People

Ever since she was a young girl, Tu has been fascinated with ideas. Sex. Love. Gender. Politics. Anthropology. Her curiosity for other people and how they think, feel, and act in the world knew no bounds. Nothing is ever fully off the table. Everything is up for debate.

Life often feels like an uphill battle. Whenever you try to change something, do some good, or turn a negative into a positive, it can feel as if the world pushes back. Chelsey has dealt with this her whole life and yet hearing her story, I learned that she's never let that stop her.

Paper can be torn, burned, destroyed, but when thoughtfully cared for it becomes symbolic. The first time I encountered this work was at the LÔCÔ Art Market last year. I had never seen origami like it before and felt compelled to know who was behind it all. Months later, I finally met him, a twenty-eight-year-old contemporary artist, Dong—4.

What makes someone a fighter? The idea of stepping onto a mat, into a ring, or getting locked inside a cage isn’t something that most people would think of as particularly enjoyable, let alone a path to make a living out of. Yet for someone like Felipe, that's exactly what he's always done.

Within minutes of meeting Steven, without knowing much of his background or what he does other than DJ under the name Orange Cyanide, I wanted to know more about him. I got the feeling early on that his passion for music ran deep. I soon learned it’s more than that—Steven is someone who is obsessed with sound, and in search of his own.

Saigon is a city of popups. On any given evening you can find some chef, barista, or bartender setting up shop for an experience that they’ll likely never repeat. This is the story of one such popup brand and the chef who's been at its helm from the beginning.

For Zoé, the question of her identity was never something she felt the need to answer. From Paris to Saigon, she's always been exactly who she wants to be, and she carries that same quiet confidence with how she approaches conversations with those who might feel just like her. In the end, Zoé proves you don't need to define yourself. Just be who you want to be.

Even though Phi is now known by his DJ name, Soju Peanut, DJing was actually the last thing he picked up. When he moved from the Mekong Delta to Saigon two years ago, it was just him, his dog Keo, 100k VND in his pocket, and a dream. Nowadays, he’ll smile, laugh, and tell you how lucky he is—but Phi’s story is proof that fortune favors the bold.

Speaking to Shuntaro is like listening to a historian reflect on the past two decades of Vietnam's nightlife and music scene. His love of going out, work as a tour guide, and travels with Studio Adventure have taken him across the country in pursuit of more than just a good time. Ultimately, he wants to spread joy, positivity, and love.

Ming’s story isn’t one of chasing a calling from the beginning, but of falling into one. A simple part-time job in college set her on a path she couldn’t have planned. Along the way, she’s learned to make space, trust the path, and bring others with her. There’s a Vietnamese phrase she shared with me — nghề chọn mình — the idea that you don’t choose the work, the work chooses you. Not as a grand declaration of destiny, but as something you recognize only in retrospect.

I'm of the belief that the greatest artists never look back. Right when you think you've got them figured out—poof—they're onto the next thing, leaving you in a cloud of dust that only makes you want to know more. Giang has this quality, but perhaps more importantly, he's also a genuinely nice person.

Some stories don’t just deserve to be told—they need to be. Chef Rang’s journey from a boy plagued by hunger and hardship to a man who's cooked for people around the world reveals just how far the power of an individual's spirit can take them. From the shores of Cà Ná to private dinners all over Canada, this is the story of a person who's seen it all and learned about love, loss, and life every step along the way.

In founding Vietnam Hearts, Viet learned that giving back isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistency, compassion, and community. Each class he taught, each volunteer he recruited, and each smile from the children grounded him in a purpose bigger than his own pain. This is Viet's story of how helping others allowed him to find himself again.

From an early age, Chico has always had the same dream: owning his own restaurant. As I listened to his story of creating Chico’s Pizza Bar and, more recently, his new phở restaurant, Chị Mơ, I came to understand why he is the type of person who has been able to successfully realize that dream.

At just twenty-five years old, Stephanie has already become a multi-faceted artist, traveling the world and embodying what is most important to her: freedom of self-expression. Although fairly soft-spoken, her tattoos, fashion, and music speak volumes. During the day, she works as a tattoo artist, but at night she transforms into NotYuTing, a techno-house DJ, and most recently, the producer of her debut EP, ‘Under the Rave.’

For someone who’s toured the world and co-founded one of Saigon’s most iconic clubs, Lee is surprisingly soft-spoken. But listen closely and you’ll hear it—his life, like his sets, is a mix of cultures, cities, and sounds that merge with effortless flow.

Tomoki didn’t come to Saigon dreaming of opening a bar. He arrived with no expectations and even less of a plan. Yet somewhere between the chaos of long-hours bartending, late-night conversations, and the raw energy of Japan Town, he found a place that felt like home.

Oanh's style was never about clothes. It was something deeper than that, an identity which carried her through The Demor's early days, through a breakup, through the long quiet of Covid, and eventually back to herself. What makes Oanh stylish isn’t what she wears—it's her steadiness, her courage to start again, and the quiet confidence with which she moves through the world.

When Minh Tâm finished high school he had no idea what he wanted to do. But, unlike many of his peers who went to college, he took a different path. He got to work right away. A decade later of ups and downs, Minh Tâm is still working, still learning, and still happy to take on whatever comes next.

