Hue's Refurbished Airport Reopens
- Details
- Published on 23 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As Saigon waits for its new, massive airport, some of Vietnam’s smaller cities are focusing on renovations rather than starting from scratch. Hue’s Phu Bai airport, which was reopened yesterday after 6 months of repairs and upgrades, falls into this category.
Foreigner Dies After Jumping Off Roof of Ford Dealership
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- Published on 23 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Last week an unidentified foreigner snuck into the Ford showroom on Cao Thang Street in District 1 and jumped to his death in what authorities are calling a suicide.
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Details
- Published on 23 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam students give history a modern twist [Thanh Nien]
- The most famous family run economic groups in Vietnam [VietnamNet]
- Foreigner commits suicide by jumping off auto salon building in Vietnam metro [Thanh Nien]
Saigoneer @ Saigon Flea Market
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- Published on 20 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Hey Saigoneers! Just a head’s up that we’ll be at the Saigon Flea Market this Sunday at the Crescent in Phu My Hung.
If you’d like to pick up one of our super cool t-shirts, you can find us outside, near the entrance from 1 – 3pm.
Or just stop by to say hello!
Street Signs: Xô Viết Nghệ-Tĩnh
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- Published on 20 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In this edition of Street Signs, we’ll tackle Xô Viết Nghệ-Tĩnh, which, in our humble opinion, is one of Saigon’s coolest streets, at least in name. And if you think Xô Viết is the Vietnamese version of Soviet, you’d be correct!
Awesome 24 Hour Time Lapse of Saigon
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- Published on 20 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We've seen some cool time lapse videos of Saigon in the past, many of which focus on the city's chaotic traffic.
This video, produced by Jan Niederhumer, takes the high road, setting up his camera to overlook the Saigon river.
Turns out boat traffic is just as mesmerizing as bike traffic!
Lead Dust Choking Vietnam's Cities
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- Published on 20 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Break out the facemasks. A new report has found that lead dust pollution is on the rise in Vietnam’s cities and is currently 2 – 4 times higher than accepted levels.
Morning Links: Vietnam Achieves 2013 Foreign Investment Goal
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- Published on 20 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- 5 missing after car swept away in Vietnam flash flood [Tuoi Tre]
- Vietnam achieves 2013 foreign investment goal [Thanh Nien]
- Vietnam’s 1st ao dai museum to open in HCMC [Thanh Nien]
Beware of the Dog...Napper
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- Published on 19 September 2013
- Written by Eric San Juan.
Hien Pham, a 29 year-old Vietnamese woman still wants to cry whenever she remembers Gina, a pomerian dog kidnapped one year ago.
Nhabeo House: Bringing Green to the Concrete Jungle
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- Published on 19 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Nhabeo House, located in Saigon was designed by Trinhvieta Architects with interior design by Quach The Vinh. The house was designed to connect with the outside environment and utilizing the space as efficiently as possible by employing “intermediate space.”
Rhino Horn: Instant Status Maker
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- Published on 19 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Even as the illicit rhino horn market gets more and more negative press, it’s not stopping status-seeking Vietnamese from consuming the horn’s powder. In a recent piece in Times Live, a New Zealand-based newspaper, Schalk Mouton interviewed users of the horn and found little remorse, even with the knowledge that an endangered animal was slaughtered for it.
Morning Links: Vinashin to Lay Off 14,000 Workers
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- Published on 19 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Mass evacuations ordered as storm nears [VoV]
- Prehistoric traces found in Thai Nguyen [VNS]
- Big names set to draw crowds at motor show [VNS]
- 11 Vietnamese trained in aerospace technology in Japan [VietnamNet]
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Water Delivery!
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- Published on 18 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In the days before indoor plumbing and bottled water were the norm, like most of the world, Saigonese relied on wells to provide water (and in many areas still do).
During the early 20th century, water made its way around the city by hand, wherein people would fill up their buckets at their local well and deliver it to business and wealthy residents as seen in the picture above.
The Toxic Legacy of Agent Orange
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- Published on 18 September 2013
- Written by Lidia Gallardo. Edited by Cindy Barrilleaux.
As the US government claims to be worried about the use of chemical weapons all over the world, one question is still waiting for an answer in this country. Although the major issues causing tension between US and Vietnam governments have been resolved over the last few decades, there is still one unresolved issue: the legacy of Agent Orange.
Map: More Than Half of the World's Population Lives Within This Circle
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- Published on 18 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s well-known that Asia is the world’s population center (thanks, China and India!) with 51% of the global population. But this fact is slightly mind-blowing when illustrated visually. Reddit user, valeriepieris, created the image above which shows just how little space this huge number of people occupies.
Police to Fine Parents Blocking Traffic Outside of Schools
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- Published on 18 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Packs of parents, idling on motorbikes, waiting for their children to finish their school days, are a common sight in cities across Vietnam. Hundreds of parents jockey for position, yelling and waving to their children, often blocking the sidewalk and street. To make matters worse, the end of the school day often coincides with rush hour, creating traffic jams. To address this problem, HCMC authorities will begin to fine parents as opposed to giving ineffective warnings.
Morning Links: Severe Power Shortage to Hit Next Dry Season
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- Published on 18 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam vehicle sales up 20% in August [Justauto]
- Forests destroyed to grow rubber [VietnamNet]
- Authorities fail to tackle pollution woes [VietnamNet]
[Updated] Nha Trang Effectively Bans Motorbike Rentals for Foreigners
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- Published on 17 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
[Update Below] On August 21st, the Khanh Hoa Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision to ban tourist companies from renting motorbikes to foreigners who don’t have Vietnamese licenses.
Hundreds Confess to Killing Dog Thieves in Bac Giang
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- Published on 17 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In an act of solidarity with their fellow villagers, hundreds have signed a petition confessing to the murder of 2 suspected dog thieves who were caught and beaten to death on August 27 in the Hiep Hoa District of Bac Giang province.
Morning Links: 1 Dead, 7 Missing at Ship Collision Offshore Vietnam
- Details
- Published on 17 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Tax incentives likely for tech-savvy enterprises [VNS]
- Vietnam wants US contributions to Asian security, development [VoV]
- Japan investment in Vietnam metro climbs to $1.27 bln [Thanh Nien]
