Can Vinyl Make a Comeback in Vietnam?
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to online retailer, Amazon.com, vinyl is its “fastest growing music medium.” With a 745% increase in sales since 2008, many are proclaiming the comeback of our favorite analog audio (sorry 8 tracks). Now, some Vietnamese artists are looking to vinyl to increase “musical sophistication” in the local market.
"Pussy Riot: a Punk Prayer" - Screening @ Snap Cafe
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- Published on 30 September 2013
‘Art house cinema’ by ‘Me phim – passionate about films’ will screen the documentary ‘Pussy riot: a punk prayer’ this Tuesday at Snap Café.
Central Vietnam Braces for Superstorm Wutip
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Superstorm Wutip, currently around 200km off Vietnam’s central coast, is expected to make landfall at 4pm this afternoon.
With maximum winds of 149kph, local authorities in Ha Tinh are in the process of evacuating 22,000 residents from vulnerable areas and converting schools into shelters.
Short Film: My Journey to Work
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As many of us struggle with motivation on Mondays (or any weekday for that matter), it’s not always easy to get yourself going. Sometimes, it takes a dose of external inspiration, like the video below, to push us along.
My Journey to Work, created by Paul Zetter for Reach.org.vn follows Mai, a Vietnamese woman who has overcome both physical and social challenges to become a successful graphic designer.
Saigon to Implement $155 Million Bus Rapid Transit System
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The HCMC Traffic Works Management and Construction Board has just announced plans for six Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRT) to meet growing demand. The first line, which will run from District 6 to District 2 should be up and running by 2018.
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Hanoi hosts first street performance festival [Nhan Dan]
- 40 years on: When Fidel Castro came to town [VNS]
- “White gold” plants encroach on forest’s territory [Vietnam Net]
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: How to Arrive at Your Wedding in Style
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The tradition of covering your wedding car with flowers and regalia is not new in Vietnam.
Today, most couples who can afford it, opt for a middle-of-the-line Toyota or Kia while those with deep pockets enjoy the luxury of a BMW or Mercedes.
Vietnam’s Rich are Getting Richer
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam’s economy may be slowly recovering but for the country’s rich, things are better than ever.
Vietnamese Airlines Struggle with Cigarette Smoking, Mobile Phone Using Passengers
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
So, apparently smoking on flights is a thing in Vietnam.
Vietnamese airlines are struggling with flagrant abuses of standard, in-flight safety regulations as customers have been found smoking in bathrooms and talking on mobile phones. When caught in the act, flight attendants say they are offered ludicrous excuses.
Vietnam as Seen From Space
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
If it were up to us, the majority of America's $700 billion annual military budget would be funneled to NASA (Neil Degrasse Tyson would likely agree). While this may be a pipe dream due to America's self-proclaimed role as the global leader in freedom and democracy exports, at least NASA's budget allows for some pretty sweet pictures like the one above.
Video: Gordon Ramsay Explores Vietnam and its Cuisine
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Gordon Ramsay has made it clear that Vietnamese cuisine is on the top of his list. His love was on full display in the most recent season of Master Chef US, where he tasked the final 5 contestants to prepare a bowl of Hủ Tiếu (they did surprisingly well). So where did chef Ramsay's passion for Vietnamese food come from?
Morning Links: Vietnam has More Than 300,000 Obese Children
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- Published on 27 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Nok Air has Vietnam in sights [Bangkok Post]
- Vietnam man arrested for car accident that drowned 5, including 2 kids [Thanh Nien]
- HIV/AIDS transmission rate in Vietnam kept under 0.3 pct [xinhuanet]
Vietnam Tourism Struggles to Keep up with ASEAN Neighbors
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- Published on 26 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s long been known that Vietnam is lagging behind its ASEAN neighbors when it comes to the quality of tourism workers. With the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreement on mutual recognition of tourism professionals set to begin in 2015, government officials fear the country isn’t ready to compete in a shared tourism labor market.
Video: A Taste of Vietnam
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- Published on 26 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Daniel Klein and Mirra Fine took a trip to Vietnam last year and brought along with some pretty sweet filming equipment.
After editing what was presumably hours of footage, the duo condensed their 2 week trip into a three and a half minute video that does an excellent job of capturing Vietnam's character from Hanoi to Hoi An.
London Restaurant Trademarks ‘Pho.’ Social Media Battle Ensues.
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- Published on 26 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It may be hard to comprehend how a company can trademark a word as generic as ‘Pho.’ Apparently the British Intellectual Property Office disagrees as 6 years ago, they allowed a glitzy London chain, ‘Pho,’ to do just that.
Morning Links: Gender Inequality in Vietnam at Alarming Rate: Official
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- Published on 26 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Economic growth at 5.14 percent in first nine months [SGGP]
- Vietnam's VietJet seen close to major Airbus order [Reuters]
- Vietnam city to apply new English language testing system [Thanh Nien]
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Before Bridges and Tunnels
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- Published on 25 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Think it's inconvenient having a car in present-day Saigon?
As many of the French living in Saigon during the first half of the last century were fairly well off, they often brought with them the comforts of their home country.
But sometimes, their beloved imports didn't exactly match the realities of their new environment.
Facebook Enjoying Massive Growth in Vietnam
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- Published on 25 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
A few years ago, it was not always an easy task to log into Facebook in Vietnam. Changing DNS settings, installing HotSpotShield or using a VPN were your best bet to log onto the site. My, how times have changed. A recent Socal Backers report shows that Vietnam currently enjoys the greatest Facebook growth rate in the world having added 14 million users in the past year.
Free Barbecue Sunday @ Saigon Outcast
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- Published on 25 September 2013
Sharing is in the air in Saigon and I like it, especially if the sharing in question is about food.
The crew at Saigon Outcast invites you on Sunday to a free BBQ (limited, first come first served) for any drink purchased. You are also welcome to bring their own dish and share it with other people.
Is Saigon Losing its Soul?
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- Published on 25 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In a recent article for Metropolis Magazine, Carl Robinson reflects on the massive changes to Saigon’s urban character over the last 15 years. He found that the city’s colonial buildings, designed with the area’s tropical climate in mind, are being torn down in favor of shiny new office towers. Saigon’s rich architectural history is being erased and replaced with characterless structures that ignore the city’s natural environment.
