Crazy Buffalo Up in Flames. Again.
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- Published on 28 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
For the second time in two years, Pham Ngu Lao hotspot, The Crazy Buffalo, saw its neon sign go up in flames.
At 4pm yesterday afternoon, passersby warned the restaurant that smoke was rising from their large neon sign.
Morning Links: The Last Farmers in Saigon
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- Published on 28 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Land subsidence creates hole that swallows bed, woman [Tuoi Tre]
- Abusing wage fund, directors pocket $123,000 as yearly salary [Tuoi Tre]
The Story of Tan Son Nhat Airport
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- Published on 27 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As the plan for Saigon's massive Long Thanh Airport moves forward (despite some objections), we thought we'd take a minute to look back at the long history of old standby, Tan Son Nhat.
The Coolest House in Binh Thanh? (2)
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- Published on 27 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Green building is slowly but surely gaining popularity in Vietnam. For Saigon in particular, the tropical climate provides many opportunities for design firms to implement efficient, green designs.
The Coolest House in Binh Thanh?
- Details
- Published on 27 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Green building is slowly but surely gaining popularity in Vietnam. For Saigon in particular, the tropical climate provides many opportunities for design firms to implement efficient, green designs.
Saigon's Old Bridges in Danger of Collapse
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- Published on 27 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Saigon is a city of bridges. They criss-cross the city's rivers and canals, allowing for the flow of goods and people.
But time, wars and poor maintenance have not been kind to many of the city's old bridges, some of which are over 100 years old.
Morning Links: English Teaching: Is White Right?
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- Published on 27 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam ministries pass the buck on controversial driving regulations [Thanh Nien]
- Phishing increasing in Vietnam [VietnamNet Bridge]
Saigon Players Are Back and Calling for New Cast Members
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- Published on 27 August 2013
“Saigon Players” will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a community theatre in Saigon. It is a non-profit theatrical group composed by amateurs and professional foreigners and Vietnamese who share the same passion for theatre. All its cast and crew are volunteers and the profits from the shows go to charities chosen by the members themselves.
Vietnam Enjoying Tourism Growth in 2013
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- Published on 26 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam has reeled in more than 677,000 foreign tourists in August, a 22% increase from last year.
Construction Restart at Lavenie Crown?
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- Published on 26 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Lavenie Crown was one of the many victims of Saigon’s real estate crunch. Slated to begin construction in 2012 on the site next to Diamond Plaza, the project came to a halt as the main investor, Kinh Do Corporation (yes, the bakery) pulled out, leaving the site to become a parking lot. But over the last few weeks, there has been a buzz of construction activity on the site. Has the project found a new investor?
Experts Reject Plan for New Saigon Airport
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- Published on 26 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As plans move forward for Saigon’s new Long Thanh airport, a pair of former aviation officials are questioning the need for such an investment.
Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Thien Tong, former chairman of the aviation engineering department of the HCMC University of Technology and Le Trong Sanh, former head of the management department at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, favor upgrading Thanh Son Nhat as opposed to building a completely new airport. Tong compared the project to other, ambitious yet short-sighted infrastructure plans:
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
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- Published on 26 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Coffee bean price continues to plummet [SGGP]
- Taxis scheme offers hope for the handicapped [VietnamNet Bridge]
- Invaluable fossils in Vietnam [VietnamNet Bridge]
Vietnam Struggling to Keep Treasure Hunters in Check
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- Published on 23 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Since 1998, numerous ancient vessels have been found of the coast of Quang Ngai Province. The ships hold thousands of ancient artifacts, mainly ceramics as these waters were once part of the ‘Ceramic Road’ which linked East and West. Unfortunately, these sites are mismanaged and unprotected, leading to mass looting and the destruction of centuries-old artifacts:
Ministry: Shops Must Use Vietnamese Signs
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- Published on 23 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Following last year’s passage of the Vietnamese Advertisement law which requires that advertising content, spoken or written must be in Vietnamese, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently told cultural departments nationwide to exercise greater control over the many shop signs featuring only foreign languages, or signs where Vietnamese is not the focus. Shops that have only or predominantly foreign-language signs will face fines up between VND1 – 5 million.
San Art Laboratory: Open Studio Session 3
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- Published on 23 August 2013
- Written by Zelda Rudzitsky.
Have you ever been in front of a painting, a photograph, a video installation or any other form of artistic creation, for that matter, and asked yourself “What was the artist/author thinking?”, “What is he trying to say?”?
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: The Original Sửa Xe (1890s?)
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- Published on 23 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Before the age of motorbikes, Saigon's streets were characterized by ox-drawn carts and horse-drawn carriages.
And, just like motorbikes, everyday wear and tear would take their toll, requiering small repairs here and there to keep them going.
Who would play the role of hero when your carriage broke down?
Morning Links: Plastic Food Wrappers Found Contaminated with Toxic Substances
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- Published on 23 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Banks warned not to hide debt [VNS]
- Tears at Smile restaurant [VietnamNet Bridge]
- Many famous discotheques in Saigon raided [VietnamNet Bridge]
From French Villas to Slums, Da Lat's Lost Charm
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- Published on 22 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Da Lat, once a sleepy French vacation town, full of ornate villas and majestic pine forests, is in danger of losing what charm still remains. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the city’s pine trees are disappearing at an alarming rate and now, according to Thanh Nien, its colonial villas are facing a similar fate.
New Web Series Captures the Vietnamese Diaspora Seeking a New Life in Vietnam
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- Published on 22 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
A new web series, Employed Identity, explores the phenomenon of the Vietnamese diaspora returning to the country of their parents’ birth, to find both themselves and successful careers. Directed by Bao Minh Nguyen, it is one of three webseries funded by CAAM’s Web Innovation Fund.
Large Bomb Uncovered in Dak Ru
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- Published on 22 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
A massive, 300kg bomb was discovered by a resident of Dak Ru Commune, Dak R'lap District in the central highlands province of Dak Nong.
