Concept Advert_Mistake_A4.pdf 1 8/22/14 2:07 PM Why we love mistakes Energized Engaged Empowered Because at ISHCMC we understand that mistakes are stepping stones to genuine learning. Today’s students need to do more than memorize information in traditional classrooms. They need a more evolved approach to education that allows them the freedom to pursue their passions fearlessly. In addition to a strong academic C foundation, they need opportunities M to be creative, innovative and Y analytical, all of which lie at the heart CM of the ISHCMC philosophy. MY CY Come and see CMY K the difference we can make in your child’s life. The only school in HCMC fully accredited to offer all 3 International Baccalaureate programmes for students aged 2 - 18 years. 28 Vo Truong Toan, District 2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: +84 (8) 3898-9100 Email: [email protected] www.ishcmc.com Nathan, Grade 1 2 ISHCMC student since 2009. 3 EVERYWHERE YOU GO Director XUAN TRAN Business Consultant ROBERT STOCKDILL [email protected] Sales Director JIMMY VAN DER KLOET [email protected] This Month’s Cover Managing Editor CHRISTINE VAN Image: Quinn Ryan Mattingly [email protected] Hair & Make up: Kenny Lieu Venue: S3 Studios, District 4 Deputy Editor JAMES PHAM [email protected] Associate Publisher KHANH NGUYEN [email protected] Creative Director PAOLO MALING [email protected] Graphic Artists KEVIN NGUYEN [email protected] NGUYEN PHAM [email protected] Staff Photographers NGOC TRAN For advertising please contact: KATE TU [email protected] 091 800 7160 NGAN NGUYEN ƠI VIỆT NAM [email protected] 090 279 7951 NHÀ XUẤT BẢN THANH NIÊN Chịu trách nhiệm xuất bản: Đoàn Minh Tuấn CHAU NGUYEN Biên tập: Nguyễn Giang - Quang Hùng [email protected] 091 440 0302 Thực hiện liên kết xuất bản: Metro Advertising Co.,Ltd HANH (JESSIE) LE 48 Hoàng Diệu, Phường 12, Quận 4 [email protected] 098 747 4183 In lần thứ mười tám, số lượng 6000 cuốn, khổ 21cm x 29,7cm Đăng ký KHXB: 238 -2014/CXB/119 - 01/TN QĐXB số: 472/CXBIPH-QLXB General [email protected] Chế bản và in tại nhà in Phụ Nữ Nộp lưu chiểu tháng 4/2014 Inquiries [email protected] Website: www.oivietnam.com 4 We are very pleased to announce our IGCSE and IBDP examination results for 2014. OUTSTANDING 2014 Congratulations to our students and teachers whose hard work and determination has been EXAMINATION RESULTS rewarded with exceptional success. International General Certificate International Baccalaureate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Diploma Programme (IBDP) 100% of students gained 5+ subjects at grade A* - C Average points awarded were 35.3 compared to the UK average of 68.1% (2013) compared to the world average of 29.81 (2013) 65% of all grades were either A* or A 24% of students scored 40+ pts compared to the UK average of 23.8% (2013) Our top two students were awarded 43 points 25% of students gained at least 7A* from a maximum of 45 points Our top student achieved 11 A* grades and 1 A These examination results allow our students access to the very best universities worldwide, including prestigious Ivy League colleges in the United States and Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom. www.bisvietnam.com Where is your child going? 5 Contents COVER STORY PINOY PRIDE The Filipino community in Saigon is multifaceted, from food and sport to music and business. Discover what this culture has to offer EL PIX A H AS P 32 BY IMAGE FEATURES P10 DATEBOOK P22 BRIDGE THE GAP P28 CHILDREN OF THE NORTH With these events, you'll never have to be An organization promoting a new culture of Capturing the beauty and innocence in the bored again giving in Vietnam faces of children in Sapa and Ha Giang P16 TROI OI P24 SMOOTH AS SILK P68 THE QUEENS OF NEW YORK See why an elderly couple, trees and the Revitalizing the traditional art of painting Astoria is the quintessential neighborhood Ebola virus made our noteworthy numbers on silk representing the cultural diversity of New this month York City P26 A FAIR TO REMEMBER P18 THE BULLETIN Find bargains, homegrown products and live P78 SKIN DEEP Checking out the latest promotions and entertainment at the latest fair to hit the city Stylish accessories made from ostrich skin openings 6 7 WINE & DINE RESTAURANT REVIEWS From Indonesian rijsttafel, Korean barbecue to Japanese hamburg and steak, this month’s reviews are all about Asian cuisine AN R T C GO N 46 BY IMAGE COLUMNS P80 THE WHITE STUFF P16 SAIGON MYTHBUSTERS P83 HOME INTERIOR A heavy coffee drinker finds out if one dental Is air conditioning bad for your child’s