Morning Links: Vietnam Airports to Cut Fees by Half to Attract Foreign Carriers
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- Published on 13 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam airports to cut fees by half to attract foreign carriers [Thanh Nien]
- Deal between Tony Blair and Vietnam gov’t not yet finalized [Thanh Nien]
First Phase of Metro Line No. 5 Fully Funded
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
With construction is already in full swing on Saigon’s first metro line, the city is close to reaching its funding goal for the first phase of line No. 5. Most of the funding will come from the Asia Development Bank, the European Investment bank and the Spanish government.
H&P Concept, ‘Pavilion of Dream Terraces’ for Milan Expo 2015
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
H&P Architects is proving to be one of Vietnam’s leading sustainable architecture firms. From airy, bamboo huts in the country’s rural heartland, to the recently completed, Bamboo–Earth–Stone Pavilion in Ha Tinh, the firm’s designs show a clear understanding that it’s better embrace and work within the context of one’s environment rather than destroy it. Now they’re bringing their creative designs to Milan for Expo 2015.
Video: Vietnam's 'Miss World' Pick Has Some Work to Do...
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Meet, Lại Hương Thảo, Vietnam's representative to the 2013 Miss World competition. Thảo recently took to Youtube where she posted a video to showcase her "underestimated beauty, shape, fashion sense and even the ability to communicate in foreign languages."
Video: Hanoi Hustle
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Check out this Video, Hanoi Hustle, featuring music from Touliver and LK with choreography by Oliver and performed by Handi crew.
Nice to see more hip hop and less kpop!
Bill Gates Posts Picture of Vietnam Wires on Facebook, Sparks Fly
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
American billionaire, Bill Gates, recently took to Facebook to express his concerns about rising electricity demands in developing countries. To illustrate this, he used a picture of tangled electrical wires on a Hanoi street, a common site across not only Vietnam, but much of the developing world.
Bill: Job-Seeking Foreigners Must Have Work Permit Before Entering Vietnam
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam seems to be overhauling their immigration policies this week. In addition to yesterday’s news that foreigners working in Vietnam without a work permit will be deported, Tuoi Tre is reporting that foreigners planning to work in the country must secure a work permit prior to arrival.
Morning Links: Crime on the Rise in HCMC
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam lifts radiation inspection on Japanese food imports [Global Post]
- Vietnam’s farm produce exports remain precarious [VietnamNet]
- Will threat to pull out of Vietnam give more power to corporate lobby? [Thanh Nien]
China's $1.9 Billion Mooncake Industry
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam might consume a lot of mooncakes during the mid-autumn festival, but it has nothing on China.
The country of over one billion has more than 10,000 mooncake manufacturers which produce over 280,000 metric tons of the holiday staple annually, valued at $1.9 billion according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. 2 million of the cakes end up in the garbage each year.
Slideshow: Gang of Taxi Drivers Destroys Truck Driver After Accident Near Tan Son Nhat
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Yesterday at 11:30, a battle royal occurred near Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat airport between a truck driver and gaggle (we’re pretty sure this is the technical term) of taxi drivers.
Decree: Foreign Workers Without Work Permits to be Deported
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Following in the footsteps of other ASEAN nations like Malaysia, a new government decree, set to go into effect on November 1st, includes provisions for deporting foreign workers in Vietnam who don’t have a work permit. While it seems to be targeting unskilled laborers and medical practitioners, it also specifically calls out those working in education.
5 Arrested in Massive Saigon Nike Theft
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam may be the land of Nike but the company’s pricey shoes make them a prime target for thievery. Earlier this week, A Ho Chi Minh City court sentenced five men to up to 15 years in prison for stealing huge shipments of shoes on their way to international markets.
Morning Links: Unfinished Billion Dollar Casino Projects
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Shiseido Vietnam builds US$30 million plant in Dong Nai [VoV]
- Bulgarians held for stealing money using fake ATM cards [Tuoi Tre]
A Day in the Life of a Saigon Drainage Worker
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- Published on 10 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As much of Saigon was built on swampland, drainage is vital to the city’s development and progress. Yet with each heavy rain, large swaths of the city become inundated and streets come to resemble small rivers. Though Saigon’s drainage system leaves much to be desired, there are those who toil underneath the streets, doing their best to keep the sewer clean while wadding thorough toxic waste and hypodermic needles.
'Brother' by Takeshi Kitano @ deciBel Lounge
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- Published on 10 September 2013
Mutli-talented Japanese director, Takeshi Kitano (also known as Beat Takeshi) has truly done everything that could be done in showbiz and in the world of culture: film director, film editor, poet, actor, singer, screenwriter and much more. However, outside of his native country Japan, he is mostly known for his films.
"Volver" by Almodovar @ Saigon Outcast
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- Published on 10 September 2013
This Thursday, Saigon Outcast continues to offer us high quality world cinema. This time is Pedro Almodovar's turn with 'Volver" (2006).
Environmentalism and Sustainability Gaining Steam in Vietnam
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- Published on 10 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam is slowly but surely understanding the need for sustainable development and a clean environment. We’ve recently seen the erection of green homes, establishment of green-focused youth clubs and a new fleet of CNG busses. But there’s a great deal of work to be done to reinforce these mentalities on a national scale.
American Teacher Killed by Truck in District 7
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- Published on 09 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
An American English teacher was hit by a truck and died this morning on Luu Trong Lu st. in District 7.
Vietnamese Tech Startup of the Month – September Edition: Digi-Gps
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- Published on 09 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Digi-GPS, a local Vietnamese startup, seeks to apply high-technology to our decidedly analog motorbikes. The company has launched two security-minded products to help bike owners feel secure - SmartBike and the SmartLock.
Minimalist Nest House in Binh Duong
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- Published on 09 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Nest house was designed for a middle-aged architecture writer. The house, located on the outskirts of the new city in Thuận An, Binh Duong Province, seeks to blend urbanism with a variety of architecture styles that match its surroundings.
