Vietnam, Neighbors Pledge to End Dog Meat Trade
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- Published on 06 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
At a recent meeting in Hanoi, the four governments agreed in principle on a strategy to end the trafficking of dogs between Vietnam and its neighbors, which is estimated at 5 million animals annually.
Slideshow: Vintage Vietnamese Hairdos Recreated by Top Stylists
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- Published on 06 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
When we posted an article featuring Vietnamese album art from the 60s and 70s a few months back, we found the singers’ hair styles to be some of the more intriguing details.
Vietnam Set to Become World’s Largest Motorbike Producer
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- Published on 06 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Slowly but surely, Vietnam is becoming the favored location for large scale motorbike manufacturing. If the trend continues, analysts predict that within 10 years, Vietnam will become the global leader in the industry.
Saigon From Above
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- Published on 05 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Photographer Gian Thanh Son is completing a book and preparing a special exhibition, "Discovering Saigon from the air."
With the help of special forces helicopter Regiment 917 (Air Division 370), Son was able to capture his home city from the air, a dream of his for many years:
Vietnam: The Land of Nike
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- Published on 05 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to AmCham Vietnam, 98% of Nike footwear is produced in Asia with Vietnam leading the pack followed by China and Indonesia.
In the 2013 fiscal year, Vietnam, which houses at least 10 Nike factories, accounts for 42% of total footwear manufacturing while China and Indonesia account for 30% and 26% respectively.
Everyone's A DJ Presents: Shimmy Shimmy Coco Pop
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- Published on 05 September 2013
Everyone's A DJ presents 'Shimmy Shimmy Coco Pop' - a 50s/60s rock'n'roll/motown dance party!
From the organisers:
Six Suffocate in Fish Oil Tank
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- Published on 05 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well this is a sad story. Yesterday morning, six employees of the IDI Fisheries Factory in Binh Thanh Commun, Dong Thap Province suffocated from catfish oil fumes while taking samples.
Morning Links: Two Drunken Foreigners to be Expelled for Disturbing Acts
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- Published on 05 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam expects 6 pct GDP growth in two years [xinhuanet]
- Foreign firms in Vietnam complain about deteriorating business climate, consider quitting [Thanh Nien]
- More Vietnamese men using silicone to enlarge their penises [Thanh Nien]
Has Da Nang’s Bubble Burst?
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- Published on 04 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
After a decade of breakneck development, Da Nang’s luster is starting to wear off. Overly reliant on a once-booming real estate sector, the city’s coffers are drying up as investments slow and large-scale development projects stall.
Why Sustainable Development is Vital For Vietnam's Future
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- Published on 04 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Green building is starting to take off in Vietnam. Over the past few months, we’ve seen a number of ‘green’ homes sprout up across Saigon, using open floor plans, sustainable materials and plants that accommodate the city’s tropical climate. As buildings represent one the largest consumers of energy in the country, it’s vital that green building practices are adopted on a large scale, especially since Vietnam faces massive energy deficits in the coming decades. But Saigon’s skyline continues to develop in an increasingly ‘international style,’ where sleek design trumps sustainability.
Morning Links: $2 Million Weasel Coffee Farm in Da Lat
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- Published on 04 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Cambodian import turns a Saigon staple [Thanh Nien]
- Journalist jailed for fatal road accident [Thanh Nien]
- Vietnam Stocks to Climb 12% by Year-End on Valuations, PXP Says [Bloomberg]
Chợ Bà Chiểu - Past & Present
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- Published on 03 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Chợ Bà Chiểu, located on Bach Dang St., has been the central market for Binh Thanh District since 1942.
While it's been upgraded and expanded numerous times, most recently in 1987, you can still feel the history when walking through the market.
A Musical Journey with Henry Saiz
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- Published on 03 September 2013
You wonder through the deserted landscape…it’s not a dream, not a nightmare, your mind is empty of memories as if you have always been here, since the beginning of time...you are afraid of yourself, you just know you have to keep walking, keep walking. Try to lose yourself follow my voice.
How Vietnam Got its Name
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- Published on 03 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Le Minh Khai, a researcher of SE Asian history, found that there was a lot of misinformation on the interwebs relating to the origin of Vietnam’s name, especially in English sources. Khai jumped into a plethora of historical documents to set the record straight.
Free WIFI Coming to Saigon Buses
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- Published on 03 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In a bid to increase the ridership on Saigon’s 270 bus routes, the city will implement free WIFI for passengers.
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
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- Published on 03 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- The secrets of Saigon’s night clubs [VietnamNet Bridge]
- Vietnam urged to boost retirement age to save pension fund [Thanh Nien]
A Look Inside a Saigon Rice Noodle Plant
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- Published on 30 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Over the past month, the news has been full of reports about chemically-laced bun noodles.
Though recent tests have shown a decrease in the cancer-causing additives, the issue is still top-of-mind for many. Saigon Tiep Thi recently visited a bun plant that claims its products are chemical-free.
H&P Completes Bamboo–Earth–Stone Pavilion
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- Published on 30 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Local architects, H&P, have long focused on the use of environmentally-friendly materials for their designs. Earlier this year, they released a set of renderings of low-cost bamboo housing designs that looked pretty amazing. To increase awareness about sustainable buildings, the firm built the BES (Bamboo–Earth–Stone) pavilion with focuses on bringing art and culture closer to the inhabitants of Ha Tinh.
New Vietnamese Food App Delivers Instant Gratification
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- Published on 30 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Taking advantage of the Vietnamese love of food and photos, Tran Quang Vinh, a former fashion designer, has released iOS app - Foodshot.
Vietnam’s Development Through the Lens of Iron Chef
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- Published on 30 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Atlantic recently published a piece on Vietnam’s increasing development and westernization. Instead of looking at economic statistics and trends, they chose to examine this through the lens of one of the country’s most popular TV shows, Iron Chef.
