Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street

In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story

Water has no hometown.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis

There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.

in Hanoi

Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi

I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.

in Vietnam

In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions

The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam had enjoyed no such air-conditioned, traffic-immune method of transportation.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Government Proposes Higher Tax On Vehicles

Vietnam to divest $2.5 bln share in top firm Vinamilk [Reuters] Government proposes higher tax on vehicles [Vietnam News] HCM City seeks private funds for projects [Vietnam Plus]

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Public Debt Per Capita Surpasses $1,000

Vietnam's economy to be ranked 17th globally by 2025 [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s public debt per capita surpasses $1,000 mark [Tuoi Tre] Special economic zone to go up in HCM City [Vietnam Net]

in Asia

Miss Universe Thailand Will Dress Like a Tuk-Tuk

Every country has its own signature costume. In Vietnam, it's the áo dài; in Japan, it's the kimono; in Thailand, apparently, it's a bodysuit shaped like a tuk-tuk.

in Vietnam

VN Officials Are Now Responsible For The Performance Of Job Applicants

From now on, government officials will have to take care when recommending potential employees for jobs in state-run agencies.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC Cracks Down On Massage Parlors Providing Sex Services

Southern Hanoi satellite urban area planning announced [SGGP] Vietnam to include doctor wages in hospital fees, upsetting uninsured patients [Tuoi Tre] Japanese airline eyes 10% stake at Vietna...

in Vietnam

[Photos] Three-Kilometer Traffic Jam in Hanoi Lasts Over 2 Hours

This will come as a shock to no one, but Hanoi had another traffic jam yesterday morning.

in Saigon

[Photos] This Colonial-Era Water Tower Is About To Collapse

Following the sudden collapse of a 110-year-old colonial villa in Hanoi a few weeks back, authorities and residents alike are giving Vietnam's historical buildings a closer look.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Illegal Houses On Canals Cause Serious Flooding In Ho Chi Minh City

Illegal houses on canals cause serious flooding in Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's 'black gold' fuelling growth but raising health concerns [Channel News Asia] Young forests sold to China...

in Vietnam

Lam Dong Mother Sets Son On Fire For Playing Video Games

It's always a good idea to listen to your parents. Especially when one of them is holding a lit match and a bucket of gasoline.

in Vietnam

You Want Less Traffic Congestion, Learn to Drive Like the Saigonese: Hanoi Official

It's been a tough couple weeks for Vietnam's traffic officials, what with the rain and the flooding and the clashing definitions of the term 'traffic jam'.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines Dropped a Bunch of Dongs on This Commercial, May Get Picked up by ANA

When it comes to marketing campaigns, national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) is putting in some serious work to attract international travelers.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Seeks To Criminalize Truck Overloading

Mekong Delta sugarcane growers enjoy bumper crop, high prices [SGGP] Ha Noi wants illegal construction in building demolished [Vietnam News] Vietnam strong enough to afford TPP: lead negotiator...

in Saigon

The Saigon Post Office May Soon Get Its Own Coffee Shop

After a few false starts and several coats of paint earlier this year, the 130-year-old Saigon Post Office may soon receive a brand-new addition to its surroundings.

in Saigon

[Photos] Saigon Choked by Poisonous Smog

For the past three days, a blanket of smog has engulfed Saigon, resulting in not only poor visibility, but also potential health risks.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Considers Massive Economic Zone To Attract FDI

Unauthorised fees plague Viet Nam's bus terminals [Vietnam News] Quang Nam to open bird’s-eye-view of My Son Sanctuary for tourists [DTI] Hanoi’s polluted craft villages to get environmental clean-u...

in Vietnam

Johnny Tri Nguyen Fined For Illegal Martial Arts Competition

Local film star and Hollywood stuntman Johnny Tri Nguyen is in hot water after hosting an illegal martial arts competition last month in Nha Be District.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Saigon Sail Awaits Approval For Nhieu Loc Canal Tour Resumption

Domestic GDP likely to grow 6.5% in 2015 [DTI] Forest protection law falls short [Vietnam News] Ministry defends tax reforms [Vietnam News]

in Vietnam

Mobile Users Can Retain Phone Number When Switching Networks In 2017

Mobile users will soon be able to switch carriers without losing their phone number.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Recalculation Shows Vietnam’s Public Debt At 66.4% Of GDP

Recalculation shows Vietnam’s public debt at 66.4% of GDP [Vietnam Net] TV ads most trusted in Viet Nam [Vietnam News] Hanoi proposes emergency water pipeline [DTI]

in Asia

Japan Invented a RoboCab Because of Course They Did

Fasten your seatbelts: unmanned taxis are coming to Japan.