Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Mekong Delta May Toss Out Rice for Corn, Soybeans
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam women eye World Cup berth via Asian tourney [DTI News]
Vietnam’s Viettel Signs Content Deal With Germany’s A Company [Variety]
Vietnam Reverses Ban on Local Online Gaming Companies
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnamese authorities have reversed a 4-year-old ban on the development of local online games after acknowledged that it has not only failed to limit their usage, but has allowed foreign firms to dominate the growing market, reports Thanh Nien.
Gangsters of Saigon: Dai Cathay - Part 1
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
"First Dai, second Ty, third Cai, fourth The" was a saying about the 4 'kings' of Saigon's gangs before 1975. This implies that the most badass of the group was Dai, also known as Dai Cathay, who became not only the city's most powerful organized crime figure, but also adversary of the government and military of Nguyen Cao Ky and Nguyen Ngoc Loan, respectively.
7 Reasons Why Vietnamese Food is Good for You
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
While you may have to watch out where you’re buying your produce in Vietnam, the cuisine itself is about as healthy you can get. The Huffington Post recently talked to the Vietnamese owners of Pho, a UK-based, family-run restaurant who provided 7 health benefits of eating Vietnamese food, as if we needed more convincing.
Event Rewind: Postiljonen
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Last Sunday, Stockholm ‘dream pop’ trio, Postiljonen, swung by La Fenetre Soleil as part of their Asian tour.
[Photos] Looking Back at the Development of Phu My Hung (2003-2005)
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Saigon South, the largest new urban area in Vietnam got its start in the mid-1990s through a joint-venture between a Taiwanese development company and a city development agency. The Phu My Hung New City Centre in District 7 was chosen as the epicentre for the new project. After rather slow progress in the first few years, development took off with the start of the new millennium.
[Video] Teaser: The Banditas of Hoi An
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
To avoid a dark complexion, many Vietnamese women wear body-encompassing garb when out about town. Some call them ‘ninjas’ and others ‘mummies.’ Sydney-based filmmaker, Kearon de Clouet, recently traveled to Hoi An to film women, who he dubs ‘banditas’, wearing their suits of sun-defying armor. He posted a very well-produced teaser for his upcoming short film, The Banditas of Hoi An.
Morning News Roundup: TPP Negotiators Begin Talks in Vietnam in Bid to Conclude a Deal
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- Published on 13 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam Stocks Tumble to Four-Month Low as China Tensions Rise [Bloomberg]
Da Lat to export veggies to South Korea [SGGP]
In Vietnam, Japanese investors eager to find local talent [Thanh Nien]
NY Times: Here’s What You Should Do with 36 Hours in HCMC
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The New York Times recently visited HCMC for one of their popular “36 Hours” columns where they present a list of recommendations for things to do and places to go if you're short on time.
Why Twitter Won't Take Off in Vietnam
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
As the world’s largest social network, Facebook, continues its massive expansion in Vietnam, many have wondered why Twitter, which ranks second, is ignored. One of our favorite tech writers, Anh-Minh Do over at TechinAsia, recently tackled the conundrum.
Nearly Gone But Not Forgotten: 213 Dong Khoi
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin and Tim Doling.
The magnificent art deco apartment building at 213 Dong Khoi has nearly been reduced to a pile of rubble to make way for a 14-story City Administration Center.
Event Rewind: The Saigon Projects 5 Year Anniversary Party
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
There may have been a mixture of complexions and languages, but the crowd at The Saigon Projects 5 year anniversary party shared one love for the growth of graffiti art and underground hiphop in Vietnam.
It's Harder Than You Think to Find Safe Produce in Vietnam
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Mind the VietGAP. According to a recent report in The Guardian, Vietnam’s sole safety certification mechanism is at best ineffective and, at worst, pulling the wool over the eyes of Vietnamese consumers seeking safe produce.
Thailand Amends Controversial Border Procedures for Vietnamese Tourists
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
After public outcry from Vietnamese tourists and tourism officials, Thai customs authorities have announced that they will amend “offensive” signage and procedures requiring proof of funds at the Poipet border gate between Cambodia and Thailand, reports Tuoi Tre.
Weekend News Roundup: Second McDonald’s Vietnam Restaurant Complete
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- Published on 12 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Second McDonald’s Vietnam restaurant complete [VietNamNet]
Obama sends Vietnam nuclear deal to Congress [Times of India]
Vietnam’s southern province holds int’l kite festival [Tuoi Tre]
Old Pictures of Saigon's Canals
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- Published on 09 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Canals used to serve as the Saigon's main commercial highway, connecting the city to the Saigon river and in turn the web of rivers that traverse Vietnam.
Sustainable Home Design for Vietnam's Low-Income Earners
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- Published on 09 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s all about the green. Earlier this week we looked at a sustainability-focused kindergarten by Vo Trong Nghia Architects. While that project seeks to educate Vietnam’s youth, in the same compound, the firm built prototypes of low-cost housing for residents in the Mekong Delta.
Brew Nation: Vietnamese Consume 3bln Liters of Beer Each Year
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- Published on 09 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
While some raised doubts about a WTO report that found Vietnamese women outdrink Russian (and Vietnamese) men, there’s no question that Vietnam is a country that loves its beer. So much so in fact, that domestic production cannot keep up with demand, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Street Cred: Vo Thi Sau
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- Published on 09 May 2014
- Written by Vinh.
Life, like the streets and alleys of Saigon, certainly has its fair share of twists and turns. One moment, you’re comfortably cruising down one direction, and suddenly, you encounter a detour. You try your best to navigate down an unknown path, guessing, turning—hoping—to get back on track.
Vietnam's Fading Black Smile
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- Published on 09 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Contrasting black and white is not a modern aesthetic. For a long time, it was a standard of grace for Vietnamese women for whom traditional beauty was judged by “white skin, black teeth.”
