment to a doit-yourselfbarbeque meal.Nam Bo is also renowned forits generous hotpots (referred toas “steamboats” in the menu).The classic South Vietnamesevariety (150,000 VND) has aslightly sweet and aromaticbroth. A monstrous pile ofmushrooms of all shapes andsizes, bitter melon, shreddedcabbage and greens plusprawns, squid and chunks ofgrouper are added once thesoup begins to boil.A nook to the side of the restauranthouses a macabre collectionof baby pigs speared onstakes. They are spit-roasted onfull display out front to a crispyfinish (460,000 VND). And ifdiners are still peckish peanuts,pickled young mangos and fermentedquail eggs sit tabletop,too. Remember, though, thesetreats aren’t free; they’re addedto the bill at the end.Always packed and perpetuallynoisy the atmosphereis rambunctious. Frantic waitstaff dart quickly between tablesfilled with rowdy Vietnamesebut the food arrives remarkablyquickly. Ceiling fans humconstantly in rhythm withincessantly flashing neon lights.Loud and boisterous, Nam Bois respected HCM City wide asone of the best barbeque jointsin town.285/C145 Cach Mang Thang Tam,District 10Tel: 3862 2569Open 9am to 10:30pm46 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 47

THESTORYTELLERAND HERCANVASMuna Khan talks to artist Tammy Nguyen abouther creative process. Photos by Fred Wissink.She is a graduate of CooperUnion School of Art, a Fulbrightscholar, has lectured in the U.S.,been privately commissioned tocreate work, exhibited successfullyin the U.S. and Vietnamand co-curated a recent showat San Art. That she has donethis, and more, at the age of 26should make Tammy Nguyenan easy target for envy but shehas not an iota of smugness orair of superiority. In fact, she isgrounded in reality, a conceptmany artists would be welladvised to take a cue from.Nguyen’s journey as an artistbegan at a fairly early age.Born to Vietnamese parents inCalifornia, she was adept in thearts and knew early on that shewanted to study art, “there wasa point where I decided art isnot just a hobby,” she says. Anadmission into the prestigiousCooper Union School of Artonly helped to seal the deal. Theprogramme at this art school is adiverse one and allows studentsto explore different genres butultimately it, “rebuilds yourexpectations of art,” she says.A Fulbright Scholarship sawher travel to Vietnam in 2007and issues of identity, hithertoan area that she was uncomfortablediscussing, least of all inher art, began to surface. Perhapsit started with her choiceof subject for the Fulbright—oiland lacquer—which is the mosttraditional art form in Vietnam.Nguyen was always fascinatedwith tradition and traditionalvalues, when it becomes elasticto contemporary values. Andshe realised she wanted towork with lacquer and use it,“as a lens to look at Vietnamthrough.” However, there wassome apprehension and fearthat her decision to go or choiceof work would be seen as charity,which she did not want.“I didn’t want it to be viewedas some sort of self-righteousartificial care,” she says.Nguyen was certainly connectedto Vietnam’s language,history and culture thanks toher parents but prior to theFulbright she hadn’t travelledto the country. While there wascertainly an adjustment periodthat any person settling intoa new environ experiences,Nguyen settled in well, connectingwith family members,students at Ho Chi Minh CityFine Arts University where sheenrolled at level three of lacquerpainting, working alongsidestudents and learning how tocommunicate about art in a differentlanguage.“I came here addressingmyself as con (child) but overtime, I became known as buddy.I was soon speaking slang, Iwas cursing, riding a bike, andthinking in Vietnamese,” shesays. “Everything [her experience]became real.”As for her work in lacquerpainting, there was muchresearch on the subject, andmuch to practice in skill for theprocess of layering in lacquerpainting is time-consuming andrequires patience. Elements ofthe layering would be foundagain in Nguyen’s Novemberexhibition “My Diary from thatBattle of 10,000 Ships” in Novemberlast year, proving howvaluable her academic researchand subsequent work experiencewas and how it continuesto influence and shape the artist’swork.It is always difficult to explainan artist’s creative process anddespite Nguyen’s articulatenessand the passion with which shedescribes her approach to herown work, she is influencedby a myriad of elements, manyof which are too long to list orbreak down into mere words.They are, however, fascinatingconcepts to listen to as she isanimated in her description andeach canvas has an incrediblestory behind its evolution. Forexample, a tree stump thatmetamorphosed into actionheroes—that process could beinfluenced by the action moviesshe loves or the game theorybooks she was reading or theWorld Cup last summer she wasavidly following.What seems constant, is thenotion of balance, whether oneis searching for it or trying toremain in that stance havingfound it. Her solo exhibition atL’Usine in November, for example,illustrates the nature ofcombat and how one strugglesto achieve some form of balance.The installation featuredpaper, silk, thread and ink wasa representation of battle scarsendured through hardships andstemmed from the artist’s explorationof “the battle betweenpower and sensuality”. In otherwork, aspects of combat alsoappear, which Nguyen says, isof interest. “I’m interested in thestrategies behind combat, theway one develops habits thatturn into combat.” And if one isto expound on it, perhaps wheretradition weaves into it.Nguyen chose to stay onafter the Fulbright and todaybalances a full-time job at MyDuc Ceramics (tile manufacturers)and working on her art,usually twice a day, in variousmediums. In between she workson projects like co-curating anexhibit “Chi Toi” (My ElderSister) at San Art. What she doesnot do is worry about sellingher work. “My only concern isto ensure that my work looksgood, that it is elegant,” she tellsme. “Every artist has a crutchand mine is beauty; the subjectcan be the same but the mediumwill be different.”Her last exhibition, a solo atL’Usine in October, was titled “MyBattle with 10,000 Ships”.48 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 49

50 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 51

Dr Martens8-Eye boot (red): 2.990 milion VND14-Eye boot (black): 3.490 milion VND127-129 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1ConverseChuck Taylor (black): 700,000 VNDLife style (white): 1,500,000 VND122 Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward, District 1Bam Skate ShopVans: 410,000 VNDSkateboards: Price from 2.6 milion - 2.8 milion VND174 Bui Vien, Pha Ngu Lao Ward, District 1Photos by Fred Wissink.52 asialife HCMC

listingshotel &travelAIRLINESAir Asia254 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3838 9810www.airasia.comAsia’s largest low-cost airline operatesone daily flight between HCM City-Hanoi, as well as international flights toBangkok, Phuket, Jakarta and KualaLumpur.Air France130 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 0981ext. 82Fax: 3822 0537www.airfrance.com.vnAn airline with a vast and effective globalnetwork. Now flies direct to Paris.Cathay Pacific72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3Tel: 3822 3203www.cathaypacific.comHong Kong-based airline makes threeflights daily to HCM City and two flightsdaily to Hong Kong’s internationalairport. Fares start at about $300.Jetstar Pacificwww.jetstar.comBudget branch of Australian Qantasflies into Can Tho, Danang, Hanoi, HaiPhong, HCM City, Hue, Nha Trang andVinh and operates cheap flights fromescape take flight with travel promotions around the regionCaravelle HotelFrom January 28 to February 13, theCaravelle Hotel will offer a night stay in adeluxe room for US $120 ++ per night,including one breakfast. An additionalbreakfast will cost $21 ++ per night. Thepackage includes complimentary unlimitedin-room internet access. Rooms are subjectto 5 percent service change and 10percent VAT. Call 3823 4999, email rsvn@caravellehotel.vnn.vn or visit caravellehotel.com.La Veranda Resort, Phu QuocIn March, La Veranda Resort Phu Quocwill launch its “Paradise Within Paradise”experience. Located on its own private island,visitors can scuba dive and snorkel.What’s more the resort’s experienced foodand beverage team will be on stand byto serve a range of seafood and specialtyproducts unique to Phu Quoc Island. Call7739 82998, email contact@laverandaresort.comor visit laverandaresort.com.Palm Garden Resort, Hoi AnDuring Tet the Palm Garden Resort inHCM City to Siem Reap and Bangkok.Check out Friday Fare Frenzy onlinepromotion from 2 to 5 pm every Friday.Malaysia Airlineswww.malaysiaairlines.comOffers daily flights from Hanoi and HCMCity to Kuala Lumpur for about $200round trip, with four economy class farelevels: low, basic, smart and flex.Philippine Airways229 Dong Khoi, D3 Tel: 3822 2241www.philippineairlines.comOperates daily service from HCM City toManila, offering fare options through thePAL Econo Light Class.Royal BruneiLevel 4, 129A Nguyen Hue, D1Tel: 3914 6868www.bruneiair.comRoyal Brunei provides scheduled serviceacross Asia, the Middle East, UnitedKingdom, Australia and New Zealand.Thai Airways65 Nguyen Du, Tel: 3829 281029 Le Duan, D1www.thaiair.comBangkok-based airline connects twicedaily between the Thai capital and HCMCity and Hanoi. Multiple daily flights arealso operated from both to Phnom Penhand Phuket.VASCOVietnam Airlines office, 116 NguyenHue, D1 Tel: 3842 2790www.vasco.com.vnThough it’s primary business is cargoshipment, Vietnam Air Service Company(VASCO) flies daily from HCM City toCon Dao and makes connections tolesser-known cities like Ca Mau, Tuy Hoaand Chu Lai. Buy tickets at the VietnamAirlines office.Vietnam AirlinesHanoi: 94 Tran Quoc ToanTel: 942 0848HCM City: 116 Nguyen Hue, D1Tel: 3832 0320www.vietnamair.com.vnThe domestic route map is extensive,with several flights daily between majorand less touristed cities throughoutVietnam. Flies internationally throughoutAsia and to Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow,Sydney, Melboure, Los Angeles and SanFrancisco.CON DAOATC Hotel16B Ton Duc Thang Tel: 06 4830 666Rustic little 4-room, family-run guesthousein converted French administrationbuilding. Rooms are simple, withexposed rafters inside and balconiesoutside. Bungalow accommodation isalso available.Con Dao Resort8 Nguyen Duc Thuan Tel: 06 4830 949www.condaoresort.comModern hotel with 45 rooms and sevenvillas set on 2km of private beach.On-premise facilities include restaurant,bar, beach-view swimming pool, tenniscourt and volleyball. Organizes outdooractivities and tours.Saigon Con Dao Resort18-24 Ton Duc Thang Tel: 06 4830 155www.saigoncondaoresort.comOpened in summer 2009, Saigon Tourist’s82-room hotel has a restaurant,swimming pool, tennis court and healthclub with sauna. Another 30 villas areavailable in the adjacent sister hotel, arenovated colonial-era administrationbuilding. Tours organized by hotel.DALATAna Mandara Villas Resort & SpaLe Lai, Ward 5, Dalat Tel: 063 3555888www.anamandara-resort.comLuxury 35-acre resort encompasses 17Hoi An will offer two nights in a SuperiorGarden View room, daily buffet breakfastat Terrace Café and round-trip airporttransfers for US $149 ++ per person (twinshare). Valid from January 27 to February10, the package also includes a visit toHoi An Ancient Town, family cookingclass or Vietnamese conversation course.Call 510 3927 827 or email reservation@pgr.com.vn.Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trangand Six Senses Ninh Van BayMake Valentine’s Day this year somethingto remember with a romantic getaway.Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang and SixSenses Ninh Van Bay are offering a twonightand three-night package availablefrom February 7 to February 20. The Valentinepackage at both resorts includesairport transfers, welcome drink and fruitbasket, one bottle of sparkling wine uponarrival, breakfast buffet, one romanticdinner on the beach, free internet and departuregift. The Six Senses Ninh Van Bayalso includes a 30 minute body scrub,snorkeling and kayaking. Evason Anarestored early 20th-century villas and65 rooms set in the rural highlands. LaCochinchine Spa offers wide range oftreatments. Le Petite Dalat Restaurantserves Vietnamese and fusion cuisine.Heated swimming pool, art gallery andcooking classes in organic garden.Blue Moon Resort & Spa4 Phan Boi Chau Tel: 06 3578 888www.bluemoonhotel.com.vnAn attractive 65-room, country-styleresort with extensive gardens for strollingor al fresco dining, as well as restaurantserving local Dalat dishes. On-premisebike rental, fitness centre, sauna andindoor heated pool.Mercure Dalat7 Tran Phu, Dalat Tel: 063 3825 777www.mercure.comBuilt in 1932 as the Hotel Du Parc, this144-room resort pairs French colonialarchitecture with modern amenities.Cafe De Le Poste serves French homestyle,international and Vietnamesecuisine. Facilities include tennis courtand saunaSofitel Dalat Palace12 Tran Phu, Dalat Tel: 063 3825 444www.accorhotels-asia.comStately lakeside hotel was built in 1920sand retains the period’s aesthetic. Itencompasses 38 rooms, five suites, agourmet restaurant, brasserie, piano barand Larry’s Bar. Golf can be arranged,and there’s tennis, boules, snooker andbilliards on premise.activitiesPhat Tire Ventures73 Truong Cong Dinh Tel: 63 3829 422www.phattireventures.comRuns guided trips for hiking/trekking,mountain biking, rock climbing, kayakingand canyoning in the highlands surroundingDalat. Also operates mixed tripadventure packages and ropes courseMandara Nha Trang from: USD $706++to USD $1699++. Call 058 3524705 oremail reservations-nhatrang@sixsenses.com. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay from USD$1,516++ to USD $6,740++. Call 0583524268 or email reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com.Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel andSpaDuring Tet the Sheraton Nha Trang isoffering Deluxe Ocean View Room, dailybuffet breakfast for children below 12years old sharing a room with parents(maximum of 2 children per room) and15 percent discount on food and beverageand Shine Spa body treatments.Applicable to Vietnamese nationals,overseas Vietnamese and expatsworking in Vietnam (proof of residence/work permit required upon check-in) anda minimum two night stay is required.The promotion is valid from 28 Jan 2011to 15 Feb 2011, and is priced at VND2,300,000++ per room per night. Call(84)(58) 388 0000 or email reservations.nhatrang@sheraton.com.set among pine forest with 100+ metreFlying Fox zip line.Dalat Easy Rider Tours70 Phan Dinh Phungdalateasyriders@yahoo.comwww.dalat-easyrider.comRide pillion with English-, French- orGerman-speaking tour guides onmotorbike adventures that start in Dalatand snake through mountains, junglesand deltas, lasting anywhere from threeto 21 days. Trips terminate in Nha Trang,Hoi An, Hanoi, Mui Ne or HCM City. Allhotels and entrance fees included.HANOIIntercontinental Westlake Hanoi1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Tel: 04 62708888www.intercontinental.comLocated on the waterfront with contemporaryVietnamese design, restaurants,business services, fitness centre includingexercise classes and pool.Hanoi Hilton Opera1 Le Thanh Tong, Hoan KiemTel: 04 3933 0500www.hilton.comHoused in a colonial-style buildingthat complements the adjacent OperaHouse, this luxury hotel features modernamenities, business services, outdoorpool and fitness centre. Vietnamesespecialties are served at Ba Mien,and Chez Manon does Japanese andpan-Asian.Melia Hanoi Hotel44B Ly Thuong Kiet Tel: 04 3934 3343www.meliahanoi.comLocated in the city centre with 306comfortable guestrooms elegantly decorated,complete with a host of modernamenities. Dining includes Asian cuisineat El Patio and El Oriental, snacks atCava Lounge and tapas at Latino Bar.Mercure Hanoi La Gare94 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan KiemTel: 04 3944 7766www.accorhotels.comSituated in the Old Quarter with 102bright, spacious and modern rooms,Brasserie Le Pavillion restaurant servesVietnamese and international cuisine.Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi83A Ly Thuong KietTel: 3822 2800www.moevenpick-hotels.comConveniently located in the heart ofHanoi’s business district, a 40-minutedrive from Noi Bai International Airportand only 5 minutes from the city centre,Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi is the latestfive-star hotel in town, tailored to meetthe needs of discerning guests andespecially corporate travellers.Nikko Hotel84 Tran Nhan Tong Tel: 04 3822 3535www.hotelnikkohanoi.com.vnLuxury hotel offering spacious rooms,elegant furnishings, international finedining from Europe, China and Japan.Sheraton Hotel HanoiK5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu, Tay HoTel: 04 3719 9000www.starwoodhotels.com“Resort within a city” boasts 299spacious guest rooms with panoramicviews, fitness centre, internationalrestaurant and Hemisphere Vietnameserestaurant.Sofitel Metropole15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan KiemTel: 04 3826 6919www.sofitel.comLocated downtown. Colonial-style hotelwith well-regarded restaurants/barsserving French & Vietnamese cuisine,plus Italian steak house.HO CHI MINH CITYCaravelle Hotel19 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 38234999www.caravellehotel.comOne of the city’s most prestigiousvenues. Features a casino, ReflectionsRestaurant and al fresco 9th-floorSaigon Saigon Bar.Duxton Hotel63 Nguyen Hue D1 Tel: 3822 2999www.duxtonhotels.comLocated in downtown Saigon. Facilitiesinclude spa, beauty salon, ZanaduHealth Club, gym, outdoor swimmingand main restaurant, The Grill.Equatorial242 Tran Binh Trong D5 Tel: 38397777www.equatorial.com/hcmOn the intersect of 4 districts, with 333rooms, Orientica Seafood restaurantand bar, Chit Chat cafe, pool (swim-upbar), gym.InterContinental Asiana SaigonCorner of Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9999saigon@interconti.comwww.intercontinental.com/saigon305 rooms/suites with floor-to-ceilingwindows, five restaurants/bars, meeting/banquet facilities, spa/health club andlounge with panoramic view.Legend Hotel2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3823 3333www.legendsaigon.comLocated by the river with fitness centre,outdoor pool, kids play centre, CrystalJade Chinese restaurant and jazz bar.Möevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222www.moevenpick-saigon.comHas 278 well-appointed rooms/suites,five restaurants/bars, meeting/banquetfacilities and a shopping arcade as wellas a popular e-gaming centre.New World Hotel76 Le Lai, D1 Tel: 3822 8888www.newworldsaigon.comLocated in the city centre, with gym,outdoor pool, tennis court, event spaceand Dynasty Chinese restaurant.Park Hyatt2 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3824 1234www.saigon.park.hyatt.comLuxury colonial-style hotel includes 21suites, lobby lounge with live music,Xuan Spa, pool, gym, international diningat Square One.Renaissance Riverside8-15 Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3822 0033www.renaissancehotels.com349 rooms/suites with panoramic viewsover Saigon River. Conference/banquetfacilities, rooftop pool, gym, tworestaurants.Sheraton88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828www.sheraton.com/saigonLuxury downtown hotel with Level 23bar, Mojo cafe, Li Bai Chinese restaurant,fine dining at The Signature on the23rd floor.Sofitel Saigon Plaza17 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3824 1555www.sofitel.com/2077One of the city’s top hotels with in-roomWi-Fi, two restaurants with internationalcuisine, two bars, six conference rooms,outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre.Villa Hotel at Thao Dien195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3744 2222www.thaodienvillage.comColonial-style boutique hotel and spawith fine dining on the banks of theSaigon River in expat enclave.54 asialife HCMC

Launch party:12 February 2011Rock the Boats!Julia tel. 0908400108 juliashaw2@gmail.comNick tel. 0908370293 nick610newman@hotmail.com108 Huynh Thuc Khang (just after Mui Ne village sign, on the beach)www.mantasailing.orgWindsor Plaza18 An Duong Vuong, D5Tel: 3833 6688services@windsorplazahotel.comwww.windsorplazahotel.comLocated in a main shopping hub. Fourrestaurants, modern discotheque,conference centre, casino, health club,shopping centre, supermarket, Chineserestaurant.activitiesSaigon Scooter Centre25/7 Cuu Long, Tan Binh DistrictTel: 4848 7816www.saigonscootercentre.comOne-stop rental service with a wide selectionof scooters/motorbikes availablefor around town travel or long tripsVietnam Vespa Adventures169 De Tham, D1, Pham Ngu LaoTel: 3920 3897www.vietnamvespaadventures.comHeadquaters located in Cafe Zoom.Offers 3-day trips to Mui Ne, 8-days toNha Trang or half-day tours of HCMCon classic Vespas.HOI AN & DANANGCua Dai Hotel544 Cua Dai Tel: 0510 3862 231www.cuadaihotel-hoian.comOpen and airy rooms are tastefullydecorated and overlook the gardenand pool. Located roughly between OldTown and Cua Dai Beach. Bicycle rentalarranged.Green Field Hotel423 Cua Dai, Hoi An Tel: 0510 863484www.greenfieldhotel.comMid-range hotel with simple but spaciousrooms overlooking the gardenand pool. Rates start below US $20per night. Located 400 metres from theOld Town.Le Domaine de Tam Hai ResortTel: 0510 3545105www.domainedetamhai.comOccupying an island close to Hoi An,the resort features 12 villas, a privatebeach, and two restaurants servingFrench and Vietnamese cuisine.Life Resort Hoi An1 Pham Hong Thai, Hoi AnTel: 0510 3914 555www.life-resorts.comWithin walking distance of Hoi An.Rooms are chic and minimalist, offeringall the mod cons. Two restaurants, twobars and an outdoor pool.Nam HaiTel: 0510 3940 000www.ghmhotel.comLuxury resort accommodation fromsingle villas to sumptuous five-roomdwellings with private pools. Facilitiesinclude 8 private spa villas; 3 beachfrontswimming pools; library; and tennis,basketball and badminton courts.Palm Garden Resort Hoi AnLac Long Quan Street, Cua DaiBeach, Hoi AnTel: 0510 3 927 927www.palmgardenresort.com.vnSet on 5 hectares of landscapedtropical garden in an enviable beachlocation, the Palm Garden Resort offersan exceptional green environmentwith over 400 species of palm treesand plants along the famous Cua DaiBeach in the UNESCO-recognizedworld heritage site of Hoi An AncientCity.Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & SpaCua Dai Beach Tel: 0510 3927 040www.victoriahotels-asia.comSet on its own stretch of beach with105 rooms spread through a traditionalfishing village design of small “streets”and ponds.Vinh Hung Hotel143 Tran Phu Tel: 0510 3910 393www.vinhhunghotels.com.vnEvocative wood carving, antique furnitureand Oriental rugs fill this intimateguesthouse just down the street fromthe Japanese Bridge. Constructiondates back more than a century.activitiesHoi An Motorbike AdventuresTel: 0918 230 653www.motorbiketours-hoian.comTwo-wheeled tours of the CentralHighlands, Ho Chi Minh Trail, MonkeyMountain and more on a fleet of Minskdirt bikes and fully and semi-automaticmotorbikes. Customers can drive or bedriven on half- to five-day trips.Mango Cruiseinfo@mangorooms.comChef Duc from the celebrated MangoRooms restaurant and his wife Ly offera cruise down the Thu Bon River, completewith a meal from a menu createdby Duc himself.Phat Tire Ventures619 Hai Ba Trung Tel: 0510 391 1700www.phattireventures.comOffers rappelling and rock climbing atMarble Mountains, as well as walkingand mountain biking excursions, fromtwo-hour countryside trips to two-daycycling trips to Hue. Also does culturaland historical tours and car trips to MySon Holy Land.Vietnam Sailing88 Nguyen Thai Hoc Tel: 0918 255521www.vietnamsailing.comForeign-operated company operateschartered coach or private tours toCham Islands aboard a Corsair Sprint750 Trimaran. One-day cruises or twodayexcursions with beach camping bycampfire are available.HUECeladon Palace Hue105A Hung Vuong Tel: 054 3936 666www.celadonpalacehue.comGrand building inspired by IndochineNobel House with panoramic views, internationalrestaurant, lounge/bars, pool,ballroom and wedding planning.Imperial Hue57 Dang Dung Tel: 054 3522 478www.imperial-hotel.com.vnOpulent high-rise hotel with panoramicviews of the city and Ngu Binh Mountain.Facilities include swimming pool,gym, Royal spa, Prince Club casino andbusiness centre.La Residence5 Le Loi Tel: 054 3837 475www.la-residence-hue.comFormer governor’s residence on thebanks of the Perfume River is now hometo a boutique resort where art decomeets Indochine. La Parfum restaurantserves local and international dishes.Facilitiesa include spa, saltwater pool,tennis court and fleet of bicycles.NHA TRANGEvason Hideaway at Ana MandaraNinh Van Bay, Ninh Hoa, Khanh HoaTel: 058 3728 222www.sixsenses.com/hideawayanamandaraAn island hideaway accessible only byboat, 58 private pool villas, internationaland local restaurants, wedding services,water sports and scuba diving.Evason Ana Mandara Nha TrangBeachside, Tran Phu, Nha TrangTel: 058 3522 222www.sixsenses.com/evasonanamandaraBeachside resort set in 26,000 squaremetres of tropical garden, with 74 guestvillas, three restaurants, Six Senses Spa.Hon Tam Resort RepresentativeOfficeLevel 1, 68 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3822 0632sales@hontamresort.vnA boutique eco-resort set on Hon TamIsland, located off Nha Trang.Novotel Nha Trang50 Tran Phu Tel: 058 625 6900www.novotel-nhatrang.comEach of the 154 rooms has a terracewith seaviews in this modern hotellocated in the city centre. The Squareserves international cuisine in a diningroom overlooking the bay.Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa26 - 28 Tran Phu, Nha Trang, KhanhHoa Tel: 58 388 0000www.sheraton.com/nhatrangLuxury hotel with 284 ocean viewrooms, six restaurants and bars, clublounge, infinity edge swimming pool,spa, yoga studio, cooking school,Sheraton Adventure Club and (connectedat) Link@Sheraton.Sunrise Beach Resort12-14 Tran Phu, Nha TrangTel: 058 3820 999www.sunrisehotelvietnam.comPrivate beach resort equipped with gym,fitness centre, outdoor pool and watersports.PHAN THIETFull Moon98A Nguyen Dinh ChieuTel: 062 3847 008fullmoon@windsurf-vietnam.comResort set in a private garden withlovingly decorated bedrooms andterracotta-tiled bathrooms. The groundsinclude a good Vietnamese restaurant,pool and kitesurfing school.Mercure Hue Gerbera38 Le Loi Tel: 054 3946 688www.mercure.comOverlooking the Perfume River, thiscentrally located hotel has 110 contemporaryrooms. Local Hue cuisine andinternational fare served at Le Bordeaux,and drinks served up top at Sky Bar orin the ground-floor Lobby Bar.Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa130 Minh Mang Tel: 054 3885 461www.pilgrimagevillage.comBoutique resort with hut, bungalowand villa accommodation draws onnatural environment and local culture.Features Vedana spa, two restaurantsserving Vietnamese & Western food andimported wines and three bar/lounges.L’Anmien Beach ResortMui Ne Beach, KM10, Ham Tien WardTel: 062 3741 888www.lanmienresort.comBeachfront resort with 90 fully equippedrooms, business centre, spa, fitnesscentre and outdoor pool.Princess D’Annam Resort and SpaKhu Hon Lan, Tan Thanh, Ham ThuanNam, Binh ThuanTel: 062 3682 222www.princessannam.comLocated on Ke Ga Bay with 57 exclusivevillas, eight swimming pools, tworestaurants and 1,800 square metresspa complex.Romana ResortKM8, Mui Ne, Phan ThietTel: 062 3741 289www.romanaresort.com.vn10 beachfront villas and 18 hill villas withprivate pools and all the mod cons.The Sailing Club24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne,Phan Thiet Tel: 062 3847 440www.sailingclubvietnam.comOpen bar overlooking the sea, spacious56 asialife HCMC

