Details: Published on 07 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

As Vietnamese cities continue to experience a construction boom, government officials predict the country may run out of construction sand by 2020.

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Forecasts Record Foreign Investment of $16bn

Details: Published on 07 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brandon Coleman.

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Vietnam forecasts record foreign investment of $16b [Deal Street Asia]

Visa-free travel between Vietnam and Chile [VietnamNet]

Between 2 Worlds: The Dilemma of Vietnam's Foreign-Educated Grads

Details: Published on 06 August 2017; Written by Van-Quang Tuong. Illustration by Andy Tran.

Every six months, Thuy* leaves Vietnam for Sydney to spend time with her two children, Ha* and Quang*. Far from the bustle of Saigon, Thuy enjoys Australia’s pristine environment and the time spent with her children, though she finds life there can grow monotonous.

A Brief History of Curry in Vietnam

Details: Published on 06 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brandon Coleman.

It is well documented that southern Vietnam’s cuisine has been influenced by the French, but it is also undeniable that the fare has been influenced by another of France’s former colonial hubs: the port city of Pondicherry, India.

Tropical Depression Causes Devastating Flash Flooding, Landslides in Son La, Yen Bai

Details: Published on 04 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

As Vietnam’s rainy season reaches its peak, a recent tropical depression battered the country’s northern provinces, devastating local infrastructure and villages.

According to Tuoi Tre, heavy downpours blasted Yen Bai and Son La provinces early in the morning of August 3, leading to flash floods and landslides. Yen Bai-based Mu Cang Chai town was one of the hardest-hit areas: the flooding killed two, injured eight and left 13 others missing.

Rescue efforts taking place in Son La province.

“This is a historic flood in Mu Cang Chai. Nobody could predict that a seemingly safe location such as the town center can suffer from such a devastating flood,” Vice Chairman of the Yen Bai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Khanh told the newspaper.

Khanh added that apart from the above-mentioned fatalities, the calamity has wiped out most of the small town’s public facilities, including a kindergarten, a middle school, a high school and a training center.

Moreover, 32 private homes were destroyed while 15 others were either flooded or severely damaged. The damage is estimated to worth around VND150 billion (US$6.6 million).

Flash floods destroyed Mu Cang Chai's terraced paddy fields.

Thanh Nien reports that by the afternoon of August 3, local authorities had enlisted around 1,000 personnel to participate in rescue efforts in the affected provinces, 400-500 of which are currently focusing on Mu Cang Chai.

In Son La province, the damage is also severe, as landslides washed away many private houses as well as medical clinics and schools.

Zing quoted a representative from the Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting as saying that the torrential rain was caused by both a tropical depression and a low pressure area that enveloped northern provinces. It’s likely that the area will experience more rain until August 6.

Many public buildings were affected by landslides.

[Photos via Zing]

- Warming Seas Have Increased Asian Typhoon Intensity by 50%: Study

- Asia Suffered $83bn in Damage from Disasters Last Year

- Poverty Grows in Vietnam After String of Environmental Disasters

Hẻm Gems: Praise Be to Cheap, Tender, Delicious Chicken by the Mosque

Details: Published on 04 August 2017; Written by Michael Tatarski. Photos by Brandon Coleman.

Thanks to central Saigon's blistering pace of development and the short-lived sidewalk-clearing campaign of 2017's early months, the downtown area can be something of a street food desert.

China Wows Netizens With Panda-Shaped Solar Panel Farm

Details: Published on 03 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

After Kung Fu Panda, China's national animal is sweeping netizens off their feet again - this time as a pioneer in the country’s renewable energy industry.

Saigon Ramps Up Anti-Flooding Effort With Flood-Control Reservoir in Thu Duc

Details: Published on 03 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

In yet another attempt to alleviate Saigon’s flood problems, municipal authorities are expediting construction of a flood reservoir in Thu Duc District.

South Korean Convenience Store Chain Chooses Vietnam as First Foreign Expansion

Details: Published on 03 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

A South Korean convenience store chain will become the latest entry to Vietnam's competitive market later this year.

[Photos] Vietnam's Best-Looking Bridges

Details: Published on 03 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Top photo by Pham Doan Trieu.

Bridges have always been an indispensable part of Vietnam’s infrastructure, as rivers and streams spread across the country’s geographic formations.

Aviation Authorities to Blame for Vietnam-US Direct Route Delay

Details: Published on 03 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Illustration by Lee Starnes.

Travelers might have to wait until the end of this year to start flying directly from Vietnam to the US due to issues with the Southeast Asian country’s aviation authorities.

[Photos] Wander Through Ton That Dam's Chợ Cũ at Twilight

Details: Published on 02 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Andy Ip Thien.

Downtown Saigon is in flux these days, as old buildings come down and new structures rise from the rubble. While the past few years have brought major changes to District 1, this year has been particularly significant in the evolution of its neighborhoods, leaving decades-old communities in limbo as they wonder over the fate of their markets, apartment blocks and general surroundings.

Vietnam's YouTubers Cash in on Kid-Friendly Channels

Details: Published on 02 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Certain local YouTube channels are bringing in hundreds of millions of VND per month. Their target audience? Children.

Malaysia Bans Viral Hit 'Despacito' From State TV, Radio Stations

Details: Published on 02 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

It’s official: the Malaysian government has banned Despacito from playing on state TV channels and radio stations.

Vietnam Seeks to Improve Tourism Image Amid Poor Return Visitor Figures

Details: Published on 02 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Despite a steady increase in visitor numbers in recent years, Vietnam’s tourism sector is struggling to entice tourists back for another stay.

[Photos] A Nostalgic Look at Da Lat Market Through Time

Details: Published on 01 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Built in 1929, Da Lat’s central market is not only a buzzing commercial center, but also an important historical landmark of the sleepy resort town.

Hanoi's Skinny-Dipping Club Bares All for Fitness, Fun and Friendship

Details: Published on 01 August 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Vietnam’s capital city has a reputation for being a pretty conservative place. So it might come as a surprise for some to know that there is an entire community of adult men who like to skinny-dip near Hanoi's city center.