TOPIC

My Hong Kong

My Hong Kong
My Hong Kong is a bi-weekly column by Luisa Tam that looks at the quaint and quirky traditions of Hong Kong from an unusual perspective and provides a unique insight to help readers expand their understanding of the local culture. It also explores how this global city deals with challenges in order to reinvent itself and stay relevant.
Halloween revellers celebrate in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong. The city, traditionally at the forefront of Halloween in Asia, should leverage its local culture to make the event bigger than ever, Luisa Tam says. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | How Hong Kong can become the Halloween hub of Asia once more

Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul have emerged as top Halloween party spots in Asia. But Hong Kong could set itself apart again – by looking inward.

Hong Kong tourism

My Hong Kong | ‘Fun economy’ good, ‘de-stress economy’ could be even better for Hong Kong

Asia travel

My Hong Kong | Less is more when it comes to Hong Kong staging ‘mega events’

5
Gender

My Hong Kong | Welcome change: why Hong Kong should alter its image to be a diversity hub

Hong Kong, trying to improve its overseas image, needs to change its stance on diversity and inclusion and bring itself into line with the modern world. This would benefit the city in many ways.

6
As it tries to improve its image overseas, Hong Kong could change its stance on diversity and inclusion to bring it into line with the modern world. This would benefit the city in many ways. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

My Hong Kong | Don’t wreck our Flower Market by redevelopment. Canals belong in Amsterdam

We should welcome a revitalisation of Hong Kong’s Flower Market – but it must be done right. At first glance, plans for its redevelopment don’t preserve its culture or align with the joyful chaos of Mong Kok.

10
Hong Kong society

My Hong Kong | Why bash this Hong Kong art project? Its Chubby Hearts are in the right place

The Chubby Hearts art project was started in the UK by designer Anya Hindmarch. The Hong Kong edition drew criticism, but it has brought joy and laughter to the city, and we need more projects like it.

10
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Lionel Messi in Hong Kong

My Hong Kong | Beckham could have played for Messi in ‘PR disaster of the century’ match

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

22
Manchester United ‘99 Legends player David Beckham celebrates after scoring their fifth goal during the Treble Reunion 20th anniversary football match between Manchester United ‘99 Legends and FC Bayern Legends at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on May 26, 2019. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong tourism

My Hong Kong | Hong Kong needs lessons on tourism. China’s icy north provides them

Hong Kong needs new ideas to attract tourists after underwhelming campaigns like ‘Night Vibes’. The success of Harbin, mainland China’s ice capital, offers valuable pointers.

videocam
Hong Kong tourism

My Hong Kong | ‘Time travel’ tourism – could it be the boost Hong Kong needs?

By combining history, technology and entertainment, ‘time travel’ tourism could rejuvenate Hong Kong’s travel industry by attracting a range of visitors seeking unique and immersive experiences.

Hong Kong population

My Hong Kong | How to fix Hong Kong’s baby crisis? Handouts alone cannot solve all problems

The government needs to adopt a more comprehensive approach that goes far beyond the promised US$2,500 cash handout to new parents if it wants to truly foster a baby boom in Hong Kong.

Babies sitting on the floor. Credit: Shutterstock
Hong Kong

My Hong Kong | Does Hong Kong need expats back? Absolutely – our city is better for it

Foreign talent enhances Hong Kong’s competitiveness and expatriates enrich the social fabric and contribute to a more cosmopolitan environment – all crucial to us maintaining our international status.

43
Foreign talent enhances Hong Kong’s competitiveness and expatriates enrich the social fabric and contribute to a more cosmopolitan environment – all crucial to us maintaining our international status, Luisa Tam says. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

My Hong Kong | Forget new night markets, ‘Night Vibes Hong Kong’ should revitalise old ones

Hong Kong’s new ‘Night Vibes Hong Kong’ campaign should focus on revitalising places like the Temple Street Night Market and Ladies’ Market if it is to attract locals and tourists alike.

Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | Donnie Yen as Hong Kong ambassador after John Wick 4 – make it happen

Donnie Yen’s stand-out appearance in John Wick: Chapter 4 is an excellent opportunity to raise Hong Kong’s global prominence, and the city’s government must step up to take it.

10
Hong Kong society

My Hong Kong | Are we ‘Heartless Hong Kong’ after elderly woman hawker debacle?

Forget ‘Hello Hong Kong’, we risk being labelled ‘Heartless Hong Kong’ after the recent street hawker case, which really isn’t fair to our mostly hospitable and welcoming people.