Level 4 Ong & Ong Building159 Phan Xich Long StreetPhu Nhuan District.rooms, restaurant, swimming pool andday spa.Shades ApartmentKhu 1, Ham Tien Tel: 062 3743 237www.shadesmuine.comDesign-led boutique hotel that usesminimal materials and draws on naturaltextures to achieve a sense of timelessness.Serviced apartments are soundproofwith blackout curtains. Pool andbeachside veranda outside.Victoria Phan Thiet Resort and SpaMui Ne Beach Tel: 84 62 3813 000www.victoriahotels-asia.comLocated on a private beach, 60 cosybungalows, natural spa experiencesamong other great activities on offer atthe resort.activitiesC2Sky KitesurfingSunny Beach, 64-66 Nguyen DinhChieu Tel: 0916655241www.c2skykitecenter.comOperates two schools roughly 500mapart, staffed by IKO-certified instructors.Offers a half dozen course types,as well as instructor training. Equipmentrental and repair.Forester Spa & Mini Golf65 Nguyen Dinh ChieuTel: 062 3743 447www.forestrestaurant.comTerraced nine-hole miniature golf coursewith distinctly Vietnamese terrain: ricepaddies, palm trees, stilt homes and afish pond.Jibes Beach Club84-90 Nguyen Dinh ChieuTel: 062 3847 008www.windsurf-vietnam.comIKO-licensed kitesurfing centre offershighly structured kitesurfing classestaught by experienced watersportsmen.Also offer windsurfing lessons and retailsin watersports equipment (bodyboards,kayaks, surfboards, windsurfs).Mui Ne Beach.netwww.muinebeach.netInformative website run by local writerAdam Bray covering news, events, community/environmentalissues and morein Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Also issuessafety advisories regarding crime andtour bus accidents.Mui Ne Cooking SchoolSunshine Beach Resort, 84 TuyenQuang Tel: 062 383 0755Al fresco classes begin with a trip toRang Market and focus on the provincialcuisine of Binh Thuan, like banh xeo(crepes with beef or seafood) and goi haisan (seafood salad).Surfpoint217 Nguyen Dinh Chieuwww.surfpoint-vietnam.comOffers private and group kiteboardingcourses and equipment rental (from$40-50/hr). Also runs group and privatesurfing lessons, as well as kayaking tripsto Song Quao Lake.WindChimes SchoolSaigon Mui Ne Resort, 56 Nguyen DinhChieuwww.kiteboarding-vietnam.comSurf school situated on 235m of beachoffers kiteboarding, windsurfing andsurfing classes in multiple languagestaught by IKO-certified instructors.Equipment rented and trips organised.Satellite school at Bamboo VillageResort.PHU QUOCChenla Resort & SpaBai Xep, Ong Lang BeachTel: 077 3995 895www.chenla-resort.comsales-hcmc@chenla-resort.comResort on a bay offers 36 luxury bungalows/villaswith ocean views, swimmingpool, water sports, diving centre,spa and Mediterannean restaurants.FreedomlandOng Long Beach Tel: 077 3994 891freedomlandphuquoc.comSecluded lodging in six differentbungalow types built from naturalmaterials sourced from the island.Private or shared bathrooms, no airconditioningor hot water. Boat tripsand scooter tours.La VerandaWard 1, Duong Dong BeachTel: 077 3982 888www.laverandaresort.comSet amid tropical gardens along abeach. Features a highly-rated spa,beach grill, Vietnamese, Asian andEuropean cuisine.Mango BayOng Lang Beach, Phu QuocTel: 0903 382 207www.mangobayphuquoc.comLow-cost seaside resort with ecologicaloutlook promotes nature activities,forest walks, snorkelling, open-air seafoodrestaurant. No TV or telephone.SAPAChau Long Hotel24 Dong Loi Tel: 020 3871 245www.chaulonghotel.comMid-range hotel with wraparoundconstruction offering panoramic views.Rooms in the newer wing are moreattractive, with dark wood furnishingsand polished hardwood floors.Topas Eco Lodge24 Muong Hoa Tel: 020 3871 331www.topasecolodge.comOverlooking the Hoang Lien Mountains,Topas is comprised of 25 whitegranite and golden hardwood lodgespowered by solar energy. Premisesinclude restaurant in traditional Tay stilthouse, and Topas offers a range ofoutdoor activities, including mountainbiking and trekking.Victoria Sapa ResortSapa District, Lao Cai ProvinceTel: 020 0871 522www.victoriahotels-asia.comMountain chalet perched over the villagewth cosy but modern guestroomsoverlooking the lawn and garden. TaVan restaurant overlooks Mount Fansipanand Ta Fin bar has a stone hearthfireplace. Connection from Hanoi byprivate train.PADI/SSI dive centre based in NhaTrang and affiliated with the SailingClub Co., with additional centres inMui Ne and Hoi An. Offers a rangeof services, including children’sBubblemaker classes, courses inspecialised techniques and divemastercertification.VUNG TAUThe Imperial Hotel159-163 Thuy Van Tel: 06 4362 8888www.imperialhotelvietnam.comVictorian-style hotel with 152 rooms,outdoor pool, shopping mall and fullyserviced gym.Ho Tram Beach Resort & SpaHo Tram Village, Xuyen MocTel: 06 4378 1525www.hotramresort.comLocated about 45km from Vung Tauin the Phuoc Buu Reserve Forest,Ho Tram Beach Resort & Spa boastsuniquely designed bungalows andvillas.TRAVEL AGENTSBuffalo ToursSuite 601, Satra House, 58 DongKhoi D1 Tel: 3827 9170www.buffalotours.comTailor-made itineraries, communitybasedtourism, cultural tours,adventure trips, golfing and premiumtrips offered by locally run and wellrespectedtravel agent.ExotissimoHCMC: 20 Hai Ba Trung St, D1Tel: 3827 2911infosgn@exotissimo.comSD5-2 Grand View, Nguyen DucCanh, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 54122761/62pmh@exotissimo.comHANOI: 26 Tran Nhat Duat St,Hoan Kiem Tel: 04 3828 2150infohanoi@exotissimo.comwww.exotissimo.comFrench-owned agency specializing inflight bookings, package holidays anda range of well-run cultural and historicaltours of Vietnam and SoutheastAsia.Indochina Ventures40 Truong Quyen, D3Tel: 3820 2563/3820 2564Fax: 3829 2565info@indochina-ventures.comTour operator that specializes inVietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Cantailor packages to suit customers’ timeframes and interests.iTravel175/22 Pham Ngu Lao, D1Tel: 0836 4876www.itravel-online.comtrung@itravel-online.comOperated out of Le Pub (Hanoi/HCMC)offering a wide range of tour and accomodationoptions throughout Vietnam,as well as custom-made tourstailored to customer specifications.Terraverde91/10 Tran Quoc Hoan, Tan BinhTel: 3948 4754/56info@terraverdetravel.comwww.terraverdetravel.comGerman-owned travel agency specializingin tailor-made tours combiningnature experiences; site visits; culturalencounters; biking, boating and trekkingexpeditions. Mixes cultural experiencewith light adventure tourism.Trails of Indochina10/8 Phan Dinh Giot, Tan BinhTel: 3844 1005www.trailsofindochina.comSpecialists in custom-made tours offeringcultural and adventurous experiencesthroughout the region. Exclusiveresources and locations.SCUBA DIVINGNote: AsiaLIFE only lists dive centresrecognized by international divetraining programs, such as theProfessional Association of DiveInstructors (PADI) and Scuba SchoolsInternational (SSI). We strongly adviseagainst diving with unaccrediteddive centres in Vietnam.Rainbow Divers55 Nguyen Giai Dang, An Phu, D2Tel: 3744 6825www.divevietnam.comDiving tours and career/instructordevelopment offered by Vietnam’s firstPADI centre. established in the mid-90s. All courses can be started at thestate-of-the-art dive centre in An Phu,from beginner pool work and theory todivemaster and instructor certification.Operates dive centres in Nha Trang,Whale Island, Hoi An and Phu Quoc.Octopus Diving62 Tran Phu, Nha Trang058 826 528www.divenhatrang.com58 asialife HCMC

listingsfood &drinkBAR RESTAURANTSAla Mezon10 Chu Manh Trinh, D1 Tel: 6291 0447www.alamezon.vnColourful four-storey venue serves fusionFrench-Japanese cuisine, as well ascocktails and wine by the glass. Spacespans a restaurant, lounge and mainbar and spacious, airy rooftop. Open 5pm to late.Bread & Butter40/26 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3836 8452Lunch menu of American classics(California burritos, po boy sandwiches),Brit pub dinner (bangers & mash, fish &chips) and Sunday evening roast. ServesHuda Beer from Hue. Closed 2:30 pm to5 pm and Mondays.Bernie's Bar & Grill19 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 2684Serves a solid menu of certified Angusand imported Aussie steaks, freshpasta, thin crust pizza, sandwiches andmains in an old school steak housesetting. Drink menu includes smoothies,cocktails, premium wines and spirits andSaigon's largest martini. Buddha Bar7 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2080An Phu institution serves up tasty mealsand good drinks in a friendly, chilled environment.Plenty of room to relax insideor out, plus a pool table on premise. Cafe Latin17 Dong Du, D1In its third location, this expat favouritecontinues to deliver good food, anextensive drink list and a comfortableatmosphere. Two levels to watch sporton or simply unwind. Said to serve thebest chicken parmigiana in Vietnam.Corso Steakhouse & BarNorfolk Hotel, 117 Le Thanh Ton, D1Located in the chic Norfolk Hotel CorsoSteakhouse & Bar is well known for itssteak imported from the US and Australia.Good destination for both lunchand dinner.La Habana6 Cao Ba Quat, D1 Tel: 3829 5180www.lahabana-saigon.comThis charming little place has seatingindoors and outdoors, upstairs anddownstairs to fit your dining pleasure.Relaxed environment with frequent livemusic. Offers Spanish and Cuban fareincluding paella and a tapas fiesta comprisingthree plates. Open late daily.Le Pub175/ 22 Pham Ngu Lao, D1www.lepub.orgOne of Pham Ngu Lao’s favouritewatering holes, Le Pub also has a goodmenu of well-executed pub grub andinternational favourites. Hearty breakfastis available all day and specials areoffered daily.Mogambos50 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3825 1311This restaurant has been around sincethe mid-1990s, which offers an insightinto its enduring quality. Specializes inAmerican grain-fed steaks, hamburgersand salads served in a pleasantatmosphere. O’Brien’s74/A2 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 38293198A large Celtic-style pub popular withmedia types that has an interior done inbrickwork and wood, and an upstairsdining area. Draught beer is happyhour between 3 pm and 7 pm. Greatpizzas.Pasha Bar & Restaurant25 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 08 629 136 77www.pasha.com.vnTurkish–Mediterranean restaurantlocated in heart of HCMC serves halaland high quality food with ingredientsimported from Turkey, Spain, Singapore,Egypt, New Zealand, Japan and France.Long happy hour half price by glass.Various shisha flavours.Peaches: The Curry PubSky Garden 2, S57-1, Phu My Hung,D7 Tel: 5410 0999Serves up dishes from Thailand, Vietnam,Malaysia, China, Japan, Singaporeand Indonesia with a focus on healthypreparation and fresh produce.Phatty’s46-48 Ton That Thiep, D1Tel: 3821 0705www.phattysbar.comJaspa’s Steve Hardy and Ben Winspear’ssports bar has five widescreenTVs, a large drop-down screen and lotsof pub grub and beer for fans looking totake in a game or two.Qing110 Pasteur, D1www.qing.com.vnSophisticated downtown bar just off LeLoi specializes in Asian tapas, Asian/South American fusion dishes and a fewdelectable deserts. Variety of good winesby the glass or bottle.Sheridan’s Irish House17/13 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 38230793www.sheridansbarvn.comCosy Irish pub with authentic Irish decor,a pleasant atmosphere and regular livemusic. Wide range of classic pub grub,East Asian dishes and a fantastic breakfastfry-up available from 8 am.Storm P Bar & Restaurant5B Nguyen Sieu, D1 Tel: 3827 4738www.stormp.vnThis friendly hangout is a favourite withboth the Scandinavian community andEnglish-speaking expats. Offers Danishcuisine to go with the drinks. The TavernR2/24 Hung Gia 3, Bui Bang Doan, D7Tel: 5410 3900Boasts good international food, a pooltable, dartboards and sports coverageon large screens. Outdoor seating onmutiple levels. Second floor sportslounge hosts DJs at the weekends. Vasco’s Bar74/7D Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3824 2888Chic bar decked in deep reds that getspacked to capacity on weekends. OpenMonday to Saturday with live music onFridays. Food menu by chef with over 10years experience at La Camargue. Alsodoes excellent pizza. ZanZBar41 Dong Du, D1Funky, modern interiors and variedinternational breakfast, lunch and dinnercuisine. Imported beers, cocktails,gourmet espresso coffee, and happyhours make ZanZBar a great after-workspot. Open late.CAFESAnnam Cafe16-18 Hai Ba TrungCosy corner cafe with free Wi-Fi overlookingHai Ba Trung. Serves a slate ofgourmet sandwiches, coffee and wine.Bobby Brewer’s45 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3920 409070 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1 Tel: 3821810086 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3 Tel: 62991990www.bobbybrewers.comThis is an attractive fast-food style coffeeshop with friendly staff and good lattes.All the coffee is roasted on the premisesand there are comfortable couches andtravellers aplenty making it a chilledplace to hang out. feast broaden your palate with promotions around townRestaurant NineteenOn February 3 and 4 from 6 pm till 10 pm,the Caravelle Hotel’s Restaurant Nineteenwill prepare a Tet buffet dinner for1,050,000 VND ++ per person. Choicesinclude Tet staples like banh chung, panfriedsalmon and suckling pig plus there willbe a BBQ and seafood station. Dessertslike fudge cake and peach crumble willalso be served up. Call 38234999 or visitcaravellehotel.com.Reflections RestaurantFrom February 3 through 12, the CaravelleHotel’s Reflections Restaurant will payhomage to mushrooms by preparing disheslike morel with white truffle oil on toastedsourdough with sea scallops. A la Carte optionsrange from 200,000 to 540,000 VND++ per dish. A set menu for 980,000 VND++ is also available and includes searedsea scallops and roasted fillet of beef. Call38234999 or visit caravellehotel.com.Opera RestaurantLocated on the lobby level of the ParkHyatt Saigon, Opera Restaurant is becomingknown as a venue for authenticItalian cuisine. The restaurant has nowintroduced a new concept to help easeinto the new year. The ‘Colazione atOpera’ is an antipasti buffet enhancedwith a choice of one main course and adelectable dessert buffet. Available from11:30 A.M. to 2.30 P.M. on Monday toFriday, prices start at VND 470,000++per person. For more information andreservations, please call 08 3520 2357 oremail opera.saiph@hyatt.com.More Bangers for your Buck atGartenstadtCraving those traditional German flavors?It’s time for Gartenstadt. Featuring sausageplatter specials with an array of sausagessuch as Bratwurst and served withfried potatoes and sauerkraut for only320.000VND++. Known for exceptionalquality since 1992, Gartenstadt is a favoriteof locals and expatriates alike. Witha warm and cozy atmosphere, importedGerman beers and authentic dishes,Gartenstadt will leave you satisfied. Open10:30 am until midnight, call 8 38223623 or visit gartenstadt@vtpinvestment.com.Auspicious Dishes at Café CentralNguyen HueIt’s time for Tet and Café Central is servingup auspicious dishes such as severalvarieties of traditional Chinese dumplings,cooked in an array of styles and startingat only 48.000VND++. Situated in theheart of bustling downtown Saigon,Café Central Nguyen Hue is one of thebest locations to sip on a drink, munchon a snack or have a filling meal whilewatching the world go by. Open 7 am tomidnight, call 8 3821 9303.60 asialife HCMC

imbibeRosé and RosesBy Beth YoungThis Valentine’s Day pop thecork on a bottle of rosé—crisp, fresh and light with analluring ruby tinge. Made fromred grapes that are crushedto release the white juiceinside, the intensity of thecolour depends on how longthe crimson-hued skin is leftinside the barrel to brew.Michael Kloster, sales andmarketing manager at VineGroup, takes the VeramonteSyrah Rosé (287,000 VND)off the shelf to illustrate. It’sa vivid lollipop red-pink thatalmost glitters in the light. Notall rosé shares its vibrancy,though. Different varieties willtake on varying degrees ofcolour and tone. And the skinalso imparts tannin, which determinesthe wine’s structure.Popular in warmer Europeanclimates and particularlyin the south of France, roségenerally pairs well with Mediterraneancuisine. Kloster saysit’s also a natural pair withVietnamese food—especiallyseafood—serving to enhanceits subtle, clean flavours. Foodwriter and AsiaLIFE columnistRichard Sterling suggestsbanh xeo (Vietnamese ricepancake) as a perfect accompaniment.According to Kloster, roséalso matches Vietnam’s physicalenvironment. Since roséhas a low alcohol content(generally about 5 per cent)it’s light enough to drink in thetropics.But, in the US, White Zinfandelreigns supreme (Vinestocks a Stone Valley varietyfor about $8). Developed inCalifornia in the 1970s, it’ssweet and uncomplex but afavourite among Americandrinkers. Kloster and Sterlingsay that while it’s a goodplace to start, European roséhas much more class. It’slighter, drier and crisper withfar more complexity.Kloster says rosé is an “everyman’s wine”. as a breadthof options are available to suitall budgets and palates. Atjust 222,000 VND the VeramonteSyrah Rosé (mentionedabove) is quite dry with aintense strawberry and cherryaroma. Alternatively, the Rosetta(525,000 VND) is a littlepricier and much sweeter witha bit of sparkle and a hint ofwild roses. Perfect for ladiesand beginners, mind you,a little dangerous—it goesdown a treat. And as Sterlingsays the Rosetta is “prettycomplex. It doesn’t smell likeKool-Aid”.Take your pick, rosé—orpink champagne as it’s sometimesreferred to—is the idealelixir for a romantic Valentine’sDay dinner. Rosé and roses:there’s just no going wrong.Xoi Vostreet gourmetXoi vo basically meanssticky rice that’s beenrolled through your hands.It’s a sweet treat that isusually eaten as a dessertor snack. Green mungbeans and coconut milkare added to the stickyrice. These ingredientsBull’s Cafe113C Bui Vien Street, D1Tel: 3836 1925www.bullcafe.com.vnMotoGP-themed lounge serving up coffee,smoothies and cafe house special,fruit cocktail.Cafe TerraceSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1This funky café is frequented by trendytypes attracted by the leather lounges,outdoor terrace and 52 non-alcoholicfruit concotions.Cay Da CafeGround floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222 ext. 118www.moevenpick-saigon.comStocks the Moevenpick’s chef’s mostdelicious cakes, pastries, ice cream andsandwiches.Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf12-14 Thai Van Lung, D194 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3Nowzone, 235 Nguyen Van Cu, D5Metropolitan Bldng, 235 Dong Khoi, D1International café chain with a widevariety of coffees and teas, as well aslight snacks and food. Also sells freshroastedcoffee beans and tins of wholeleaf tea. Illy Café111A Pasteur, D1 Tel: 2220 2388Fax: 2220 2389Grand View Shop SA1-1, SB2-1Nguyen Duc Canh, D7 Tel: 5412 3292Fax: 5412 3293An Italian-style coffee bar that servesIlly—a world-renowned espresso blend.Makes classic coffees like the cappuccinoas well as innovative alcoholic andnon-alcoholic cocktails. Also serve lightItalian cuisine and desserts.create a sweet taste andgive xoi vo it’s yellowcolour. You can find xoi vostreet side all over Saigon.It is served in a plasticbag for about 5,000 VNDeach.Text by Hanh NguyenPhoto by VinhJubarcalypse35 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 7930Jubarcalypse has an interesting undergrounddesign. Playing jazz music, it’sthe perfect place to re-energize with arefreshing selection of juices and snacks.Loaves and Fishes5 Street 11, Thao Dien, D2Tel: 3547 0577Coffee house on a side street nearRiverside Apartments serves up drinksand serves the full line of Western-stylebaked goods from Harvest Baking.Mojo88 Dong Khoi, D1www.sheratonsaigon.comA top-end cafe with an attractive interior,outdoor terrace at street level andcomfortable lounges upstairs. Goodbusiness coffee or lunch venue.Nirvana14Bis Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1Tel: 3910 0745Pleasant retro-styled cafe with outdoorwater features and welcome moderntouches like free Wi-Fi. Live music atnight.Paris Deli35 Dong Khoi, D1Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Tel: 3821 6127Grand View Building, Nguyen DucCanh, Phu My Hung, D7 Tel: 412 2179Petite boulangerie/cafe decked out withFrench-style furnishings. Offering tastyFrench and international dishes with arange of lunchtime specials at reasonableprices.That’s CaféRivergarden, 170 Nguyen Van Huong,D2The Crescent, 103 Ton Dat Tien, PhuMy Hung, D7Hailing from the U.S., That’s Café isa new Khai Silk initiative. Claiming toprovide the best coffee in town in acomfortable and friendly atmosphere, it’sa great place to hold a business meetingor catch up with friends.Une Journee A Paris234 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3827 772315B Ngo Quang Huy, An Phu, D2Tel: 0128 608 9551A Parisian-style café that serve Frenchcuisine, coffee and pastries like fondantchocolat, baba au rhum and tropezienne.Free Wi-Fi. Open Monday toSaturday from 7 am to 7 pm.X Cafe58 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3914 2142212 A2 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 39259307Bright, spacious foreign-run cafe decoratedin the style of an Alpine chalet.Popular with local makers and shakers,has a great open-plan upstairs area andtwo outdoor terraces. Regular live musicand homemade ice cream. Nguyen Trailocation includes children’s playground.Catering available.Zenta41 Mac Dinh Chi, D3A large, extravagant, kitsch cafe withseveral rooms resembling airportdeparture lounges. Customers, though,tend to gravitate to the more attractiveoutdoor terrace with its pond andwaterfall-style water features.CHINESEDragon Court11-13 Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3827 2566Open until 2am, this vast, no-frills eaterygets packed with hungry locals whosavour generous portions of tasty dimsum. All the Chinese staples are here.Expect a good feed for under 100,000VND per person.Dynasty RestaurantNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Tel: 3822 8888Fine Chinese dining in an opulent restaurantreminiscent of the Middle Kingdom’simperial days. Delicacies clock in at500,000 VND, but most dishes fallbetween 80,000 to 180,000 VND.Huy Long Vien99 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 7799www.huylongvien.comA magnificent Chinese restaurant witha leafy slate-tiled courtyard, Chineselanterns and a labyrinth of water works.Lunchtime dim sum is 120,000 VND,while the a la carte menu runs higherwith Chinese specialties such as Pekingduck for 400,000 VND.KabinRenaissance Riverside Hotel, 8-15 TonDuc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 0033Elegant dining space with beautifuldecor and great views over the riveroffers extensive lunch and dinner menusfeaturing authentic gourmet Cantoneseand Szechuan dishes and an assortmentof dim sum at lunchtime.Li BaiSheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1Tel: 3827 2828Imperial-styled restaurant named aftera famous Chinese poet. Excellent lunchtime dim sum buffet for USD $17.00.Nightly à la carte menu with dishes goingfrom 100,000 VND.Lotus Court1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222 ext. 168www.moevenpick-saigon.com62 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 63

Dim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisinein a unique and elegant setting.Ming Dynasty23 Nguyen Khac Vien, Phu My HungTel: 5411 5555Decorated in Ming Dynasty-style; offers100 dim sum varieties and 300 dishesprepared by a chef from Hong Kong.The restaurant’s Imperial Buffet costsUSD $39 per person and includes freeflow of wine.Ngan Dinh Chinese RestaurantWindsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An DuongVuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688Beautiful wood paneling, colourfulhanging lanterns and a sparkling mineralgallery make for a relaxing dining experienceat the Windsor. Feast on roastedPi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamedking prawns. Be sure to check outmonthly specials.Ocean Palace2 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3911 8822Both traditional and trendy Chinese dishesare prepared by chef from Hong Kongand served in an opulent 280-seat diningroom in this restaurant opposite the zoo.Intimate private rooms and larger partyrooms available for booking.Shang Palace RestaurantNorfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong,D1 Tel: 3823 2221www.shangpalace.com.vnAn upscale Chinese restaurant with aspacious and welcoming atmosphere.The menu boasts a wide range of HongKong Cantonese cuisine, including bothdim sum, a la carte and set menus, regularlychanged by the creative chefs.Truyen Ky261B Dao Duy Tu, D10Small homestyle Chinese restaurantspecializing in the salty Hakka cuisine ofsoutheastern China, including tofu andchilis stuffed with fish paste.Yu ChuInterContinental Asiana Saigon, cornerof Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9099dine@icasianasaigon.comSpecializing in authentic Cantonese andPeking cuisine. Award-winning chefprepares dishes including handmadenoodles, dim sum and wok-fried items.Wide selection of live seafood. Fiveinteractive kitchens.DESSERT PARLOURSBo Gia (The Godfather)29 Ngo Duc Ke, D120 Ho Huan Nghiep, D1299 Nguyen Van Troi, Tan BinhDoes brisk lunchtime trade with its selectionof more than 25 ice cream favoursand Vietnamese noodle and rice dishes.Ciao Cafe40 Ngo Duc Ke, D1With a number of branches downtown(21 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and 26 TranCao Van, among others), this popularcafe offers a mixture of food, drinksand books. Boasts about 20 ice creamspecials and serves crepes, sodas andshakes.Fanny Ice Cream29-31 Ton That Thiep, D1Tel: 3821 1633Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1www.fanny.com.vnTranquil open-terraced heaven for icecreamlovers. Menu contains fresh fruit,ice cream, sherbets and sorbets (coconut,caramel and Bailey’s ice-cream andmango sorbet are standouts). All youcan eat first Friday of the month. Ministry of Food30 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3827 7898Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Two-floor dessert house specializing inItalian and Japanese treats serving awide array of ice cream flavours usingmilk from Japan’s dairy capital. Alsoserves sandwiches and bento boxes.New Zealand Natural3rd Floor, Parkson Department Store39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D14th Floor, Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan1st Floor, Saigon Superbowl, 843Truong Son, Tan Binhwww.newzealandnatural.comServes flavours ranging from chocolateecstasy, fruits of the forest and boysenberrydream by the scoop.Yogen Fruz118 Pasteur, D1106 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Panorama Apartments, Ton Dat Tien,Phu My Hung, D7www.yogenfruz.comFrozen yoghurt parlour is decked inmod-meets-IKEA decor and servesno-fat, and low-fat fro-yo blended withfresh fruits, as well as soft serve andsmoothies.FRENCHAnnamite French Restaurant21 Tu Xuong, Ward 7 D3Tel: 6277 8332annamite-restaurant.comThe new VN restaurant area of D3opens a classic French dinning option,led by ex Caprice chef. Snugatmosphere with a classic touch .French favourites such as escargot ingarlic butter, Pan fried goose froie gras,duck in port wine, poached river solewith saffron sauce and classic flambécrepes.Au Manoir de Khai251 Dien Bien Phu, Q3 Tel: 3930 3394This top-end contemporary Frenchrestaurant is set in a picturesquecolonial villa with a lush courtyard anda lavish interior. Full of private roomsand opulent lounge areas, this uniqueeatery is the brainchild of Vietnamesefashion guru Hoang Khai of Khai Silkfame. Offers up dishes such as lobsterconsomme, pan-fried duck liver, salmonmedallions with Moet and escalope defoie gras.Cote D'Azur12T3 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao.D1 Tel: 3911 5473www.cotedazur.vnAuthentic French cuisine in delightfulsurroundings, the brasserie's menuoffers delectable dishes. Cote d'Azur'sambience gives it a homely feel and italso offers catering services.La Camargue191 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3520 4888Boasts a reputation for excellence in finedining for more than 10 years. ModernFrench and Italian cuisine is served ina colonial-style alfresco dining space.An extensive wine list allows diners tochoose the perfect pairing.La Fourchette9 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3829 8143Rustic downtown restaurant, with agood longstanding reputation for servinggood traditional French fare at reasonableprices. Open 12 am to 2 pm andfrom 7 pm to 10 pm.La Nicoise42 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3822 8613Small French-style bistro, with prettymosaic tiled bar and tables. Offers agood range of teas, coffees and espresso-baseddrinks. Lunch menu changesdaily, but always encompasses traditionalFrench food. Open until 10 pm.Le Jardin31 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 8465This delightful restaurant in a picturesquegarden setting is open for lunch anddinner and serves excellent French foodat reasonable prices. Main coursescost about 60,000 VND and a carafe ofhouse wine costs 50,000 VND.L’en Tête139 Nguyen Thai Binh, D1Tel: 3821 4049, 0903 188 091This stylish bistro and gallery serves up alarge selection of French fare representingan excellent selection of classicFrench fish and meat dishes, as wellas international cuisine. Live music onMondays, Wednesdays and Saturdaysstarting at 8 pm.Olivier RestaurantLevel 2, Sofitel Saigon Plaza,17 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3824 1555Imaginative French cuisine cooked up ina blend of classic and contemporary. ExecutiveChef Martin Becquart preparesa solid but creative selection of Frenchfavourites with an extensive range of fishand meat dishes.Ty Coz178/4 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3822 2457Homely and attractive venue specializesin classic French cuisine. Does excellentthree-course business set meals for andsells carefully selected seafood.INDIANAshoka17/10 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823137233 Tong Huu Dinh, D2 Tel: 744 4144S9-1 lo R13 - KP Hung Vuong 2, D7Tel: 5410 1989Ashoka is one of the city’s most popularand enduring Indian restaurants with areputation for good food and service at areasonable price.Ganesh15 - B4 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 3822 3017Casual dining with takeaway available,Ganesh serves up both North and SouthIndian culinary traditions. Very reasonablypriced, with vegetarian curries from40,000 VND and chicken dishes from64,000 VND. Mumtaz226 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3837 1767Reasonably priced north and southIndian fare in a clean, light and spacioussetting. Vegetarian curries go for around30,000 VND while meat dishes costbetween 45,000 VND and 55,000 VNDeach. Excellent kebabs. Saigon Indian73 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 5671Popular venue with an enormous menu.Serves both southern and northernIndian dishes like tandoori, biryani, dosaand idly snacks, plus a wide range ofvegetarian dishes. Offers a set lunchmenu. Cater service is available. Tandoor74/6 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3930 4839www.tandoorvietnam.comPart of a chain of restaurants coveringHanoi and Saigon, Tandoor features alarge selection of standard northern Indiandishes, including a good vegetarianselection. Excellent cheap set lunchesand reasonable prices all around. Willorganize catering for events. INTERNATIONALAl Fresco’s21 Mac Dinh Chi D1 Tel: 3823 842727 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3822 7317D1-23 My Toan 3, D7 Tel: 5410 1093400 Nguyen Trai, D5 Tel: 3838 3840www.alfrescosgroup.comTheme restaurant boasting a range ofTex-Mex, Italian and Australian-styleBBQ dishes. Huge portions and tastyAustralian ribs coupled with a goodatmosphere and helpful staff. Goodlunch menu. Amigo Grill55 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3829 0437Outstanding steaks made with Australian,U.S. and Argentine beef, servedin a cosy, family-friendly environmentwith large tables and banquette seating.Dishes like leg of lamb and seafoodare also on the menu. Open 11 am to11 pm.Au Lac Do Brazil238 Pasteur, D3 Tel: 3820 715736/19-21 Pham Van Nghi-Bac, D7Tel: 5410 5566www.aulacdobrazil.comA Brazilian barbecue restaurant thattakes meat seriously. The mixed grillsand rodizio are fantastic and servedin generous portions. No meat-eatershould miss the churrasco: 12 cuts ofmeat carved at your table, plus unlimitedsalad.Au Parc23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772Lavishly decorated brasserie borrowingfrom Moroccan and French styles andpopular during lunchtime with expats.Specializes in Middle Eastern and NorthAfrican food. The salad menu is a favourite,and a great range of lush smoothiesand juices are on offer. Black Cat13 Phan Van Dat, D1 Tel: 3829 2055628 An Binh, An Phu, D2Tel: 3898 9837Tiny but popular District 1 restaurantserving up an excellent selection ofWestern and Vietnamese fare and anextensive range of sandwiches andburgers. The District 2 location alsofeatures a slate of sushi and Mexicanfood, and the District 7 outpost has a fullbarbecue menu. BoatHouse40 Lily Road, APSC Compound,36 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6790Riverside restaurant with umbrella-shadedtables spread across outdoor deckand small indoor dining room. Servesremarkably fresh and inspired dishesmade with choice local and importedingredients—favourites include the sirloinburger and pan-fried fish and chips.BoatHouse Cafe37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9182BoatHouse’s sister eatery for take-awayand delivery service. Offers coffee,breakfast sandwiches, juices, smoothies,pre-packaged salads, sandwiches, burgersand fish and chips. Byblos Restaurant & Shisha Lounge11 Ngo Duc Khe, D1 Tel: 3825 7781www.byblos.com.vnDowntown restaurant serves a menuof Lebanese starters, salads and mainsserved in a casual dining room. Cateringavailable. Events and weekly belly danceshow hosted. Cafe Evita230 Nguyen Van Huong, An Phu, D2Tel: 3512 3888Academic-themed menu at this outletnear the British International Schoolincludes meals like The Principal, atriple-decker club with fries and saladand burgers that range from First toFourth Grade. Also has a wood-firedpizza oven. Cafe SaigonGround floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222 ext. 234www.moevenpick-saigon.comAn international buffet with unique food64 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 65

ecipesSleepover BlueberryPancakesmakes 8 | prep time: 5 minutesWhen you have friends sleeping over, treat them tothese homemade pancakes for brunch. Rise and shine!1 tbs sugar1 egg1 1⁄4 cups self-raising flour1 tsp baking powder1⁄8 tsp cinnamon powder2 tbs butter, melted2⁄3 cup of milk1⁄2 cup blueberries2 tps cooking oilONEMix all ingredients except oil together.TWOLightly oil your skillet / frying pan and ladle out batter. Let it bubblebefore flipping over.THREEMake sure you use med-low heat as you don’t want to burn yourpancakes.SERVE WITHFresh fruits + maple syrup.TIPSDon’t overbeat pancakes as this will make them heavy. Instead justlightly mix all ingredients together for fluffier pancakes.It’s also good to let your batter rest in the fridge for ½ hour beforecooking. Cold batter will ensure your pancakes are crisp around theedges.For more information contact Elizabeth Png-Reade atelizabeth.png-reade@electrolux.comRecipes provided byconcepts that is perfect for gatheringfamily and friends.CepageLancaster Building 22 Le Thanh Ton,D1 Tel: 3823 8321, 3823 8733www.cepage.bizOne of the city’s premier venues, Cepagedelivers an up-market bar, winelounge and restaurant in one sleekpackage. Sells several wines by theglass with several hundred bottles tochoose from. Mixes some of the city’sbest cocktails.Cham Charm3 Phan Van Chuong, Phu My HungTel: 5410 9999The highlight of this upscale, beautifullydecorated Asian restaurant is a specialseafood buffet that includes Portugueseoysters, Alaskan crab, lobsters, sushi,sashimi, Japanese-style seafood, Langoustineprawns, American Angus beefand much more. Errazuriz wines are alsoincluded in the buffet. Part of the KhaiSilk chain.The Deck38 Nguyen U Di, D2 Tel: 3744 6632Serves upmarket takes on regionalspecialties made with fresh local andimported products. Well-designed,minimalist dining space and bar on theriver are a serious draw.The Elbow Room52 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3821 4327elbowroom52@yahoo.comAmerican-style bistro offering a widerange of appetisers, soups, salads,sandwiches, mains and desserts, plusan extensive wine menu. Open daily7.30 am to 11 pm. Breakfast servedall day.Gartenstadt34 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3822 3623Opened in 1992, it’s the first venue intown to offer German food with specialitiessuch as pork knuckle and authenticGerman sausages prepared fresh eachday. Also offers imported Germandraught beer.Halal@Saigon31 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3824 5823www.halalsaigon.comServing up a range of Vietnamese andMalaysian dishes prepared according tohalal guidelines including ban xeo, phoand roti chennai and seafood favouritessuch as shrimp, squid and mussels.Hard Rock CafeInterContinental Asiana Saigon, cornerof Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9099www.hardrockcafe.vnPopular theme restaurant/live musicvenue serves large portions of pub fareincluding salads, fajitas and burgers.Rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia adorns thewalls in classic Hard Rock-style and therock shop sells themed shot glasses,T-shirts and jewellery. Hideaway Cafe41/1 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3Tel: 3822 4222www.hideawaycafe-saigon.comStylishly decorated and relaxing restaurantand cafe serving an eclectic rangeof tasty European-style food. Dine alfresco in the charming courtyard. Jaspa’s33 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3822 9926www.alfrescosgroup.comUnpretentious brasserie-style restaurantspecializes in Australian-influencedinternational fusion cuisine. Full range ofdrinks including Australian and Frenchwines and good cocktails. Hosts monthlySpam Cham networking event. Juice49 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3829 6900Bright and stylish deli-style restaurantserving salads, sandwiches, quiches andmeat pies with French fries and potatosalad. Also has daily lunch and dinnermenu. Excellent smoothies and juices,as well as novelty drinks like wheatgrassshooter and Cannonball cocktail. Kita Coffee House39 Nguyen Hue, D1, Tel: 3821 5300Four-level restaurant serving a widemenu of mains, pastas, salads, sandwiches,soups and appetizers for lunchand dinner, as well as a variety of coffeeand fresh fruit juices. Includes a brightground floor cafe, sophisticated OldWorld second floor bar and rooftop dining.Also in Vincom Center. Market 39InterContinental Asiana SaigonGround Floor, Corner Hai Ba Trung andLe Duan, D1 Tel: 3520 9099dine@icasianasaigon.comSeven interactive live kitchens offeringFrench, Vietnamese and SoutheastAsian cuisines, including a bakery,French patisseries, pancakes, tossedsalads, grilled steak, seafood, wok-frieditems, noodles and pasta dishes.Mekong Merchant23 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 4713Set in a courtyard, this rustic Australianstylebrasserie has brought moderninternational cuisine to suburban AnPhu. Popular for weekend brunches.Weekly specials and seafood flown infrom Phu Quoc. New York Dessert Cafe (nydc)Restaurant and CafeNOWZONE 235 Nguyen Van Cu, D1Metropolitan 235 Dong Khoi, D1Parkson Flemington 184 Le Dai Hanh,D11Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1The Crescent. Phu My Hung, 107 TonDat Tien, D7New York themed menu offering a wideselection of Western dishes and desserts,including a variety of cheesecakes.New York Steakhouse & Winery25-27 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1Tel: 3823 7373New-york@steakhouse.com.vnwww.steakhouse.com.vnChic dining venue designed in a classicNew York City Art Deco. Open every dayuntil late. Specializes in certified U.S.Black Angus steak, and features a fullystocked wine cellar. Guests are invited tobring their own wine on BYOB Mondays.OrienticaHotel Equatorial, 242 Tran Binh Trong,D5 Tel: 3839 7777www.equatorial.com/hcmTop-end seafood and grill restaurantboasting modern decor. Good serviceand excellent food presentation makethis a pleasant alternative to the downtownscene.Pizza Hut(For delivery)Tel: 3838 8388www.pizzahut.vnThe world's largest pizza retaurant chainhas 10 dine-in locations around HCMCity serving up pizza, pasta, chickenwings and much more in a family-friendlyenvironment. Delivery is also availablethrough the PHD service which hasthe same Pizza Hut 30-minute deliverypolicy or your next pizza is free. Pacharan Tapas and Bodega97 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3825 6024This tapas restaurant and bar servesup superb Spanish fare crafted fromauthentic imported ingredients. Theexclusively Spanish wine list is extensiveand Sangria is half price during happyhour from 5 pm to 7 pm and all dayWednesday.Pinocchio RestaurantVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Tel: 3993 9199Email: info@pinocchio.vnA quiet place in the Vincom Centerto indulge in pizza, pasta, salad andinternational and Vietnamese mains fora reasonable price.The Refinery74/7C Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 38230509Authentic bistro with cane furnitureoutside, informal indoor restaurantsection and a bar area. Cuisine is light,modern European. The menu spans aprice range to suit most budgets.ReflectionsCaravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square,D1 Tel: 3823 4999Contemporary fine dining thatcombines Asian flavors with classicMediterranean cuisine in an ambianceof understated elegance and Europeanstyle. Special culinary events includeguest chefs from Michelin-star establishmentsaround the world. Privaterooms are available.Riverside CafeRenaissance Riverside, 8-15 Ton DucThang, D1 Tel: 3822 0033International venue opening onto thebustling river sidewalk, open for breakfast,lunch and dinner, and particularlynoted for its sumptuous buffet selectionwhich combines Asian, Western andVietnamese cuisine.Sandals93 Hai Ba Trung, D1www.sailingclubvietnam.comCasual dining in evocative 3-floorspace with blonde wood accents andcosy seating throughout. Kitchen turnsout elegant and inspired fare at surprisingvalue for money: meal-sized salads;filling burgers, wraps and sandwiches.Signature RestaurantLevel 23, Sheraton Hotel, 88 DongKhoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828Fine dining with panoramic views overcentral HCM City. Food is stunninglypresented, top-end European cuisinewith Asian influences cooked by Germanchef Andreas Schimanski. A lacarte or five-course set menu available.Skewers9A Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3822 4798www.skewers-restaurant.comRustic Mediterranean restaurant wheresubtle colours and exposed brickworkcombine with jazzy tunes. Servestabouleh, falafel, couscous and kebab.Highly rated for its grilled meats, breadand dip combos, soups and pastas.Square OnePark Hyatt Saigon, 2 Lam SonSquare, D1 Tel: 3520 2359Specializing in high-end Western andVietnamese cuisine, Square One servescharcoal-grilled meats and seafood,as well as steamed and wok-cookedVietnamese fare.Texas BarBQ15/1 Le Thanh Ton, D1The flavour and feel of the Wild WildWest is evoked by both the food anddécor at this perennially popular eatery.Quarter rack ribs are a mainstay. VillaFB79 Suong Nguyet Anh, D1Tel: 3823 3822www.villafb.comRefurbished villa with a spaciousdesign-led indoor dining room and anelegant enclosed courtyard. Serves bun66 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 67

Where the game’s always on!28/4 Bui Vien Str. Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Dist 1.Phone: (08) 665 663 38 - (08) 665 663 28OPEN24/7NFL, College Football, NHL, Football, Rugby and More.Takeout and Free Delivery.noodle dishes for breakfast and lunchbefore switching to a menu of Easternand Western fine dining for dinner.Warda71/7 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 3822Chic, middle-eastern themed eateryswathed in oranges and reds servingLebanese cuisine prepared by Damascanchef, Nouman. Mezze and tapas arethe main draw, but you can also puff onhookas post-meal.ITALIANBaby Spoon Cafe & RestaurantHead Office: 47 Phan Chu Trinh, D1Tel: 3822 3356 Fax: 3822 3357SB 2-1 Parkview, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5412 0145Level 3, Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan,D1While Baby Spoon is primarily Italian,a vast selection of international cuisineis served in this Japanese-inspiredrestaurant.BasilicoInterContinental Asiana Saigon,Ground Floor, Corner Nguyen Du andHai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3520 9099dine@icasianasaigon.comContemporary and casual trattoria-stylerestaurant specializing in authentic Italiandishes and homemade desserts. Woodfiredpizza oven and a wide selection ofItalian wines.Centro Caffe & Ristorante11-13 Lam Son Square, D131 Ngo Duc Ke, D16 Thai Van Lung, D1This is home of Illy coffee in Vietnam.Offers modern and traditional Italiancuisine in three central locations withlunchtime set menus and regular winetasting evenings. Good spot for businesscoffee meetings.Good Morning Vietnam197 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3837 1894Popular authentic Italian restaurant withadditional outlets around the country.Specializes in thin-crust pizza, pasta anda range of Italian dishes. Good selectionof Italian wines. La Hostaria17B Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 1080Rustic eatery specializing in top-endtraditional cuisine from various regionsin Italy. Main courses from 130,000 VNDwith daily specials on offer. Serves excellentpizza. chefs produce gourmet Italian fare. Internationallytrained chefs work with thefreshest and finest ingredients around toproduce some superb dishes.Pendalasco87 Nguyen Hue, D1, Tel: 3821 8181One of the city’s oldest Western restaurants,Pendalaso serves a wide range ifItalian favourites, as well as remarkablyauthentic crispy, thin-crust pizza. Pepperoni’s111 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3920 4989Attractive pizza and pasta restaurantfrom the same chain as Al Fresco’s.Good cheap buffet lunches on weekdaysand all-round large and tasty portions.Pomodoro79 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3823 8998A family-oriented Italian restaurantserving traditional fare are surprisinglyreasonable prices. Offers daily lunchtimespecials and has an extensive wine list.Sarpino’s125 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7788Tasty American-style pan pizza in apleasant and fresh Italian-themedenvironment. Four sizes available, frompersonal to extra large, with a largerange of toppings. Also serves pasta,soups, wings and salads. Scoozi6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3823 5795Italian pizza restaurant affiliated withCentro Caffe serving tasty gourmet pizzasprepared in a wood-fired oven. Thedelicious creations restore one’s faith inHCM City’s ability to turn out a qualitypie. Villa RomaineThao Dien Village 195 Nguyen VanHuong D2 Tel: 3744 6857Set on the banks of the Saigon River,Villa Romaine offers traditional Italianpizzas and pastas in an alfresco settingwith an excellent wine list. Open tillmidnight Sunday to Thursday and till 1am Friday and Saturday.JAPANESEDragon Hot Pot122-124 Ho Tung Mao, D1Tel: 3915 1001info@dragonhotpot.vnJapanese hot pot restaurant servingmotsu nabe, Japanese barbeque andlots of sake and shoju.Pha lau bostreet gourmetPha lau bo is a populardish among Saigonese—and a particular favouriteof young people. It is madefrom cow innards suchas tripe, stomach, lungand liver, which are mixedwith coconut milk andcurry powder. Pha lau bo isnotion of the common hotel sushi eateryon its head thanks to an affordable menuand a fun atmosphere.K Cafe74 A4 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3824 5355Small, cosy and cheery, this café isnoteworthy for its cracking hand rolls.Salmon skin rolls are also a treat. Theassorted sushi and sashimi, tasty andbeautifully presented, costs around USD$8. Leave some room for homemadeyoghurt.served with bread, flagrantknotweed and tamarindsauce. You can find phalau bo in front of mostschools, from primary touniversity. One bowl goesfor 7,000 to 10,000 VND.Text by Hanh NguyenPhoto by VinhKuru Kuru Sushi129 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3824 3566Sushi restaurant with colour-codedmenu and items served from a rotatingconveyor belt. Helpful place mats inboth English and Vietnamese breakdown prices and explain how to chooseyour food. Very affordable prices.MOF – Japanese Sweets & CoffeeLevel B3-17A, Vincom Centre, 70-72Le Thanh Ton, D130 Le Loi, D1Refined Japanese café specializing inunique desserts and food. Focusingon use of organic products, this casualeatery has a comprehensive Japanesedining menu along with a wonderfulselection of sweets and offers possiblythe most divine and delectable gelatoin HCM City.NishimuraMövenpick Hotel Saigon, 253 NguyenVan Troi, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3844 9222Exquisitely prepared sushi and sashimifrom a globetrotting chef with threedecades’ experience. A wide range ofcooked dishes and monthly meal promotionsare also available. Set lunchescost about USD $15.Okinawa Yamaneko13/1 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 38238433www.yamaneko-vn.comPart restaurant, part Japanese pubserving up a variety of Okinawafavourites like sashimi with sea grapes,namakari and goya champuru plussushi and soba.Sakae SushiNowzone @ Royal Centre, Level 4235 Nguyen Van Cu, D1 Tel: 35040054Healthy, affordable and quick servicekaiten (conveyor belt) sushi makesfor a fun dining experience. Extensivemenu also includes beef, chicken andvegetarian options.The Sushi Bar2 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 80423A Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3911 8618This brightly lit Japanese-style restaurantserves over 40 varieties of sushiat reasonable prices. Sit at the sushibar or in private rooms upstairs. Openuntil 11.30 pm, delivery available onrequest. Popular with expats and localsalike. Tama-GawaThao Dien Village 195 Nguyen VanHuong D2 Tel: 08 37446857Anh Phu’s only Japanese restaurant,Tama-Gawa serves fresh sushi andother delicacies. Set lunches begin at120,000 VND.Zen20 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3825 0782Located amid the sea of Japanese restaurantson Le Thanh Ton Street, Zenoffers a wide range of Japanese dishes.The yakitori station grills up fantasticsteak and quail’s eggs, and the chilledudon noodles are also a standout.KOREAN25 Si8A/6D Thai Van Lung, D1Tel: 3824 6921Traditional Yasik-style drinking restaurant.Winter and summer scene muralsfill the walls of this dual level eatery.Large menu with favs like budae jjigae,a mix of chilli paste, Spam, hot dog andtofu, as well as super spicy duruchigi.Hana8 Cao Ba Quat, D1 Tel: 3829 5588Japanese-Korean fusion in the heartof District 1. Contemporary decor witha private, yet open feel. Broad menuincluding cooked and raw fish andtraditional hot pot with fish eggs, riceand vegetables.Kim Bab Chun GookR4 42 Hung Phuoc 2, Phu My HungTel: 6296 9057Korean boonshik/snack food eateryserving up a wide variety of light butsubstantial foods including dumplings,rameyon and fish cakes.SOUTHEAST ASIANChaba ThaiThao Dien Village 195 Nguyen VanHuong D2 Tel: 3744 6857Cosy restaurant nestled in the middle ofThao Dien Village offering authentic Thaifood. Open daily for lunch and dinner.Lac Thai71/2 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 7506An elegant restaurant tucked in an alleywayand decorated with art-deco furniture.Authentic Thai cuisine preparedby two Thai chefs. Food is tasty but lessspicy than you’d find in Thailand. Little ManilaS2-1 Hung Vuong 2, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5410 0812Small, no -frills eatery with outdoor andindoor seating located on a quiet street.Serves a range of dishes from thePhilippines (pictured on menu for thoseunfamiliar) and draught San Miguel.The Red Dot21 Tu Xuong, D3 Tel: 3932 5123Aptly titled, this Singaporean restaurantserves decent chicken rice, char kwayOperaGround floor Park Hyatt Hotel, 2 LamSon Square, D1 Tel: 3824 1234Slick, contemporary eatery with exposedbrick and glass. The space revolvesaround an island kitchen from whichIkiGround floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222 ext. 127www.moevenpick-saigon.comA Japanese restaurant that turns the68 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 69

47 Phan Chu Trinh St.Ben Thanh Ward D1 HCM Citywww.babyspoonvn.coma bar that has a reputation for being aplace to be seen. Great outdoor terraceand late-night indoor opening.QD Bar & Lounge138 Ton That Dam, D1, Tel: 38215338Sophisticated lounge with New andOld World wines served by the bottle orglass, modern decor and floor-to-ceilingwindows overlooking Ton That Thiep.Saigon Saigon Bar9th floor, Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam SonSquare, D1 Tel: 3823 4999Popular bar usually packed out withtourists and business travellers searchingfor some delicious cocktails and agreat view of the city skyline. Cubanband Warapo plays every night exceptMonday from 8.30 pm until late.BREWHOUSESAlderbrau98 Nguyen Du, D1Small brewhouse decorated withantique brewing miscellanea, with anenclosed garden for outdoor swillingthe small range of house brews andbottled imports. The kitchen dishes upsausages, German fare, and Vietnamesedishes.Gammer Czech Beer107 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 8619www.biatuoitiepvn.comAttractive, multi-story Czech beer hallfurnished with heavy wood and outfittedwith a few flat screen TVs tuned in tosports. Dark and blonde beers are available,as well as a full menu of Vietnamesefood from mussels to rabbit.Hoa Vien28bis Mac Dinh Chi, D1 Tel: 38290585www.hoavien.vnExpansive beer hall serves up pilsnerbeer crafted from malt, hops and yeastfrom the Czech Republic. There’s alsoa large food menu and imported PilsnerUrquell.Lion Brewery11C Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3823 8514Microbrewery featuring traditional Germanbrew technology and German farelike pork knuckle and wurst. Good spotto meet friends and enjoy a hearty mealand a whole lot of beer.NIGHTCLUBSFuse Bar3A Ton Duc Thang, D1A popular bar that plays primarilyhiphop music. Every Tuesday Fusehosts a ladies night where women drinkfor free and two bottles of wine can bepurchased for 2 million VND.Lush2 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 2496A large and lavishly decorated bar andclub popular on weekends. Good DJsplaying the latest in beat-based musicand the city’s beautiful people add tothe sights and sounds. It’s on-par withWestern clubs in both ambience anddrinks prices.Velvet Bar26 Ho Huan Nghiep, D1Hip-hop and Viet trance club with bothbottle service and bottle beer that isn’tprohibitively expensive. Circular centerbar is ringed with tables, and VIP areasand sofa seating line the walls.at homeBAKERIESHarvest Baking30 Lam Son, Tan Binh Tel: 3547 0577harvestbaking@yahoo.comThis authentic bakery offers a rangeof specialty baked goods for delivery.Offering bagels, scones, breads,desserts,cakes, tarts and more.Chocolate fudge cake and cinnamonrolls with cream cheese icing highlyrecommended.La Dorée216 Ly Tu Trong, D165 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3822 1718Reminiscent of a luxurious Parisianbakery, La Dorée prepares andserves a variety of colourful breadsbaked with green, beige and brownbuckwheat seeds plus baguettes,fougasse, le dieppois sandwichesand le montagnard. Must-try dessertsinclude tiramisu, chocolate mousseand Monté Carlo.Pat A Chou65 Hai Ba Trung, D1188 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D325 Thao Dien, D2The home of the long and crustybaguette. Supplies many restaurantsbut also sells wholesale. The miniaturepatisseries such as crème brulée andcheesecake are worth a taste. Opensat 6.30 am.Schneider’s Finest27 Han Thuyen, D1Tel: 3829 1998www.schneiders-finest.comTraditional German bakery bakes 45different kinds of breads, rolls and baguettesand a wide range of danishes,pastries and cakes. Catering available.Tous Les Jours180 Hai Ba Trung, D3Part of the Korean bakery chain, TousLe Jours stocks a superb range offreshly baked good from sugary treatslike pain au chocolat to superior qualitybaguettes and loafs.Voelker17 A7 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 7303 879939 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2Tel: 6296 0066Small bakery turns out sweet and saltedpies and mousses in addition to baguettesand a range of Western sweets.CATERINGAu Parc Catering Services23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772Catering services available every day ofthe year for birthday cakes, dinner parties,wine tastings and corporate events.For a custom-made quotation e-mailauparc@hcm.vnn.vn or call Quynh on0908 196261.Saigon Catering84 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 8388Provide services of catering, banquets,event planning, BBQ’s, daily deliveriesand cocktail parties. For a custom-madequotation e-mail SaigonGG@gmail.comor call Huong on 0913 981128.The Caterers46D Vuon Lai, Tan PhuTel: 3816 2901sales@thecaterersvietnam.com.vnwww.thecaterersvietnam.com.vnCatering company offering extensiveservices from location sourcing, décordesigning and food catering. All functionscan be catered for, from low-keybarbeques at home to full-blown weddingsand parties.Xu Catering71-75 Hai Ba Trung, D1Tel: 3824 8468www.xusaigon.comFrom the brains behind Xu Restaurantand Lounge comes this new cateringservice, promising the highest standardsin service. Everything from the menu tothe comprehensive bar service and thestaff is tailor-made to your specifications.COOKERY CLASSESCaravelle Hotel Cooking ClassesCaravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square,D1 Tel: 3823 4999Full-day Vietnamese cooking classes forgroups of up to 20 people. The classesinclude a visit to the market with thesous chef. Costs USD $45++ each for aminimum 10 people.Saigon Cooking Class by Hoa TucThe Courtyard, 74/7 Hai Ba Trung, D1Tel: 3825 8485i.briosca@saigoncookingclass.comcontact@saigoncookingclass.comCooking classes available from Tuesdayto Sunday 10 am-1 pm/2 pm-5 pm.Students make an entire meal thatincludes traditional dishes like phoand cha gio, as well as more creativefare. Conducted by Vietnamese chef inEnglish, Japanese or French on request.Cost is $45. Market visit with the chefon request.Vietnam Cookery Centre362/8 Ung Van Khiem, Binh ThanhTel: 3512 1491Well-known Vietnamese cookingclasses with half-day and more in-deptheight-day courses. Students work in acomfortable kitchen area with their ownstove and workspace. Eight-day coursecosts USD $160.GROCERIESAnnam Gourmet Market16-18 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822933241A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2630SB2-1 My Khanh 4, Nguyen Duc Canh,D7 Tel: 5412 3263 / 64www.annam-gourmet.comBoutique grocer with wide selection offoreign foods; Annam-brand coffee, teaand spices; and household products.Wine and premium beer, full deli counter,produce, dairy-frozen and baked goodson second floor. Cosy café serves coffee,drinks and sandwiches.Kim Hai Butchery41 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1Tel: 3821 6057 or 3914 4376Excellent chilled imported beef, lamb,veal and other meats sold at reasonableprices.Le Cochon D’Or32 Dong Du, D1 Tel: 3829 3856French-style charcuterie selling qualitycold cuts, smoked sausage and a rangeof cheeses at very reasonable prices.MetroAn Phu, D2 Tel: 3740 6677www.metro.com.vnWarehouse wholesaler located just offthe Hanoi Highway in D2 between theSaigon Bridge and the tollbooths. Sellsbulk food, fresh fruit and vegetables andmeat, as well as paper products, cleaningsupplies, housewares--basicallyeverything.Organik11A Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 090 273 3841arlene@organikvn.comwww.organikvn.comOnline grocer based out of Dalat sellinga range of organic vegetables andgroceries, as well as imported all-naturalproducts such as cereal, soymilk andtea. Operates a retail shop in An Phu.Veggy’s29A Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3823 8526Sky GardenPham Van Nghi, Bac Khu Pho, D7Riverside Apartments53 Vo Truong Toan, Thao Dien, D2Popular expat market with a hugewalk-in fridge area stocked with freshfruit and vegetables, dairy productsand a range of meats. Importedcanned and dried foods, wines, beers,soft drinks, spirits and snacks alsoavailable.LIQUOR & WINETapas Wine2/3A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 2201 0909www.tapaswines.comHome delivery service that specializesin Spanish wines. Check out thewebsite for a full catalog of their wines,as well as reviews by brand.The Warehouse178 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3825 8826924 Tran Hung Dao, D5 Tel: 62611525www.warehouse-asia.comOne of the city’s premier wine distributors,The Warehouse is an aptly named,stylish wine store that stocks a fullrange of both New and Old Worldwines, sparkling wines, Champagne,spirits, imported beers and accessories.Provides advice and delivery service.VINE Cellar Door41 Hai Ba Trung, D1Tel: 3822 2284A popular wine stockist with a verywide selection of labels from aroundthe world for those who are seriousabout their vino. A range of fine cigarsalso available.LOUISIANEBREWHOUSEBeachside Nha TrangAsian & Western CuisineSwimming Pool & Private Beachwww.louisianebrewhouse.com.vn72 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 73

listingscultureCLASSESAngelsBrush by VinTel: 0983377710Shyevin@mac.comOil painting course gives learners theopportunity to work from the differentobjects; explore different mediums,materials and techniques; and interpretline, tone and colour. Instructor workswith students on individual basis.Helen Kling Oil PaintingTel: 0903 955 780hk.painter@gmail.com/helenkling@yahoo.comwww.helenkling.comHelene is a French painter who teachesbeginners (children and adults) varioustechniques and the art of working withdifferent mediums. She is also a fantastictool for advanced artists who are lookingto increase their creativity. Both day andnight courses are available.Printmakingalphagallery@bluemail.chClasses are held at Alpha Gallery taughtby the gallery owner Bernadette Gruber,who offers the chance to learn monotype,intaglio and etching techniques.CINEMASBobby Brewer’s Movie Lounge45 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 3610 222086 Pham Ngoc Thachinfo@bobbybrewers.comPopular top-floor home cinema showingmovies five times a day on a largescreen. Email for the latest schedule.Cinebox212 Ly Chinh Thang, D3 Tel: 39350610240 3 Thang 2, D10 Tel: 3862 2425Cinebox cinemas show both originallanguage films with Vietnamese subtitlesand the dubbed versions.Future Shortsfutureshortsvietnam@gmail.comwww.futureshorts.com/vnVietnam branch of the internationalnetwork screens foreign and local shortfilms around town. Events often incorporateother media and elements, includinglive music, performances, installationsand discussion. Submissions accepted.Galaxy Cinema116 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3822 8533230 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3920 6688www.galaxycine.vnLarge, modern cinema that shows thelatest foreign releases in English (withVietnamese subtitles).IDECAF31 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3829 5451French cultural centre and cinematheatre. Showcases French movies withEnglish and Vietnamese subtitles. Alsohosts movies and documentaries from anumber of overseas film festivals.Lotte CinemaDiamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3822 7897LotteMart, 469 Nguyen Huu Tho, D7Tel: 3775 2520www.lottecinemavn.comModern cinema with four-way soundsystem. D7 location houses luxurytheatre Charlotte with 32 seats and eightsofas.me phimHCM City-based film initiative thatprovides support to local filmmakers andhosts regular film screenings/discussions.Email dduukk@gmail.com for informationor join the Facebook group.MegastarHung Vuong Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong,D5 Tel: 08 2222 0388CT Plaza, 60A Truong Son, Tan BinhTel: 6297 1981www.megastarmedia.netState-of-the-art cinema complex screeningthe lastest blockbusters with plush,reclining seats. All movies shown in originallanguage with Vietnamese subtitles.GALLERIESa little blah blahOUT-2 STUDIO, L6 FAFILM Annex6 Thai Van Lung, D1albbsaigon-2010.blogspot.comOperates as an engine for contemporaryart by organizing projects, exhibitions,screenings and talks. Runs one majorart project each year and a reading roomwith more than 1,000 texts on art, designand creative culture. Free for everyoneand open Tue to Sat 10 am to 6 pm.Blue Space Contemporary ArtsCenter97A Pho Duc Chinh, D1Tel: 3821 3695bluespaceart@hcm.jpt.vnwww.bluespacegallery.comBusy, working gallery with easelspropped up outside situated in thegrounds of the beautiful Fine ArtsMuseum. Holds regular exhibitions bylocal artists.Duc Minh Gallery31C Le Quy Don, D3 Tel: 3933 0498Housed in an opulent colonial mansion,private museum and art gallery showcasesthe private art collection of Vietnamesebusiness tycoon Bui Quoc Chi.Containing more than 1,000 pieces thatrange from traditional to contemporary.Galerie Quynh65 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 8019www.galeriequynh.comThe city’s only international standardgallery, housed in a modern, two-floorspace. Organizes regular exhibitionsfeaturing established, emerging local/international contemporary artists, publishesoriginal catalogs in both Englishand Vietnamese.Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum97A Pho Duc Chinh, D1 Tel: 3829 4441btmthcm@hotmail.comInstitution housing contemporary/traditionalworks by Vietnamese and foreignartists. Pieces date from as early asthe 7th century. Includes Vietnameseantiques, art crafted by the Cham andFunan peoples.San Art Independent Artist Space3 Me Linh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3840 0898hoa@san-art.orgwww.san-art.orgArtist-run, non-profit exhibition spacefeaturing contemporary work by youngVietnamese artists. San Art hosts guestlecturers and curators. A reading roomof art books and magazines is open tothe public.TuDo Gallery53 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 0966www.tudogallery.comHosting permanent exhibitions of worksby the city’s artists, Tu Do deals in oils,silk paintings and lacquerware. Morethan 1,000 pieces on show.listingssports &leisureSport StreetHuyen Tran Cong Chua, D1 betweenNguyen Du and Nguyen Thi Minh KhaiServices include mending and restringingbroken tennis rackets. Products rangefrom badminton birdies and rackets tobasketball hoops, free weights, rollerblades, scooters, soccer jerseys and allmanner of balls.Trophies & Custom Signage StreetLe Lai, D1 between Truong Dinh andNguyen Thai HocOffers custom engraving on trophies andplaques made of plastic, wood, metaland glass.CRICKETSaigon Cricket AssocationSocial cricket league plays 25 oversa side matches Sunday mornings atRMIT’s District 7 pitch. Season runs Novemberthrough May, with friendly gamesthroughout the pre-season. Practice onSaturdays and Sunday afternoons.Australian Cricket ClubTerry Gordonterrygordoninasia@yahoo.com.ausaigonaustraliancricketclub@yahoo.comwww.saigoncricket.comEnglish Cricket ClubRichard CarringtonRichard.carrington@pivotalvietnam.cominfo@eccsaigon.comwww.eccsaigon.comIndian Cricket ClubManish Sogani, manish@ambrij.comUnited Cricket ClubMr. Asif Ali, asif@promo-tex.netkeshav.dayalani@rmit.edu.vnDANCINGDanCenter46/2 Nguyen Cuu Van, Binh ThanhTel: 3840 6974www.dancentervn.comModern, centrally located studio withforeign trained dance instructors.Classes for kids age 5+ in jazz, ballet, hiphop and tap dance. Classes for adults inyoga, jazz, hip hop, salsa, belly, tap andcapoeira.Salsa Dancing at La Habana6 Cao Ba Quat, D1www.salsaigon.comsalsaigon@gmail.comSix-week salsa package at 350,000VND for single persons and 550,000 fora couple, run by Urko. Lessons everyTuesday (beginners L.A. style at 7.30pm; intermediate L.A style at 8.30 pm).Registration required.FITNESS & YOGAAIS Sports Centre36 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2Tel: 3744 6960, ext 126sportscentre@aisvietnam.comwww.aissportscentre.comFeatures six-lane, 25-metre pool,basketball and netball courts, astroturfhockey/football area and outdoor gymequipment. Available for party hire, withBBQ included on request. Membershippackages available. Kids swim club andadult masters programmes. RainbowDivers offers scuba diving courses forchildren and adults. Free morning yoga.California WOW XperienceParkson Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong, D528/30-32 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 6291 5999The world’s biggest fitness centre chainis one of Saigon’s most modern placesto get your sweat on. Located in HungVuong Plaza, CWX offers a huge workoutarea and all kinds of classes includingspinning, KickFit, yoga and more.Caravelle Club Spa19 Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3823 4999Modern and stylish gym with lots of cardiovascularmachines and free weights.The swimming pool is a great place fora dip, and the massage parlour, sauna,steam room and jacuzzi are there forwinding down.Christophe GuilleminTel: 0909 365525azia_shop@yahoo.frwww.azia-shop.comFrench fitness instructor offers his trainingassistance both at home or in yourgym to help with everything from weightloss to muscle building. Also does cardiotraining sessions at An Phu swimmingpool on Saturday at 11 am.Curves15 Trinh Van Can, D1 Tel: 3821 0319www.curvesvietnam.comCurves is a women’s only fitnessfranchise with over 10,000 locations andfour million members. The centre offersa famous 30-minute total body workoutthat they say will burn up to 500 calories.Features training on ‘double positive’resistance equipment.Daphne ChuaTel: 012 6662 6467yogadaphne@gmail.comwww.daphnechua.comClasses taught by a Yoga Alliancecertified teacher from Singapore thatfocus on breathing and body awareness,combined with fluid movements toperfectly balance body and mind. Hatha,Restorative and Vinyasa classes are offeredin group and private sessions.Diamond Plaza34 Le Duan, D1The city’s largest department store hasa well-equipped gym with steam room,jacuzzi, massage parlour and swimmingpool. The gym costs from USD $90 permonth.Diamond Way Buddhism MeditationGroupTel: 093 804 3753Email: SaigonGompa@gmail.comwww.diamondway-teachings.orgMeditation group using methods ofTibetan Buddhism. Diamond Way orVajrayana Buddhism guides practitionersto experience the nature of their ownmind to reach Enlightenment.Equinox Fitness & Leisure CentreEquatorial Hotel, 242 Tran Binh Trong,D5 Tel: 3839 7777Decent-sized 3rd-floor gym with moderncardio and weights machines, sauna,steambath, jacuzzi, and large 4th floorpool great for swimming laps.Hollywood Fitness WorldH3 Building, 384 Hoang Dieu, D4Tel: 3826 4639One of the latest & best workout environmentsin the city, suitable for all ages andfitness levels. Personal training is offered.Erick Tony Varin, Fitness and SwimmingInstructorTel: 0939 026 540Erickforcearca@hotmail.comFrench instructor offers individualadapted programmes at home or atyour gym, including weight loss, musclenutrifort health feedI'm Every WomanBy Nutrifort’s Nicole HankinsThis month we will discussa topic I think every womanin her mid-30s should befully aware of as their bodiesprepare to transition to menopause.That’s right ladies, at35 many of you will start to feelsome changes in your body.A few pounds mysteriouslystart to appear regardless ofhow little you eat or how muchyou’ve exercised. Then thesleepless nights start to keepyou up, the migraines and hotflashes that can be paralysing,the mood swings that alienateyour co-workers, friends andfamily. But fear not! These arecommon symptoms of “perimenopause”,which occur duringyour mid 30s to early 40sbefore “premenopause” sets inaround your mid 40s to early50s before eventually reaching“menopause” in your 50s.Allow me to explain what ishappening to your body.First, the weight gain. Assoon as your fat cells detecta slightly lower estrogen level,they come to your rescue toproduce estrogen for you. Thisis one of their highly evolvedfunctions. As you age, yourovaries will produce less andless estrogen, so the fat cellsstart preparing to take overthe ovaries’ job, by increasingin size, number and abilityto store fat. And the placefat cells are better equippedto produce estrogen is in thebelly area (better than buttocks,hips and thighs). Ironically,the very weight gain weabhor is actually beneficial forus. While we are waging waragains the fat cells, they arelooking out for our menopausalwell being.Other hormones in yourbody are also affectedduring this period. Whenlevels of your minor homones(estrogen, progesterone,testosterone) decrease, majorhormones (insulin, thyroids,cortisol, adrenals) start to increaseto compensate. Sleeplessnights occur because yourlevel of cortisol and adrenalsincrease, which in turn causesmore stress to your body, andalso causes it to store morefat cells. Lack of sleep for alengthy period of time (monthsinto years) will create thevolatile mood swings duringthe day. Also, under stressyour body will produce moreinsulin which stimulates yourappetite center, causing youto eat more calories. Anotherimportant factor is your level ofthyroids. If they are not in balance,your metabolic rate willderail. Low thyroids will causelow energy and sex drive,depression, poor memory andconcentration, and frequentsweating. So the vicious cyclecontinues…The good news is we willaddress the best methods toprepare, confront and combatall the above symptoms innext months health feed. Staytuned.74 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 75

Hôi AnPrivate land plots for sale700 to 4000 sqmCo-op villas on large quietplots in the countrysidewww.hoian-villa.comHouses & VillasFor rent in Dist.2, HCM: An Phu,Thao Dien, & Tran NaoSave time:See all pictures& details online.Updated daily.www.snap.com.vngain, athletic training and post-traumatictreatment. Swimming and aqua aerobicsclasses for groups or individuals are alsooffered.John Huy Tran, Fitness InstructorTel: 0983 789 318jht_fitness@hotmail.comCanadian fitness professional certifiedtrainer with over 10 years’ experience inthe fitness industry, dance and sports.Can provide training tailored to individualneeds.K1 Fitness and Fight Factory346 Ben Van Don, D4Tel: 0918 337 111www.teamminetti.comFitness centre teaching English andThai boxing, karate, Vietnamese martialarts, judo, fencing, grappling, and mixedmartial arts with classes for both adultsand children. All training conducted by aprofessional foreign instructor.L’Apothiquaire Fitness Centre64A Truong Dinh, D3 Tel: 3932 5181www.lapothiquaire.comInternationally-certified teachers offerdaily classes in Sivananda, Iyengar,Power, Yoga, Abdo-Pilates, Taebo andAqua-Aerobics. Peaceful swimming pool,sauna and steam room.La CochinchineRex Hotel, 146 Pastuer, D1Tel: 3825 1812 (ext 7477)New and affordable fitness centrelocated in the heart of the city. This gymhas a wide range of weight machines, aswell as many cardio machines, includingtreadmills, cross-trainers and bikes. Agood variety of classes are available,including yoga and aerobic dance.Legend Hotel Fitness Centre2A-4A Ton Duc Thang, D1One of the best hotel fitness centres.Very well-equipped gym with cardiovascularand weight machines, along witha circular swimming pool and massageparlour. A three-month membershipcosts USD $400++.Michelle Lloyd YogaTel: 0909 64 8193michelleglloyd@gmail.comwww.michellelloyd.comE-RYT200 certified yoga instructoroffering Vinyasa yoga classes at variouslocations around the city. Private andcorporate yoga programs available. ContactMichelle for more information on hercurrent schedule and special events.Nutrifort2B1 Chu Manh Trinh, D1Tel: 3825 8560news@nutrifort.com/www.nutrifort.comComprehensive health and fitness centreoffering customized exercise, nutritionalcounseling to members. Specializing inweight loss programs, core/body alignmenttraining with Pilates equipment.Healthy snacks available.NTFQ2 Spa34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2Tel: 3744 6672Therapeutic massage with a focus onsports massage to increase circulation,remove lactic acid build-up, restore flexibilityand relieve back pain.Park Hyatt Fitness Centre2 Lam Son Square, D1 Tel: 3824 1234Luxury health centre with the full range offacilities including swimming pool, steamroom, jacuzzi and fitness centre. Threemonthpeak membership costs USD$810++ and off-peak is $450++.Renaissance Hotel Health Club8-15 Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3822 0033Stylish health club with gym, swimmingpool, steam room, massage parlour,pool-side bar and an outstanding viewof the city. Costs USD $140 a month, or$10 a day.Saigon Fitness ClubNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Tel: 3822 8888The modern Nautilus-equipped gym isstaffed by highly-qualified instructors tocater for your fitness needs. Features aswimming pool, floodlit tennis court, golfdriving range, jogging track, sauna, andmassage rooms.Saigon YogaTel: 090 835 2265info@saigonyoga.comwww.saigonyoga.comA yoga centre with highly qualifiedinstructors offering hot yoga, Hatha Flow,restorative yoga, kids’ yoga, pre andpostnatal yoga and injury rehabilitation.Also does corporate team building andyoga teacher training as well as organisingyoga retreats.Sheraton FitnessLevel 5, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers,88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828sheraton.saigon@sheraton.comwww.sheraton.com/saigonSheraton Fitness features a team oftrained professionals and new Technogymequipment. Members have full useof leisure facilities and receive discountsat hotel bars and restaurants and AquaDay Spa.FOOTBALL & RUGBYAustralian Rules FootballTel: 093 768 3230www.vietnamswans.comvietnamswans@gmail.comThe Vietnam Swans play regular internationalfooty matches around Asia. Trainingsessions are held weekly in HCM City(2.30 pm Saturday, RMIT D7) and Hanoi(midday, Saturday, UN InternationalSchool, Ciputra). All skill levels and codeswelcome.Les Gaulois de Saigonwww.gauloisdesaigon.cominfo@gauloisdesaigon.comA new team of French footballers, theside invites players and their families tocome and join in their friendly trainingsessions, where everyone can get togetherand enjoy the sport while makingnew friends. Contact Sebastien on 0919691785 or Romain on 0908 060139.RMIT Vietnamsports.recreation@rmit.edu.vnA new player on the SIFL scene witha team made up of students from theUniversity. They have their own footballground on-site consisting of two brandnew pitches. Contact Landon Carnie.Saigon Raidersjon.hoff@saigonraiders.comSociable football side who are always onthe lookout for new talent for their weeklymatches and training sessions. The teamparticipates in the Saigon InternationalFootball League and also has regularfixtures against local teams in the outlyingprovinces and also participates ininternational tournaments.Saigon Rugby ClubTel: 0903 735 799www.saigonrfc.orgsaigonrugbyfootballclub@yahoo.comSocial, mixed touch rugby playedevery Saturday afternoon for adults atRMIT from 4 pm until 6 pm. Regularlywelcomes visiting teams and tours theregion for men’s contact and women’stouch rugby tournaments. Beginnerswelcome.Saigon Saintschris@saigonsaints.comwww.saigonsaints.comExpat football club of all ages, which hasbeen running since 1995 and plays in theSIFL. Regularly venture on internationaltours especially to Bangkok and Manilaand play in other local and internationaltournaments. The players train weekly,and new players are encouraged to join.GOLFDalat Palace Golf ClubPhu Dong Thien Vuong, DalatTel: 063 3821 101dpgc@vietnamgolfresorts.comThe most beautiful course in Vietnam,combining the crisp mountain air withan environment of stately pine trees.Overlooking Xuan Huong lake, the7,009-yard course is an enjoyable challengefor golfers of all levels.Dong Nai Golf ResortTrang Bom Town, Trang BomTel: 061 3866 288 / 3677 590www.dongnaigolf.com.vnLarge golf resort with 27 holes, plusa villa complex, bar, sauna. jacuzziand billiards. The resort sits on 160hectares of land in Dong Nai Province,about 50 kilometres from the city.Membership starts at USD $2,000 ayear.Ocean Dunes Golf Club1 Ton Duc Thang, Phan ThietTel: 062 3821 995odgc@vietnamgolfresorts.comDesigned by Nick Faldo, the 6,746-yard par-72 course winds throughseaside dunes, with the variablecoastal breezes changing its charactereach day. An enjoyable and eminentlyplayable course and has become afavourite venue for expatriate tournaments.Saigon South GolfNguyen Van Linh, Tan Phu, D7Tel: 5411 2001sgs.golf@yahoo.com.vnNine-hole mini golf course and drivingrange set amongst attractive gardensjust behind FV Hospital. Membershipstarts from USD $700 for 6 months.Visitors’ greens fees for a round of golfare around USD $16 before 5 pm and$19 after. Club, shoe and umbrella hireis also available.SaigonSports Academy LeagueTel: 093 215 3502greg@saigonsportsacademy.comwww.saigonsportsacademy.com12-week, 5 a side community footballleague with Adult, U18, U14, U10 andU7 divisions. Matches held at ThaoDan Stadium in District 1. Corporate,local and expat teams compete in adultdivision with cash prize for champions.Song Be Golf Resort77 Binh Duong Blvd, Thuan AnTel: 0650 3756 660info@songbegolf.comwww.songbegolf.comLocated 22 kilometres from the citycentre, the premier golf course in thearea features an 18-hole, 6,384-metrecourse. Also has tennis courts, a swimmingpool, and a gymnasium.Vietnam Golf and Country ClubLong Thanh My Village, D9www.vietnamgolfcc.comThis facility consists of two coursesof 18 holes each, one of which is designedin a more traditional Asian style,and the other in international style. Hasother attractions such as boating, tennisand a restaurant area.LEISUREHash House Harrierswww.saigonh3.comRunning club that meets every Sundayat 2 pm at the Caravelle Hotel to go ona run in different locations out of townwith their traditional balance of exerciseand beer.Phun Runnerinfo@phun-run.comSocial running group that meets Saturdaysat 7 am for a scenic run aroundSaigon before breakfast. Great way toexplore the city, meet fellow runnersand get fit for future events. Checkwebsite for rendezvous points.Rangers Baseball ClubIsao Shimokawajiisao.shimokawaji@sapporobeer.co.jpA baseball club always looking foradditional players of any age, raceor experience level. Plays Saturdaysor Sundays, often against Korean orVietnamese teams.Saigon International Dart Leaguewww.thesidl.comA highly popular group in town, the dartsclub runs a competitive year-long leaguefor 16 pub-based teams. There aresome excellent players in this sociableand international group. See websitefor details of how to join and latest 180scores.Saigon International Softball Leaguesisl@saigonsoftball.infowww.saigonsoftball.infoThe league plays slo-pitch softball everySunday (usually at the Taiwanese Schoolin Phu My Hung) and always welcomesnewcomers.Saigon Pony ClubLane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2Tel: 0913 733 360A standout facility offering pony rides,riding lessons, horse clinics and ponyrentals. Also hosts events and birthdays.Senior Expat ChitChatWeekly “Coffee Talk” meetings amongseniors at the Palace Hotel Café (56 –66 Nguyen Hue, D1) each Tuesday from10 to 11.30 am. The informal group isfor local expatriates and English-speakingforeign travellers who meet to shareexperiences and make new friends. Callclub organizer Sheldon Pruss at 0932031 837.SquashThe Landmark, 5B Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3822 2098 ext 176www.thelandmarkvietnam.comOne of three squash courts in town.Membership is open to non-Landmarkresidents and drop-in players. Lessonsand racquets are available for additionalfees. Balls are provided. Book in advanceor phone for further information.Ultimate FrisbeeRMIT, 702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7www.saigon-ultimate.comJoin in this exciting popular sport everySunday afternoon from 3pm to 5pmin Saigon South. Pan-Asian competitionsalso organised for the moreexperienced. Contact David Jensen at0909458890Vietnam Hobby Brewershobbybrewer.vietnam@gmail.comwww.hobbybrewer-vietnam.de.tlSmall group of beer enthusiasts gatherbi-monthly at microbrewery to talkbeer, share brewing tips and samplehomemade suds. The group is keen ontaking on new members with an interestin learning how to brew.Vietwings Paraglidinginfo@vietwings-hpg.comPromoted by a local advertising executiveturned test pilot, paragliding, hanggliding,trike plane can be performedin several locations across southernVietnam including Dalat, Phan Thiet,Tay Ninh. Call Loco on 0903 825607 formore information.X-Rock ClimbingPhan Dinh Phung Sport Centre75 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3Tel: 6278 5794503A Nguyen Duy Trinh, D2Tel: 2210 9192www.xrockclimbing.comOffering safe and professional climbingfor anyone aged 4 and up. Featuringmountain climbing routes rated frombeginner to advanced, climbing andbelay-safety courses and training,birthday parties, corporate team building.Excellent facilities for children andannual membership for kids.76 asialife HCMC

listingshealth &beautyALTERNATIVE MEDICINEAmerican Chiropractic Clinic8 Truong Dinh, D3 Tel: 3930 6667www.vietnamchiropractic.comA chiropractic, physiotherapy, footcare clinic staffed by American-trainedchiropractors speaking French, English,Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Treatsback pain, neck pain, knee pain, alsospecializing in sports injuries, manufactureof medical grade foot orthotics.Ciro GargiuloCARE1 Executive Health Care CenterThe Manor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh,Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0757care1_reception@vietnammedicalpractice.comwww.care1.com.vnA holistic approach is used by thisacupuncturist and traditional medicinepractitioner to rebalance the body’senergy fields. A wide range of ailmentsare treated including back pain, allergiesand insomnia.Institute of Traditional Medicine273-275 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanDr. Le Hung is the man to see at thiswell-established traditional hospital &training centre. He speaks good Englishand provides excellent treatments in aclean environment. The Institute alsoprovides acupuncture lessons at USD$30 per day.Osteopathic Medicine/Physiotherapy– David Truong TanTel: 0903 09 81 24www.osteopathy-vietnam.comFrench-trained osteopath and physiotherapistspecializing in the treatment ofback pain and muscular, ligament andjoint problems using a holistic approachand gentle manipulative techniques.Consultations available at InternationalSOS in District 3 and Nutrifort in Districts1 and 2.Sarah MartinNTFQ2, 34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2Tel: 0937 442 516sarahmichaela@hotmail.comwww.sarahmichaela.comAustralian-trained Massage and RemedialTherapist offering Deep Tissue/Sports Massage, Hawaiian Lomi LomiMassage, Prenatal Massage and Reiki.Theta Healing– Jodie EastwoodTel: 091 859 1933www.thetahealing.comA unique energy healing technique formind, body and spirit. Jodie is a UKqualified practitioner based in HCM City.COSMETIC TREATMENTCao Thang Lasik & Aesthetic Clinic135-135B Tran Binh Trong, D5Tel: 3923 4419A modern clinic offering a comprehensiverange of optical services. Specializesin LASIK correctional procedures,costing from USD $700 to $1,100 forboth eyes. English spoken. Open sevendays a week.FV Hospital Cosmetic Surgery45 Vo Thi Sau, D1 Tel: 6290 61676 Nguyen Luong Bang, D7Tel: 5411 3366www.fvhospital.comInternational-standard cosmetic proceduresfrom simple dermabrasion andchemical peels to collagen injections,nose and eye shaping, liposuction,and breast enhancement. Procedurescarriedout by French and Vietnamese doctorsusing the latest equipment.Parkway Shenton InternationalClinicSuite 213-214, 37 Ton Duc Thang, D1Owned by the Singapore-basedhealthcare giant Parkway Holdings, thisaesthetics clinic offers a range of bothsurgical and non-surgical treatmentsincluding dental reconstruction.DENTALEuropean Dental Clinic17 - 17A Le Van Mien, Thao Dien, D2Tel: 0918 749 204/08 3744 9744Expat English and French-speakingdentist. Performs full range of dentaltreatment including whitening, aestheticfillings, porcelain crowns, full ceramics,veneer and orthodontic treatment. 24-hour emergency line: 0909 551 916 or0916 352940.Koseikai Dental Clinic3rd floor, 21 Nguyen Trung Ngan, D1Tel: 3910 6255info@koseikai.com.vnwww.koseikaidentist.comA member of Dental Clinic Vietnam,provide full range of dental serviceswith the latest in technology, delivery oflaboratory work and new technologiesnow available.Starlight Dental ClinicDr. Philippe Guettier & Associates3 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3822 6222doc.linh@gmail.comWith 10 years’ experience providingdental treatment to expat andVietnamese patients, this well-knowndental surgery is staffed by both foreign& local practitioners. Au fait with thelatest treatments and techniques, thesurgery prides themselves on their highstandard of equipment & sterilization.Westcoast International DentalClinic27 Nguyen Trung Truc, D1Tel: 3825 699971-79 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 6777info@westcoastinternational.comwww.westcoastinternational.comCanadian-run dental clinic staffed byFrench, Japanese, English and Vietnamesespeaking dental professionals.See Medical listings for hospitals withdental services.HAIR & SALONAnthony George for London Hair &BeautyFIDECO Riverview Building14 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 6475www.aglondonsalon.com.vnTop British stylist George brings hisunique flair to hair in District 2. Themodern, stylish and professional salonis host to a staff of professionally trainedbeauty therapists. Uses Dermalogica,Schwarzkopf and L’Oreal products.Shampoo, cut and blow-dry starts atUSD $26; mini facials from $12.Jasmine45 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3827 2737jasminespa@hcm.vnn.vnFriendly and efficient staff offers haircutsand a wide range of services includingwaxing, manicures, pedicures and otherbeauty treatments. Skin renewal facial,salt or rice body scrub & deep tissuemassage costs USD $98Le Brian Salon201 Calmette, D1195 Nguyen Van Hoang, D2Vietnamese-American hairstylist withdual locations, offering a full range ofhair services, as well as professionalmake-up application.questions for the coiffeurFacing FactsBy Lloyd MorganQ: Which styles suit whatface shapes?A: For those with a round faceshape the stylist will comeup with a style that does notcover the face, but opens itinstead. Fringes are definitelyout—they’ll hide the face andprovide the illusion that theface is even rounder—andheight is required to providebalance. The extra volumeis needed right on top of thehead. The cutting techniqueemployed is entirely dependenton the hair type, butshorter layers should do thejob. Forget side volume—it willmake the face look rounder.For those with a long faceshape, fringes are definitelyin, as bangs will help to coversome of the forehead. Noheight is needed, but side volumeis required to counterbalancea longer face. The extraoomph works a treat.And for those lucky enoughto have a normal face shape,the sky’s the limit. You’re veryfortunate, as absolutely anystyle will work.Q: What’s so special aboutthe Brazilian straighteningsystem?A: I’ve emailed severalcompanies asking whatuse keratin fibre has in hairstraightening. The base ofall straightening systems isamoniumthyoglycolate. That’swhat perms or straightenshair, not keratin, so as far as Ican see it’s just a sales pitch.For one, it doesn’t last as longas the Wella system that I usewhich is effective for abouta year. The Brazilian systemlasts only three to four monthsand it’s not cheap. The salespitch touts it as better for thehair, because of the keratinbut so what? The effects lastfor less time, hence the treatmenthas to be applied moreoften—no doubt much worsefor the hair.Lloyd Morgan runs the LloydMorgan International HairStudio at 234 Nguyen VanHuong, Thao Dien, D2. Contacthim at 0908 422 007 orlloydskate@hotmail.com.Lloyd Morgan International HairStudio234 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, D2Tel: 090 8422 007International stylist Lloyd Morgan is oneof the best in town. He’s been in thebusiness for over 30 years and brings hisexpertise to this established, top-notchsalon.Qi Spa151 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 1719Caravelle Hotel Tel: 3824 7150Mövenpick Hotel Saigon,Tel: 3997 5437High-end salon and spa offers thestandard range of services in a calmingatmosphere with good service. Waxing,nail services, hair dressing as well asluxurious facial and massage treatmentson offer.Souche2nd Floor, Saigon Trade Centre37 Ton Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 0372A top-end beauty salon using theDermatologica line of skincare products.Specialises in personalized facial caretreatments from USD $30 and medicatedacne treatments from $40. Waxing andother aesthetic services are also availablein a pleasant atmosphere with excellentservice.Sunji Matsuo Hair StudioSaigon Paragon, 3 Nguyen Luong Bang,D7 Tel: 5416 0378Celebrity hairstylist Sunji Matsuo’s Singapore-basedhair salon has a variety ofhair services including scalp treatments,rebonding and hair extensions.The Salon21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3822 966065 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3821 6394Reliable haircuts from well-trained stylistsat this local salon with multiple locations.A haircut starts at USD $28 for womenand $22 for men.Venus41 Nguyen Trung Ngan, D1Tel: 3829 6298French Vietnamese stylist SandrineNguyen trained with worldwide academicsToni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon. Withmore than eight years experience, sheoffers haircuts for men from USD $10and $20 for women. Special services arecolouring and highlights.MEDICALAustralian Clinic & PathologyDiagnostics (ACPD)273-275 Ly Thai To, D10Tel: 3834 9941www.australianclinic.com.vnServices include general outpatienthealthcare, corporate / visa healthchecks,X-ray, full laboratory andin-house pharmacy including specialistmedical services covering cardiology,paediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology,orthopedic and dermatology.CARE1 Executive Health Care CenterThe Manor, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh,Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 0757care1_reception@vietnammedicalpractice.comwww.care1.com.vnSister clinic of Family Medical Practice,CARE1 is an executive health care centreoffering comprehensive preventative-carecheckups in a modern and professionalsetting. State-of-the-art technology providesfast and accurate diagnoses.Centre Medical International (CMI)1 Han Thuyen, D1Tel: 3827 2366www.cmi-vietnam.comLocated downtown next to the cathedral,the centre provides a high standardof medical care from qualified Frenchand Vietnamese physicians. Its rangeof services include general and tropicalmedicine, cardiology, gynaecology, osteopathy,pediatrics, psychiatry, speechtherapy and traditional Eastern medicine.Columbia Asia Saigon Clinic8 Alexandre de Rhodes, D1Tel: 3823 8888Respected multi-specialty clinic withforeign and local physicians. Doctors oncall 24 hours a day. Standard check-upscost between 400,000 VND and 800,000VND.Family Medical Practice HCMCDiamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3822 7848www.vietnammedicalpractice.comLeading international primary healthcareprovider, with a 24-hour state-of-the-artmedical centre and highly-qualified multilingualforeign doctors. Extensive experiencein worldwide medical evacuationswith car and air ambulance on standby.Also in Hanoi and Danang.FV Hospital6 Nguyen Luong Bang, D7Tel: 5411 3333www.fvhospital.comA foreign-owned international-standardhospital with a mixture of French andVietnamese physicians. Offers quality services,comprehensive patient care and isparticularly well regarded for its maternitycare. Full array of dental services fromexamination, cleaning and whitening to fillings,cosmetic procedures and implants.24-hour emergency line: 3411 3500.Hanh Phuc International Women &Children HospitalBinh Duong Boulevard, Thuan An, BinhDuongTel: 650 363 6068www.hanhphuchospital.comManaged by Thomson Medical Singapore,Hanh Phuc hospital provides acomprehensive range of facilities andservice for primary to tertiary healthcare,focus in Obstestrics & Gyneacology andPaediatric. Soft opening was on the 3rdMarch 2011.International SOS167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Tel: 3829 8424www.internationalsos.comGlobally-renowned provider of medicalassistance and international healthcare.Specializes in offering medical transportand evacuation both within and outside ofVietnam for urgent medical cases. Foreignand Vietnamese dentists. Has multilingualstaff.Victoria Healthcare InternationalClinic135A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3997 454579 Dien Bien Phu, D1 Tel: 39104545Well-regarded clinic offering generalexaminations and specializing in pediatrics,digestive diseases, cardiology andwomen's health. Offers a membershipprogram and cooperates with most insurancecompanies in Vietnam and abroad.Open with doctors on call 24/7.NAILSNghia Beauty20 Phan Boi Chau, D1Tel: 3829 2688Located next to the Ben Thanh Market,clean efficient and friendly staff serviceyour hands and feet with a range of treatmentswhile you relax in a comfortableatmosphere.Nail P.KH51 Nguyen Huu Cau, D1A well-known local place with a number ofmanicure stations and an extensive rangeof services. A mani-pedi with polish startsat 40,000 VND.OPI253 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3International brand of nail care offering avariety of treatments from standard manicuresat 50,000 VND to the whole hostnail services such as acrylics, powder gell,cuticle treatments and French polishing.Quang Qui’s Nails146 Le Thanh Ton, D1242 Le Thanh Ton, D178 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 79

