My schedule here is challenging: 6 nights a week, 4 hours each night, playing a mix of covers, requests, and original music, but during the day my free time is allowing me to write songs and digest all of the incredible life experiences I am having here. Certainly the benefits of world travel, learning about new cultures, making new friends and connections, and sharing my music with people from all over the world, are the truly important benefits. (I also smile at this position and the term "lounge singer" but was reminded by a very kind Norwegian couple who attended one of my performances that a "little known" jazz singer named Diana Krall started out playing in a hotel just outside of Oslo. Comforting thought indeed!) I could write a novel of my experiences, but suffice it to say I am truly thankful for this opportunity, and am looking forward to my next position in Seoul, Korea. When time allows, I intend to write a blog of some of the highlights and funniest/most interesting observations and stories from my time here.

One interesting anecdote is that a week after I arrived here, I received an e-mail from an employee at Whitman College, where I completed my undergraduate degree. He had seen an article about me in the National Vietnamese newspaper while flying on an airplane. I didn't get the details as to where he was going when he found the article, but it truly is a small world! He asked me to write to the alumni news for Whitman College, and I still need to do that! I thought I would have abundant free time here, but am making friends, discovering the city, and trying not to let the time slip away without appreciating every second of it. I miss my friends and family, but am pleased to be feeling more "at home" here in this beautiful place.

I have fallen in love with the way that Ho Chi Minh City (still affectionately referred to by many as Saigon) combines the progress, bustle, and attitude of the modern world, but staunchly refuses to succumb to the disturbing "Sameness" that many urban cities fall victim to. Intermingled with the well- known names and influx of international companies, there is never a shortage of Vietnamese influence, and the Vietnamese tradition has a strong hold over all aspects of daily life. I haven't taken nearly enough photos, but hopefully the ones I have taken will give you some sense of what life is like here.

Hilary Scott is performing six nights a week in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam from July 19th to October 15th. In total, she will play 78 shows. Though the majority of these shows occur in the Park Lounge, she is sometime asked to perform in other venues, and will be part of the September 6th Gala where she will be honored to team up with the most famous jazz musicians in all of Vietnam for a special set.

While in Columbia, Hilary was interviewed by the Missourian regarding her placement in Viet Nam. The article can be found here: Columbia Singer-Songwriter Lives The American Dream Abroad

In July, singer-songwriter Keith Colley met Hilary at a recording studio in Seattle and the two made progress on America's Song. While the specific plans for the project cannot yet be revealed, keep checking the newsletter for those details to come! Exciting things underway...

Hilary has been asked to sign a six month contract through Premier Talent International with the Grand Hyatt in Seoul, Korea. The contract would run from November of 2008 through April of 2009, and would include 6 performance nights a week. The Grand Hyatt has several performance venues and other PTI acts would also be engaged at the Grand Hyatt concurrently.

Hilary was interviewed and recorded playing live for Vietnamese television on August 24th. The show aired on Saturday, August 30th. Hilary has also appeared in many Vietnamese publications due to her performances at the Hyatt and one of those articles can be found by clicking on this link: American Hilary Scott belts it out at Park Hyatt Saigon