The art of serving may be fading, but for Kim Ngân, hospitality is still an act of grace—a quiet dance of care, confidence, and connection. From her family’s seaside quán nhậu in Nha Trang to fine dining popups across Asia, Kim’s story is a love letter to the lost craft of service.

With a name like Zac Crush, you'd expect Zac to be the type of guy who was always sure of himself. Listening to his story, I found that this was far from the case. From growing up insecure to travelling the world and now serving as a pillar in Vietnam's MMA community, Zac's story is one of facing his fears.

The first time I met Vanny was over dinner at An’s Saigon, where she’s the Founder and General Manager. Early in the night, I caught myself wondering, “What makes someone capable of running a place like this?” As the evening went on, the answer became clear.

Some people shy away from the spotlight. Others bask in it. Few, however, give it to others. Micka Chu is one of those few. That’s not to say she’s afraid of center stage — she shines when it’s her turn — but after talking with her and learning about her story, the moments in our conversation when she truly lit up, when her eyes flickered and her tone changed, were when she spoke about giving the light to others.

From the chaotic buzz of Bùi Viện to the comfort of a plate of fish and chips, Matt’s story is about more than food and nightlife—It’s about building a home far from where you were born, and helping others find one too.

When Pranaay moved to Saigon to work in tech consulting, who knew he’d end up running one of the city’s most talked-about Indian restaurants. With no background in F&B, he launched Little India on Phạm Viết Chánh in 2024 and hasn't looked back since.

When he was younger, Michael Arnold admits he was too naive, too idealistic, and way too into himself. He spent a lot of his time writing, though — in his daily diary or letters to friends, family, and lovers — anything to avoid doing his homework. These days, he’s different: mature, disciplined, and in command, yet still much the same.

How did Chad, a guy who first hated the taste of beer, grow to start a craft beer company in Saigon? Born in 1979—the same year craft brewing was made legal in the States–perhaps he had no choice. He was meant for it.

From straight-A student in Thailand on scholarship at UCL, to locked up in a government psych ward, to living in Saigon and working with #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Mark Manson. Val’s story is one for the books.

From working in military morgues to creating content in Saigon, Markeiz's story is one of constant reinvention. Hailing from Maryland, USA, find out how a man who's been around the world has decided Vietnam is the place he wants to stay.

I first met Chí outside his bar, The Tailor. He handed us shots with a grin, and what followed was a story spanning reeducation camps, cruises across the Mediterranean sea, and the long roads of Vietnam, his home. If I learned anything through it all, it's that you really don't know where life will take you.

Being happy might mean living it up, but it also might mean giving it up to answer the call for something greater, something that might actually make you happy. Tim is the type of person to do that.

From childhood performances to fronting three very different bands, Lựu’s path has been anything but ordinary. Today, she’s at the heart of Saigon’s live music scene, bringing swing, jazz, and rock to life with a voice that refuses to be boxed in.

From a childhood love of painting and animation to work as an industrial designer, Dat's life has long been steeped in art. Nowadays you can catch him making pizza at East Borough, treating one of the world's most beloved dishes with the sensibility and vision of an artist.

Nature loves those who dare. Those who dare to commit are those who are rewarded. Those who dare to lose sight of the coast are those who discover new horizons. Those who dare to take a leap of faith are those who take flight. After meeting Thomas, co-founder and designer at BằNG, I learned that he is one of those people. He is one of those who dares.

From KFC to craft beer, Tung's story is proof that there are no roadmaps in life. All you need is a bit of grit, guts, and the willingness to wear a cheekie grin throughout it all.

Who would've thought mandatory military service could spark your love of cutting people's hair, but that's exactly what happened with Phát. Read about his story here.

Rolling the dice and letting life play out can sometimes be one of the best (and funnest) ways to live. DJ and friend, Max Pettifer is a prime example of this.

Born in Costa Rica, raised in Southern California, and now living in Saigon, Dano has dedicated years to crafting his own style. Now it’s all on display at his second solo exhibition titled, Geopersonifcation.

“By the end of this class,” Tobi says, standing next to me as I attempt to sketch a blindfolded David, “you are going to learn that everyone can draw.”

Coming from a family of bankers, Anh was, in many ways, expected to follow suit. In this profile, learn about how she went from banking to running multiple businesses in Saigon, and how music played a resounding note throughout it all.

When I arrived at three that afternoon for our rendezvous, a tall stainless steel pot was already seated on the stove and the thin stream of steam told me someone was home.

The poet E.E. Cummings once wrote, “Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question.” In this profile, discover how sometimes the most beautiful answer is another question altogether.

If a name ever told you anything about a person, Rosi Happi's should tell you all you need to know. In this profile, learn about a woman inciting positive change, one event at a time.

Just how a musician hears the sounds of a city differently, a painter views their surroundings with their own unique perception. In this profile, learn about Mike Hern and his vision of Saigon.

It was the first time I’d heard someone say they got into wine as a conceptual drinker.

Like any great chef, the first thing Đức did when we sat down to talk was offer me food.

To follow your heart or strive for material success: In this profile, TK recounts the journey of rediscovering her childhood love of singing.