MONTESSORIEarly Childhood ProgramInternational & Bilingual(English and Vietnamese/French/or Mandarin)Infant & Toddler program: for children aged 6 to 17 monthsKindergarten program: for children aged 1.5 to 6 yearsHalf day and full dayOutstanding indoor & outdoor facilities.After school activities for children 3-10 yrs: Music, PE, Art &language classes (English, French, Mandarin Chinese).www.montessori.edu.vninfo@montessori.edu.vnThao Dien Campus:42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, Dist.2,HCMCAn Phu Campus:Ground floor, Block B, AnKhang/Intresco Apartment(Behind Metro supermarketDist.2, HCMC)Tel: 37442639 - 387831640903 858659MontessoriInternational Schoolof VietnamLocally popular spots with low pricesand good service, offering anything youcould possibly want for your nails.SKINCAREAvon186A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Tel: 3930 4018www.vn.avon.comHCMC branch of the world’s largestdirect seller of cosmetics occupies theground floor of District 3 villa, sellingbrand names like Anew, Skin-So-Softand Avon Natural.AZIAL and rendez-vousEden Mall, 106 Nguyen Hue, D1Tel: 3824 3579www.azial.comwww.naturalrdv.comAll-natural skin and body care productsfree from synthetic ingredients. Madewith freshly extracted Aloe Vera geland enhanced with therapeutic-gradeessential oils. Found in many of the bestknownspas in Vietnam.The Body Shop87 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3823 368331 Nguyen Trai, D1www.thebodyshop.comInternatioanl cosmetics retailer withstrong commitment to environmentsources natural ingredients from smallcommunities for its line of more than 600products.DermalogicaSaigon Trade Center, 37 Ton DucThang, D1 Tel: 3910 0372www.dermalogica.comU.S. brand of cleansers popular amongskin care professionals. The line oftoners, exfoliants, moisturizers andmasques are engineered by skin therapiststo be free of common irritants, andthe company is categorically opposed toanimal testing.The Face Shop294 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3820 2325598B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3Tel: 3832 209594 Nguyen Trai, D5 Tel: 3923 9868Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1www.thefaceshop.comLocal retailer for the South Korea-basedinternational brand of natural body, bathand skincare products. The companypairs variety with value, offering hundredsof products for different skin types. Alsohas kiosks at Co.op Mart in Phu MyHung, Diamond Plaza and Zen Plaza.L’Apothiquaire100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1Parkson Saigon Tourist PlazaParkson Hung Vuong PlazaThe Crescent, 103 Ton Dat Tien, D764A Truong Dinh, D307 Han Thuyen, D1Tel: 3932 5181/3932 5082www.lapothiquaire.cominfo@lapothiquaire.comFrench-made natural products for alltypes of skin. Also offers exclusivenatural Italian skin, body and hair carefrom Erbario Toscano. Available at allL’Apothiquaire outlets.L’Occitane en ProvenceNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1French cosmetics company with a 30-year history offering a range of bath andmassage oils, essential oils, body andhand care products are especially wellknown. Also has outlets in all the majordowntown shopping malls.Sian Skincare Laser Clinic71–77 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel:3827 6999info@sianclinic.comwww.sianclinic.comSkincare laser clinic offering the latestin non-surgical esthetic treatmentsincluding Botox, laser, acne treatments,hair loss regrowth, hair removal, skinrejuvenation and anti-aging treatments.Led by Dr. Tran Ngoc Si, a leadingesthetic dermatologist from the hospitalof Dermatology of HCMC.Yves Rocher16-18 Hai Ba Trung Tel: 3824 8782www.yves-rocher.comSmall centrally located boutique retailingin French brand of botanical fragrances,face and body care, cosmetics and antiagingsolutions.SPASAqua Day SpaSheraton Saigon, 88 Dong Khoi, D1Tel: 3827 2828Recently revamped luxury eight-roomspa with a holistic approach to treatment,using natural Harnn productsplus hot stone therapy and seaweedtreatments.Belissima Spa3rd Floor Saigon Center, 65 Le Loi, D1Tel: 3272 8682Well known in Hanoi and now availablein HCMC, Belissima offers range of facialtreatments, body therapies, and handand foot treatments as well as specialpackages such as Coffee and ChocolateBody Toning Treatment.Henni BiscoeNTFQ234 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2Tel: 0126 874 9596henni.biscoe@gmail.comPhysical therapist from the UK offerspersonal training and therapeutic massage,including deep tissue/sports andpregnancy massage.Jasmine Spa45 Ton That Thiep, D1Tel: 3827 2737jasminespa@hcm.vnn.vnFriendly and efficient staff offer haircutsand a wide range of services includingwaxing, manicures, pedicures and otherbeauty treatments. Skin renewal facials,salt or rice body scrub & deep tissuemassages from USD $79.La Maison de L’Apothiquaire64A Truong Dinh, D3Tel: 3932 5181/3932 5082info@lapothiquaire.comwww.lapothiquaire.comTraditional French day spa in colonial villawith professional therapists and state-ofthe-arttreatments. Complimentary use ofswimming pool, sauna and steam bath.Has fitness centre and organic gardenrestaurant and offers gentlemen’s care.Winner of Guide Award 2005-2009. Alsooffers exclusive natural Italian skin, bodyand hair care from ErbarioToscano.NTFQ2 Spa34 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2Tel: 3744 6672Therapeutic massage with a focus onsports massage to increase circulation,remove lactic acid build-up, restore flexibilityand relieve back pain. Also offeringHawaiian Lomi Lomi massage to reducetension and reiki treatments.Renaissance Riverside Spa8-15 Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3822 0033No-frills Vietnamese, shiatsu andaromatherapy massages from USD $22plus a room dedicated to foot massagesfrom $18 at the atrium level. Also hassizable steam and sauna rooms at theclubSpa Authentic at Thao Dien195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3744 6453Located on the banks of the SaigonRiver, offering day spa and fitness facilitieswith a riverside pool.Xuan SpaPark Hyatt, 2 Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3824 1234Beautiful spa with highly rated Swedishmassage and water therapy includingthe unique 60 minutes Vichy shower tosoften and smooth skin or the Indian Shirodharawith special oil for 45 minutes.Spa packages aimed at rejuvenation,calming, and hydrating are also available.listingsfamilyACTIVITIESAlpha Gallery10 Chu Manh Trinh, D1Printmaking classes for both adults andchildren run by Swiss artist BernadetteGruber. Six-week courses start with thebasics and swiftly move students towardsproducing proofs and final prints fromcopper plates they have created. Freedomof expression is encouraged andother mediums are also explored.Conservatory of Music112 Nguyen Du, D1The established training centre for professionalmusicians offers private pianoand violin lessons to foreigners in theevenings.Helene Kling Paintinghelene_kling@yahoo.comOffers classes in oil painting to bothchildren and adults for 150,000 VND and300,000 VND respectively. Classes arepaced to suit each student.Rubba Duckies Swim Schoolrubbaduckiesswim@hotmail.comParent and infant water familiarisationclasses in a group environment fromsix to 48 months. Classes take placeat Somerset Apts., D1; Riverside, D2;APSC, D2 or AI D2 and D3. Email forschedule.Saigon MovementAn Phu Tel: 098 702 7722saigonmovement@gmail.comSports and creative movement classes forkids 2 to 11. Classes improve children’stotal body awareness through a variety ofgames and sports-based activities. PhuMy Hung schedule starts in September.Saigon Pony ClubLane 42, Le Van Thinh, D2Tel: 0913 733 360Close to X-rock climbing centre, kidsfrom three and upwards can ride oneof the stable’s 16 ponies. Lessons withforiegn teachers last 45 minutes and cost350,000 VND for kids from age six.SaigonSports AcademyAn Phu and Phu My HungTel: 0862 819 790info@saigonsportsacademy.comSports academy founded by pro tenniscoach currently offering tennis, football,basketball and swimming training to kids4 to 18. Professional coaches integrateinternational concepts and systems todraw out athletes’ natural abilities. Alsooperates a youth football league.The Performing Arts Academy19A Ngo Quang Huy, D2Tel: 090 339 0675info@paa.com.vnwww.paa.com.vnEnrolling aspiring learners 6 and up forinstruction in guitar, singing, piano, flute,clarinet, saxophone and drums. ABRSMqualified. Group dance and dramasession also available. Offering Tiny Totsmusic enrichment & dance program forages 3-5.Tae KwondoBP Compound, 720 Thao Dien, D2 andRiverside Villa Compound, Vo TruongToan, D2“Give the children roots and wings!”“Verleiht den Kindern Wurzeln und Flügel!”(Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe)Kindergarten • Pre-school • Primary • Secondary(In Development)NOW ENROLLING!• Excellent education experience• Bilingual (English and German)• All nationalities are welcome257 Hoang Van Thu Street. Tan Binh District. HCMCity. VietnamT: 08 7300 7257 | F: 08 7300 0257 | info@giss.vn | www.giss.vn80 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 81

ask auntie emilyThree's A CrowdBy Emily HucksonDear Aunt Em: We live in anenclosed community wherethere are lots of children mydaughter’s age. She has tworeally good friends and playswell with each of them—separately. While playing withone the other day, the thirdfriend came over and startedwhispering with the neighbour.Soon the other two girls ranoff, giggling, while my daughtercame to me in tears. Whatshould I have done?- Love TriangleDear Love Triangle: It wouldbe normal to want to runacross the street, admonishthe girls for being mean toyour daughter and teach themabout empathy and respect.But take a deep breath anda few minutes to control youranger so you can handle thesituation more rationally.If this is the first time it’shappened, focus on yourown child by acknowledgingher feelings. You could say,“You were playing with Annaand having such a great time.It must have really hurt thatEmma came and took heraway from you.” Your daughterwill likely nod through hertears; it’s amazing what fiveminutes of acknowledgingfeelings and cuddling can doto make things right.Once she’s more composed,you might ask her,“What should you do next timesomething like this happens?”It would be great if she cameup with the idea of standing upfor herself rather than runninginside, for example, or beingable to tell her friend how shefelt.If this friendship trianglebecomes an ongoing problemfor your daughter, it would beappropriate to approach theother girls’ parents to shareyour concern. Be cautious,though, or they might feelyou’re telling them how tohandle their kids, rather thanasking for their support inresolving the issue. As in thesubject last month, you needto be sensitive to your ownvalues on discipline, and howyour neighbour might not bereceptive to those ideals.Email your questions aboutchildhood development toauntie-em@asialifehcmc.comphucteacherkd@yahoo.comPrivate and group classes are run afterschool three times a week by the friendlyMr. Phuc. Anyone over the age of five iswelcome to join in the course, which costsUSD $50 for 12 classes/month with a $25fee for non-members. Contact Mr. Phucdirectly on 0903 918 149.BABY EQUIPMENTBaby66B Cach Mang Thang Tam, D10A large store stocking a good range ofbaby needs, including toys, buggies, cotsand bottles. Prices are reasonable.BabylandSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Quality products including car seats, buggies,prams and travel cots and a good selectionof baby toys. Carries Avent bottlesand sterilizer sets, and a small range ofeducational books. Prices are higher thanthe other places, but so is the quality.Maman BebeVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 3825 8724www.mamanbebe.com.vnStocks an assortment of modern strollersand car seats. Also sells various utensilsand practical baby products. Small selectionof clothing for ages newborn to 14years.Me & Be230 Vo Thi Sau, D340 Ton That Tung, D1141D Phan Dang Luu, Phu Nhuan246 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3101-103 Khanh Hoi, D4287A Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanThe closest thing to Mothercare the cityhas to offer. Stocks a substantial rangeof apparel for babies including bottlesand sterilizers, cots (including travel cots),clothing, toys, safety equipment and more,all at reasonable prices.Me Oi1B Ton That Tung, D1A small shop adjacent to the maternityhospital bursting at the seams with everythingyou need for your baby. Clothing,footwear, bottles, nappies, nappy bagsand toys all at reasonable prices.New Parent StreetNguyen Thong Street, D3 betweenLy Chinh Thang and Ky Dong Street.An interesting array of baby formula andhard liquor. A one stop shopping cluster forfirst time parents.EDUCATIONABC International School2,1E Street, KDC Trung Son, Binh Hung,Binh Chanh Tel: 5431 1833abcintschoolss@vnn.vnwww.theabcis.comUK standards-based curriculum awards diplomawith IGCSE’s & A Levels certified byCambridge Universit examinations board.From playgroup to pre-university matriculation.Served by 80+ British teachers. Goodfacilities and extra-curricular activities.ACG International SchoolEast West Highway, An Phu, D2Tel: 3747 1234www.acgedu.comPart of the Academic Colleges Group’sinternational network of schools, ACGoffers comprehensive education fromkindergarten to senior high school and arange of extracurricular activities. Internationalcurricula (IB PYP and CambridgeInternational Examinations).The Australian International SchoolSaigonCherry Blossom 1 & Lotus 1, APSCCompound, 36 Thao Dien, D2Tel: 3744 6960Middle & Senior Campus21 Pham Ngoc Thach, D3Tel: 3822 4992enrolment@aisvietnam.comwww.aisvietnam.comAn international curricula and PYP/MYPcandidate school. Senior students followIGCSE and Cambridge A levels. Onlyschool in Vietnam authorized to deliverUniversity of New South Wales FoundationStudies grade 12 curriculum. Wellresourcedclassrooms, highly trained andexperienced expatriate teachers, outfittedfor academic, sport, creative activities.British International SchoolPrimary Campus43 - 45 Tu Xuong, D3225 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Secondary Campus246 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3744 2335www.bisvietnam.comWith campuses all over the city and expansionunderway, BIS offers a mixture of bothEnglish and International curricula-basededucation alongside excellent facilities andextra-curricular activities. Senior studentsfollow the IGCSE and IB programmes.Canadian International SchoolSC 39, Panorama Building, Nguyen DucCanh, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5412 1549Residential Quarter 13C, Nguyen VanLinh, Phong Phu Commune, Binh Chanhwww.cis.edu.vncis@cis.edu.vnThe first Canadian international school inVietnam offers classes from kindergartento grade 9 for local and foreign students.Teaches core Ontario curriculum andawards Ontario Secondary School Diploma(OSSD), recognized by universities worldwide.Vietnamese programme taught bylocal teachers.German International School257 Hoang Van Thu , Tan BinhTel: 7300 7257info@giss.vn / www.giss.vnA bilingual school with native German andEnglish teachers. The language programis followed in both German and English,alongside the German curriculum. Extracurricular activities are available for allprimary school students.International School HCMC28 Vo Truong Toan, D2Tel: 3898 9100www.ishcmc.comOne of 136 schools around the worldto be accredited as an IB World School.Offers all three of the IB programmes fromprimary through to grade 12. The schoolis fully accredited by CIS and NEASC andhas a strong focus on community spirit andfosters an awareness of other languagesand cultures.International School Saigon Pearl92 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh DistrictTel: 2220 1788/89www.issp.edu.vnOpening in August, 2011, the singlepurpose-built campus will cater for nurserythrough grade five. In the second year,sixth grade will be added. ISSP’s long-termstrategic plan includes complete middleand high schools. In the spring of 2011ISSP will host the Western Associationof Schools and Colleges (the largestAmerican accreditation agency in Asia).Accreditation will allow children to easilytransfer to schools abroad.The Little Genius International Kindergarten102 My Kim, Phu My Hung, D7Tel: 5421 1052Kindergarten with U.S.-accredited curriculum,modern facilities andattractive school grounds.Montessori International SchoolInternational Program42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, D2Tel: 3744 2639Bilingual Program28 Street 19, KP 5, An Phu, D2Tel: 6281 7675www.montessori.edu.vnMontessori utilizes an internationally recognizededucational method which focuseson fostering the child’s natural desire tolearn. The aim is to create an encouragingenvironment conducive to learning bydeveloping a sense of self and individuality.A wide array of curriculum/extra-curricularactivities are on offer including Bilingualprograms.Renaissance International School74 Nguyen Thi Thap, D7Tel: 3773 3171www.rissaigon.edu.vnIB World school, one of Vietnam’sinternational schools operating within theframework of the British system. RISSprovide a high quality English mediumeducation in a stimulating, challengingand supportive environment. The purposebuilt, modern campus has excellentfacilities.RMIT702 Nguyen Van Linh, D7Tel: 3776 1369Australian university located in District 7,offers a highly regarded MBA and undergraduatecourses in various fields.Saigon Kids Centre104A Tran Quoc Toan, D3Tel: 3932 5579saigonkidscentre@yahoo.comAn international childcare centre for childrenaged between two and six years old.Offers a homely and warm environmentfor children to play and learn.Saigon Language School02 Truong Dinh, D3Tel: 3933 0773 / 4www.saigonlanguage.comA professional language school thatteaches Japanese and Vietnameselanguage courses. Vietnamese grouplessons begin monthly.Saigon South International SchoolNguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7Tel: 5413 0901www.ssis.edu.vnAn International school environment offeringan American/international programin a large, spacious campus, to childrenfrom age 3 to grade 12. Great facilities,extra-curricular activities and internationallytrained teachers giving uniqueopportunities to learn.Saigon Star International SchoolResidential Area No. 5, Thanh My LoiWard, D2Tel: 3742 STAR Fax: 3742 3222enroll@saigonstarschool.edu.vnwww.saigonstarschool.edu.vnOffers a British primary curriculum approvedby Cambridge University and integratedMontessori programme for nurseryand kindergarten. Qualified, experiencedteachers and small class sizes cater toindividual needs and abilities.Singapore International School (SIS)Unit 808, 8th Floor CentrePoint 106Nguyen Van Troi St, Phu NhuanTel: 3997 957344 Truong Dinh, D3Tel: 3932 2807Ground floor, Somerset ChancellorCourt, 21 - 23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai,D1. Tel: 3827 2464www.kinderworld.netStudents play and learn in an environmentwhere the best of Western and Easterncultures amalgamate to prepare Kinder-World’s students for today’s challengingworld drawn from both the Singapore andAustralian curriculum. The school offersInternational Certifications such as theiPSLE, IGCSE and GAC.SmartKids1172 Thao Dien Compound, D2Tel: 3744 607626 Street 10, D2Tel: 3898 9816www.smartkidsinfo.comAn international childcare centre thatprovides kindergarten and pre-schooleducation for children aged between 18months and 6 years. A fun and friendlyenvironment, the school focuses on learningthrough play.Stamford Grammar214 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Tel: 3930 73434Bis Phung Khac Khoan, D1Tel: 3822 3339www.stamfordgrammar.comenquiry@stamfordgrammar.comInternational kindergarten following aSingapore curriculum for children from18 months to 6 years of age. Taught byVietnamese and native English-speakingteachers. Outdoor play areas, swimmingpool, music and art & craft rooms wherestudents can play and learn in a safeenvironment.The American School172 - 180 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel: 3519 2223info@tasvietnam.edu.vnAn independent and private collage preparatoryschool with a highly individualizedand personalized program, The AmericanSchool of Vietnam offers a strong, USbased curriculum for Kindergarten throughGrade 12.ENTERTAINMENTDiamond Plaza34 Le Duan, D1The top floor arcade and bowling alley isbound to keep your little ones entertainedfor hours with an impressive array of videogames. Some child-friendly dining optionstoo, with Pizza Hut on hand, a KFCand a New Zealand Natural ice creamconcession.Gymboree Play & MusicSomerset Chancellor Court21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3827 7008www.gymboreeclasses.com.vnThe Gymboree Play & Music offerschildren from newborn to 5 years old theopportunity to explore, learn and play inan innovative parent-child programmes.Parkson Plaza39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1Arcade game after arcade game line thetop floor here with a bowling alley and adecent food court thrown in on the floorbelow. A good place to take the kids aftertrawling through Parkson’s numerousconcession stands.Vincom Center72 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3936 9999A six-storey shopping centre that housesthe world’s most famous luxury brandsplus more than 250 fashion retailers andvarious restaurants. Each level has a coffeecorner to help weary shoppers recoupwhile looking over the city. Open dailyfrom 9 am to 10 pm.PARTIESA2196 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Well-known toy shop that also does asubstantial line in fancy dress costumesand partywear. Also has a concession atAn Phu Supermarket.Beatrice’s Party Shop235 Le Thanh Ton, D1A lovely little shop selling everything youneed to throw your little ones a goodparty. A catalogue of entertainers showcasesa number of party favourites suchas magicians, circuses and more.Nguyen Ngoc Diem Phuong131C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1A curious shop stocking a range of handmadefancy dress costumes such asmasks, superman outfits and much more.The stock changes seasonally, so this isa good place to stock up on Halloween,Christmas and other holiday-specific partycostumes.The Balloon ManTel: 3990 3560Does exactly as his name suggests – balloons.Great service has earned this chapa reputation around town for turning upalmost instantly with a superb selection ofballoons. Also provides helium balloons.82 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 83

financeSweet DreamsBy Paul McLardieSome people dream ofsports cars, some peopledream of living on a golfcourse, some people dreamof living next to the beach.These are all dreams thatpeople have about retirement.Sorry folks, unlessyou are very lucky or haveplanned very well, your retirementdreams may just bethat. A dream.The time where one wouldget the Golden Watch anda handshake and still haveenough of a life left—andbe fit enough to enjoy one'sretirement—may havepassed.In the US last year, theEmployee Benefit ResearchInstitute (a think tank thatstudies benefit plans) notedthat nearly a quarter of workershad postponed theirretirement plans. In Japan,men stay on in their jobs tillan average of 69.5 years,well over the national retirementage of 64. Autumn lastyear saw demonstrations inFrance against the rise in theretirement age from 60 to 62.The three main economiesin Europe, France Britain andGermany are being forcedto raise their retirement ageto ease the tax burden on itsyounger generations. Similarthoughts have led the US toraise the age for collectingfull social security from 65to 67 for people born since1960.So what can you do? Thisdepends on how old you are,when you want to retire andhow comfortable you wantto be. If you are just about toretire, put it back a few yearsor you could always go forwhat is now called “EncoreEmployment”, leaving your9 to 5 for something thatsupplements your incomefrom your existing pensions.This may be one of the onlyoptions available to you.If you have quite sometime till retirement, you needto first find out what yourpensions will be worth. Fromhere you can work out whatshortfall you have and alsowhat you need to pay tomake it up.If you are young enough tonot have even contemplatedretirement yet, you are inthe best position. Putting alittle away every month for alonger period of time withouttaking away from yourstandard of living is the bestway forward. The money maynot buy you happiness, but itdoes give you options.Paul McLardie is a partnerat Total Wealth Management.Contact him at Paul.mclardie@t-wm.comlistingslivingBUSINESS GROUPSAmChamNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Business Centre, Room 323Tel: 3824 3562www.amchamvietnam.comAusChamTV Building, Suite 1A, 31A NguyenDinh Chieu, D1 Tel: 3911 0272 / 73/ 74www.auschamvn.orgBritish Business Group of Vietnam25 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 8430execmgr@bbgv.orgwww.bbgv.orgCanChamNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Business Centre, Room 305Tel: 3824 3754www.canchamvietnam.orgCitibank115 Nguyen Hue St, D1 Tel: 3824 2118International Center, 17 Ngo Quyen,Hoan Kiem District, HanoiTel: 3825 1950Citibank VietnamCitibank Vietnam offers a wide range ofbanking services to both consumer andcorpo-rate. Services include Corporateand Investment Banking, Global TransactionServices, and Consumer Banking.In Vietnam for 15 years, Citibank has apresence in both HCMC and Hanoi.Eurocham257 Hoang Van Thu, Tan BinhTel: 3845 5528www.eurochamvn.orgGerman Business Group21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1www.gba-vietnam.orgSingapore Business GroupUnit 1B2, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai,D1 Tel: 3823 3046www.sbghcmc.orgSwiss Business Association42 Giang Van Minh, Anh Phu, D2Tel: 3744 6996Fax: 3744 6990Email: sba@hcm.vnn.vnwww.swissvietnam.comHong Kong Business AssociationNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Business Centre, Room 322Tel: 3824 3757 / 3822 8888www.hkbav.comNordChamBitexco Building, 19-25 Nguyen Hue,D1 Tel: 3821 5423www.nordcham.comCAMERASHung Hai75 Huynh Thuc Khang, D1A good place to purchase hard-to-findgear and some rare equipment, mainlyauto focus lenses.Le Duc5B Huynh Tinh Cua, D3A shop for all your professional accessoryneeds. From lighting equipment totripods and reflectors, the shop offers thebest equipment and service in HCM City.Pham The11 Le Cong Kieu, D1An authorized service centre for Nikoncamera that also specializes in repairingall camera makes. Measurement equipmentand spare parts also available.Shop 4646 Nguyen Hue, D1Small shop run by photographer andcollector. The owner’s more collectiblepieces are pricey, but entry-level manualfocus SLRs from the 70s and 80s areaffordable.COMPUTERSComputer StreetLuong Huu Khanh, D1 betweenNguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nguyen TraiThis stretch of District 1 is literally wall towall with small shops selling computers,printers, monitors and everythingcomputer related, more so toward theNTMK end of the drag.iCenter142A Vo Thi Sau, D3Tel: 3820 3918Professional, polished Apple retailerand repair centre with an attractiveshowroom featuring some of the latest inaccessories and audio. English-speakerson staff. Honours Apple service plans.Future World240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3Authorized reseller of Apple computersand products, as well as some off-branditems like headphones. Excellent serviceand English-speaking staff. Acceptscredit cards.Phong Vu Computer264C Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3933 0762www.vitinhphongvu.comThe biggest and busiest of the PCstores in town. Known for good, efficientservice, in-house maintenance and aftersalesrepair on the second floor.SYS Vi Tinh Saigon96C Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1www.vtsaigon.comA superb place with an excellentreputation for after-sales service withcompetent English speaking staff anda wide range of products and services.Freeware and shareware also availableon the store website.CONSULTINGConcetti33 Dinh Tien Hoang, D1 Tel: 39111480www.concetti-vn.comConsulting and research company fortechnology transfer and investment.Embers-Asia Ltd.Level 9, Nam Giao Building, 80-8 PhanXich Long, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3995 9163www.embers-asia.comWith a focus on experiential learning,Embers-Asia has been creating anddelivering high-performance training anddevelopment solutions forcorporations, embassies, internationalschools and NGOs throughout SoutheastAsia since 2002.Ernst & YoungSaigon Riverside Office Center, 2A-4ATon Duc Thang, D1 Tel: 3824 5252www.ey.comProfessional service firm specializing inadvisory, assurance, tax, transactionsand strategic growth markets.Grant ThorntonSaigon Trade Centre, 37 Ton DucThang, D1 Tel: 3910 9100www.gt.com.vnInternational business advisors specializingin auditing, management consulting,corporate finance, risk management andinformation technology.IF ConsultingIBC Building, 3rd Floor1A Me Linh Square, D14th Floor, 5 Ba TrieuHoan Kiem District, HanoiTel: 3827 7362 Fax: 3827 7361Email: pascal@insuranceinvietnam.comPrivate insurance and finance.Indochine CouncelHan Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1Tel: 3823 9640www.indochinecounsel.comBusiness law firm specializing in legalservices to corporate clients in relationto their business and investment inVietnam.Inspired Image42/2A Ho Hao Hon, D1Tel: 091 635 2573www.inspiredimage.co.ukImage consultant and personal stylist.Previous clients include business leaders,TV presenters and busy professionals.International Management Initiativefor Vietnam (IMIV)info@imiv.orgwww.imiv.orgThe International Management Initiativefor Vietnam (IMIV), a non-profit initiativewithin VinaCapital Foundation thatpromotes excellence in business leadershipand management by bringing toVietnam proven international executiveeducation and professional developmentprogrammes.Phuong Nguyen ConsultingTPC Business Center, 92-96 NguyenHue, D1 Tel: 3829 2391www.pnp-consulting.comSpecializing in business facilitation,conferences, education counselling,market-entry research and IT/businessconsulting.Prism Information TechnologyServicesLevel 4, YOCO Building, 41 Nguyen ThiMinh Khai, D1 Tel: 3829 6416info@prism.com.vnA foreign-owned information and communicationstechnology company thatoffers value-added IT solutions. Enableslocal businesses to attain and maintaininternational IT standards to be morecompetitive in the marketplace.Rouse & Co. InternationalAbacus Tower, 58 Nguyen Dinh Chieu,D1 Tel: 3823 6770www.iprights.comGlobal intellectual property firm providinga full range of IP services including patentand trade mark agency services.Star Management Limited92-96 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3897 2765www.starlimited.comBusiness advisory services for companiesinvesting in Vietnam, businessproject advancement and a range ofbusiness development services.TMF Vietnam Company LimitedUnit 501, 5th Floor, Saigon TradeCenter37 Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3910 2262 ext. 113Fax: 3910 0590www.tmf-group.comWith headquarters in Amsterdam andRotterdam, TMF Vietnam specializes inaccounting outsourcing and consulting.Total Wealth Management66/11 Pham Ngoc Thac, D3Tel: 3820 0623www.t-wm.comSpecialists in selecting and arrangingtax-efficient savings and pension plansfor expatriates. Offers councel on privatebanking services, wealth protection inoffshore jurisdictions, currency risks andhedging strategies.Towers Watson Vietnam (formerlyWatson Wyatt and SMART HR)Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, Suite808, D1Tel: 3821 9488Global HR consulting firm specializing inexecutive compensation, talent management,employee rewards and surveys,HR effectiveness and technology, dataservices and total rewards surveys.DECORAntique StreetLe Cong Kieu Street, D1 betweenNguyen Thai Binh and Pho Duc ChinhA variety of antiques and faux antiquesfrom Thailand, China and Vietnamincluding silverware, compasses, lighters,brass knockers, urns, vases, abacuses,religious and pagan statues, candlestickholders, furniture and watches.Asian Fish34 Mac Thi Buoi, D1Boutique-style arts and crafts store sellinglocally made gifts and souvenirs, alldesigned by the Japanese owner. Productsinclude clothing, bags, crockery,sandals, chopsticks and jewellery.Aquarium StreetNguyen Thong Street, D3 between VoThi Sau and Ly Chinh ThangDedicated street has everything oneneeds to display fish: tanks, decor, feed,filters and the fish themselves.Budget Housewares StreetCorner of Pasteur and Nguyen DinhChieuStock up on shower heads, kitchensupplies (juicer, spatula, grater, etc.),coat racks, clothes hangers, pots, pans,champagne flutes, bowls, coolers, trashbins, ironing boards, magazine racksand the like.Chau Loan213 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 7991Gallery based in a colonial shophousestocking mainly Vietnamese-themed oilpaintings and images of Buddha. Alsodeals in better-known reproductions.Decosy112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917Producer of a large selection of Europeanstyled furniture and interior fittings,specializing in wrought iron and patine(distressed) wood finishes. Also stocksa wide-range of decorative accessories,crockery and fixtures. Custom designservices available upon request.Dogma175 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 0488www.dogmavietnam.comLocated upstairs from Saigon Kitsch, thisart gallery deals in Vietnamese propagandaposters, apparel, accessories andrandom paraphernalia. Large prints aresold at USD $60 each and small printscost $25.Minh Boutique15 Nguyen Thiep, D1Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapotwarmers, ice buckets and sake drinkingsets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sellsa range of silverware, egg holders andice tongs.OUT-2 STUDIOL6 Fafilm annex6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056STUDIO@OUT-2.comwww.out-2.comStudio space for independent designersto showcas their wares, sell their workand meet with clients. Open Monday tSaturday 10 am to 6 pm.Vietnam-Quilts64 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3914 2119www.mekong-quilts.orgNGO enterprise specializes in quilts andsells a range of appealing handmadeproducts created by underprivilegedwomen in Binh Thuan Province.ELECTRONICSHi End Audio84 Ho Tung Mau, D1A standout that stocks the very latestand greatest in home entertainment.Retails in everything from giant plasmascreenTVs to audio equipment. Mosttop brands are available.iDEAS Shopping Centre133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3The largest of the electonics storesalong the street, the three-storey iDEASsells every type of electronic and homeappliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties.Staff speaks some English.Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1Tel: 3821 1211www.nguyenkim.comStocks DVD/CD players, cameras,TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo,Panasonic, Philips and other majormanufacturers. Also a good place to pickup electronic kitchen supplies like coffeemakers and rice cookers, as well as largeand small appliances, from hot waterheaters to regrigerators.Savico117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993One-stop electronics and home appliancesuperstore. All products have a oneto three-year warranty.Tech StreetHuyen Thuc Khang Street between TonThat Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronicmoney counters, video games andsystems, Discmans, mp3 players andportable DVD players.FURNITUREAustinHome20 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3519 0023Outstanding quality and style for yourhome. The shop says its products arehand-picked by an American furnitureexpert from the best factories in Vietnam.Upholstery, accessories, antiques andmore.Catherine Denoual15C Thi Sach, D1 Tel: 3823 9394Beautiful showroom with clean lines anda sumptuous array of bedroom productsincluding bedside lamps, linens, pillowcasesand duvet covers.Decosy112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917Producer of a large selection of Europeanstyled furniture and interior fittings,specializing in wrought iron and patine(distressed) wood finishes. Also stocksa wide-range of decorative accessories,crockery and fixtures. Custom designservices available upon request.Esthetic11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh ThanhTel: 3514 7371/7372Fax: 3514 7370esthetic@vnn.vnwww.estheticfurnishing.com.vnDesign and manufacture as order with amixture of antique and modern furniture.Friendly staff speak excellent English.Furniture Outlet3A Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 2243 7955/3911 0104Wide selection of well-crafted and carefullyconstructed pine wood pieces atgood prices, aimed at customers cravinga taste of Europe.Furniture StreetNgo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai Toand Nguyen Chi ThanhVery affordable furniture can be found on112 Xuan ThuyWard Thao DienDistrict 2Ho Chi Minh CityTel/Fax. (+84) 8 62.819.917shop-hcm@decosy.biz84 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 85

