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: Thieves Break Into HCMC Supermarket Steal Cash, Jewelry

Workshop discusses regional co-operation in underwater archaeology [Nhan Dan] Holcim treats 7,000 liters of toxic oil stored near Ha Long [Vietnam Net] Vietnamese people ill-prepared to en...

in Asia

Vietnamese Citizen Among Those Killed In Himalaya Blizzard, Avalanche

Nepalese police have announced that a Vietnamese citizen is among 12 climbers confirmed dead after a blizzard hit the mountainous region on Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

in Vietnam

The Era Of Red Company Stamps May Be Coming To An End In Vietnam

If you’ve ever had to do commercial paperwork in Vietnam, you’re probably familiar with red company stamps. If Prime Minister Dung has his way, this era may soon be coming to an end, replaced by one o...

in Vietnam

Seaplane Operator Seeks Permission To Takeoff From Hanoi’s West Lake

Quang Ninh Province authorities are seeking permission from the Ministry of Transport to allow a Vietnamese aviation company to use the city’s iconic West Lake as a takeoff point for it’s Hanoi-Ha Lon...

in Asia

SE Asia's Tallest Building Planned For Bangkok

While Saigon may soon be home to Vietnam’s highest building, it looks Bangkok is planning construct the tallest in all of SE Asia with its 615m, 125-story, "Rama IX Super Tower," reports the Bangkok P...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Traffic Cop Knifes Prison Guard For Dirty Look In Northern Vietnam

Traffic cop knifes prison guard for dirty look in Northern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Nearly 2 mln people in HCMC not accessible to clean water [Tuoi Tre] Headmaster disciplined for using dead person’s di...

in Saigon

Truck Flips After Breaking Through D1 Sidewalk Sewer, Kills Nearby Street Vendor

On Tuesday afternoon, an ice delivery truck flipped over after one of its wheels broke through a sewer cover, killing a nearby street vendor.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Numerous Vietnamese Newswires Hit By Outage

PM Dung begins official visit to Germany [VoV] Vietnam has too few culture and arts colleges, universities [Vietnam Net] London City businesses eye up HCM City’s infrastructure [Vietnam Pl...

in Asia

Amid Rumors Of Coup, Kim Jung-Un Makes First Public Appearance In 40 Days

North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jung-Un, made his first public appearance in 40 days on Monday amid rumors of a possible coup in the international press, reports NK News.

in Saigon

Completion of HCMC’s First Metro Line Delayed 2 Years

While construction seems to be in full swing on Saigon’s first metro line, city officials have announced that completion of the project has been pushed back by two years. Oh, and costs have nearly dou...

in Vietnam

7cm Leech Removed From Backpacker’s Nose After Trip To Vietnam

After weeks of nosebleeds, a British backpacker discovered that a 7.63cm leech had been living in her nose for more than a month.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Height Of Vietnamese Lowest In Asia

Vietnam gasoline prices drop further [Thanh Nien] Vietnam capital becoming magnet for luxury automakers [Tuoi Tre] Southern hub to invest $524mn more in environment sanitation [Tuoi Tre]

in Vietnam

[Photos] Massive Crowds Gather in Hanoi for 10/10 Celebration

On Friday night, Hanoians took to the streets to enjoy the VND4.5 billion fireworks show to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the city’s liberation. While the fireworks were the main draw, the crowds ...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Record-High Tide Turns Parts Of HCMC Into River

U.S. firm picked to design new Saigon Tax Trade Center [Vietnam Net] Vietnam students create free crowdsourcing app for street travel [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's PM seeks to do away with official red stamp...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Thousands Sign Petition To Save Saigon Tax Center

HCM City to use GPS to control radioactive devices [Vietnam Net] TOEFT, TOEIC unaccepted for civil service exam applications in HCMC: Dept [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Electricity asks to increase power price...

in Asia

Vietnamese Oil Tanker Recovered After Being Hijacked By Pirates

A Vietnamese oil tanker that went missing 7 days ago after leaving Singapore has been located after being hijacked by pirates.

in Saigon

[Updated] Foreign Woman Killed In D1 Hostel Fire

[Update Below] At 12:45 this afternoon, café-goers in front of the 5-story Budget Hostel on Nguyễn Văn Tráng Street in District 1 noticed a fire but struggled to put it out.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Many Universities Ban Jeans, Slippers From Class

Vietnam official says rule on beer temperatures is for drinkers’ sake [Tuoi Tre] USA-Vietnam nuclear accord takes effect [WNN] CAAV proposes two more 'golden' air routes [Vietnam Net]

in Vietnam

Buôn Ma Thuột Man Offered $47,000 For Enormous, 220kg Mushroom

While it’s not unusual for mushrooms to fetch high prices, it’s exceptionally rare for common varieties to reach 5 figures. For a Buôn Ma Thuột man, this exception came in the form of a 220kg Lin...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Wartime Ammunition Cellar In Saigon To Be Turned Into Tourism Spot

Wartime ammunition cellar in Saigon to be turned into tourism spot [Tuoi Tre] Muslim tourists flock to Vietnam for delicious food, cheap prices [Tuoi Tre] EU issues stern warning to Vietnam's veggie...