The ISHCMC Advantage: Instilling Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Global Mindsets in Each Student
“These years of my life are very important, they shape the person I'm going to be in the future,” said Danko, a student who just finished Grade 9 at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC).
The ISHCMC Advantage: Lifelong Learning Begins in Early Years
“Each morning, the gates open to the joyful rhythm of footsteps and confident smiles. Students independently stroll in, waving to friends and familiar adults, ready to begin the day. With great enthusiasm, they engage in conversations, unpack their bags, tuck away their belongings, and proudly ‘check in’ before eagerly venturing off to discover what learning awaits them. This sense of confidence, independence, and joy isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a thoughtfully designed environment and an intentional approach to learning that nurtures essential life skills through meaningful play.”
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon
Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together
“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.
Hanoi's Bát Tràng Ceramic Village Turns Historic Craft Into Global Fame
Bát Tràng has been producing ceramics for over 700 years, but it’s the recent decades that interest me most: a period in which this small village has mirrored Vietnam’s rapid economic growth.
Final Merging Plan Brings Vietnam's Locality Number From 63 to 34
After extended working sessions to gather insights from experts and locals, Vietnam’s state government has announced the final version of the country’s administrative map.
Múa Lân Is Officially Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage
In Chợ Lớn, every Tết, amid the aroma of burning joss sticks and an onslaught of red-color decorations is the echoing beats of lion dance instruments. For generations of Saigoneer, the presence of múa lân, or lion dance, is a sign of festivity and celebration.
Uyên Đỗ in Saigon
How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness
In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Plans $5.5 Billion For Transport Projects Through 2020
Vietjet's operational safety is now internationally ensured [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese businesses ‘shy away’ from Thai market [VoV] Asian forex slips as China extends losses, Vietnam devalues curren...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Devalues Dong For Third Time In 2015 On Yuan Fallout
Vietnam spends over $4 billion to import animal feed [Vietnam Net] Experts warn against mass investment in waste incinerators [DTI] Health goods removed from Ha Noi drugstores [Vietnam News]
Saigon-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Service To Resume In November
Hydrofoil service between Saigon and Vung Tau will resume in November with a fleet of new boats.
Phu Quoc Authorities Want to Wipe out Forests, Farmland for Development
Famous for its beautiful (and sometimes polluted) beaches, the island of Phu Quoc has become one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations with arrivals increasing by 20% every year. As a result,...
[Video] Enraged Foreigner Confronts Vietnamese Driver On Hanoi Pedestrian Street
A video of a foreign man scolding a Vietnamese motorbike driver on a Hanoi walking street surfaced on the internet recently, sparking widespread debate on whether or not he was out of line.
Morning News Roundup: Ho Chi Minh City To Set Up Special Economic Zone
Vietnam ranks 12th for at-risk public debt [DTI] Ha Noi to cut jobs in state-funded organisations [Vietnam News] Universities nationwide increase working time to serve students [SGGP]
[Photos] Hanoi Launches 'Friendly' Bicycle Police Force
Nguyen Hue Street’s rollerblading security guards have been getting a ton of press over the past week for their unique mode of transportation. Not to be outdone, last Wednesday, a squad of police in H...
22 Killed, 120 Injured In Blast At Central Bangkok Shrine
A massive explosion tore through a popular Hindu shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok last night, killing 22 and injuring 120 more.
Former US Consulate Employee Imprisoned For Selling Visas At Up To $70,000
After years of investigation, a former State Department employee has been sentenced to 64 months in prison for his role in selling US visas to Vietnamese citizens who had previously been denied them f...
Morning News Roundup: VN Coffee Growers Near Bankruptcy
Vietnam's $2.6mln stall at Italy expo fixed 2 months after criticism [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese DJ listed among world’s top 50 [Vietnam Net] Vietnam is in top destination of South Korea’s investors&nbs...
Parking Space Prices Hit US$50,000 In Hanoi
High demand and low supply have resulted in astronomical costs for parking spaces in Hanoi, some of which exceed the cost of the cars themselves.
Weekend News Roundup: Government To Pursue $500.8M Museum Despite Funding Problems
Experts criticise uncontrolled Mekong crocodile breeding [Vietnam News] Government to pursue $500.8mln museum despite funding problems, criticisms [Thanh Nien] Foreign coloring books for adults...
Population Explosion: Hanoi Adding 200,000 New Residents Each Year
It’s no secret that the populations of Vietnam’s urban centers are quickly growing, but in Hanoi, this phenomenon is occurring at a rapid pace as the city adds 200,000 new residents each yea...
Morning News Roundup: Craft Beer Explodes In Saigon
Vietnam moves to weaken currency after China devaluation [Asian Correspondent] Craft beer explodes in Saigon [Thanh Nien] Vietnam’s deputy prime minister just got serious about startups [Tech i...
[Video] 44 Dead, 500 Injured In Massive Explosion At Chinese Port
A series of explosions ripped though a port facility Tianjin late Wednesday night, killing 44 and injuring 500.
Morning News Roundup: Foreign Retailers Drive The Rise Of Convenience Stores In Vietnam
Vietnam Widens Dong’s Trading Band After China Devalues Yuan [Bloomberg] Dozens of houses owned by disgraced Vinashin official seized [DTI News] PM welcomes US Supreme Court Justice [...
[Video] Coffee Shop Owner, Seeking “Cool” Ride Drives Taxi Into Hanoi River
Last Friday afternoon, a Hanoi taxi driver parked his car to buy a drink at a roadside stall. A few minutes later, he found his vehicle submerged in a nearby river after the stall’s owner “borrowed” i...
7,200 Saigonese Share The Same ID Card Numbers
Due to mistakes by local police departments, as many as 7,200 Saigon residents have identical identity card numbers, making it hard for them to get passports, bank accounts and tax codes.
Morning News Roundup: Baggage Truck Tears Off Aircraft Wing After Collision At Vietnam Airport
US Navy Ships to Move to Vietnam for Asia’s Largest Annual Humanitarian Mission [The Diplomat] HCM City Procuracy apologises for wrongful convictions [Vietnam News] Bangladesh, Viet Nam to boos...
North Korea To Set Clocks Back 30 Minutes To Create Its Own Time Zone
On August 15, all the clocks in North Korea will be turned back 30 minutes, signaling the creation of “Pyongyang Time.”