this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks,chairs, etc. It often takes some looking tofind a gem. A connected sidestreet, BaHat, features woodworkers’ shops.Gaya1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1Tel: 3925 1495www.gayavietnam.comFour-floor store featuring the work offoreign designers: home accessories andoutdoor furniture by Lawson Johnston,linens by Corinne Leveilley-Dadda,furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh,laquerware decor by Michele De Albertand furniture and decor by vivekkevin.Linh’s White37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9863Furniture shop that focuses on solidwood furniture and decorative itemsranging from pillows and lamps tobedding. Also offers kids’ furniture andcustom pieces.Remix Deco222 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3Tel: 3930 4190www.remixdeco.comBoutique furniture store in sprawlingwhite with modern furniture includingsofas, tables and seating from aroundthe world. Featured designers includeLe Corbusier, Ray & Charles Eames,Philippe Starck and Ludwig Mies Vander Rhode.The Furniture Warehouse3B Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 6657 0788namtran121@yahoo.com, ttpnam@webtnl.comOffers a range of reasonably priced Italian,European and French colonial sofas,indoor/outdoor wooden furniture, lightingand interior décor, as well as customdesigns based on clients’ specifications.All at international quality export.Tran Duc Homes33 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1Tel: 7300 0777Level 5, Wonderbuy Center, 27bNguyen Dinh Chieu, D1Tel: 6291 8485B2-25, Vincom Center, 70-72 Le ThanhTon, D1Tel: 3993 9700Wood solutions partner for high-endresidential and resort projects. Experiencedin manufacturing and installingwooden modular housing, interior fittingsand contemporary indoor and outdoorfurniture.LEGALAllens Arthur RobinsonSaigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3822 1717www.vietnamlaws.comAustralian law firm for law translationservices and legal advice on foreigninvestment and business in Vietnam.Baker & McKenzieSaigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3829 5585www.bakernet.comInternational law firm providing on-thegroundliaison and support servicesto clients interested in investigating,negotiating and implementing projectsin Vietnam.Frasers InternationalSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Tel: 3824 2733www.frasersvn.comFull service commercial law firm providinginternational and Vietnamese legal adviceto both foreign and local clients specializingin transactions in Vietnam.Indochine CounselHan Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1Tel: 3823 9640www.indochinecounsel.comBusiness law practitioners specializingin mergers & acquistions, inward investment,and securities & capital markets.Limcharoen, Hughes and GlanvilleHavana Tower, 132 Ham Nghi, D1Tel: 6291 7000www.limcharoen.comFull service international law firm withhead office in Thailand. Main focus onreal estate in Asia.Phillips FoxSaigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3822 1717Full service law firm providing legalservices in healthcare, education, crime,banking and hospitality among others.Pricewaterhousecoopers LegalSaigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1Tel: 3823 0796www.pwc.com/vnPart of a network of international legaland financial advisors, PWC gives bothspecialist and general legal advice with afocus on mutli-territory projects.Rödl & PartnerSomerset Chancellor Court21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3824 4225www.roedl.comEuropean legal firm assisting foreigninvestors with structuring/establishingcompanies, investment projects, andmergers & acquistions.LIGHTINGLight House92 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1Tel: 3914 2662Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1Small retail shop is packed with ceilingand wall light fixtures, and a good selectionof desk and ceiling lamps. Most ofthe stock is decidedlly modern and sleak.Luxury Light1483 My Toan 1, Nguyen Van Linh,Phu My Hung, D7For those who really want to bring atouch of luxury to their homes, this placedeals with Italian imported lighting fromthe ultra - modern to the traditionalMurano style chandeliers. Extremely expensivereflecting the quality of the designand workmanship.Mosaique98 Mac Thi Buoi, D1One of the best and most diverse selectionsof lamps in town with everythingfrom the ordinary decorative lotus silklamp to more inventive and originaldesigns in lacquer and silk.Treasure Light18A Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Tel: 3822 4315www.treasure-light.comHigh-end lighting shop specialising in finelacquered lamps. Designs are sophisticatedand minimilast. Wide selection oftable lamps, wall lamps, floor lamps andceiling lamps.MOTORBIKESAutomotive StreetLy Thai To Street, D10 starting at DienBien Phu and running southeastServices include mending motorbikeseats and sound system installation.Products range from zebra print motorbikeseat covers to car and motorbiketyres, hubcaps, rims, subwoofers andsound systems by Xplode.Bike City480D Nguyen Thi Thap, D7Luxury motorcycle shop carries a rangeof accessories, including apparel. SellsVemar helmets, a brand that passesrigorous European Union standards.Protec Helmets18bis/3A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1248C Phan Dinh Phung, Phu Nhuan417B Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3American nonprofit manufacturer makeshelmets with densely compressed polystyreneshell with ABS, PVC or fiberglassexterior, available with polycarbonateshatter-proof shield. Lots of options forkids.Zeus HelmetsFounded in Taiwan to manufacture cool,comfortable helmets that meet worldwidesafety standards. Basic models featurethermo-injected shells constructed fromlightweight ABS composite with interiorslined with moisture-absorbant brushednylon. Shops selling authentic Zeushelmets are located on Pham Hong Thainear Ben Thanh Market.REAL ESTATEAva Residence40/10 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien,D2 Tel: 6281 8440www.avaresidence.comModern serviced apartments located5 minutes from the British InternationalSchool and Australian InternationalSchool. Affords a great view over theSaigon River. Many facilities availableincluding a swimming pool, Jacuzzi andgym.CB Richard EllisMe Linh Point Tower, 2 Ngo Duc Ke, D1Tel: 3824 6125www.cbre.comInternational property consultants anddevelopers with both commercial andprivate properties for sale, lease and rent.Diamond Plaza34 Le Duan StreetTel: 3822 1922lntdung@diamondplaza.com.vnLocated in the heart of District 1, connectedto Diamond PLaza. Services1- to 4-bedroom apartments with gym,swimming pool and panoramic views ofthe city.EasySaigon.comwww.easysaigon.comReal estate website helps expats findapartments in HCMC.InterContinental Asiana SaigonResidencesCorner of Hai Ba Trung & Nguyen Du,D1 Tel: 3520 8888saigon@interconti.comwww.intercontinental.com/saigonresContemporary residential space in theheart of the major business and culturalarea in District 1. There are 260 one, twoor three-bedroom units plus health cluband outdoor swimming pool.Namhouse Corporation24 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, D2Tel: 0989 007 700, 0989 115 511www.namhouse.com.vnProvides rental properties, constructionservices and interior decorating. Supportsprofessional services and after-sales.Thao Dien Village195 Nguyen Van Huong, D2Tel. 3744 2222A riverside complex of international-standardhospitality and F&B outlets with aboutique hotel, four restaurants featuringItalian, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamesecuisine, an event house, meeting roomsand a day spa with well-equippedhealth-club.The NestTel: 090 319 8901 (Laurence)Tel: 090 793 3000 (Thuong)laurence@thenest-vietnam.comthuong@thenest-vietnam.comwww.thenest-vietnam.comReal estate agent maintains a well-organizedand frequently updated websitelisting apartments, villas, townhousescondos and offices. Renters/buyers canreceive regular updates via email.Platinum1Star Building, 33 Mac Dinh Chi, D1Tel: 3911 8193www.platinum1corp.comYour one-stop agency for housing andoffice space in the city with pre-viewingselection before the visit and full supportthroughout your lease.Riverside Apartments53 Vo Truong Toan, D2Tel: 3744 4111www.riverside-apartments.comOne of the first luxury serviced apartmentsin town located next to the SaigonRiver set in lush tropical gardens.Saigon PropertiesGround floor, 15-1A Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 3823 7502 or 0903 946 517www.saigonproperties.comReal estate company with 15 years ofexperience. Provides various servicesincluding leasing and sales, propertymanagement, interior design and specializesin investment properties.Saigon Village523 To Hien Thanh, D10Tel: 3865 7249www.saigonvillage.vnn.vnFully furnished villas and apartments ina tranquil, leafy complex cordonned offfrom the pressures of HCMC.Savills Viet NamLevel 18, Fideco Tower, 81-85 HamNghi, D1 Tel: 823 9205www.savills.com.vnSavills Viet Nam is a property serviceprovider that has been established inVietnam since 1995 offering research,advisory services, residential sales, commercialleasing, asset management, retailadvisory, valuation, investment advisoryand more.Sherwood Residence127 Pasteur St., D3Tel: 3823 2288Fax: 3823 9880Hotline: 0917470058leasing@sherwoodresidence.comwww.sherwoodresidence.comSherwood Residence is a luxury servicedapartment property and the first propertycertified by the Vietnam National Administrationof Tourism. Modern living spacesmeet prime location, comfort and classwith 5-star facilities and service.SnapTel: 0989 816 676www.snap.com.vnOnline Real Estate service providing informationon rental properties exclusively inDistrict 2. Full listings online.RECRUITMENTFirst Alliances#609, Saigon Trade Center37 Ton Duc Thang, D1Tel: 3910 2080 Fax: 3910 2079www.firstalliances.netcv@firstalliances.netAs Vietnam’s most established recruitmentconsultancy, First Alliances operatesacross all major industry sectors and atall levels of seniority. Also providing HRoutsourcing solutions for staffing andpayroll,overseas employment and educationservices.HR2B / Talent Recruitment JSCThien Son Building, 5 Nguyen Gia Thieu,D3 Tel: 3930 8800www.hr2b.comHR consulting advises businesses onhow to improve employee productivity.The search team specializes in matchingsenior level Vietnamese professionals andmanagers to top level opportunities inboth major cities.Mekong Emerald Talent Recruitment68 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1Tel: 0938 001 509www.mekongem.comOffers comprehensive manpower servicesincluding executive search and selection,employment outsourcing and HR managementin a wide variety of industries.Navigos Group130 Suong Nguyet Anh, D1Tel: 3825 5000www.navigosgroup.comRecruitment agency offering a completeportfolio of HR services includingexecutive search, HR advisory, training,online recruitment, and print recruitmentadvertising.Opus Vietnam2A Rolanno Offices, 128 Nguyen PhiKhanh, D1 Tel: 3827 8209www.opusasia.netEstablished in HCMC in 2005, Opus serviceslocal and multinational companiesseeking to recruit high quality personnel.An Associate of Horton International, oneof the world’s leading search groups withover 30 offices worldwide. For more infocontact info@opusasia.net.TMF VietnamSaigon Trade Center, Unit 2811, 37 TonDuc Thang, D1 Tel: 3910 9229 / 9222hang.bui@tmf-group.comwww.tmf-group.comWith more than 3,300 professionalsworking out of 86 offices in 65 countries,TMF provides independent accountingand corporate secretarial services tocompanies worldwide.Vietnamworks.com130 Suong Nguyet Anh, D1Tel: 5404 1373www.vietnamworks.comExcellent section on advice for jobseekersfocusing on topics such as resumewriting, cover letters, interview techniqueand more.RELOCATION AGENTSAllied PickfordsSatra Building, Room 202, 58 DongKhoi, D1 Tel: 0122 5141 848aurelien.jouve@alliedpickfords.com.vnhttp://vn.alliedpickfords.comMoving and relocating services companyspecializing in business and office moves.Overseas and specialist movers alsoavailable.Asian Tigers Transpo InternationalRoom 201 and 202, 216 Nguyen ThiMinh Khai, D3 Tel: 3930 9484Tel: 3945 0891matt.king@asiantigers-vietnam.comwww.asiantigersgroup.comInternational moving agency, homesearch,orientation, settling in programsand work permit assistance.Crown Worldwide Movers48A Huynh Man Dat, Binh ThanhTel: 3823 4127www.crownrelo.comInternational moving company servingdiplomats and private customers, employeesand expats, providing domesticand iternational transportation of household,office and industrial goods.UTS Saigon Van Intl’ RelocationsHUD Buillding, Unit 1303, 159 Dien BienPhu, Binh Thanh Tel: 3840 3629www.saigonvan.comFull service relocating agency with warehousing,handyman, insurance & claim,orientation an partner career supportservices also availble.JVK International MoversSaigon Port Building, 3 Nguyen TatThanh, D4 Tel: 3826 7655/6chris.honour@jvkasia.comwww.jvk.comInternational agengy with a full range ofservices including sea/air freight servicesand worldwide transit coverage.Mekong Emerald (MEK) Relocation68 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1Tel: 09800 1509www.mekongem.comFull range of services including pet move/care, car rental, pre-move consultation,cross-cultural training and visa/immigrationsupport.Resident Vietnam187/9/1 Bach Dang Street, Tan BinhTel: 3848 8443 / 3848 8285www.residentvietnam.comSpecializes in immigration management,destination services and cross-culturaltraining and car leasing assistance.Santa Fe Relocation ServicesThien Son Building, 5 Nguyen GiaThieu, D3 Tel: 3933 0065www.santaferelo.comProvides a range of services includinghome/school search, language/culturaltraining, tenancy management and immigration/visasupport.UniGroup Worldwide UTS Vietnam440/26A Tran Hung Dao, D5Tel: 3836 3002www.unigroupworldwide.comGlobal mobility company offering internationalcorporate relocations, settling-inassistance and cross-cultural training.STATIONERYCustom Signage StreetLe Lai, D1 between Truong Dinh andNguyen Thai HocOffers custom-designed signs and customengraving on trophies and plaquesmade of plastic, wood, metal and glass.Fahasa40 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3822 5796Bookstore chain carries an expansivestock of office and home stationary; aone-stop shop for basic needs.Pi-Channel45B Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3822 0253www.pi-channel.comBoutique shop carries up-market collectionsof pens and notepads, as well asdesktop organisers, clocks, calendarsand frames. Corporate services offered.Stationary and Printing StreetLy Thai To Street, D3 starting at DienBien Phu and running southeastMore than 25 stores providing photocopyingservices, from business cards toflyers and colour prints to invitations.Established since 2001Design, Interior/External Decorations of High Quality Wood ProductsManufacturing for Export, Construction Projects, Retails,...Copy-Antique Productions, Modern Designs and Made to order11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Ward 19, Binh Thanh Dist, HCMCWebsite: www.estheticfurnishing.com - Email: esthetic@vnn.vnMore than 10 years experienceDevoted premium services/after sales services, every time, every whereIT SERVICESTel: (84 8) 3514 7371/7372 - Fax: (84 8) 3514 7370 - Hotline: Ms Nhat Thu (Director) 0903 849 23286 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 87

people matterAre We Ever ‘Off Duty’?By Gary WoollacottLast month I talked aboutan ex-colleague who hadbeen discovered behavinginappropriately on companyemail (and on company time).Subsequently it becameclear that he had also beendiverting the company’s intellectualproperty to his privateemail—an unethical (and inmany countries, an illegal)act. This month I’m going todiscuss appropriate personalbehaviour after hours: whatis acceptable and what isn’t?Are we ever really ‘off duty’?As the public faces ofour employers, we have aresponsibility to maintain ourcomposure and dignity atwork and when representingour companies outside. Butwhen does that responsibilityend? When you finish work?At midnight? Or does it endat all? Are we constantly ondisplay and having to live upto super-high standards?What happened to our privatelives and having fun—perhapsdrinking alcohol or whateverrocks your boat—and notworrying about who sees it?Ever the pragmatist, I wouldsay that it depends on whereyou are, who you are with andexactly what you are doing.Consider the ramifications ofyour behaviour. At a privateparty at home with closefriends go ahead and do whatyou like. But think carefullybefore taking pictures andposting them on a socialmedia site; those pictureshave a nasty habit of comingback to embarrass us, andemployers DO look at websites.Out in public, take stockof your surroundings and actaccordingly. Besides, no onelikes to meet someone who isdrunk at a business networkingevent.A salutary lesson I canrelate concerns a lady whois known to enjoy a drinkand whose boss has beencalled late at night on severaloccasions to retrieve her fromvarious unsavoury situations.More than once she spentthe night in hospital andwas unable to work the nextday. This person has a greatjob and is respected in thecommunity, but her privatebehaviour is totally in conflictwith that. Sadly for her, sheis unlikely to be keeping herjob much longer; the risk forher manager is just too highand he told me that each timethe phone rings at night hewonders if she is in troubleagain. He doesn't need thatkind of worry.As usual, let me know ifyou have any particular topicyou would like to see coveredhere.Gary Woollacott is the ChiefRepresentative for Opus ExecutiveSearch in Vietnam andThailand. He can be reachedat +84 8 3827 8209 or gary@opusasia.net. Opus is anassociate of Horton International.listingsfashionACCESSORIESAccessorize48 Dong Du, D1, Tel: 3822 1081Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorizeFashion-forward accessories includingnecklaces, handbags, wallets, flip-flops,sunglasses, hair accessories, belts andmore.Alfred DunhillDiamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1A timeless style in male luxury providingformal and casual mens accesoriestailored for the discerning man. Alsostocking handcrafted leather goods.Anupa Boutique17/27 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 38257307anupaboutiquevietnam@anupa.netThe ever-changing boutique retails inthe elegant design of anupa accessoriesmade from high-quality leather. Collectionsavailable range from men, women,executive, travel, spa, yoga, boardgames, boxes and semi-precious stonejewellery. Collection changes on weeklybasis. Also carries childrens wear, toys,furniture and homewares.BallyRex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1www.experience.bally.comFlagship store in the Rex Hotel providingluxury Italian-made accessories for men.Among these are shoes, belts, walletsand a collection of male jewellery.Banana128 Ly Tu Trong, D1Women’s accessories and more, frombags, clutches and belts to clothes andjewellery, all at reasonable prices.CartierDiamond Plaza, 34 Le DuanThis well-known designer brand displaysa wide range of accessories for men.Famous for its watches, Cartier alsostocks pens, key rings, belts andsunglasses.Cincinati177P Dong Khoi, D1www.cincinati.vninfo@cincinati.vnVietnamese brand of genuine leatherbags, shoes, accessories and personalgoods for men and women such asnotebooks for a classic vagabond look.Quality leather from crocodile, horse,snake and fish made with excellent localcraftsmanship.Cleo-Pearls30 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2Tel: 091 3587 690Jewellery designer Birgit Maier operatesCleo-Pearls from her home, specializingin necklaces, bracelets, earrings, keyholders and bag accessories. All piecescreated with gemstones, fresh waterpearls and beads.Coconut100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1Bags of all shapes and sizes rule theroost in this small shop. Made of silk andembroidered to the brim, these uniquebags start at about USD $30, and manyare suitable for both day and night.Creation105 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 5429A two-storey shop selling scarves,intricate handbags (from USD $30),tailor-made silk dresses and tops. Hasa wide range of materials on the secondfloor. Prices start from $65 for an ao daiwith simple embroidery.Deanh JewelleryEden Mall, 106 Nguyen Hue, D1Tel: 3827 6039Gorgeous selection of gold accessoriesimported from Turkey and Italy. Also hasa selection of simple ring designs to setyour precious stones in.Gallery vivekkevinFAFILM Building, 6 Thai Van Lung, D1Tel: 6291 3709info@vivekkevin.comwww.galeryvivekkevin.comHandcrafted pendants, necklaces, ringsand bracelets. The gallery’s focus is ondesign, craftsmanship and finish, as wellas educating clients on the intricacies ofeach piece.Gucci88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 6688Located on the main shopping street inHCMC, this flagship store brings Florentinefashion to an array of luxury leathergoods such as briefcases, luggage anda selection of men’s shoes for office ormore casual occasions.Ipa-Nima85 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 3652New World Hotel, 76 Le LaiWell-known Hanoi-based fashion brand.Founder Christina Yu is a former lawyerturned designer who produces eclecticand eye-catching handbags. Alsostocks costume jewellery and shoes.J. Silver803 Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7Tel: 5411 1188Make a statement without being ostentatiouswith handcrafted silver jewelleryfrom the boutique store. Expect big,interesting pieces that are simple yetglamorous.Laura V Signature11 Dong Du, D1Tel: 7304 4126www.laurav.netVintage designs aplenty with everythingfrom jewellery and hair accessories tofunky styled sunglasses, umbrellas andcolourful maxi dresses.Lovely Lien Jewellery20 Le Loi, D1A small and unassuming jewellery storewith beautiful and reasonably-pricednecklaces, bracelets and earrings. Youcan also bring your own precious stonesor ask the designers to make somethingunique for you.Louis VuittonOpera View, corner of Dong Khoi andLe Loi Tel: 3827 6318Designer brand name housing traditionalcraftsmanship of luxury leather goodsfor men and women. An array of bags,wallets, cuff links and watches areavailable.Mai O Mai4C Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 4007A superb little place with beautiful jewelleryand accessories to suit all budgets.Silver necklaces, bracelets, rings andmore in both classic and imaginativedesigns, as well as gorgeous handembroideredbags.Mont BlancDiamond Plaza, 34 Le DuanNotable for fine writing instruments,Mont Blanc also houses cuff links andother male accessoriesScorpionVincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le ThanhTon, D1 Tel: 3993 9889www.scorpionbag.comSelling high-end leather products forboth men and women, including shoes,handbags, belts and other accessories.Features a variety of leather in brightcolors and styles.Tic Tac Watch Shop72 Dong Khoi Tel: 0838 293519www.tictacwatch.comElegant show room displaying someof the world’s most recognized Swissbrands such as Rolex, Tag Huer, Baume& Marcer, Omega and Hirsch. On-sitewatch repair service and complementarywatch evaluation available. Alsocarries a small collection of vintageRolexes.Tombo145 Dong Khoi, D1Of all the embroidered and sequinedbags, shoes and tidbits (or “Zakka”shops) that can be found in Dong Khoi,this shop’s has products that are prettierthan most. Shoes can be custom-madeand the sales staff is friendly.TumiRex Hotel, 151 Nguyen Huewww.intl.tumi.comTumi houses an opulent selection ofItalian-made luggage geared towardsmen. Briefcases, messenger bags andbackpacks are among those on display.Umbrella35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1Tel: 6276 2730www.umbrella-fashion.comSophisticated boutique showcasinga diverse range of imported women’saccessories. Also houses women’s garmentsfrom office wear to cocktail andparty creations.Luggage StreetLe Lai Street, D1 between Ben ThanhMarket and Truong Dinh.Duffle bags, backpacks, messengerbags and carry-on suitcases are allavailable on this stretch of District 1.ACTIVE WEARChina Beach Surf ClubDiamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Stocks famous surf and surf-inspiredbrands like Reef, Rip Curl and men’swear from Volcom. It has everythingyou’d need for a visit to the beach andmore. There are string bikinis, tees,board shorts, caps and thongs, just toname a few.PinkoRex Hotel, 146-148-150 Pasteur, D1Tel: 3827 2240Spacious and simple store displayingwomen’s sportswear imported fromHong Kong and China. Body lotion andperfume imported from America.Roxy and QuiksilverParkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton,D1The original active living and extremesports brands, Roxy and Quiksilverproducts combine form and function.Choose from outdoor gear to coolindoor clothes.TBS Sports Centre102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanThis store stocks a range of goodsports clothes and equipment from bigname brands such as Puma, Adidas,Ecco, Nike and Converse.VolcomDiamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brandfrom America. Lots of tank tops, minisand shorts for day tripping with girlfriendsor lazing on the beach.READY TO WEARunisex2bling246 Huynh Van Banh, Phu NhuanSpecializes in urban streetwear, witha range of t-shirts, sneakers, baseballcaps, hoodies and more. Tees areboth imported from around Asia anddesigned in-house.BAM Skate Shop174 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 0903 641 826In addition to a range of decks, wheelsand trucks, this small shop is stockedwith bookbags, skate sneakers, trackjackets and t-shirts emblazoned withyour skateboard company of choice.Bo Sua Local StreetwearVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Tel: 3993 9599www.bosua.vnAn offshoot of the Boo street-style skaterfashion brand made popular in Hanoi,this brand translated as “Cow Milk”features fun colourful t-shirts, women’scasual wear and sneakers that celebratethe quirky street life of Vietnam.“ello263 Huynh Van Banh, Phu NhuanThis tiny little shop on Phu Nhuan’shipster fashion strip is stocked withsome of the coolest trend items inHCMC. Carries a frequently refreshedselection of T-shirts, skinny pants andwomen’s tops.FCUK127 Le Thanh Ton, D1Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Tel: 3914 7740www.frenchconnection.comTrendy UK brand with a selection offashion-forward dresses for women andsmart workwear and funky casual wearfor men, all at middle-market prices.Hagattini1A Pham Ngoc Thach, D1Tel: 2244 8105www.hagattini.comVietnamese brand housing clothing forall occasions. Normal to office wear,casual to party outfits using materialsimported from Hong Kong and designedand made in Vietnam.Konheo32 Dinh Tien Hoang, Binh ThanhTel: 6653 4187info@konheo.comwww.konheo.comFounded and run by a group of local Vietnameseguys, this T-shirt store flauntssimple-cut T-shirts with playful printsand humorous printed texts. Also doescustom made t-shirts for 160,000 VND.Levi’s Flagship Store19–21 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3500 1501The 320-square-metre retail spacespread over three levels offers the city’slargest and most exclusive collection ofLevi’s bottoms, tops and accessories.L’Usine151/1 Dong Khoi, D1Lifestyle store and cafe housed in aperiod building restored to evoke theaesthetic of an early 20th-centurygarment factory. Carries an exclusive,frequently refreshed line of importedmen’s and women’s fashion, includingT-shirts and footwear, and a range ofunique accessories. Entrance via thestreet-level Art Arcade.Lu.Xu.Bu320 Huynh Van Banh, Phu NhuanWell known among the HCMC hipsterati,88 asialife HCMC

