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
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- 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]
Snakes and Rats and Scorpions, Oh My! The Unique Offerings of the Mekong
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- Published on 16 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
During the typhoon season, the women of the West River hunt for bounty in the wildlife-filled swampland. For most of us urban dwellers, the idea of eating scorpion, rats and snakes probably isn’t on the top of our to-eat list (we would try anything once though!).
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Colonial Corner
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- Published on 16 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Just as it is today, Dong Khoi St. (formerly Rue Cantinat under the French and Tu Do from 1954 - 1975) has long been of Saigon's busiest and most important boulevards.
Due to it's history, the street provides us with some of the city's best examples of colonial architecture as seen in the picture above (along with a bunch of wonderful classic cars and art deco neighbors).
Images of Destruction and Restoration: Hue Citadel
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- Published on 16 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Hue Monument Conservation Centre has just launched a poster exhibition that captures the long history of the imperial citadel at Hue. Due to its importance, the monument has been witness to many of the events that make up Vietnam’s modern history and is an icon of the country’s post-war resilience.
German Film Festival Coming to Saigon
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- Published on 16 September 2013
This year the Goethe Institut brings some of the most interesting German films of the year to silver screen enthusiasts in Vietnam; both by famous directors and young, new filmmakers. And it's free!
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
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- Published on 16 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam up in FIFA rankings [VietnamNet]
- Vietnam's auto import continues to slide in August [East Day]
- Vietnam’s rice productivity may reduce 10% on climate change [VietnamNet]
Slideshow: Henry Saiz, Live From Saigon
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- Published on 14 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Henry Saiz brought his rolling drums and electronic soundscapes to Cargo Bar last night and did not disappoint.
Here are some of our favorite shots from the night:
Crowdsourcing Startup, Flitto Seeks to Make Google Translate Obsolete
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- Published on 13 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Whether you’re a native English or Vietnamese speaker, chances are, you’ve used Google Translate at least once. The tech behemoth’s translation service, which relies on an algorithm, is notorious for hilarious mis-translations. But what if you actually need a correct one?
[Updated] Vietnam Moves Closer to Joint Visas with Thailand, Cambodia, ASEAN
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- Published on 13 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
[Update Below] After years of discussion, Vietnamese, Thai and Cambodian foreign relations authorities are getting closer to a joint visa agreement.
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."
