Vietnamese Businessman Rescued from Chinese Kidnappers who Demanded $323,000 Ransom
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
After a month of captivity, a Vietnamese businessman and his interpreter, being held for a $323,000 ransom, were rescued by Chinese police last week, reports Tuoi Tre.
Morning News Roundup: Polluted Rivers, Dwindling Groundwater Threaten Vietnam City Supply
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Red tape hinders construction of HCMC underground parking lots [VietNamNet]
Polluted rivers, dwindling groundwater threaten Vietnam city supply [Thanh Nien]
Exhibition showcases metal artefacts made in northern Vietnam during Bronze Age [The Star]
[Updated] End of an Era? Authorities Reportedly Crack Down on Bui Vien Street Drinking
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
[Update Below] Bui Vien, the land of drunken backpackers and general debauchery, underwent a makeover yesterday when police removed motorbikes and plastic furniture from the area’s sidewalks, according to witnesses.
Behold: The Mekong Delta as Viewed from Space
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
This sweet image of the Mekong Delta is a composite of 3 pictures taken between January and November 2007 by Envisat, an Earth-observing satellite.
Old Saigon Building of the Week: Former Clinique Saint-Paul
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
For those condemned to a long daily commute along that busiest of city arteries, Điện Biên Phủ street, the clean, elegant lines of the Hồ Chí Minh City Eye Hospital (Bệnh viện Mắt, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, www.benhvienmat.com) – the former Clinique Saint-Paul – offer a refreshing contrast to the surrounding urban clutter.
Vietnam’s First McDonald’s Has Served More than 400,000 Customers
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Henry Nguyen, owner of Good Day Hospitality, which operates McDonald's in Vietnam, announced yesterday that the company’s first Vietnamese branch served over 400,000 customers in its first month of operation, according to Bloomberg.
Morning News Roundup: Norway’s Crown Prince to visit Vietnam
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam seeks to reduce citizens’ papers with new ID card [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam’s mobile apps industry starts to toddle [VietNamNet]
Study says Vietnam at H7N9 risk as two new cases noted [Cidrap]
[Video] Saigon Street Scenes (1940-1950)
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
This is one of the harder old Saigon videos to make sense of since it’s a compilation of clips filmed between 1940 and 1950, starkly different times in the country's history (World War 2 will do that).
Survey: 38% of Vietnamese Support Same-Sex Marriage
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In a recent survey conducted by Vietnam’s Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (that’s a mouthful!), more than one-third of respondents supported a proposed law to legalize same sex marriage, according to VietNamNet.
Hanoi's 7×18 House: Rethinking Urban Housing in Vietnam
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Hanoi-based, AHL architects associates continues to develop designs for sustainable urban housing in Vietnam. Their latest project, the 7×18 house, was built with local materials while taking into account geographic and cultural demands.
[Video] Vietnamese Students Cross Raging Floodwaters to Get to School
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Education is one of the most valued possessions in Vietnamese society and many children outside of the country’s urban centers expend a great deal of time and energy and, in some cases, risk their lives to obtain it.
Vietnam Announces Online Visa System
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
For foreigners traveling to Vietnam, getting a visa is set to get a bit easier as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Information and Communications have announced a new online visa system, reports VietNamNet.
Morning News Roundup: Korean Company Director Found Dead in Vietnam
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- Published on 18 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Big players' entry to hot up Vietnam cable TV market [Thanh Nien]
E-payment catches on with Vietnamese consumers [SGGP]
Vietnam to Lower Key Policy Rates to Support Economic Growth [Business Week]
Future Saigon: Renderings of Nguyen Cu Trinh Centre
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
There are big plans in the works to remake the intersection of Tran Dinh Xu, Nguyen Trai, Cong Quynh and Nguyen Cu Trinh in District 1.
The Second Portion 'Red' Opens at the Observatory
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Zelda Rudzitsky.
Upon entering the gallery section, visitors find themselves in a dark space lit only by Le Brothers’ video installations on the wall and by the shiny red reflections coming from the two cage-like sculptures adjacent the entrance door.
Vietnam Targets 20,000 More PhDs by 2020
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
One of Vietnam’s many 2020 goals includes producing 20,000 additional PhD holders; one that many doubt is attainable, according to VietNamNet.
How to Approach People When Taking Photos in SE Asia
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Etienne Bossot.
I’ve wanted to write something on this topic for ages. To be honest, this is probably the question that I hear most from my students: how should I approach people to take their photos?
Vietnamese Football Team Ranked 1st in SE Asia
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam has recaptured 1st place in the SE Asian FIFA rankings which were announced last week. While we applaud the team’s accomplishment, there’s still some room for improvement - they are ranked 17th in Asia and 125th in the world.
Morning News Roundup: 7,000 Vietnamese Inmates Write Apology Letters to Victims
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- Published on 17 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Foreign textile firms invest in Vietnam to take advantage of TPP [Thanh Nien]
Too Many Vietnam Seaports Spoiling Terminal Business [Bloomberg]
Vietnam’s museums to display artifacts in New York [Vietnam Net]
[Slideshow] 12 Colorized Pictures of Old Saigon
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- Published on 14 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
While old Saigon looked beautiful in black and white, adding a little color goes a long way to adding life to a photo (though photography purists would probably disagree). We've collected 12 colorized pictures of Saigon, all of which appear to have been taken prior to 1941 (our best guess given the content of the pictures) for your time traveling enjoyment.
