When the Japanese Occupied Vietnam: Part 1
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- Published on 05 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
When foreign occupation is discussed in Vietnam, the bulk of the conversation focuses on the Chinese and the French, rightfully so. However, while short-lived, the Japanese occupation of the country not only stoked the fires of Vietnamese independence but also elevated Ho Chi Minh to the forefront of Vietnamese politics. It may have only lasted 5 years, but imperial occupation ultimately shaped Vietnam’s contemporary history.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam to Have First-Ever National Wildlife Park by 2025
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- Published on 05 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Farming imports up 20% this year [VNS]
Vietnam gains attention in photo contest [DTI News]
Vietnam to have first-ever national wildlife park by 2025 [Tuoi Tre]
Bobby Chinn Nominated for Vietnam Tourism Ambassador
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Bobby Chinn may not be Vietnamese but he’s been identified as one of the “most promising candidates” to replace Ly Nha Ky as the country’s tourism ambassador.
Saigon's Folding Wall House
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s nice to see someone other than Vo Trong Nghia Architects making progressive home designs in Vietnam. This Folding Wall House was built by Nha Dan architects in 2013 and was designed to allow natural light flow through the entire structure.
Hue’s Eunuch (Thái Giám) Graveyard
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
7 kilometers from Hue’s Imperial Citadel and hidden in a wooded area full of green pine trees one will find Duong Xuan hill. Sitting on its top is the Tu Hieu pagoda which is among the most historic and beautiful pagodas in Hue. While visitors are charmed by its nostalgic and meditational grace, Tu Hieu is also known for its distinctive graveyard.
5 Great Ways to Watch Independent Films in Saigon
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Zelda Rudzitsky.
I spent my childhood in a family that worshiped cinema, all sorts of films, from Disney cartoons, unsuitable films such as All that Jazz (way too early, I was 8 at the time), art films – Cinema Paradiso – to westerns, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid. My father used to say that watching films “is the most intelligent way to spend two relaxing hours”, and I agree with him. Cinema is art, entertainment; it is informative, educational, uplifting and magical.
[Video] 2 Foreigners Attempt to Cover “What Does the Pho Say”
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
In an exceptional example of a cover of a parody, this dude, who goes by the name of Ăn Đu Đủ, enlisted a friend to help him cover “What Does the Pho Say.”
Morning News Roundup: Chinese Tourists Resume Visits to Vietnam Despite Tensions
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- Published on 04 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Red bauxite sludge covers farms in northern province [VNS]
Vietnam music industry hungry for good new songs [Tuoi Tre]
Lamborghini to Open its First Vietnam Showroom
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Start your engines! Vietnam is set to get its first Lamborghini showroom this month.
Mùng 5 Tháng 5 – Tet’s Little Brother
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Yesterday was Mung 5 Thang 5 (Tet Doan Ngo) - a Vietnamese half-year Tet celebration which takes place on the fifth of lunar May (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month). We take a closer look at this holiday to see whether it is the summer solstice of maleness (the yang), a day to memorialize Au Co or simply a day to kill pests.
Phu Quoc Ranked as One of the World’s 10 “Lost Paradises”
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Phu Quoc has undergone drastic changes over the last few years but compared to many of Vietnam’s tourist destinations, it’s remained relatively undeveloped. Singaporean newswire, AsiaOne, recently featured the island as one of the world’s “Lost Paradises."
[Photos] Hanoi's Ancient Wells
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Illegal wells may be one of the main reasons Saigon is sinking, but up North, their ancient cousins still provide life-sustaining, clean water to many communities.
[Photos] Changes Over Time: Saigon's Canals (2002 - 2014) Part II
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Due to the popularity of our previous piece which illustrated the physical changes along Saigon’s canals, we’ve managed to cobble together a new set of photos.
Morning News Roundup: Heavy Rain Uproots Trees in HCMC Again
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- Published on 03 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam’s credit ratings remain stable despite East Sea tensions [VietNamNet]
Heavy rain uproots trees in HCMC [SGGP]
One-Pillar Pagoda repairs put on hold [DTI News]
[Interactive Chart] How Vietnamese Consume Media
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- Published on 02 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
We can assume a lot about Vietnamese media habits based on our daily observations. Cafés are packed smartphone and tablets users and when walking down a hem at night, nearly every family seems to be sitting around their TVs.
Man Stuck in South Korea After His Son Uses Passport as Drawing Pad
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- Published on 02 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Kids are notoriously bad at determining the boundaries for their artwork, but this 4-year-old took things to the next level when he used his father’s passport as a canvas, leaving his father stranded in South Korea.
Bót Catinat: Saigon's "Gold Land"
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- Published on 02 June 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
Located on a prime site in one of Hồ Chí Minh City’s numerous “đất vàng” (gold land) areas and already earmarked for redevelopment, the headquarters of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism at 164 Đồng Khởi has a sinister past.
HCMC University to Start Teaching All Courses in English
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- Published on 02 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
One of Vietnam’s major universities, the HCMC University of Social Sciences, has announced that it will start to teach some majors in English, effective immediately.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Turns Away 500 Tons of Toxic Chinese Fruit
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- Published on 02 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam expects Japan coastguard ships next year: vice defense minister [Chicago Tribune]
Phu Yen selected as site for US$2.5 billion marina [DTI News]
Vietnam turns away 500 tons of toxic Chinese fruit [Thanh Nien]
Report: Vietnamese Spend $1 Billion a Year on Tobacco
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- Published on 30 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health reported that Vietnamese smokers spend over VND22 trillion ($1.04 billion) a year on tobacco products, reports Tuoi Tre.
