Video: The Perfect Cafe Sữa Nóng?
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- Published on 04 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Yes, we know that Saigonese take their cafe sữa with đá (ice) and that the background music is from Thailand. Nonetheless, this playful video by food videographer, Eric Slatkin is well done and worth a watch.
Honestly, since we buy most of our coffee from street cafes, this was quite helpful in case there's ever a time we actually make a cup of our own.
Spain, Land of Churches, Castles and Wine - Part 1
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- Published on 04 October 2013
- Written by Alfredo de la Casa.
Although I grew up in Spain, it’s been nearly 20 years since I left the country to overseas, so this summer I decided to go back and visit family and friends while showing the country to my Vietnamese girlfriend.
Hydropower Plants Breaking Promises to Locals, Destroying Their Livelihoods
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- Published on 04 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
When investors approached locals in Quang Nam about building a large hydropower plant, they promised fair resettlement compensation, shared water rights/ownership, infrastructure improvements and environmental protections. But since the plant opened, residents say that managers and investors are not only ignoring these contractual responsibilities, but releasing vast amounts of water without warning, destroying homes and fields.
Vietnam to Remove Ban on Same Sex Marriage
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- Published on 03 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
A new government decree, set to go into effect on November 11, 2013, will remove the current fines associated with same-sex marriages in Vietnam. While an important step for LGBT rights in the country, the decree stops short of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Interview: Pierre Ogeron, Creator of the 'Saigon Sail' Time Lapse
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- Published on 03 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Yesterday, we posted Pierre Ogeron’s awesome time lapse film of Saigon which proved to be quite a hit.
We got in touch with Pierre who was kind enough to answer some of our questions about his motivation, production techniques and future plans.
Opening Exhibition - "Red Thread" by Bui Tien Tuan @ Craig Thomas Gallery
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- Published on 03 October 2013
Women in Vietnam are often depicted in art wearing the traditional Ao Dai and conical hats, or at least this is what misleading collective imagination and popular culture want us to believe.
This stereotype could not be overturned more easily than by the work of Saigon-based artist Bui Tien Tuan.
Profits and Contradictions: Inside SE Asia’s Dog Meat Trade
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- Published on 03 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Though eating dog has long been part of Vietnamese culture, the illicit dog meat trade in SE Asia has been growing rapidly over the past few years. Recently, cross-border smuggling of the animals has become so prevalent that Vietnam, along with 3 other ASEAN neighbors have been working on high-level agreements to stop the trade which is estimated at over 5 million dogs per year.
Morning Links: Vietnam’s Coffee Industry Rumored to be Collapsing
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- Published on 03 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam’s New Crop Coffee Premium Seen 58% Below 2012-13 Beans [Bloomberg]
Vietnam considers selling a bank to foreigners [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam state firm chief cops golfing ban for whacking caddy [Thanh Nien]
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Cho Lon Opium Den
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Have you ever been stuck in Saigon traffic and wished that you were on comfy couch in Cho Lon, chilling with some Chinese guys 'chasing the dragon' instead? Yeah, probably not (but for those who answered yes, stay awesome. Just kidding, drugs are bad).
New Campaign Seeks to Curb Drunk Driving in Vietnam
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Though drunk driving is a well-known problem in Vietnam, it is still prevalent, resulting in not only in the loss of life, but serious economic ramifications. To address this, the National Traffic Safety Committee has launched a three-month campaign to stop drunk drivers in their tracks.
What Will it Take for Green Building to Take Off in Vietnam?
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Though more and more green buildings have been sprouting up across Vietnam over the last few years, the practice is far established. Subsidized electricity, price gouging and low awareness are major obstacles that must be overcome before green building can be standardized in the country, according to a new piece in Ecology.
Vietnam’s Challenges with Educational Technology
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Peter Cornish.
In yet another example of keeping up appearances and style over substance, many schools around Saigon are calling on parents to fund their further forays into technology in the classroom. All this comes despite education laws firmly stipulating that students are required to pay tuition and enrollment fees only.
Video: Perhaps the Best Saigon Time Lapse Yet
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We've seen a number of great Saigon time lapse videos recently. With the city's streams of constant movement, it's a natural location for this cinematic technique.
A new time lapse by Pierre Ogeron goes a step further than some of the other videos, filming in dozens of locations around the city over a 4 month period.
Morning Links: Vietnam Builds First Power Plant Fueled by Rice Husks
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- Published on 02 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam builds first power plant fueled by rice husks [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam reports 124 mln USD trade deficit in 9 months [Global Times]
Big test for ageing economic system [Vietnam Net]
Going Abroad Soon? You Might Want to Pick up a Couple iPhones.
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- Published on 01 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It looks like Vietnam’s rich may be using some of their rhino horn money to obtain the world’s newest status symbol, the iPhone 5s. Prices of the phones are skyrocketing in Vietnam with the coveted gold version fetching up to VND33 million.
Japanese National Killed at Ben Thanh Bus Station
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- Published on 01 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In what seems to be a worrying trend, another foreigner has died in Saigon, this time a Japanese lecturer on her way home from school. The 50-year-old victim was a teacher of Oriental Studies at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Video: The Differences Between Saigon and Hanoi
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- Published on 01 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Earlier this year, Graphic designer, Nhat Le created a book depicting the many cultural differences between Hanoi and Saigon.
Now, the Pho Team has taken the regional battle a step further with the hilarious video below.
Morning Links: Vietnam Cop Arrested for Shooting Boss Dead
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- Published on 01 October 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Tropical storm Wutip brings rain and winds to Vietnamese coast, leaves 75 fishermen missing [Washington Post]
Vietnam ranks 7th worldwide for economic growth potential [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam’s inflation rate may exceed the 8% threshold in 2013 [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam's agriculture under threat from climate change [China Post]
"The Motorcycle Diaries" - Screening @ deciBel
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- Published on 30 September 2013
I grew up surrounded by teenagers wearing T-shirts with ‘Che’ Guevara face stamped on them. It is undeniable that he is one of the most iconic ‘political’ figures of our time, so much so that I often had the feeling that the people walking around with the ‘Che’ face on their torsos might have not truly known who he was. He has become (unfortunately) a logo, an icon out of context.
Can Vinyl Make a Comeback in Vietnam?
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- Published on 30 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
According to online retailer, Amazon.com, vinyl is its “fastest growing music medium.” With a 745% increase in sales since 2008, many are proclaiming the comeback of our favorite analog audio (sorry 8 tracks). Now, some Vietnamese artists are looking to vinyl to increase “musical sophistication” in the local market.