this trendy shop is mostly given overto T-shirts (many by young, Bangkokbaseddesigners), but also carriesjeans, button shirts and more.Miss Sixty & Energie13 Ngo Duc Ke, D1Local outlet of the Miss Sixty brandhugely favoured by Hollywood’s youngstarlets. Also stocks clothes from itsmen’s label, Energie.Orange238 Pasteur, D3Funky little boutique carries uniqueaccessory pieces a good selection ofT-shirts with quirky, unique graphics forvery reasonable prices. A smaller outpostis located at the corner of Pasteurand Le Thanh Ton in District 1.Rok Factory382 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuanwww.rokexchange.comSmall shop founded by local artist/photographer carries streetwear for therock-oriented lifestyle, including T-shirts,hoodies, socks and accessories.ReplayVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1116 Nguyen Trai, D1187 Hai Ba Trung, D3Tel: 3925 0252Wide variety of shoes, clothing, denimfor teens and university-age men andwomen. Carries boots, sandals, pumpsand sneakers at mid-range prices.RunwayVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Tel: 3993 9988runway.sg@global-fashion.vnMassive and minimalist design-ledinterior lets ultra high-end designergarments stand out. Carries men's,women's and children’s clothing,swimwear, shoes, accessories alongwith home décor. Brands include Chloe,Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Sergio Rossiand Eres.See By Harajuku130 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3Tel: 090 986 8622Small, friendly store stocking both men’sand women’s streetwear, channellingJapanese and Korean fashion trends.Bright and funky T-shirts and maxidresses, as well as accessories andfootwear. New stock every month.Versace26 Dong KhoiDesigner brand in men’s formal wear.Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirtsas well as an array of men’s accessories.Also stocks womens clothingand shoes.VOVSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1403 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuanwww.vovietchung.comRetail base for Vo Viet Chung, one ofVietnam’s best-known designers. VOVis known for blending traditional formwith contemporary cuts, colours andtextures.menLucas69A Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3827 9670Fashion store housing contemporarydesigns in casual, office and eveningwear imported from Hong Kong.Massimo Ferrari42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3Tel: 3930 6212Bespoke menswear shop also boasts itsown brand of contemporary preppy attiretailored for the tropics. Carries a lineof European-quality shoes, bags andaccessories designed in-house, as wellas exclusive Orobianco unisex bags,designer fragrances and eyewear.Mattre19 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 3412This local men’s clothes shop has somefunky tops and jeans for more fashionforwardmales. Apparel in sizes that fitthe typical Western man’s frame areoften available. Another store is locatedon Hai Ba Trung and Ly Tu TrongMilanoSheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoiwww.milanogoods.comA conjoining shop with D&G offering aselection of men’s shoes and accessorieswith a sideline in women’s clothing.D&G provides a collection of menswear,from casual jeans and T-shirts touniquely designed suit jackets.Mizada150 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3822 2508mizada07@yahoo.comAn A-to-Z collection of men’s clothingwith an influx of new fashion arriving onthe racks regularly. Carries smart, casualshirts, trousers, jeans and jackets, aswell as bags and scarves.New Urban Male226 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 4416www.newurbanmale.comCaters to a wide range of consumertastes from beach duds to streetwear.The goods include international men’sbrands such as Havaianas, C-IN2,Jabs Waterboys, Rebel Jeans andaussieBum. Also carries men’s groomingproducts.TimberlandParkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1Sells everything the brand is knownfor, from heavy-duty boots to tops andtrousers that are both smart and casual.The emphasis is on muted tones andunobtrusive logos for men who don’t liketo show off.womenAxaraVincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le ThanhTon, D1Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D121 Nguyen Trai, D1Tel: 3993 9399www.axara.comCarries women’s clothing suitable forwork, weekends or evening. Luxuriousfabrics and simple cuts and styles all atreasonable prices. Also carries handbagsand accessories.BalenciagaRex Hotel, 155 Nguyen HueTel: 6291 3572Sporting modern shapes and elegantitems crafted from natural, raw andartificial materials.BCBGMAXAZRIAVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1American brand sells women’s daydresses and tops, evening gowns andwear-to-work attire in many prints andcolours. Also carries a small selection ofaccessories, sunglasses and watches.BebeSaigon Center, 65 Le Loi, D1Tel: 3914 4011www.bebe.comAn international brand that specializesin contemporary, modern tees and sexy,elegant dresse, tops and party attire.Bon Mua BoutiqueVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Tel: 3993 9888www.itamoda.com.vnLuxury women’s clothing store withracks organized by designer. Carriessmall collection of unique pieces fromdesigners such as Jean Paul Gaultier,Alberta Ferretti, Blumarine, Valentino,Philosophy and Brunello Cucinelli.CaroZen Plaza, 54-56 Nguyen Trai, D1Local designs and tailoring of eleganttops and dresses with a distinctlyEastern influence. Provides a range ofattire for both the office and a night out.The friendly staff is eager to help find anoutfit for any occassion.ChloeRex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue, D1Tel: 6291 3582Parisian-influenced fashion housespecializes in simple, traditional designswith a feminine and fashionable twist.Jeans, satin dresses and a wide arrayof accessories are on display.ContrabandParkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton,D1Ready-to-wear brand for hip, modernwomen. Range includes office wear toevening wear. The collection is updatedeach month with new internationaltrends.Dieu ThanhVincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851www.dieuthanh.comExperienced tailor shop also carries itsown line of clothing. Once specializedin swimwear and cotton clothing buthas expanded to sell business suits,evening dresses, luxury fabrics andaccessories.ER-Couture Boutique43 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3744 2411www.er-couture.comerolskov@er-couture.comExclusive Scandinavian brand offeringdesigner garments. Versatile fashion forwomen in European sizes 34-44. Eachstyle is released in limited quantities andcan be tailored to individual taste.Esprit58 Dong Khoi, D1Outpost for the international brand ofcolourful, preppy men’s and women’scasual wear.Etam188 Hai Ba Trung, D1Famous all over the world for theirFrench style. There’s a large range ofshirts, T-shirts, dresses and more. Alsoavailable in Zen Plaza and DiamondPlaza.Gaya1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1 Tel: 39251495Carries a range of couture and pret-aportergarments and silk and organzadresses in vibrant colours created byCambodia-based designer RomydaKeth.Geisha Boutique43 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 8272enquiry@geishaclothing.comFacebook: Geisha BoutiqueAustralian fashion label offering acontemporary range of casual andevening wear with an Asian influence.Printed tees, singlets, shorts, skirts,jeans, summer scarves, dresses, silkcamisoles and satin maxi dresses.Tracey Kociuruba Fashion Gallery2nd floor, 43 Ton That Thiep, D1Australian designer Tracey Kociurubacreates intricately embellished statementpieces in her Easten-Europeaninspired shop slash studio.Kiwi74/1 Hai Ba Trung Tel: 3822 1191Small and intimate shop with a moderncollection of fashion items gearedtowards the young and active urbanfemale. The showroom has a widecollection, from casual clothing to officewear.KookaiSaigon Centre, 65 Le LoiFrench brand stocking classic,feminine, styles with a twist. Gypsy daydresses and classic little black dressesat mid- to high-range prices are perfectfor twenty- and thirty-somethingwomen.La Senza47B–47C Nguyen Trai, D1Tel: 3925 170065 Le Loi, Saigon Centre, D1Tel: 3914 4328www.lasenza.comBoutique carrying a wide range of bras,panties, pyjamas, accessories andlounge wear.Labella85-87 Pasteur, D1This three-storey shop will take careof all your wardrobe needs: affordableclothes, shoes, bags and lingerie, allwell made and fashionable.Le Samedi21 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 5013Boutique retailing in clothes importedmainly from Italy and France, fromcocktail dresses to chiffon skirts.Lulu Lacywww.lululacy.comBoutique label featuring retro designs inhigh-quality fabrics. Website frequentlyrefreshed with latest offerings, includingmaxi-dresses, tailored blouses andshorts. Shop online or request a partyat your house.Mai Lam132-134 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 38272733www.mailam.com.vnBoutique store housing an eclectic mixof vintage designer clothes and accessoriesmade in Vietnam. Specializing inhand-sewn, multi-dimensional embroidery,the re-design of the traditional aodai and an army vintage collection.Mango96 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 6624Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1A favourite with fashion-consciouswomen, this mid-range store stocksclothes from simple tees and jeans toevening wear.Marc JacobsRex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue , D1Tel: 6291 3580This spacious shop with high-ceilingscarries up-market clothes, shoes andaccessories from the internationallyrecognized designer brand.Minh Hanh24 Dong Khoi, D1 and 114B NguyenHue Tel: 3824 5774www.mhminhhanh.comHand- and machine-embroideredfashion made from natural fabrics andmaterials wed traditional Vietnameseelements with modern trends. Localcelebrities frequent this shop.Muse BoutiqueSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Boutique store carries well-knowninternational brands like Miss Sixty,BCBG, Rock Republic, True Religion,Tbags and Killah.Nang Boutique181 Dong Khoi, Room 209, D1iheartnang@gmail.comHouses an assortment of mix-andmatchskirts, floral dresses, chiffonlace-trimmed gowns and accessories,Mekong Creations specialises in unique locally produced household and gift items,including papier mache, silk, bamboo, and water hyacinth products. Mekong Creationsalso produces items for luxury French brand Terre d’Oc and has permission to sell thesedesigns locally.Mekong Creations is a project of parent NGO Mekong Plus, that supports communitydevelopment programmes in remote villiages in Vietnam and Cambodia.The key objective is to generate employment for women. All profitsfrom products sold are returned to the villages. Mekong Creationsfocus is to provide rewarding employment, increase familyincomes and improve conditions for children in these remotecommunities.Our producers are trained in production techniques for theirfield and supported in design and marketing by Mekong Plus.All products are made in the villages allowing more time to bespent with families.asialife HCMC 91

Pick up the latest issue ofWORLD WIDEwww.asialifehcmc.comOver 2,500 downloads a monthAl Fresco’sAu ParcBernie’s Bar & GrillBlack CatBoat HouseBoomarang BistroJuiceKim HaiKita CoffeeLatin CaféLe PubL’usineMekong MerchantHO CHI MINH CITYIlly CafeLa RestaurantRainbow DiversSailing clubJoe’s The Art CafePrincess D’AnnamHANOINHA TRANGPHAN THIETMogamboPacharanPhattysRefinerySandalsSheridan’sThe CoffeeBean & Tea LeafThe DeckThe TavernTourist InformationCenterZanZBarLe PubR&R TavernZeno DesignsSailing ClubSankarasuch as hats, shoes, bags, scarves andjewellery.Ngan23 Ly Tu Trong, D1The Ngan collection includes highqualityevening gowns and swimwearmade locally. Also stocks a new line ofmen’s casual wear.Nino Max189B Hai Ba Trung, D1A local popular brand of active-casualweart-shirts, jeans and khakis. Localpricing. You can also find their otheroutlets in Zen Plaza and DiamondPlaza.Peacock35 Ton That Thiep Tel: 3829 7045Moulin Rouge-themed boutique housingan interesting selection of women’sclothes designed and produced inVietnam, including dresses, shirts andt-shirts, as well as jewellery.Rana AbodeelyVilla Anupa, 17/27 Le Thanh Ton,District 1, Tel:3825 7307Luxury resort wear in soft, femininestyles. Made with 100% Vietnamesesilk with signature glass bead detailing.Comfort, ease and elegance are themain forms of the collection.Shae101-103 Nguyen Trai, D1www.shaeny.comNew York brand housing streetwearsuch as cardigans, dresses, shorts andaccessories.Signature Boutique154 Dong Khoi, D1Houses some of the world’s most recognizedluxury fashion brands: RobertoCavalli, Versace, D&G and Missoni.SongSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D176D Le Thanh TonOffers women’s fashion designs byValerie Gregori McKenzie, includingevening dress, tops and hats.Tracey Kociuruba Fashion Gallery43 Ton That Thiep in District 1, 2nd fl.Tel: 3915 3242www.traceykociuruba,comEastern European-inspired fashionboutique with eclectic yet elegantdesigns with intricate hand-spun details—50s-stylejumpsuits with bustiernecklines, silk kaftans and high-waistedshorts and skirts.ValencianiSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Tel: 3821 278866-68 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 73024688valenciani.sg@gmail.comwww.valenciani.comHomegrown luxury boutique carriessilk dresses, velvet corsets, chiffonshawls and a range of accessories, alldesigned in-house.CHILDRENBe Happier181 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan DistA small outlet providing children’sclothes from 1 to 6 years old, usingonly cotton. Mid to high-range pricesfor quality apparel.Children Planet90 Vo Thi Sau, D1Mid to high-range prices for qualityapparel, imported material from Singapore.Offering from the age of 5 to 14years old boys and girls.Dabs Kids Fashion222 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3A good selection of both casual andformal clothing for kids aged five to ten.Party dresses, simple T-shirts, trousersand more are all good quality and veryreasonably priced. Backpacks andother accessories are also on sale.DLS Paris17/5 Le Thanh Ton, D1Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton,D1Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1A superb range of unique and beautifulclothing for young children (fromnewborns to pre-school age) at highto mid-range prices. The quality compensatesfor the price. Bedding, babyequipment and furniture and organicand natural supplies also kept in stock.Kiko262 Hai Ba Trung, D1Wide range of Japanese importedelastic cotton for children, newborns to14 years old. Kiko also has an outlet onthe second floor of Parkson Plaza.La Maison226 Nguyen Van Huong, D2On the second floor of this upscalefurniture store is a lovely range of prettydresses and other cotton apparel forkids, from babies to pre-school age.Prices are reasonable.Little Anh – Em41 Thao Dien, D2A French brand made in Vietnam offeringa wide selection of colourful, simplypackaged and thoughtfully collated“sets” of garments for girls and boysfrom newborn to 10 years old. Lifestylepieces also available include sleepingbags, bedroom accessories and bags.Ninh Khuong44 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 745683 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 9079220 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3920 3224222 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3Tel: 3930 9183www.ninhkhuong.vnWell-known hand-embroidered children’sclothing brand using 100% cotton.Newborn to 10 years old (girl) andfourteen years old (boy). Also stockinghome linens. Prices are reasonable.Peekaboo173 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3612 8329263 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D1Locally designed apparel for girls, ages1 to 10. Materials include cotton, wooland satin. High to mid-range prices.REVEVilla Anupa, 17/27 Le Thanh Ton,District 1, Tel: 3825 7307High-end cashmere, lace, and cottonclothes designed by a French mother/daughter team. All pieces are handmadeand tailored for infants to kids 2years of age.Small is Beautiful227 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 38 23 87 54contact@smallisb.comwww.smallisb.comThis newly opened boutique aims to bethe chic shop for kids in the city. Thereis a selection of brand name clothing,accessories and creative toys. Clothingcomes from international designerssuch as Baby Dior, Sonia Rykiel andDKNY.Tuti BellaVincom Center, 70 - 72 Le Thanh Ton,District 175 Mac Thi Buoi, D149A Nguyen Trai, D1Tel: 3993 9088www.tutibella.netSelf-described as a “chic and trendychildren boutique.” Carries high-endcausal clothes, formal wear, shoes andaccessories for ages 1 to 12 years.SHOESAldo157 Dong Khoi, D1Offering a wide selection of affordablefootwear from mid- to high-range prices.Carries office-appropriate and partyreadyheels and flats, as well as a rangeof accessories and bags.Catwalk80 Pham Hong ThaiTel: 3829 6819www.catwalkshoes.comCarries a unique range of Spanish shoesand bags.Charles & Keith10 Mac Thi Buoi, 18-20 Nguyen TraiTel: 3925 1132Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1www.charleskeith.comSingapore brand housing youthful andtrendy shoes of a contemporary, highfashion design.Converse186 Hai Ba Trung, D1148 Nguyen Trai, D1122 Ba Thang Hai, D10Tel: 3827 5584www.converse.com.vnSells iconic Chuck Taylor, Jack Purcelland All-Star sneakers and Conversebrand clothing and accessories. Also atdepartment stores around HCMC.Dr. Marten’s173 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3822 4710Air Wair sandals and shoes here featurethe classic yellow stitching and chunkyrubber soles. Also stocked with clothesand accessories by Replay and Kappatracksuit tops.Footwear StreetHo Xuan Huong Street, D3 betweenCach Mang Thang Tam and Ba HuyenThanh QuanLe Thi Hong Gam in D1 between PhoDuc Chinh and CalmetteSelection ranges from leather loafersto plastic thongs and everything inbetween.Nine WestSaigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Stocks an extensive range of designerfootwear for women. Handpicked bya global community of independenttrendsetters and stylists.Sergio Rossi146AB Pasteur, D1Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1World-renowned Italian brand stocks adiverse European-style collection of upmarketshoes and bags made of qualitymaterials, from crocodile and pythonskin laterals to garnishings of Swarovskicrystals and colourful beads.Star Polo97B Nguyen Trai, D1Mix of imported shoes and locallymade footwear crafted from Australianleather for men and women as well asimported ones. Sizes from 38 to 42 formen, and from 34 to 40 for women.TAILORSDieu Thanh140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851www.dieuthanh.comExperienced tailor shop specializes inswimwear and cotton clothing, as wellas business suits, evening dresses,luxury fabrics and accessories.Dzung221 Le Thanh Ton, D1One of the most reliable and respectedmen’s tailors in town with prices andproduction time to reflect the qualityof the workmanship. Shirts start fromUS $30.Fabric StreetHai Ba Trung, D1 across the streetfrom Tan Dinh Market.Spools upon spools of fabric manufaturedlocally and abroad, with morethan ample variety of textures, coloursand materials to choose from.Fair Fahion69/20 Duong D2, Binh ThanhTel: 3899 4198www.fairfashionvn.orgA non-profit retail store offering readyto-wearand custom-made fashion.Dresses and formal gowns for women,suits and shirts for men, made by highlyskilled former sex trade workers trainedto haute couture sewing levels.Massimo Ferrari42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3Tel: 3930 6212Traditional Italian sartorial techniquesare employed to offer a full wardrobingservice and custom tailoring for men.Stocked with imported fabrics primarilyfrom Italy. In-office and workplace fittingsavailable.Thuy Nga Design7 Lam Son Square, D1Conveniently located at the OperaHouse, this local boutique is a one-stopshop for both men and women. Therange includes clothes, men’s andwomen’s accessories and costumejewellery.Uyen13 Nguyen Thiep, D1An excellent option with English-speakingstaff and a good selection of fabrics(although the price takes a dip if youbring your own) and some off-the-rackstaples to copy. Reasonable prices.LINH‘S WHITEPLEASANT LIVING MINIMALISM37 THAO DIEN(OPPOSITE AN PHU SUPERMARKET)67 XUAN THUY - DISTRICT 2PHONE: (84) - 62819863- 62818488E : linhnguyen@hbdecor.com.vn - www.linhfurniture.com92 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 93

The New AlibiFlowWine Tasting @ Black CatKTA @ Sankara MuineAla MezonPhotos by Fred Wissink and Johnny Edbrooke.94 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 95

Street Guide3 Thang 2 D1Alexandre de RhodesC4Ba Huyen Thanh Quan C1, C2, D2, D3Ban CoD1Ben Chuong DuongE4Ben Van DonE4, E5Bui Thi XuanD3Bui VienE3Cach Mang Thang Tam C1, D2, D3CalmetteE4Cao Ba NhaE3Cao ThangD1, D2, E2Chu Manh TrinhC4, C5Co BacE3Co GiangE3De ThamE3Dien Bien Phu B4, C3, C2, D1, D2Dinh Cong TrangB3Dinh Tien HoangB3, B4, C4Do Quang DauE3Do ThanhD1Doan Nhu HaiE5Doan Van BoE4, E5Dong DuD5Dong KhoiC4, D4, D5Hai CuaB5Huynh Tinh CuaB2Huynh Van BanhB1Khanh HoiE4Ky ConB3, C3, C4, D5Hai TrieuC5Ham NghiD4, C5Han ThuyenC4Ho Hao HonE3Ho Huan NghiepD5Ho Tung MauD4, D5Ho Xuan HuongC3, D2Hoa HungB1Hoang DieuE4, E5Hung VuongE1Huyen Tran Cong ChuaD3Huynh Man DatB5Huynh Thuc KhangD4Ky DongC1, C2Le Cong KieuD4Le DuanC4, C5Le Hong PhongD1Le LaiC3, C4, D3Le LoiD4Le Quoc HungE4, E5Le Quy DonC3Le Thanh Ton C4, C5, D3, D4Le Thi Hong Gam D4, E3, E4Le Thi RiengD3Le Van PhucB3Le Van SyC1, C2Luong Huu KhanhD2, E2Luu Van LangD4Ly Chinh ThangB2, C2Ly Thai ToE1Ly Tu Trong C4, C5, D4, D5Mac Dinh ChiB3, C4Mac Thi BuoiD5Mai Thi LuuB4Mai Van NgocB1Me LinhB5Nam Ky Khoi Nghia B2, C2, C3, D4, E4Ngo Duc KeD5Ngo Thoi NhiemC2, D2Ngo Van NamC5Nguyen Binh Khiem B4, B5, C5Nguyen Cong TruE4Nguyen Cu TrinhE2, E3Nguyen Dinh Chieu B4, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3Nguyen Dinh ChinhB1Nguyen DuNguyen Hai TuNguyen HueNguyen Huu CanhNguyen Huu CanhNguyen Huu CauNguyen Khac NhuNguyen KhoaiNguyen Ngoc PhuongNguyen Phi KhanhNguyen SieuNguyen Son HaNguyen Tat ThanhNguyen Thai BinhNguyen Thai HocNguyen Thi DieuNguyen Thien ThuatNguyen ThongNguyen Thuong HienNguyen TraiNguyen Trung NganNguyen Trung TrucNguyen Truong ToNguyen Van CuNguyen Van HaiNguyen Van LacNguyen Van ThuNguyen Van TroiPasteurPham Hong ThaiPham Ngoc ThachPham Ngu LaoPham Viet ChanhPham Viet ChanhPhan Dinh PhungPhan Ke BinhPhan Van HanPho Duc ChinhPhung Khac KhoanSuong Nguyet AnhTan VinhThach Thi ThanhThai Van LungThi SachThu Khoa HuanTon Duc ThangTon That DamTon That ThiepTon That TungTran Binh TrongTran Canh ChanTran Cao VanTran Dinh XuTran Hung DaoTran Khac ChanTran Khanh DuTran Minh QuyenTran Minh QuyenTran Nhan TonTran Nhat DuatTran PhuTran Quang DieuTran Quang KhaiTran Quoc ThaoTran Quoc ToanTran Van DangTruong ChinhTruong DinhTu XuongVinh KhanhVo Thi SauVo Van TanVuon ChuoiXo Viet Nghe TinhYersinC4, D3, D4B4D4, D5B2C5B3E3F3B5B3C5, D5D2E5D4, E4D3, E3, E4D2, D3D1, E1, E2C1, C2, D2D2D3, E2C5D4E4, E5E2B3B5B4, C3, C4B1C2, C3, C4, D4D2, D3C3D3, D4, E3B5E2B2B4B4, B5D4, E4C3, C4D2, D3E4B3C5C5D4C5, D4, D5, E4D4D4D2, D3E1E2C4E2, E3D4, E2, E3B3B2, B3D1C1E1B3E1B1, B2B3, B2C2, C3B2, B3, B2C1, C2C3C2, D3C2, C3, D2E4, E5B3, C2, C3C3, D2, D3D2B4, B5E4AAAirport Airport3km 3kmBBTranTranVan DangVan DangCCTan Binh Tan Binh0.5km 0.5kmHuynh Huynh Van BanhVan BanhDistrict District 11 112km 2kmTran Minh QuyenTran Minh QuyenTran Nhan TonLe Hong PhongSaigonSaigon Train StationTrain StationTran Minh QuyenTran Minh QuyenHoa HungHoa HungLan AnhLan Anh Sports &Sports Leisure & ClubLeisure ClubDien Bien PhuDien Bien Phu11Tran Quang DieuTran Quang DieuLy ThaiLyToThai ToHung VuongHung VuongNguyen Van TroiNguyen Van TroiTh NguyenTh NguyenongongCach Mang Thang TamCach Mang Thang Tam3 Thang 23 Thang 2Ban CoBan CoNguyen Thien ThuatNguyen Thien ThuatTran Binh TrongNg Dinh ChinhNg Dinh ChinhPHU NHUANLe Van SyLe Van SyQuyenQuyenTranTranMinhMinhDISTRICT 10 10DDEETran Nhan TonLe Hong PhongTran Quang DieuTran Binh TrongTran PhuTran PhuDangDangVan VanTranTranDo ThanhCao ThangCao ThangHuyn h Van BanhNguyen Van CuUniversityof NaturalUniversitySciencesof NaturalSciencesVuonChuoiVuon MarketChuoiMarketTeacherTraining TeacherUniversity TrainingUniversityRe-unificationPalace Palace96 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 97An Duong VuongAn Duong VuongKy DongDISTRICT 5 5Tran Quang DieuDo ThanhHuyn h Van BanhKy DongVNg. Thuong. ChuoiLy Chinh T hangHienNguyen TraiNguyen Trai22Phan Dinh PhungPhan Dinh PhungVNguyen Van CuTruong DinhTruong DinhNg. Thuong. ChuoiLy Chinh T hangNam Ky Khoi Nghia Nam Ky Khoi NghiaNam Ky Khoi Nghia Nam Ky Khoi NghiaThai BinhMarketThai BinhMarketWar WarRemnants RemnantsMuseum MuseumCultural Cultural Park ParkCach Mang Thang TamCach Mang Thang TamLe Van TamLe Park Van TamParkVo Thi Sau Vo Thi SauVo Thi Sau Vo Thi SauTu XuongTu XuongHienDien Bien PhuDien Bien PhuNguyen ThongNguyen ThongNguyen Son HaNguyen Son HaNguyen Thi Minh KhaiNguyen Thi Minh KhaiPham Viet ChanhPham Viet ChanhTranTran Khanh Tran Khanh Du DuHuynh Tinh CuaHuynh Tinh CuaBa Huyen Thanh QuanBa Huyen Thanh QuanNguyen Dinh ChieuNguyen Dinh Chieu4th Floor 4th ONG&ONG Floor ONG&ONG Building Building159 Phan 159 Xich Phan Long Xich St Long StWard 7, Ward Phu 7, Nhuan Phu Nhuan District DistrictHo Chi Ho Minh Chi City, Minh Vietnam City, VietnamNgo Thoi NhiemNgo Thoi NhiemLuong Huu KhanhLuong Huu KhanhNguyen TraiN. V. HaiN. V. HaiQuoc ToanTran Quoc ToanTranTran Quoc ThaoTran Quoc ThaoNguyen Thi DieuNguyen Thi DieuSuong Nguyet AnhSuong Nguyet AnhTon That TungTon That TungCong QuynhCong QuynhTran Dinh XuTran Dinh XuRieng RiengLe ThiLe ThiCao Ba NhaNg. Huu CauNguyen TraiNguyen TraiDo Q. DauThach Thi ThanhThach Thi ThanhD. C. TrangD. C. TrangTruong QuyenTruong QuyenLe LaiLe LaiBui VienBui VienNguyen Thai HocNguyen Thai HocDe ThamPham Ngu LaoPham Ngu LaoTran Quang Tran Quang Khai KhaiPham Ngoc ThachPham Ngoc ThachNg Kh NhuNg Kh NhuCo BacCo BacL. V. PhucL. V. PhucVo Van Tan Vo Van TanVo Van Tan Vo Van TanCao ThangCao ThangCu LaoCu LaoTran Nhat DuatHo Xuan HuongHo Xuan HuongDISTRICT 1 1Ngu yen Huu CanhHoa LanHoa LanNguyen Gia ThieuNguyen Gia ThieuBui Thi XuanBui Thi XuanTran Khac ChanHai Ba TrungHai Ba TrungDISTRICT 3 3Nguyen TraiNgu yen Huu CanhQuoc ToanTran Quoc ToanTran Nhat DuatLe Quy DonLe Quy DonNguyen Cu TrinhNguyen Cu TrinhHo H. HonHo H. Hon33Phan Xich Phan Long Xich LongCao Ba NhaTran Khac ChanNg. Huu CauDo Q. DauTruong DinhTruong DinhNg. Phi Ng. Khanh Phi KhanhHuyen Tran Cong ChuaHuyen Tran Cong ChuaCo GiangCo GiangNguyen Van ThuNguyen Van ThuHuanHuanThu KhThu KhPham Pham Hong Hong Thai ThaiDe ThamLy Tu TrongLy Tu TrongTran Hung Dao Tran Hung DaoTran Hung Dao Tran Hung DaoVo Huy Vo Tan Huy TanPasteurPasteurDe ThamDinh Tien HoangDe ThamGia Dinh Gia DinhHospital HospitalDinh Tien HoangHaiTuHaiTuNg NgMac Dinh ChiMac Dinh ChiNguyen Dinh ChieuNguyen Dinh ChieuAlexandre De RhodesAlexandre De RhodesBenThanhBenMarketThanhMarketCentralCentral Post OfficePost OfficeBusStation BusStationNguyen Binh KhiemNguyen Binh KhiemLe LoiLe LoiHoa LuHoa Stadium LuStadiumDinh Tien HoangDinh Tien HoangHai Ba TrungHai Ba TrungTown HallHTVHTV televisiontelevisionLe Duan Le DuanLe Duan Le DuanPasteurPasteurNguyen Trung TrucNguyen Trung TrucNguyen DuNguyen DuNguyen An NinhNguyen An NinhKy ConKy ConLe Thi Hong GamLe Thi Hong GamYersinMai Thi LuuMai Thi LuuPhan Ke BinhPhan Ke BinhTran Cao VanTran Cao VanHan ThuyenHan ThuyenL. V. LangL. V. LangNguyen Thai BinhNguyen Thai Binh44Dong KhoiDong KhoiPho Duc ChinhCalmetteNg. Cong TruNg. Cong TruBINH THANHNguyen DuHoangHoangSaSaHam Ham Nghi NghiXo Viet Nghe TinhXo Viet Nghe TinhLe LoiLe LoiTon Duc ThangTon Duc ThangChu Manh TrinhChu Manh TrinhNguyen HueNguyen HueTon ThTon That Thiepat ThiepT. T. DamLy Tu TrongLy Tu TrongThi SachThi SachLe Quoc HungLe Quoc HungPham Van Pham Han Van HanMacMacNgoNgoZoo & BotanicalZoo & Botanical GardensGardensNguyen Binh KhiemNguyen Binh KhiemThai Van LungThai Van LungNg SieuNg SieuCao Ba QuatCao Ba QuatLe Thanh Ton Le Thanh TonPasteurLe Cong Le Kieu Cong KieuDonDonBen VanBen VanSaSaTruong TruongDISTRICT 1 1YersinPho Duc ChinhCalmetteNguyen DuTown HallHo Tung MauHuynh ThucHuynh ThucKhangKhangVinh KhanhHoang DieuHoang DieuT. T. DamNg. Cong TruNg. Cong TruNg Truong ToNguyenTrung NganNguyenTrung NganLe Thanh Ton Le Thanh TonPasteurVinh KhanhHo Tung MauDong DuDong DuPhan Van DatThi BuoiThi BuoiH.H.NghiepH.H.NghiepDuc KeDuc KeHai TrieuHai TrieuNg Truong ToNgo VNgo VananNamNamTon DucThang MuseumTon DucThang MuseumNguyen Tat ThanhDoan Nhu HaiDoan Nhu HaiDoan Van BoDoan Van BoDISTRICT 4 455Nguyen Cuu VanNguyen Cuu VanPhan Van DatNguyen Ngoc PhuongNguyen Ngoc PhuongHuynh Man DatThu Thiem Thu ThiemFerry Ferry Port Port(for District (for District 2) 2)Huynh Tinh CuaHuynh Tinh CuaSaigon Saigon Bridge Bridge& Highway & Highway 1 13km 3kmNguyen Huu CanhNguyen Huu CanhHCM HCM City CityBoat Quay Boat Quay(for Vung (for Vung Tau) Tau)Nguyen Tat ThanhNguyen Van LacHuynh Man DatMe LinhCat Lai Cat Ferry Lai Ferry9km 9kmVung Vung Tau TauDistrict District 7 7& Nha & Be Nha BeNguyen Van LacMe Linh

