Barack Obama Accepts PM Dung’s Invitation to Visit Vietnam
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- Published on 23 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN 27 Summit in Kuala Lumpur on November 21, US President Barack Obama accepted an invitation from his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to visit Vietnam next year.
Local Illustrator Recreates Famous Saigon Street Corners
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- Published on 23 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
In From Saigon, a series of colorful drawings, freelance illustrator and graphic designer Lys Bui manages to capture the charm of several well-known Saigon locales, including Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Hue (before it was a pedestrian-only street) and a few unnamed areas in District 5.
Drone Video Shows Off the Ruins, Salt Farms and Pristine Beaches of Central Vietnam
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- Published on 23 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
While many of the drone videos we post capture Vietnam’s cityscapes and well-known natural wonders, every now and then we find one focused on less-traveled locations.
Who Are the Top-Spending Tourists in Vietnam?
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- Published on 23 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has released its first-ever annual tourism report that contains some interesting data about visitors to Vietnam.
Man Uses Passport to Prove to Facebook his Name is Phuc Dat Bich
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- Published on 23 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Facebook may be growing at a rapid pace in Vietnam, but apparently, the social network still has some work to do when it comes to recognizing Vietnamese naming conventions.
[Photos] 5 Vietnamese Photographers Win at International Photo Contest
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last month, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) announced the winners for their annual photo contest and five Vietnamese photographers found themselves in the top 27.
Saigon Restaurant Buys Up Endangered Carps Weighing 240kg
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
To satiation the gargantuan appetites of its customers, a Saigon restaurant recently bought two endangered giant carps that weighed in at 240kg.
China Embarks on Quest to Build World’s Largest Supercollider
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
After bolstering its space agency, China is looking a bit farther afield but closer to home for its next great scientific leap forward.
[Video] Ben Tre Man Shows You How to Perfectly Husk a Coconut
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Husking a coconut is one of those things that looks deceivingly easy. But if you’ve ever tried to remove its thick green shell, it quickly becomes obvious that is a task of precision, one mastered only through years of practice.
Hẻm Gems: District 1's Delightfully Decrepit Bia Hơi
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Dana Filek-Gibson. Photos by Lee Starnes.
UPDATE: It is with heavy hearts that we inform our readers that the Thi Sach bia hơi has permanently closed. We will miss its regular crowd and grimy, beer-stained walls.
In a city that pretty much runs on beer, the ancient bia hơi on Thi Sach is a trip. Whether you turn up at the crack of dawn or in the thick of the evening rush, the pajama-clad ladies up front are always serving at least one grisly, middle-aged, red-faced Vietnamese man and the beer never seems to run out. On the wall, two paintings that have seen all manner of abuse – heat, water damage, dubious stains, mishandling – seem to barely cling to the wall, while the tiny mezzanine at the back looks like all it would take is one portly patron to send the whole thing to ground level.
Vietnam Looks to Add Another Airport Near Saigon
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.
Amid approvals for massive new airports and expansions/upgrades to existing ones, it seems like the airport money tap is wide open in Vietnam. Seeking to jump on the bandwagon and boost tourism access and logistics south of Saigon, the government is mulling the construction of a new domestic airport near Vung Tau.
Morning News Roundup: Police Probe Poisoning Deaths of 13 Dogs at Saigon Pet Café
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- Published on 20 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Alexander McMillan.
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Rising demand for Uber cars, cheap loans boost car sales in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre]
VietJet submits bid to run Phu Quoc Int’l Airport for 30 years [DTI]
Banking sector must accelerate reform efforts, say experts [Vietnam News]
Saigon Unveils Lotus-Shaped Metro System Logo
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
The lotus flower has long been an inspiration for everything from logos to skyscrapers in Vietnam. It serves as the country’s national flower, Vietnam Airlines’ emblem and inspiration for the shape of Saigon’s Bitexco Tower. Unsurprisingly, when transport officials unveiled the logo for Saigon’s first metro line, this piece of national imagery was front and center.
[Video] Nosh Food Week Kicks off at GRAIN
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Over the next week, Luke Nguyen’s Grain will be home to Nosh Food Week Saigon, a week of food events centered on collaboration between local chefs.
[Photos] Northern Vietnam at the Turn of the 20th Century
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Northern Vietnam has arguably the most charm of any region in a country graced with an abundance of natural beauty.
Vietcombank Backpedals, Resumes ATM, Money Transfer Services for Foreigners
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
A week after Vietcombank announced that it had suspended ATM and money transfers for foreign customers, Vietnam’s largest bank has reversed course and resumed the services as of this morning.
Wrong Turn Adds 7km to Bangkok Half-Marathon
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
As runners set out on what was meant to be a 21km half-marathon in Bangkok last weekend, many were surprised to find a significant addition to their route.
Morning News Roundup: Minister Passes Responsibility for Vietnam’s Troubled Tourism to Successor
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- Published on 19 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
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Banks, insurers drag markets down again [Vietnam News]
TV stations attempt to control English Premier League broadcast rights cost [DTI]
US to expand maritime assistance to Vietnam with $20 million fund [Thanh Nien]
What CNN's Saigon Guide Got Right
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- Published on 18 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Earlier this month, CNN released its Insider Guide to HCMC, hitting all the usual highlights of our fair city, from Ben Thanh Market to the Reunification Palace. Here's what it got right and what we felt the folks at CNN could have added to their list:
[Photos] Réhahn Returns With Another Stunning Photo Book
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- Published on 18 November 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Réhahn.
When we meet at a cafe nestled down the alley of 3A Station, Réhahn brings a copy of his second book with him. Based on its weight alone, you can tell how much work the Hoi An-based French photographer put into its creation. The tome, a beautiful photo book titled Vietnam: Mosaic of Contrasts II, seems to cover everything about rural Vietnam but Réhahn is not yet content with his knowledge of the country.
