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."
Video: Hanoi Hustle
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Check out this Video, Hanoi Hustle, featuring music from Touliver and LK with choreography by Oliver and performed by Handi crew.
Nice to see more hip hop and less kpop!
Bill Gates Posts Picture of Vietnam Wires on Facebook, Sparks Fly
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
American billionaire, Bill Gates, recently took to Facebook to express his concerns about rising electricity demands in developing countries. To illustrate this, he used a picture of tangled electrical wires on a Hanoi street, a common site across not only Vietnam, but much of the developing world.
Bill: Job-Seeking Foreigners Must Have Work Permit Before Entering Vietnam
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam seems to be overhauling their immigration policies this week. In addition to yesterday’s news that foreigners working in Vietnam without a work permit will be deported, Tuoi Tre is reporting that foreigners planning to work in the country must secure a work permit prior to arrival.
Morning Links: Crime on the Rise in HCMC
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- Published on 12 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Vietnam lifts radiation inspection on Japanese food imports [Global Post]
- Vietnam’s farm produce exports remain precarious [VietnamNet]
- Will threat to pull out of Vietnam give more power to corporate lobby? [Thanh Nien]
China's $1.9 Billion Mooncake Industry
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam might consume a lot of mooncakes during the mid-autumn festival, but it has nothing on China.
The country of over one billion has more than 10,000 mooncake manufacturers which produce over 280,000 metric tons of the holiday staple annually, valued at $1.9 billion according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. 2 million of the cakes end up in the garbage each year.
Slideshow: Gang of Taxi Drivers Destroys Truck Driver After Accident Near Tan Son Nhat
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Yesterday at 11:30, a battle royal occurred near Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat airport between a truck driver and gaggle (we’re pretty sure this is the technical term) of taxi drivers.
Decree: Foreign Workers Without Work Permits to be Deported
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- Published on 11 September 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Following in the footsteps of other ASEAN nations like Malaysia, a new government decree, set to go into effect on November 1st, includes provisions for deporting foreign workers in Vietnam who don’t have a work permit. While it seems to be targeting unskilled laborers and medical practitioners, it also specifically calls out those working in education.
