[Video] In the Ruins of a Hue Temple
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- Published on 27 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
From 1802 – 1945, Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. Buildings from this period have become popular tourist attractions and many, such as the city’s famous citadel, have been painstakingly restored. But for each building that’s been given a new lease on life, there is another that has been left to decay, such as this unknown temple captured in the video from Rusty Compass below.
Morning News Roundup: Saigon Zoo Tiger Delivers Five Cubs
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- Published on 27 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The nuclear power plan beyond Vietnam’s ability, Russian specialist [VietNamNet]
Vietnam zoo tiger delivers five cubs [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam Airlines’ flight attendant arrested in Japan [Tuoi Tre]
‘Flappy Bird’ Maker Ranked One of the World’s Most Influential App Developers
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- Published on 26 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
He’s probably sitting in his room, cursing them for it, but Dong Nguyen of ‘Flappy Bird’ fame has made Business Insider’s list of “the world’s 11 most influential people working in apps.”
Future Saigon: Renderings of the Majestic Hotel Expansion
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- Published on 26 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Downtown Saigon is riddled with empty lots where plans for massive developments have stalled in the wake of the downturn in Vietnam’s property market. In addition to new construction, plans for "upgrades" to existing builds have been put on the back burner, such as the expansion of the Hotel Majestic.
Saigon's Airport Dilemma: Part 1
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- Published on 26 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Tan Son Nhat began its life as a French military landing strip in the early 1930s. Since its construction, Saigon’s main airport has evolved from a buzzing military base (during the American War) to Vietnam’s busiest civilian airport. As the country’s airlines plan massive expansions to meet the demand of a fast-growing tourism industry, a new airport in Dong Nai Province has been in the works for 11 years. However, since many have opined that building a costly new airport is unnecessary, it leaves one wondering whether it will ever be built.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Economists Warn Against Addiction to Foreign Investment
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- Published on 26 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Unknown future for market trains in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre]
First quarter GDP hits three-year record high [SGGP]
A budding alliance: Vietnam and the Philippines confront China [Business Mirror]
[Slideshow] 14 Old Pictures of Taxis in Saigon
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In Saigon, taxis have long played an important role in getting people where they need to go. They first took the form of rickshaws and then cyclos before giving way to the 4-wheeled motorized variety (though cyclos still serve their original purpose to some extent).
Why Bitcoin Matters in Vietnam: Part 2
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Dominik Weil.
This is part 2 of a 3 part series on Bitcoin in Vietnam. You can read part 1 here.
What is Bitcoin anyway and why does it matter?
Dong Thap Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Attacking 4 Colleagues with Acid
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have arrested a local teacher for allegedly throwing acid on 4 co-workers, leaving them with serious burns, according to Thanh Nien.
Vietnam Mulls Destruction of Illegal Ivory, Rhino Horn and Tiger Bone
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
As Vietnam struggles to curtail the import of illegal wildlife products, officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development say they are considering “crushing” confiscated rhino horn, elephant ivory and tiger bone, reports Live Science.
Morning News Roundup: Foreign Tourist Dies After Fall in Nha Trang
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Meet Vietnamese, 24, who can speak 8 foreign languages [Tuoi Tre]
Breaking bad: Vietnam's female rap stars [AFP]
The Story of Saigon's Last Citadel
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You’ve probably passed the pair of colonial buildings at intersection of Dien Tien Hoang and Le Duan hundreds of times. What you may not be aware of, however, is that these two buildings are the last physical remnants of Saigon’s royal citadels.
After 23 Years, Lufthansa to Close HCMC Route
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline, will close its Frankfurt-HCMC route after 23 years, reports the Saigon Times.
Saigoneer Exclusive: Interview with the Editor of the HCMC MEGA City Photo Book
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book examines major themes relating to HCMC's rapid urban development. We sat down with one of the book's editors, Michael Waibel, and asked about how his team accessed unique locations such as the Bitexco Tower's helicopter pad, plans to create a similar publication for Hanoi and changes to the city's urban fabric he's observed over the last 20 years ago.
Fake Diplomas Continue to Undermine Vietnamese Education System
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Peter Cornish.
Once again the issue of fake qualifications has hit the news in Vietnam, and it comes as no surprise that once again the problem seems to be in the state sector, according to Tuoi Tre. What is surprising this time is that Vietnamese education experts agree that sham diploma holders can only be hired by state agencies.
Vietnam is the World’s 4th Largest Consumer of Instant Noodles
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Given the huge stocks of instant noodles in the aisles of Vietnamese supermarkets and corner stores, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise: a recent report found that Vietnam is now the world’s 4th largest consumer of instant noodles with 5.4 billion packs bought per year, according to Bernama.
Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Woman Wants to Marry a Death Row Prisoner
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
One more vaccine-related death triggers worries in Vietnam [Global Times]
Saigon woman wants to marry a death row prisoner [VietNamNet]
Vietnam calls for aviation expansion [TTR Weekly]
[Slideshow] 12 Old Pictures of the Notre Dame Cathedral
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of Saigon’s oldest and most iconic buildings. Built with imported materials from France, it was constructed between 1863 and 1880 in an effort to promote Catholicism in Vietnam. Due to its long history, it has been a centerpiece of Saigon’s urban narrative for over 150 years and an enduring reminder of the city’s colonial heritage.
Why Bitcoin Matters in Vietnam - Part 1
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Dominik Weil.
In January, Marc Andreesen’s article, “Why Bitcoin Matters” went viral just as Vietnam’s Central Bank, among others, rejected the technology’s legitimacy. In order to move the conversation away from the technology’s risks, I decided to look at how it can benefit the country, rather than hinder it.
[Video] Saigon Is Happy
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You've probably seen the video for the hit song Anh Không Đòi Quà where a women is stripped (literally) of the gifts given to her by her ex-boyfriend. While there have been dozens of remakes of this video, apparently it has hit its cultural expiration date if the introduction to this Vietnamese remake of Pharrell's "Happy" is any indication. We guarantee you'll smile at least once.
