5 of Saigon’s Best Public Swimming Pools
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- Published on 27 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
As tempted as I am to jump into the Saigon River on scorching afternoons, taking a dip in one of Saigon's many public pools is a much more logical (not to mention safer) option.
Saigon Urban Legends: Haunted Tao Dan Park
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- Published on 27 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Listed in UK travel guidebook Rough Guides as one of the most haunted places in the world, District 1’s Tao Dan Park is said to the home of young man's ghost.
Report: Vietnam has Reached 25 Million Facebook Users
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- Published on 27 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
A market research study from Epinion, a Danish marketing agency, has found that 25 million of Vietnam’s 36 million internet users have Facebook accounts, reports VietNamNet.
Morning News Roundup: Honda Vietnam to Launch 10 New Motorbike Models
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- Published on 27 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam Airlines to launch IPO in Q3 [SGGP]
Experts urge delay of 4G application [Vietnam Plus]
17 Rare Photos of Vietnam Taken 120 Years Ago
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
To mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam, the National Library of Vietnam has released a collection of more than 200 photos taken by Governor General of Indochina Armand Rousseau. The rare photos, taken between 1895 and 1896 take us back to versions of Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Hue, Nha Trang and Saigon (among other locations) that have long receded into history.
[Video] Yet Another Reminder of How Beautiful Vietnam Really is
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Marco Santi and a friend spent 6 days in Vietnam, stopping in Saigon, Can Tho and Chau Doc before heading off to Cambodia. Even though it was short trip, the smiles of the Vietnamese and the country’s beautiful landscapes left the backpackers speechless. Luckily, they had a Canon 5D mkII on hand to capture the images that their words never could.
4 Traditional Trades That Are Quickly Disappearing in Hanoi
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Last week we heard the story of the Saigon Post Office’s last letter writer, a trade that is unlikely to last much longer. But letter writing isn’t the only traditional occupation endangered by Vietnam’s fast-paced growth and modernization, according to VNExpress.
Over 1 Ton of Elephant Tusks Seized in Hai Phong
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Hai Phong customs officials seized more than 1 ton of illegal elephant ivory from Hong Kong on May 24, reports Tuoi Tre.
Quang Ninh's Stone House
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Stone House from, you guessed it, Vo Trong Nghia Architects, was built back in 2011 but just caught our attention.
Weekend News Roundup: Real Madrid to Hold Soccer Camp in HCM City
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- Published on 26 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam Air offering part of push for foreign investment [Sydney Morning Herald]
Vietnam car imports soar in May: report [Thanh Nien]
Authorities: Woman Sets Herself on Fire in Front of Reunification Palace to Protest Chinese Oil Rig
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to Le Hieu Truong Hai, District 1's Vice Chairman, a 67-year-old woman from Binh Thanh District set her self on fire in front of Reunification Palace at 6am this morning to protest the Chinese oil rig that has encroached on Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the East Sea.
Street Cred: Phan Xích Long
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Vinh.
Like a page straight out of Bizzaro World, fast food franchises have a heightened social status here in Vietnam.
[Photos] The Mud Wrestlers of Yen Vien Village
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Every year between the 12th and 14th days of the fourth lunar month (May 10 - 12), the men of Yen Vien Village in Bac Giang Province partake in the a 3 hour “Ball Catching in Mud Festival.”
15 Unusual Maps That Compare Vietnam and Other Countries
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Maps are not only a great way to look back through time, but also to understand the world in its current state. Time-wasting site, Bored Panda, compiled a brilliant collection of maps that reveal some fun and interesting facts that show how Vietnam stacks up to the rest of the world when it comes to everything from rates of lactose intolerance to average penis size (sorry, Vietnam).
Old Saigon Building of the Week: Maison du Combattant
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
The project to create a Maison du Combattant (War Veterans Centre) was launched in 1929 by the Amicale Cochinchinoise des Anciens Combattants de la Grande Guerre (Cochinchina Friendly Association of Great War Veterans). Funded entirely from donations, subscriptions and the proceeds of various raffles, the attractive art deco building opened its doors at 23 boulevard Norodom (now 23 Lê Duẩn) in 1932.
Great Success! Tourist Celebrates After Crossing Saigon Street
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Tourists are notoriously freaked out by the prospect of crossing the street in Vietnam, with many comparing it to the 1980s video game “Frogger.”
Morning News Roundup: Firms Pay Fines for Violating Food Safety Rules
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- Published on 23 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Ford pours more investment into Vietnam [Vietnam Plus]
ExxonMobil keen on Vietnam market [VoV]
The Mekong Delta: Home to 3 of Vietnam's Most Spectacular Mansions
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- Published on 22 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
While Hanoi, Hai Phong and Saigon are known for their beautiful colonial architecture, some of Vietnam’s best specimens can be found in the Mekong Delta. Here are 3 ornate buildings known for their mixture of Oriental and European architecture, that also are rich in history.
This Video Reminds Us Just How Beautiful Vietnam Really is
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- Published on 22 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s time to take a break from Saigon time lapse videos set to electronic music and enjoy this slow-paced short film, Somewhere in Vietnam which reminds us just how beautiful this country is.
“Pho” added to Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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- Published on 22 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well, it’s about time. Our beloved “pho” has finally gotten the recognition it deserves, recently being added along with 150 other terms to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, according to CBS News.
