Saigon Urban Legends: Spirits, Curses and Sunken Ships at Thuan Kieu Plaza
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- Published on 15 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
Located in the heart of Saigon’s busy Chinatown, the three-unit, 33-story tower complex known as Thuan Kieu Plaza was an icon of prosperity when it was completed in 1990. During the day, it looks no different from any other skyscraper in Saigon, but when all the other buildings are lit up at night, Thuan Kieu Plaza stands in darkness, abandoned.
4 US States are Dominated by Vietnamese Speakers (Kind of)
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- Published on 15 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
While the Nguyens might be taking over Australia, the US claims a sizable Vietnamese population as well. Using census data, Slate created a revealing state-by-state map showing the most commonly used languages throughout the country (not including English or Spanish). Vietnamese came in as the 3rd most common (by state, not by capita) taking the crown in Texas, Washington, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Escape From the Tourists: 5 of Vietnam’s Underrated Islands
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- Published on 15 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
You want to have a lazy holiday on a tranquil beach, but Nha Trang and Mui Ne is a bit too touristy for your taste. We’ve come up with a list islands that should offer some relief from the throngs of tourists that inhabit Vietnam’s mainland.
Jean-Baptiste Louis-Pierre: The Father of Saigon's Green Spaces
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- Published on 15 May 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
As traffic congestion and air pollution intensifies, Hồ Chí Minh City’s urban greenbelt has assumed increased significance as the “green lung” which helps to disperse pollutants, check the flow of dust and reduce noise levels. What better time to pay tribute to Jean-Baptiste Louis-Pierre, the Frenchman who was responsible not only for the city’s famous Botanical and Zoological Gardens, but also for many of its parks and tree-lined boulevards.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Fashion Student Wins $30,000 Prize
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- Published on 15 May 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Under pressure of exams, many students develop mental disorders [VietNamNet]
Vietnam may lift retirement age to save pension fund [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam Television buys football World Cup rights for $7 mln [SGGP]
Gangsters of Saigon: Dai Cathay - Part 2
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
In the 1960s, the height of existentialism and hippy ideals in Saigon, many of the city’s wealthy hung out at restaurants, discotheques and drug dens in Districts 1 and 3. Dai became a familiar face in these establishments where he befriended engineers, doctors and artists such as Dzach Buu, Dzi Buu and Hoang Sayonara who later became Dai’s mentor for business strategy.
Future Saigon: Lim Tower 2
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
You may have noticed the large building going up on the corner of Vo Van Tan and Cach Mang Thang 8. This Lim Tower 2, a project being developed by CotecCons with financing from the JSC investment corporation, according to REIC.
US Grants Immigrant Visas for Married Gay Couples
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Dang Bui.
The US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City has declared that it will grant immigrant visas for married homosexual couples, according to VNExpress.
[Photos] Vietnamese Motorbikes and the Things They Carry
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
With more than 37 million of them, Vietnam is truly the land of the motorbike (for now). As we see on a daily basis, they’re not only the preferred method of transportation for people, but also for the transference of goods.
Ancient Village Regulations Uncovered in Hoi An
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- Published on 14 May 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
A 19th century draft of village rules and regulations has been discovered by a Vietnamese historian in Hoi An, the first of its kind, reports Vietnam News.
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.
