Another Step Forward for Gay Marriage in Vietnam
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- Published on 19 April 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam is on the path to becoming the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. This week, in Hanoi, Deputy Health Minister, Nguyen Viet Tien, told the press:
“[A]s human beings, homosexuals have the same rights as everyone else to live, eat, love and be loved. As citizens, they have the right to work, study, receive health care, register births and deaths, marry and discharge their duties to the state and the society.”
District 8: Architectural Treasure Chest
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- Published on 18 April 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Stumbling upon old buildings is one of the best things about living in Saigon. While many are in a state of disrepair, some have retained their original character. Photo blog, Old Saigon, highlights some of the best remaining colonial architecture in the city like the photo above.
H&P Unveils Low-Cost Bamboo Home Design
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- Published on 15 April 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
When it comes to construction in Vietnam - from one-story shops to luxury office towers - one will find bricks on every site. For more than a century, these unassuming orange squares have literally laid the foundation for Vietnam’s cities, factories and commercial hubs. But local architecture firm, H&P, has released a new bamboo-based housing design that will address the multitude of housing challenges facing communities in flood-prone areas.
Bricks are the obvious choice for construction in Vietnam and in many countries around the globe. According to greenbuildingelements.com:
Massive Transportation Plan for Saigon Revealed
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- Published on 12 April 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We’ve heard a lot over the last few years about proposed improvements to Saigon’s transportation infrastructure. These include the new Long Thanh International Airport and expanding the city center into District 2.
A Look at Hong Kong's Cramped Apartments
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- Published on 12 April 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
There are plenty of small rooms here in Saigon, no doubt. But Hong Kong is notorious for it's cramped living quarters. These overhead photos were commissioned and released by The Society for Community Organization (SoCO).
The goal of this project is to highlight the ongoing housing problems in one of the richest cities in the world. For the most part, the residents in these urban slums are low-income families, elderly and unemployed.
VietJetAir Expands Bangkok Service and Celebrates with Free Tickets
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- Published on 11 April 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
VietJetAir has just announced a new route from Hanoi to Bangkok, set to open on June 1, 2013. To celebrate and promote this new service, the company is offering free tickets if you book between April 10 and April 20 for travel between April 15 and December 20.
The War That Never Happened Continues in Laos
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- Published on 16 January 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Diplomat recently published the story of the Hmong, a Laotian ethnic minority group recruited by the CIA to counter the influence of communism in Laos. This compelling article chronicles not only the role of the Hmong during the American War but their current struggle for survival in the dense jungles of northern Laos.
Organic Vietnam: A Step in the Right Direction
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- Published on 01 January 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Organic produce has gained massive popularity in the West over the last few decades. Given the importance of agriculture in Vietnam – both from economic and health standpoints – there are those who are working to improve the country’s diet and overall health by focusing on cultivating organic fruits and vegetables.
As the City Stretches – Part 1 - The Pursuit of Sustainable Development
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- Published on 19 December 2012
- Written by Brian Letwin
Over the past decade, Saigon has outgrown its traditional boundaries, forcing development not only vertically but horizontally. As the sky above District 1 becomes increasingly crowded and land scarce, city planners have been looking for ways to expand Saigon’s business center.
Vietnam’s Long Road to High-Speed Rail: Past & Present
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- Published on 19 December 2012
- Written by Brian Letwin
While we dream about subway systems in Saigon and Hanoi, another major project is on the minds of engineers and urban planners – high speed rail. Already the standard in Japan, China and Europe, there are two projects in the works that could bring the technology to Vietnam. But before we look at the future, let’s take a look at the history and present state of Vietnam’s railway system to see why so many are pushing for a complete overhaul.
Old Saigon: Pictures from Life Magazine
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- Published on 02 November 2012
- Written by Brian Letwin
When looking at old pictures of big cities, what usually strikes us is how different yet similar things are today. Back in the 50s, Time Magazine ran some great pictures of Saigon, capturing its initial rise as “Pearl of the Orient”.
Contrasting Past & Present
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- Published on 01 November 2012
- Written by Brian Letwin
If you love old Vietnam photos as much as we do, you’ll get a kick out of these which contrast the present and past of some of Vietnam’s most famous sites.
Bringing Back the Green
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- Published on 31 January 2012
- Written by Brian Letwin
The idea of “going green” is gaining popularity in our fair Vietnam, and while the government talks about it on a national level, there are plenty of good examples of individual applications of the concept.
