What if connections aren’t random, but tied to some greater design? The people you meet, the places you go, the perspectives you create are all tangled, twisted, and threaded together as one. District 0 recently stopped by a wine bar in Thao Dien: Thirty 59. When you make your way down the dark alleyway of Hem 59, at the end you’ll finally emerge into a red lit indoor outdoor area. The beaming glow resembles the safelight of a darkroom used to develop analog film. It feels like somewhere built for bringing memories to life. Hanging above the room is a red light strung from one corner of the bar to the other. It’s idyllic, poetic, and symbolic. What if this light wasn’t random either, but also tied to some greater design?
There’s an old story in East Asian folklore about the Red Thread of Fate. The story is founded on the belief that two people who are destined to one day meet are connected by a red thread tied around their fingers. This could mean lovers, friends, or just people who are meant to be near each other – to help, to learn from, to create with. It doesn’t matter what country someone grew up in, what background shaped them, or what they do on a daily basis. They can wander around, go down different paths, get lost even, but they will always be pulled back to one another for reasons only to be discovered once they finally meet. In essence, the timing of where, when, and who we meet is specific, cosmic, and karmic. There are no mistakes, which is why I think the red light strung like that red thread from one corner of the bar to the other, one that is beaming, glowing, and bringing memories to life is no mistake either. It is a powerful symbol hanging right above the guests seated within Thirty 59. It is there reminding people of the power of connections.
Thirty 59 opened last year in April. Since then the wine bar has quickly attracted people from all over. Chefs, DJs, and of course, curious guests. When District 0 stopped by it was to try out the cuisine of Ezekiel Tan, Head Chef of Synthesis, a traditional Chinese medicine inspired restaurant and bar in Singapore. One of the things we discussed over dinner was our love and appreciation for the pop up culture here in Saigon. It’s one of the reasons Ezekiel frequently travels back and forth to experiment with different kitchens all over the city. Each place, each group of people that collaborate on pop up events present their own challenges and rewards. Saigon offers one of the best canvases for artists to come together and make something unique for just a night. For example, when we visited, Ezekiel served a fleet of delicious fusion dishes including a personal favorite – a crispy panipuri shell with mapo-style minced pork inside, sitting atop a shot glass filled with hot mala broth. Absolutely ridiculous. Accompany that with YSSAC spinning on the decks that night and before you know it, everything feels connected, and you can’t help but have a good time.
Thirty 59 is one of those places that understands how powerful connecting with different people can be. Whether you stop by for their signature paella, check out their private third-floor rooftop, El Terrao, or wander in for one of their takeover series—featuring chefs and DJs from all across Vietnam and around the world—go experience it for yourself. The food. The music. The connection. All powerful. All fated. All pulled together by the same invisible red thread.
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