Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam to See 7% GDP Growth in 2016: Forecast
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- Published on 17 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Survey reveals lingering poverty for resettled citizens [SGGP]
Power industry faces competition test in 2016 [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam police arrest 2 taxi drivers for attacking, robbing Korean tourist [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam’s Big Casino Plans Hinge on Locals Being Allowed to Gamble
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
While Saigon and Hanoi are home to a number of casinos, it is illegal for Vietnamese to roll the dice in their country. Plans for large-scale casinos have been in the works for years but until locals are allowed to join in, international investors will view the market as a "a future development opportunity,” according to Reuters.
Slideshow: 15 Pictures of Vietnamese Children During Wartime
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam Net recently published a set of photos from German photographer, Bill Thomas Hardt who documented the horrors of the American War.
Strange Fruit: Old Man Nearly Dies After Squash Mishap
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Oh, Tuoi Tre, you sure know how to find the best stories. An 81-year-old Can Tho man hit a bum note when he was hospitalized after putting a squash up his anus to relieve his constipation, according to the newspaper.
Culture on 3 Wheels: Artsy 7-Story Tricycle Making its Way Around Hanoi
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
There are few things that surprise us in Vietnam these days – a gaggle of geese draped from a motorbike, electricity workers on precarious ladders, hell, even a volcanoes sprouting from the streets. But a recent creation from Swiss Architecture firm, Bureau A, may have you doing a double-take. For you see, it’s a 7 story tricycle that houses a mobile kitchen and performance space.
Morning News Roundup: Taiwanese Investigated for Allegedly ‘Selling’ Visas to Vietnamese Students
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian role in global aviation [Daily Times]
Seven kids die on measles outbreak in Vietnam [Xinhuanet]
Spainish coach wants to take Vietnam futsal to top four Asia [Vietnam Net]
Video: Watch Prince William ‘Speak’ Vietnamese
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- Published on 13 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last week, Prince Charles and Prince William recorded a video with the BBC to encourage an end to the illegal wildlife trade. In an effort to spread the message to the world, the pair translated the slogan, “Unite for Wildlife,” in 5 different languages - Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, Swahili and Chinese. William was assigned the Vietnamese translation and stumbled through it (I don’t think he was reading the accents…) but numerous Vietnamese we showed the video to said, “that’s not Vietnamese.” ‘A’ for effort, I guess?
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Cashes in on Cave Adventures
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- Published on 13 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In Vietnam, genetically modified organisms find fertile ground to grow [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam province culls ducks as bird flu threat re-emerges [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian role in global aviation [Global Post]
Slideshow: How Saigon Changed From 1955 – 2005
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In 2005, the French Consulate in Saigon commissioned a publication called Saigon 1955 – Ho Chi Minh City. As the title suggests, the book compares well-known Saigon locations from photos by French photographer Raymond Cauchetier in 1955 to their 2005 counterparts. While a bit old, the book does an awesome job of showing how Saigon has changed – or stayed the same – over the years.
VietJetAir Ready for Massive Expansion with Airbus Order
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
VietJetAir, Vietnam’s favorite budget airline (take that, JetStar) announced yesterday that it has signed a deal with Airbus, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers for nearly 100 new jets, according to Reuters.
Old Saigon Building of the Week: Cercle des Officiers Building
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
The grand colonial old pile at 47 Lê Duẩn, right opposite the
Get Ready to Pay More for Alcohol and Cigarettes in Vietnam
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Get ready to shell out more cash for your alcohol and cigarettes.
In an effort to cut consumption and generate tax revenue, the Ministry of Finance has proposed increases to the special consumption tax by mid-2015.
Morning News Roundup: “Đờn Ca Tài Tử” Receives UNESCO Certificate
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Australia sends first buffalo shipment to Vietnam [VoV]
9 Vietnam private bank executives charged in massive scam [Thanh Nien]
Vinamilk's 2013 gross profit jumps 16 pct [Reuters]
Hydropower projects cancelled [Vietnam News]
Flappy Bird Creator Receives Death Threats After Pulling Game
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- Published on 11 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Apparently Flappy Bird is just about as addictive as drugs. Since it's creator, Dong Nguyen, pulled the game from the iTunes and Google Play Stores last Sunday, citing a constant bombardment from the media and potential buyers, many users have been experiencing symptoms withdrawal. According to CSNBC's Eli Langer, Nguyen has even received death threats over Twitter.
Vietnam Nuclear Power Plans Delayed. Again.
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- Published on 11 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Vietnam’s plans to build its first nuclear power plant have been imminently delayed. The 2010 target of constructing 8 power plants by 2025 has seemingly now become a distant memory.
Looking Back at Graham Greene's Saigon
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- Published on 11 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Graham Greene’s The Quiet American is a must-read if one seeks to get a better picture of what Saigon was like in 50s or if you just enjoy a good novel (or both!). Saigoneer historian, Tim Doling recently reflected on Green’s bestseller and revisited some of the more significant landmarks in the book, some of which still exist today, on his blog, Historic Vietnam.
Video: Real Virtuality #1
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- Published on 10 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Richie.vn and friends just released a video with a bit of social commentary about the role of mobile devices in Saigon and what often happens when groups of friends get together (everyone just playing on their damn phones). From ordering food to miscommunications about sexual preference, the video shows the hazards and pitfalls of living in an ever-connected world in a hilarious way.
Press Roundup: McDonald's Opens in Saigon
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- Published on 10 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Since just about every major news agency has covered last Saturday’s McDonalds Saigon launch, we thought that, rather than rehashing the same story, we’d make a roundup of articles from the foreign press that reveal how the world views the opening. Most articles were copies/adaptations of this AFP article so we only included the original version:
Vietnam to Launch Urban Bike-Sharing Program in 2015
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- Published on 10 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Following the success of bike-sharing programs from New York to Beijing, Vietnam is planning to launch pilot programs for 5 cities in 2015.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Flappy Bird Developer Pulls Hit Game
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- Published on 10 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
While players of Flappy Bird spent the weekend trying for double digit scores and smashing their phones in frustration, the game’s maker shocked the world by announcing that he would be pulling the game.
