Vietnam Gasoline Prices Reach Record Highs
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- Published on 23 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
After the Ministry of Finance approved a 1% rise in fuel prices yesterday, the cost of gasoline has reached a record high, according to Thanh Nien.
[Slideshow] Changes Over Time: How Saigon's Skyline has Evolved Since 2003
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- Published on 23 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The 33 storey Saigon Trade Center was completed in 1997 and was the tallest building in Vietnam until the erection of the Bitexco Financial Tower in 2010. On the roof terrace of the building, there was once a coffee shop but it was shuttered long ago.
Morning News Roundup: Plans for HCMC’s New Airport Moves Forward
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- Published on 23 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
First Floating School In Vietnam Begins Operation [Bernama]
Vietnam gov’t wants to raise retirement age [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam's Pharmaceutical Market is Among the Fastest Growing in Southeast Asia [Market Watch]
Vietnam seeks ways for overseas nationals to maintain nationality [VietNamNet]
Source: World-Famous DJ Afrojack Coming to Vietnam in June
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to an industry source, Dutch DJ Afrojack, #7 on Forbes’ 2013 ‘The World’s Highest Paid DJs List’ and #9 on DJMag’s “Top 100 DJs” will be playing a massive show in Saigon this June. He would be one of the highest profile DJ to ever play Vietnam.
Old Saigon Building of the Week: The Signal Mast
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
A time-honoured landmark on the Saigon riverfront, the Signal Mast (mât des signaux in French, Cột cờ thủ ngữ in Vietnamese) was recently refurbished as the centrepiece of the Saigon riverside park.
Reports: New $6 Entry Fee has Made Hoi An a Ghost Town
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last week we heard rumors that Hoi An has started to charge a $6 entry fee to tourists seeking to enter the city's old town. According to Kenh14, what we feared has become a reality - Hoi An is now a ghost town.
A Tale of Two Cities: HCMC and Rotterdam Team up to Battle Climate Change
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Leigh Ann Chow.
Both HCMC and Rotterdam are port cities near a coast, surrounded by a river delta that is being affected by climate change with rising sea levels and an increase in severe storms. The two cities have come together in an unexpected partnership with the cities exchanging ideas on development and implementation of a climate adaptation plan for rising sea levels, increases in extreme rainfall, salinization levels and groundwater issues.
Fun with Old Maps: Cho Lon (1923)
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Cho Lon is one of Saigon’s oldest and most interesting neighborhoods. Spanning much of Districts 5 and 6, this predominantly Chinese area has been an integral part of Saigon’s economy since its establishment in 1778. When Cho Lon was incorporated as a city in 1879, it lay 11km from Saigon.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Residents Chip in to Install CCTV Systems
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- Published on 22 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Dien Bien Phu feature lights up screens [VNS]
Hanoi to ban vehicles in busy Hoan Kiem streets [DTI]
Lax management gives rise to fake firms and budget losses: Official [DTI]
Blasts From the Past: 10 Things That No Longer Exist in Saigon - Part 2
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Due to the popularity of of our previous edition of "Blasts From the Past: 10 Things That No Longer Exist in Saigon," we've put together a fresh set of photos for your reflective pleasure.
Event Rewind: Color Me Run
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Late Saturday afternoon a quiet suburban area in Phu My Hung, District 7 was transformed into a rainbow of colour. An astounding 6,850 (aprox.) runners descended onto the outside arena near the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, gearing up for a 5km run or, more fittingly, for a stroll. The runners arrived around 3pm hydrating themselves with plenty of water and Bia 333.
Mystery Fish That Attacked Nha Trang Tourist Identified
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The fish that attacked a Russian tourist in waters off Nha Trang lat week has been identified, according to Thanh Nien.
[Video] Monk Uses Impressive Meditation Skills to Ride Bike Without Hands
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Since we’re unable to ride a bike with no hands in even the best road conditions, the thought of doing so on Vietnam’s unevenly paved streets strikes fear into our hearts. But when you are one with your bicycle like this monk, it seems like an easy task.
Proposed Decree Seeks to End Taxi Scamming in Vietnam
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
A new draft decree from the Transport Ministry would require all taxis in Vietnam to be equipped with black boxes and receipt printers in an effort to curb taxi scams in Vietnam, reports Thanh Nien.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Hub Concerned Over Safety of ‘World’s Best Street Foods’
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- Published on 21 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam lawmakers debate allowing residents to gamble at home [Tuoi Tre]
Vietnam parking lots like matchboxes ready to go ablaze [Thanh Nien]
Street Cred: Lac Long Quan and Au Co
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- Published on 18 April 2014
- Written by Vinh.
Street Cred is the rearview mirror by which we’ll explore the meaning behind the signs. Look for it every Friday. Enjoy!
Rumors: It Now Costs $6 to Enter Hoi An’s Old Town
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- Published on 18 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In a move that’s sure to backfire, there are reports coming out of Hoi An that the city has started to charge a $6 entrance fee to access its famous old town area.
PM: Vietnam Will Not Host Asian Games
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- Published on 18 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam will not host the 2019 Asian Games as Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other government officials agreed that the country lacks both the experience and funds to successfully execute the event, reports Tuoi Tre.
A Complete(ish) Map of HCMC's Metro System
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- Published on 18 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Saigoneer’s resident historian, Tim Doling, is not only enamored with Vietnamese history, but also the country’s railways, having published The Railways and Tramways of Việt Nam. As Saigon gears up for its first metro line, Tim was kind enough to put together this map of what the full system will look like (note that it's based off of the latest information as of 2012) when completed (whenever that will be).
[Infographic] Vietnamese Diners Rank as SE Asia’s Lowest Tippers
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- Published on 18 April 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
We all know that tipping isn’t really a thing in Vietnam and a recent study by Mastercard published in the Wall Street Journal backs this up with hard numbers.