Lines, whether horizontal or vertical, can make visit can erase years of coffee staining health? or break your home P82 MY LIFE AS P70 LIFE'S A TRIP P95 LEGAL EASE A railway crossing guard and how hard it is to Manipulating the credit card system to get Applying for Vietnamese citizenship as a protect people from an oncoming train a free (or very cheap) vacation foreigner P92 SURVIVAL GEAR P72 POSTCARDS FROM VIETNAM Designer Jake Orak keeps indigenous cultures The process of dyeing batik fabric by the alive with his travel bags H’mong tribe 8 Editor’s ISSUE NO. 18 Note SEPTEMBER 2014 Hop on the Jeepney Despite growing up in NYC, the Melting Granniss speaks passionately about her not charity cases. I found the story behind Pot of America, my first real introduction to corner of New York City, one that few Vietnam-based Ethnotek really inspiring Filipino culture surprisingly didn’t happen tourists (and obviously, even locals) never and love that there are people right here until I was in high school, on Cultural get to see. After readingThe Queens of New in our community that are finding tangible Awareness Day, to be precise. All the York, it’ll definitely be on my list of places ways to give back to the country they love. seniors were to bring in something ― food, to go the next time I’m back Stateside to As my friends can attest, I'm an avid costumes, musical instruments ― that visit family. bargain hunter and live to shop at markets, represented our heritage. It was then that For many of us, living in Vietnam fairs and thrift shops. My closet is full I tasted Filipino food for the first time and means having the opportunity to help of memorable finds like a USD160 pony was surprised by the differences and the the sometimes less fortunate. However, a skin bag that I snagged for USD10 at a similarities. The chickenadobo the Filipino friend recently found out the hard way that mall closing in Kobe and a second-hand exchange students shared reminded me giving cash directly to a charity he hadn’t Comptoir des Cotonniers jacket I picked of thit kho to, swapping out fish sauce for thoroughly researched was not the best up at a Parisian shop for less than one- vinegar and soy sauce, but essentially a stew idea. It turns out the considerable sum he tenth of its original price. Naturally I was with a hint of pepper that's great with rice donated ended up being used to rent a car excited to find out about the launch of 3A white to soak up the sauce. and driver for the owner of the charity to Bazaar in the article A Fair to Remember Happily, since moving to Vietnam, I’ve travel around in for the past nine months, and although I sadly missed their first fair, had more opportunities to experience other not exactly helping the people it was meant I've got my eyes and ears open for their facets of the Filipino culture, from working to help. This incident has sadly made next one. with my Filipino colleagues Rico Gonzales, him hesitant about donating to charities As always, we have so much to share Jim Abril and Oi Creative Director Paolo anymore here in Vietnam but after with you this month, from an Indonesian Maling to taking short jaunts to the reading Bridge the Gap by NPD Khanh, feast with a Dutch twist (All Things to All Philippines for vacation (see the article on I’m convinced that the solution isn’t to People) to how to work the system for free beautiful Boracay in this issue) to enjoying stop donating but to be better informed travel (Life’s a Trip) to some of the most the diversity that Filipino-owned eateries, as to how you give, who will benefit and interesting personalities you’ll ever have businesses and residents bring to Phu My talking to organizations that have inside the pleasure of meeting! Hung. We’re happy to share with you this understanding of the culture and charities Have a great September, everyone! month a small slice of Filipino life here in Vietnam. in Saigon in our cover series, showcasing However, not everyone is out for the talent, drive and creativity our Filipino charity as James Pham’s Survival Gear friends bring to Vietnam. brings out. I’m coveting the Saigon Sling The Filipino culture wasn’t the from Ethnotek, not only because of the only thing I missed back in NYC. I’m ‘cool’ factor of having a well-made bag embarrassed to admit that despite being that features textiles woven in Vietnam, only a subway ride away, I've only been but because it’s a way to preserve the to Queens a handful of times and know traditional craft and lifestyle of ethnic CHRISTINE VAN very little about the neighborhood.