INTRODUCING OUR CULTURE MAKERS
INTRODUCING OUR CULTURE MAKERS
THE MOVERS & SHAKERS
Discover a curated list of the individuals and locations we partner with for our Hidden Saigon Journeys, along with various activities and experiences. Reach out to us for more details about the other Movers and Shakers we collaborate with.
UuDam Tran Nguyen
Visual Artist
UuDam Tran Nguyen is a visual artist located in Saigon. He pursued his studies in both Vietnam and the USA, earning a B.A. from UCLA and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.
His has been showcased internationally, including at several Biennials. He received the Jury Selection prize at the esteemed 18th Japan Media Arts Festival for his installation, the robotic app art License Draw.
Additionally, UuDam is a co-founder of the experimental art magazine XEM.
De Ara Hirosin
Drag Queen
De Ara Hirosin is a talented young Drag Artist based in Saigon and the proud winner of the inaugural Drag Queen Pageant in 2023.
Originally from Hong Ngu, a small provincial town in Vietnam near the Cambodian border, Hirosin draws inspiration from the Lo To culture, a vibrant blend of bingo, drag, and live singing that is popular in her hometown.
Her drag style is shaped by influences from Rupaul’s “Drag Race” and the pageantry scene, merging Western elements with Vietnamese queer folk culture.
La Viet Coffee
Nguyen Thi N Ngoc and Tranhat Quang, husband and wife duo, are the creative minds behind La Viet Coffee. With no prior experience in coffee making, they sought a new direction in life and ventured into coffee production using the lesser-known Vietnamese Arabica beans.
La Viet Coffee has emerged as a leader in Vietnam's specialty coffee market. They have introduced unique variations of coffee drinks, including their popular Margarita Coffee, which captures the essence of the tropical beverage with a salt rim. La Viet dedicates countless hours to researching and innovating new drinks, advancing the specialty coffee scene while honoring and enhancing Vietnamese coffee culture.
Trang (Tricia) Nguyen
Founder, Wintercearig & Lang Spot
Tricia is the founder of the Wintercearig Project, which seeks to promote awareness of mental health issues in Vietnam contemporary art and dance. The festival features performances, installations, collaborations between artists and dancers, and community workshops that utilize art and dance therapy to foster safe environments for individuals.
Additionally, she is the co-founder of Lang Spot, a community arts space designed to offer a secure venue for creatives and the public to host events.
Mrs. Khanh
Local Resident
Mrs. Khanh is a stay-at-home mom who has lived in her family's home in Cholon (Chinatown) since birth. This beautifully preserved apartment complex offers a glimpse into the early 1900s, making it feel like a journey through time. Amidst the ongoing development in Saigon, Cholon remains a tranquil haven with its herbal medicine shops and antique tea rooms.
Many residents, including Mrs. Khanh, are of Chinese descent, which is evident in the decorations and religious symbols you'll see during your visit. Take your time to explore Mrs. Khanh's home, originally built by the French and largely unchanged since then.
Nguyen Kim To
Visual Artist
Nguyen Kim To, born in Saigon, has navigated various challenges to support her family of artists. She met her husband, a significant figure in the 1990s Saigon art scene, at art school when they were just 12 years old, and together they raised two daughters who are also involved the arts.
During the wartime, Kim To paused her artistic practice to work at an advertising company, creating hand-drawn product packaging. After the war, she secured a position at the Ministry of Culture, where she designed large-scale propaganda posters that adorned the city's streets.
Now that her daughters are grown, she has the opportunity to return to painting.
Conor Nguyen
Founder, Hermit Cocktail Bar
Conor Nguyen is the proprietor of the Hermit Cocktail Bar and the author of the only Vietnamese-language bartending book, “Câu Chuyện Cocktail - A Bartender's Guide.”
In 2022, inspired by Sông Cái founder Daniel Nguyen, Conor launched his own bar in the rapidly and trendy neighborhood of Pham Viet Chanh, Binh Thanh. His vision was to establish a minimalistic and inviting space where friends could gather and enjoy conversations.
With a keen interest in tarot cards, Conor drew inspiration from them when conceptualizing his bar. He crafts exquisite cocktails inspired by various tarot cards, utilizing local craft spirits and ingredients. If you're fortunate, he might even offer you a tarot reading.
Lin Li - Piu Piu Records
Music Producer, Promoter, DJ, Record Label Owner
Lin Li, also known as DJ Scarry Potter, is a French-Moroccan-Vietnamese artist who has been making a significant impact in Saigon's local hip hop scene over the past few years. a Music Producer, DJ, Events Organizer, and Promoter, he co-founded Piu Piu Records with DJ Bobby D.
Piu Piu Records serves as a bridge between Western and Asian Alternative music, emphasizing the development of local hip hop talent while facilitating international collaborations with Vietnamese artists.
Additionally, Piu Piu operates as a promotion and events company, creating opportunities for talent to perform and refine their skills in front of a live audience. The Piu Piu Club nights enable the label and its artists to showcase their work, nurturing the underground scene and community.
Danh Thanh Long
Independent Publisher
Kho Muc Studios, Inpages, Saigon Artbook
Danh Thanh Long, born in Saigon, is an independent publisher and the co-founder of Saigon Artbook a publication that showcases artists from Saigon.
Established in 2013, the book aims to inspire and promote local artists while attracting new audiences to contemporary art.
In 2016, Long, along with two partners, launched InPages, an independent bookstore dedicated to small and independent print publications.
Additionally, he co-founded Kho Muc Studio, the first Risograph print studio offering riso-printing services, workshops, and paper goods.