63
Ninety-year-old licensed street hawker Chan Tak-ching cries after having her roast chestnut trolley confiscated. Photo: Natalie Wong
Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | Hong Kong’s lame attempts to attract tourists and talent smack of desperation

From the ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign’s free air tickets to the need to ‘grab’ talent from elsewhere, Hong Kong seems desperate – and that’s ugly. We must focus on why we are unique.

89
Singer and actress Sammi Cheng in a promotional video for the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to attract tourists back to the city. Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | Why Hong Kong needs a culture tsar – not just a ‘mega’ events committee

The city needs someone to identify what is unique about the Hong Kong experience and spread that message to visitors through genuine interactions. And I’ve got some ideas for them.

9
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | Is Hong Kong’s soaring ‘2-dish-rice’ phenomenon a dark sign for the city?

A spike in eateries selling two-dish-rice boxes is reminiscent of the 1950s when open-air food stalls helped Hong Kong’s poor survive. Are we witnessing a return to widespread poverty?

15
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending in Hong Kong

My Hong Kong | Japanese fans cleaning World Cup stadiums an example for Hong Kong people

Fans of the Samurai Blue have been filling rubbish bags with theirs and others’ trash after World Cup matches in Qatar. Hong Kong people could learn from them.

videocam
25
Japanese fans show the rubbish bags they brought with them for cleaning the stadium in Qatar prior to the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 match between Japan and Costa Rica. Photo: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Coronavirus pandemic

My Hong Kong | Thai tour group deserves ‘Tourist of the Year’ medals after meal box fiasco

The group, who had to eat meal boxes for three days of a four-day trip and still described it as ‘very good’, should be showered with free air tickets and future hotel accommodation.

9
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | Hong Kong’s ‘two-dish-rice’ is fully deserving of intangible heritage status

The two-dish-rice box, beloved by Hong Kong residents and, lately, diplomats alike, is an icon of the city – it should be declared part of our intangible cultural heritage.

4
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | Hong Kong people, do your job! Be kinder or risk losing the tourism battle

The fight for tourist dollars is heating up as people embark on post-Covid travel, and while Hong Kong is a more exciting destination than Singapore, it isn’t as welcoming. It’s time for residents to make a change.

38
Amy Overy, founder of tour company Hong Kong Greeters, that caters principally to overseas visitors. With the fight for tourist dollars heating up, it’s time for the city to become more welcoming. Photo: Amy Overy, Hong Kong Greeters Ltd
Food and Drinks

My Hong Kong | Something needs to change after closure of Hong Kong’s Tung Po Kitchen

Hong Kong is being stripped of its distinctive culture and character as more iconic local restaurants and dai pai dongs shut down. The government needs to do more to help them.

13
Robby Cheung (centre), co-owner and manager of Tung Po Kitchen, toasts with customers on the second to last night in business at the restaurant at the Java Road Market and Cooked Food Centre, in North Point, Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | ‘Selling piglets’ scandal shows how desperate Hong Kong people have become

The ease with which victims of Hong Kong’s human-trafficking scandal – the ‘sold piglets’, a term that dates back to the Qing dynasty – were conned hints at a city in turmoil.

13
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | Avoid ‘borrowing’ umbrellas, and other Hungry Ghost Festival dos and don’ts

Your Hungry Ghost Festival survival guide: picking up an unclaimed umbrella, standing under a bus shelter at night and tapping someone on the shoulder are among the many things to avoid from now till August 26.

Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | Old Hong Kong bakeries are dying – go to one while you still can

As we bid farewell to Happy Cake Shop in Wan Chai, remember there are still a good handful of these traditional bakeries around – so patronise them.

8
Happy Cake Shop is well-known for its cream puffs and sweet fritters. The popular 45-year-old bakery Happy Cake Shop in Wan Chai announced it would close for good next week. 28JUL22 SCMP / Dickson Lee
Cantonese culture

My Hong Kong | Don’t hate the phrase ‘Hong Kong, add oil’ – we need it now more than ever

Hong Kong people should retake ownership of the phrase ‘Hong Kong, add oil’ – after years of Covid-19 and economic downturn, the city needs to add oil as well as peace and love.

7
Football fans with an “add oil, Hong Kong” sign at the Hong Kong vs Iran 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying match in Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Hongkongers should retake ownership of the phrase, which has recently been associated with anti-government protesters. Photo: Felix Wong
Lunar New Year

My Hong Kong | Why you should wear your lucky red underwear for Lunar New Year

In Chinese culture, red is a lucky colour, so maximise your Lunar New Year fortune by wearing red, giving out lucky red packets and wishing everyone kung hei fat choi.

Hong Kong culture

My Hong Kong | Learning Cantonese could save lives in places like San Francisco

In cities home to large overseas Chinese communities, Cantonese should be about more than just cultural preservation and should be integrated into their infrastructure.

24
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement