[Photos] Lychee Season Causes Huge Traffic Jams in Luc Ngan
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- Published on 19 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
During lychee season, the normally empty Highway 31 becomes inundated with farmers, bringing their crops to market, creating major traffic jams.
Endangered Tigers Thrown From Truck Recovering
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- Published on 19 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The two tigers thrown at police during their pursuit of wildlife smugglers last week are recovering from injuries, reports VNExpress.
This Asian Diamond Mine Is Both Impressive and Frightening
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- Published on 19 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The city of Mirny is just like any other in the Republic of Yakutia. Except that it boasts a 525 meter deep, 1.2 kilometer wide hole.
U.S. Envoy Nominee: It May Be Time To Lift Vietnam Weapons Ban
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- Published on 19 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
For obvious reasons, the U.S. hasn’t provided Vietnam with weapons since the end of the American War. While we still see old American jeeps puttering around Saigon, most of Vietnam’s military equipment has come from Russia. But Barack Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Vietnam said that it might be time to reconsider the sale and transfer of lethal weapons to the country.
Morning News Roundup: Ministry Clampdown On "Crude" Lyrics
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- Published on 19 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Ministry clampdown on "crude" lyrics [DTI News]
Top 50 businesses in Vietnam named [DTI News]
Vietnamese farmer makes pesticide from herbs [VietNamNet]
A Short History Of Phở
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Lan Tran.
Phở is everywhere. Vietnam’s most famous cuisine has made its way onto souvenir t-shirts, into the Merriam Webster dictionary and the world’s culinary consciousness. A group of YouTube celebrities even uses it as a pseudo name for their troupe.
Police Uproot Marijuana Plants In HCMC Graveyard
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You might not know it walking down Bui Vien, but marijuana is illegal in Vietnam and police are keeping an eye out for it. A 55-year-old Thu Duc man learned this the hard way when on June 11, police confiscated a crop of 26 plants he was growing in a graveyard.
10 Incredible Photos Of Life On Hanoi's Train Tracks
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Traffic in Vietnam is crazy but the train tracks that skirt through Hanoi’s residential areas reach levels of insanity.
[Video] Check Out The Vietnamese Police’s Fishnet Gun In Action
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam’s infamous fishnet guns are ready to go! The launchers were developed by the Weapon Design Institute (Vietnamese version of DARPA?) under the Ministry of Defense over the past year.
Vietnam’s Most Entertaining Facebook Group Hits Milestone
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Part of the joy of living in Vietnam is finding humor and beauty in everyday life. Our favorite Facebook group, Another Side of Vietnam (ASOV), does just this. Its members post tongue-in-cheek photos from across the country, highlighting the ludicrous, the unbelievable, the magnificent, but usually just the hilarious side of the country.
Dreaming Of The Stars, Vietnam Pushes Ahead With Aerospace Center
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC), has confirmed that the country is building its first aerospace center in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Students Create ‘Formula 1’ Car With Used Car Parts
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- Published on 18 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam Launches Child Drowning Awareness Campaign [Bernama]
PM receives Dutch counterpart, vows strategic partnership on agriculture [VNS]
Vietnam dog thieves surrender, admit to killing boys with stun gun [Thanh Nien]
Old Saigon Building of the Week: Former Institution Tabert (1890)
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
With its prime location in one of Hồ Chí Minh City’s numerous “đất vàng” (gold land) areas, many wonder how long the former Institution Tabert, now the Trần Đại Nghĩa Specialist High School at 53 Nguyễn Du, can withstand the pressures for redevelopment. This week we take a look at the history of this old school compound, which occupies the site of the very first French governor’s palace.
[Video] You Can Score A World Cup Trophy In Vietnam For Just $3
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
For those of us who lack the athletic skill to make it to the World Cup, worry not, for there is a cheap and easy way to get a World Cup trophy of your own for the low, low price of VND70,000 (and a plane ticket to Hanoi).
Many of Vietnam's Historical Sites Are Becoming Ruins
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam may be rich in history, but many of the country’s historical sites are disintegrating as local governments lack the funds to restore them.
Future Saigon: The SSG Tower
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You may have noticed the massive building going up in Binh Thanh District on Dien Bien Phu Street, just before the Saigon Bridge. The SSG tower, slated for completion by late 2015, will house offices, luxury apartments, a supermarket, cinema and shops.
A Guide to Dalat’s Waterfalls
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Dalat, the former French resort town, is quickly developing and will soon boast the same land area as Hanoi. Though the city has been undergoing rapid urban and agricultural development, hundreds of thousands descend on the city each year to indulge in its natural beauty which is highlighted by its many waterfalls.
Morning News Roundup: Up To 44% Of Vietnamese Infected With Parasitic Worms
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- Published on 17 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Rising sea levels could affect one-fifth of HCM City by 2100 [VietNamNet]
MobiFone's value seen at $3.4 bln, brokerage HSC says [Reuters]
Vietnam's Mekong Delta pays huge ecological toll for agricultural boom [Thanh Nien]
EuroCham: Vietnam’s GDP Could Reach 21% With EU Trade Deal
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- Published on 16 June 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Speaking at the Vietnam Business Forum last week, a senior EU official said that Vietnam’s annual GDP could see an additional 15% boost if it reached a free trade agreement with the EU by the end of the year.
5 Amazingly Designed Homes in Saigon
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- Published on 16 June 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
While Saigon is known for its ubiquitous rectangular houses, the city boasts some fine examples of unique and beautifully designed homes. Some are topped with trees, others allow for the maximum flow of light and wind. Here are some of favorite and distinctive Saigon homes.