oxofficebookshelfCoconutUnlimitedBy Nikesh ShuklaQuartetDead Like YouBy Peter JamesMinotaurFair GameUnless you live under a rock youknow how the US went to warin Iraq. In case not, Fair Game,based on a book by ValeriePlame (Naomi Watts) and herhusband Jospeh Wilson (SeanPenn), tells it like this: SaddamHussein had no weapons ofmass destruction, everyone in theUS administration knew it, theystill wanted a war so used fakeevidence to go ahead with theirplans. Naturally this is bound toupset some people, especiallythose portrayed in the movie asliars. But decisions made by theUS administration also impactedPlame and Wilson, which is whatthe movie is about. With solidperformances by Watts and Pennit makes for an engaging movie,but knowing that it is based ona chain of events in the recentpast makes it more thrilling. It hasbeen poo-pooed by many criticsas an unfair portrayal of thegovernment, but don't buy into it.Worth a watch.Opening DatesCINEMASG: Galaxywww.galaxycine.vnM: Megastarwww.megastarmedia.netShaolinAfter an impressive movietrailer for Benny Chan'sShaolin (a remake of theclassic which launched JetLi's career) had fans waitingwith bated breath for therelease, does the film live upto its expectations? In a word,yes. Benny Chan's penchantfor visually stunning martialarts movies is well known butwith Shaolin he surpassesall expectations. This is themovie that has martial artsfan stunned into silenceby its spectacular scenesand performances that are,simply, mind blowing. Chanshowcases old school martialarts but with some modernityinfused in it as one has cometo expect from the stalwartJackie Chan who does notdisappoint in Shaolin. WuJing, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tseand Fan Bing Bing also put ingreat performances and thesoundtrack is very good.Burlesque (Feburary 18)Fair Game (Feburary 25)Meet the Fockers (Feburary 04)BurlesqueMuch like Moulin Rouge, whichwas a visual and song anddance delight, Burlesque is boundto enthrall those who don't rolltheir eyes at everything camp.Ali (Christina Aguilera) lives asheltered existence in a smallAmerican town but has a dreamof making it big. In what is sotypical you're sure you've seenit a hundred times, Ali heads offto The Big City with a bag full ofdreams and somehow (obviously)convinces a club owner (playedby the magnificent Cher) to hireher. What happens next is almostirrelevant and rather predictable,but this doesn't make it not fun.Expect everything deliciously tackyto occur here—from crazy dances,backbiting backstage tantrums, toStanley Tucci and Alan Cummings'histronics, and bejewelled outfitslike you've never seen, Burlesquewill entertain you on a wet Saigonevening. If nothing else it's worthwatching for Cher's performancefor she reminds us just why she'sthe diva she is.Little FockersIt's never a good idea to starta review of a film by saying, "Ifyou liked the original, you'll likethis" but it is impossible not tocompare the latest in the Fockersseries to its predecessors.Perticulary if you're a fan of theFockers and want to see howmuch more Gaylord (Ben Stiller)can screw up with his in-laws,chiefly father-in-law Jack (RobertDe Niro). It is after all the raisond'etre for the Focker franchise:watch Gaylord upset Jack,and watch Jack react. You'dthink that now, when the movieopens, and Gaylord has twoyoung children, things wouldhave changed. But sadly not.Which means there's plenty ofroom for hilarity, especially asGaylord is keen to live up to thetitle of inheritor of his father-inlaw's"power". Jessica Alba isnew to the cast as a pharmacyrepresentative that has a crushon Gaylord, causing manymisunderstandings and gags.The information on this page wascorrect at the time of printing. Checkcinema websites for screenings.In his debut novel, Nikesh Shukla, writes about three boysAmit, Anand and Nishant living in Harrow, London, in the1990s. They don’t fit into the private school where they are theonly Asians nor do they fit into their traditional Gujrati familieswho want—nay expect—the boys to pursue science. So, theboys embrace rap and form Coconut Unlimited (coconut beinga derogatory term amongst Asians which means “brown on theoutside, white in the inside”) except that they don’t really knowmuch about rap, hip hop, black culture, or even black people.And they keep getting sidetracked by girls, their families areoutraged, they have to contend with a racist teacher andthere’s a drug dealer, too. This coming of age story—whichis about Asians, an ethnicity that rarely gets early teen printspace—is packed with hilarity as their misadventures are writtenwith great comic pathos.i-D Covers: 1980– 2010By Terry JonesTaschenBefore the Internet, people read and sought inspiration frommagazines, one of which was the ground-breaking i-D. Createdby Terry Jones, former art editor of Vogue, i-D celebratedthe life of the stylish in fashion, music and arts in Britain. Itwas groundbreaking not just in its design but in its reachingout to the youth and featuring them, their clothes, clubs,culture—hitherto unchartered territory in magazine publishing.To celebrate three decades, the team has published its covers,its models and superstar celebrities posing with the magazine’siconic “wink”. Kate Moss in a military jacket, hat and wink;Lady Gaga shot by Nick Knight; uber model Linda Evangelistain cheeky wink; a young couple in a delicate topless embraceand a host of other images grace this book. You may think it isjust for designers, but this book will make a beautiful additionto any library.Peter James’ new book has been reviewed in the WashingtonPost as, “the most engrossing thriller since Silence of theLambs”. This is a huge accolade but his books have long beenbestsellers in England. Dead Like You is his sixth thriller in theseries about Detective Roy Grace, crime solver extraordinairewho is a hard working police officer trying to balance work anda troubled marriage. The wonderful aspect of James’ writingis that he takes his time developing characters, which isunusual in page-turning thrillers that centre solely on plot. Here,however, we get to know the victims of the crime and developempathy for them and for the officers desperate to find a serialrapist (and shoe fetishist) terrorizing women. This is a grippingread bound to win even the hardest “thriller hater” over.PoserBy Claire DedererFarrar, Straus & GirouxIt was only inevitable that the new age craze that yoga hasbecome in the US would find itself as a subject of someone’smemoir. What is surprising, however, is how good, Poser: MyLife in Twenty Three Poses is. Claire Dederer, a New York Timesbook critic, tackles the subject of her self-actualisation in anhonest style, almost fearlessly, not caring for any rebuking shemay receive for being trivial—which other memoirists often arein their self-indulgence. Poser is deeply personal but also aboutyoga itself, how poses like downward dog, mountain pose,headstand etc. impacted her life. It is done intelligently, humourouslyand provides much insight without ever being over-bearing,or worse, new age-y. With each pose, she learns to faceher demons and let them go, often it is funny (“who puts theirfoot behind their head?”) other times it is painful. It is everythingbut boring—and may even inspire you to take on yoga.T: Thang Longwww.giaitrithanglong.com/cinemaShaolin (Feburary 18)98 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 99

soundfixalbum reviewKanye WestMy Beautiful Dark,Twisted FantasyIt turns out Mr. West been upto more than Hennessy-fueledrants about MTV award showbias. His fifth studio albumharks back to the Chi-town hiphop, gospel and soul-tingedsound of his 2004 debut,‘The College Dropout’. Yetcontrary to his bratty publicpersona, Kanye's talents as botha rapper and producer havematured. It's harder to picka favourite track than to finddisappointment on this release,which is being heralded as aGrammy-insured masterpiece.His previous album drippedwith auto-tune, but this timeKanye has been less aggressivewith the pitch adjustments.Featuring an extravagant guestroster that includes Jay-Z, NickiMinaj, and Kid Cudi, he teamsup with some of the best andthe brightest for hands up inthe air anthems. Still, Kanyehas always enjoyed telling hisown stories and the best linesare usually his. As always, hislyrics are deft, offering silvertonguedsocial commentaryand personal musings. He’s stillgenerous with the arrogance,but that’s the Kanye we loveto hate and often end up justloving—at least musically.Blood Red ShoesFire Like ThisHip hop, electronica, and purepop dominated the soundcharts in 2010, but for the mostpart it's been a dull year forrock n'roll. Blood Red Shoes,the Brighton, England-basedtwo-piece, are bursting full ofenergy on this their second album,but they somehow fail tocreate really memorable music.The songs made my feet tap,although recalling the tunesafter the album played throughwas a struggle. The hooks arealmost too forced, with bothmembers chanting chorusesover ferocious drumming. Theywant so desperately to get intoyour head, it's a pity they don'tquite make it. Nevertheless, ayearning for some powered-uppost punk can be temporarilysated. ‘When We Wake’ takes abreak from the shouting, highlightinga muted, nimble guitarriff and gentle crooning, andis perhaps the closest thing tosomething that sticks. Namingthe final track ‘We Get Bored’was probably a little too apt forthe album, but it's one of themore interesting songs. Evenif Blood Red Shoes are stillfinding their feet, the albumshows enough promise to avoiddismissal.Daft PunkTron: LegacyOriginal SoundtrackTron is all over my Facebooknewsfeed. My friends aren’tbuzzing over the Disney followupto the 1982 sci-fi flick, theyare talking about the soundtrack.“Forget the movie, buythe soundtrack,” read one status.The news that Daft Punk wasgoing to create the score fuelledhopes for another hit of ‘Harder,Better, Faster, Strong’ proportions.Instead, the ‘Tron: LegacyOST’ is around 35 minutes of thetype of music that accompaniescrusades to save the universefrom evil forces. Someoneshould have deflated my highexpectations. But, it was a savvydecision to enlist Daft Punk,who have always been astronautsexploring the outer limitsof electronic music. The roboticvoices are missing from thesecompositions, but the Frenchduo get to play around with an85-piece orchestra. The minglingof symphony and synthesiserdoes make for some headyresults, perfect for cinematicescapades. Tracks ‘Derezzed’and ‘End of the Line’, whichhints at 2005's ‘Television Rulesthe Nation’, forecast gripping actionsequences. After imaginingall the scenarios supported bythe music, I’m becoming curiousabout the movie.by Mai Lynn Miller NguyenRobynBody TalkAfter rave reviews and a stinton the trendy TV show GossipGirl, Robyn's comebackis official. Her career spansback to the mid-90s, when hercrowd-pleasing ‘Show Me Love’earned her a name outside ofSweden. Though a chart topperearly on, she's been overlookedby the masses since she left amajor record label to start herown Konichiwa Records. However,she never stopped makingahead-of-its-time dance music.In June, Robyn released the firstof three EPs, which culminatedin this full-length album earningher the wide-scale attentionshe deserves. Robyn's rangeis remarkable, with a sugarysweet voice that thrives on pop,but also lends itself to saucyrhymes over hard-hitting electrobeats. The girl's got attitude,which propels the catchiness of‘None of Dem’ and ‘U ShouldKnow Better’, her collaborationwith Snoop Dogg. Acousticversions of ‘Indestructible’ and‘Hang With Me’ reveal Robyn'srarer delicate side. Workingonce again with Max Martin,who produced 'Time Machine’,Robyn may have come fullcircle, but this time she's done ither way.US Top 10this last title artistweek week12345678910NEW485311611NEWNEWGrenadeFireworkWhat's My Name?We R Who We RRaise Your GlassTonight (I'm Lovin' You)Black And YellowThe Time (Dirty Bit)Just The Way You AreOnly Girl (In The World)UK Top 10this last title artistweek week12345678910NEW514210273879GrenadeDo It Like A DudeWhat's My NameLights OnWhen We CollideWho's That ChickMake You Feel MyLoveThe Time (Dirty Bit)Like A G6Eyes Wide ShutUK Top 10this last title artistweek week12345678910xoneFM top ten5321413976NEWDirty TalkTonight (I'm Lovin'You)GrenadeWho's That GirlYeah X3HappinessWho's That ChickThe Time (Dirty Bit)FireworkHold It Against MeBruno MarsKaty PerryRihannaKe$haP!nkEnrique Iglesias FeaturingLudacris & DJFrank EWiz KhalifaThe Black Eyed PeasBruno MarsRihannaBruno MarsJessie JRihanna Ft DrakeKaty B Ft Ms DynamiteMatt CardleDavid Guetta FtRihannaAdeleBlack Eyed PeasFar East Movement/Cataracs/DevJlsWynter GordonEnrique Iglesias Feat.Ludacris & DJ Frank EBruno MarsGuy Sebastian Feat.EveChris BrownAlexis JordanDavid Guetta Feat.RihannaThe Black Eyed PeasKaty PerryBritney SpearsendorsedThe Big LebowskiBy Brett DavisAn aging hippy slacker andhis bowling buddies becomingembroiled in a case of kidnappingand mistaken identity isan unlikely scenario for a cultclassic. But since the releaseof the film by brothers Joeland Ethan Cohen in 1998, TheBig Lebowski has developeda dedicated, if somewhatoddball, following. Jeffrey ‘TheDude’ Lebowski (Jeff Bridges),is mistaken for a millionaireof the same name who owesa debt to some unsavorycharacters. When a couple ofthugs come to collect and endup urinating on The Dude’srug, he seeks compensationfrom his wealthy namesake.This sets in motion a chainof events that has The Dudeand his bowling buddies,Walter and Donnie, caught upin a kidnapping after the ‘Big’Lebowski offers The Dude aone-time job to deliver the ransomto his wife’s abductors.After the payoff goes wrong,the result is a bizarre odysseyinvolving German Nihilists,pornographers, aggrieved familymembers and a whole lot ofWhite Russian cocktails.The film contains the usualCohen brothers’ hallmarks ofsnappy dialogue, quirky andcircuitous storyline, and evenmore idiosyncratic yet beautifullydrawn characters. TheDude’s partner in his misadventures,Walter Sobchak(John Goodman), is a masterfulcreation full of repressedanger and quotable oneliners. Walter and The Dude’sdebates about the unfoldingevents form the heart of thefilm’s rapid but deceptively cutglassexchanges.The Dude: Walter, the chinamanwho peed on my rug,I can't go give him a bill, sowhat are you talking about?Walter: The chinaman is notthe issue here, Dude. I'm talkingabout drawing a line in thesand, Dude. Across this line,you DO NOT... Also, Dude,chinaman is not the preferrednomenclature. Asian-American,please.The Dude: Walter, this isn'ta guy who built the railroadshere.So why has this movieabout a doped-out hippiebowler become a cult classic?The Cohen Brothers have acknowledgedin interviews theynever imagined the enduringappeal of the characters andthe intense following the moviewould gather. Certainly, theywould never have dreamed themovie would spawn an annual‘Lebowskifest’, held on severalcontinents, where participantsdress as their favourite characters,drink White Russians andbowl for several days at a time.Perhaps it is just that TheDude strikes a deep-seatedchord in many people: a manjust trying to go about life in hisown quiet way, besieged on allsides by forces outside of hiscontrol. But then, despite all ofhis own ineptitude, he comesout on top.As the film’s narrator, SamShepard’s ‘The Stranger’, saysin closing, “The Dude abides.I don't know about you but Itake comfort in that. It's goodknowin' he's out there. TheDude. Takin' 'er easy for all ussinners.”100 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 101

adarKnow more, Do MoreJumo.comChris Hughes is the co-founder of Facebook, director of online organising forBarack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign and the person behind Jumo,a social network that brings people and organisations together who want todo good. The idea is that there are scores of individuals who want to help insome way but don’t know how to and Jumo helps connect them to concernedorganisations. This way a person can find an organisation that works in anarea of said person’s interest—and allows them to support their work throughdonating time, skills or resources. Although much of the content appears UScentric,the website is an excellent example of how technology can spearheada movement that calls for change and leads efforts to translate that cause intoaction.A Good Dose of BuzzBuzzle.comBusy bee lives have less time to scour the Internet for news that is relevant tothem—and websites are inundated with graphics, backstories, advertisements,not to mention so much editorialising in the story, that it can be tricky to getinformed quickly and reliably. Buzzle is a website that hopes to be different withshort, snazzy to the point facts and analysis in a host of sectors from news toanimal care to business and technology—along with the usual suspects likesports and entertainment. Written in a concise manner, the website is easyto navigate, content is quick to scour through and the tone dispassionate,removed from the war-mongering or tree-hugging language found on mostinformation-intensive websites. They even have an escape option in which youcan read poetry and fiction.E-reading and MoreKobobooks.comKobo Books is an Internet bookstore that goes beyond e-reading. On the surface,it’s very easy: sign up, choose a book, buy, download onto your desktop,laptop, phone or e-reading device tablet. The site offers tens of thousandsof titles, from classics to all the bestsellers on various bestselling newspaperlists or clubs like Oprah’s Book Club. It also offers smart application forms thatallows users to share favourite passages or let it be known that they’ve metcharacters or reached destinations all on Facebook. This tracking like devicemay seem naff but we’re dealing with a whole new reading culture so it takesa little getting used to. It also offers you stats which let you track how manyhours each day you spent reading and how many pages. This is a good way toget back to reading—and socialising while doing so.102 asialife HCMC

THE TWO OF USWade Brackenbury and Youdon Chazotsang knew each other as youngadults in Salt Lake City, Utah and recently reconnected in Saigon. They telltheir story to Beth Young. Photo by Fred Wissink.WadeYoudonI met Youdon through herparents, who were born in Tibet.I’d just moved to Utah in ‘95after travelling through Tibetand her mother befriended meand invited me to their home fordinner. I’d just kind of uprooted,so they had me over a lot.Youdon’s family is relatedto the Dalai Lama; she’s hisgrand niece. One of my mostprominent memories is whenthey invited his physician, thelate Dr Tenzin Chodak, to theUS. He was in his late 70s. I’djust opened a small chiropracticpractice so he used my clinic totreat patients. I’ll never forgetthe impact he had.He wanted to meet someNative Americans, so Youdon’smother called her friend at theHope Nation and organisedfor us to visit a reservation.We drove Youdon’s brand newcar—a little Rodeo—and oncewe arrived I was amazed tosee the similarities between theTibetans and the Indians. I wasso excited I accidentally lockedthe keys in her car!I left Salt Lake City in ’97. Itravelled around the US pushingthe book I’d written about Tibet,and then moved all aroundAsia before finally landing inVietnam. When I was ready tosettle down, I took my girlfriendback to meet Youdon’s parents.I overheard Youdon’s mumtell her friend, “That’s the girlWade will marry”. Today, she’smy wife. I didn’t see Youdon,though, until we recently connectedat a photography exhibitionin Saigon. It was amazing tosee her and I imagine we’ll nowbe closer friends than ever.Wade had just come to a newcity and since he’d travelledto Tibet my parents felt he understoodour culture and theyautomatically took him undertheir wing. Wade was reallyclose to my parents. I wouldn’tsay we were close friends; hewas more like a big brother. Ialways knew he was around,but we didn’t really hang out.My first memory of Wadewas on my parent’s livingroom floor cracking our necks.We’d lie there and he’d give ustreatments. It was great havinga chiropractor as a familyfriend.It’s strange, the cycle of life.We both went off in our owndirections and took such differentpaths. He travelled allaround Southeast Asia whileI stayed in America and of allplaces, we met back in Saigon.I didn’t know he was here atall. Before I arrived my brotherin-law’sbrother Tsering—wholives here—met Wade in the AnPhu Supermarket. Wade said tohim, “You look Tibetan”. Theystarted talking and discoveredthey both knew my family.When Tsering told me thatWade was in HCM City, I keptsaying to myself I must contacthim, but I didn’t get aroundto it. Then I bumped into himat the exhibition. Oh my God,it was amazing! When Wadestarted talking about his life asa young man in Salt Lake City,and how my parents cared forhim, I started to get teary eyed.Now he’s so successful and hasa wife and a child. We’ve bothgrown up, and we’ve come fullcircle, really and truly.- BRISBANE -Photo by Nam QuanThe last three months inBrisbane, Australia have beenthe longest of my life. This isthe first time I've ever beenthis far from home and for thislong. I’m discovering the worldand trying to absorb as muchas possible at a photographyschool here.For a kid like me, born inVietnam and brought up in atraditional family, to end uppursuing something artistic likephotography is a dream cometrue.Brisbane is awesome, thoughit's a small town compared toSaigon with not much going on.It's great to meet new people; Ihave more Western friends herethan Vietnamese. It's strange,but that's one of the reasons Icame here, I guess—to meetnew people and learn fromthem.I'm enjoying Brisbane, butI still miss Saigon. I miss themessy and colourful life backhome. I miss the traffic jamsand the noise created by hundredsof motorbikes movingslowly one after another. I missthose quans along the pavementwhere I used to sit all nightlong drinking and chatting withfriends about anything andeverything.Whenever I meet up with myVietnamese friends here andhave a few beers all we talkabout is how awesome life wasback in Saigon, and how muchwe're looking forward to finishingour studies and returning. Itseems like everyone's countingdown until they’re back home. Ido, too: 11 more months.I miss Saigon the mostwhen I step into a Vietnameserestaurant. I look at the menuand don’t know what to orderbecause I miss everything. Toguys who cannot cook muchlike me, eating Vietnamese foodhas become really valuable. Ispend hours thinking of whatto order before hitting therestaurant.Eleven months shouldn'tbe too long, I hope. I shouldspend time learning as muchas possible instead of countingdown the days. But really,I just can't wait to be embracedby Saigon again. It's a terriblefeeling when you dream of lifein Saigon, and then wake up, tofind yourself 4000 miles away.104 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 105

pub quizNow We’re Smokin’!1) In the 1977 film ‘Smokey andthe Bandit’ which actor played“The Bandit”, Bo Darville?2) What is the world’s largestcigarette company byrevenue?3) Which heavy metal band hada top 3 hit in 1990 with HolySmoke?4) What was the surname of theformer world heavyweightboxing champion “Smokin’Joe”?5) What type of smoked sausagetakes its name from a GermanCity?Mind Your Language6) What is the name of thecocktail consisting of Vodka,Tia Maria and Coke?7) Which 2002 film had thesubtitle ‘Love is here to stayand so is her family’?8) What is the more commonname for the disease‘Rubella’?9) By what misleading name,is the world famous horsetraining centre in Viennaknown?10) In which film did MichaelCaine play the character‘Charlie Croker’?Islands11) What was the name ofLong John Silver’s parrot inTreasure Island?12) On which island was FreddieMercury born?13) Which type of salad dressinghas the same name asan area of the upper StLawrence River?14) Craggy Island is the settingfor which TV comedy series?15) Which island was awardedthe George Cross in 1942?Mr & Mrs16) Which Simon and Garfunkelhit single featured in the 1967film ‘The Graduate’?17) In 1861 Isabella Mary Maysonwrote a guide to running aVictorian household. How isshe better known?18) Which characterswere created by RogerHargreaves?19) Which Dickens characterfrom David Copperfield wasmodelled on the author’sfather?20) In which 1997 film did JudiDench play Queen Victoria?A Bit of Bondage!21) What was the title of the onlyBond film in which GeorgeLazenby played 007?22) Who starred in the 2006version of Casino Royale?23) Who is the only singer tohave performed three JamesBond title themes?24) To which organisation doesvillain Ernst Blofeld belong?25) Which actress has portrayedM in Bond movies since1995?Food Literalisms!26)27)28)29)30)Thoâng tin du lòch vaø vaên hoaù ôû Vieät Nam ASIALIFE HCMCChòu traùch nhieäm xuaát baûn: Nguyeãn Thò Thanh HöôngBieân taäp: Nguyeãn Vónh TrungSöûa baûn in: Löu ThuûyTrình baøy: Coâng ty TNHH QC TM DV Ba traêm saùu möôi laêm ngaøyBìa: Coâng ty TNHH QC TM DV Ba traêm saùu möôi laêm ngaøyNhaø XuaáT baûn toång hôïpTP. Hoà Chí MINH62 Nguyeãn Thò Minh Khai, Q1ÑT: 38225340 – 38296764 – 38220405 – 38296713 – 38223637Fax: 84.8.38222726 Email: tonghop@nxtphcm.com.vnWebsite:www.nxthcm.com.vn - www.fiditour.comThöïc hieän lieân keát xuaát baûn: Coâng ty TNHH QC TM DVBa traêm saùu möôi laêm ngaøyIn laàn thöù nhaát, soá löôïng 4000 cuoán, khoå 20,5cm x 27,0cmGPXB soá: 50-11/CXB/102-123/THTPHCMNgaøy 12/01/2011In taïi Coâng ty ITAXA, ñòa chæ 126 Nguyeãn Thò Minh Khai, Q.3.In xong vaø noäp löu chieåu thaùng 12/ 2010365 Days Advertising Trading Services Co.,LtdL4,159 Phan Xich Long, P7, Phu Nhuan District Tel: +84 8 3517 2208Director:Jonny Edbrookejonny@threesixfive-days.comDeputy Editor: Beth Youngbeth@asialifehcmc.comContributing Editor: Brett Davisbrett@asialifehcmc.comPhoto Editor: Fred Wissinkfpwphoto@gmail.comArt Director: Johnny Murphyjohnny@threesixfive-days.comManaging Editor:Muna Khanmuna@asialifehcmc.comProduction: Nguyen Kim Hoanguyenhoa@threesixfive-days.comEditorial Assistant: Stephy Thaiyen@asialifehcmc.comPhotography Interns: Miguel LopezHuynh Ho Quang, Alex BelikovSenior Designer: April Huntapril@threesixfive-days.comFor advertising and marketing enquiries please call:Nguyen Kim Hanh +84 908 298395 / +84 8 3517 2208Distribution: Super Long +84 937 633283AsiaLIFE is a registered trademark. No content may be reproduced in anyform without prior authorisation of the owners.© Ba Sau Nam Co,Ltd Vietnam25 1 34 9 2 67 3 12 76 9 58 4 2 71 9 41) Burt Reynolds 2) Philip Morris 3) Iron Maiden 4) Frazier 5) Frankfurter6) Black Russian 7) My Big Fat Greek Wedding 8) German Measles 9) TheSpanish Riding School 10) The Italian Job 11) Captain Flint 12) Zanzibar 13)Thousand Island 14) Father Ted 15) Malta 16) Mrs Robinson 17) Mrs Beaton18) Mr Men 19) Mr Micawber 20) Mrs Brown 21) On Her Majesty’s SecretService 22) Daniel Craig 23) Shirley Bassey 24) SPECTRE 25) Dame JudiDench 26) Apple Pie 27) Pineapple 28) Lemon Chicken 29) Iceberg Lettuce30) French Fries3Pub Quiz Answers106 asialife HCMC

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