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 Saigon

HCMC Moves To Replace Historic Bình Lợi Railway Bridge

The Ho Chi Minh City Transport Department has put plans in place to replace the 112-year-old Bình Lợi Railway Bridge on Phạm Văn Đồng Street, which links Bình Thạnh and Thủ Đức Districts, re...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hundreds Of Unexploded Ordnances Found In Quang Tri

Coast guard ship with helipad launched in central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] First Vietnamese-made microchip debuts in HCMC [Thanh Nien] Hundreds of unexploded ordnances found in Quang Tri [DTI]

in Asia

Chinese Vendors Busted For Lacing Noodles With Opiates

Forget about contaminated phở. In parts of China, vendors have been caught lacing their noodles with opiates in the hopes of keeping their customers coming back to get their fix.

in Vietnam

Get Ready For A Total Lunar Eclipse On October 8

On the night of Wednesday, October 8, be sure to lift your head to the sky to see this year’s final lunar eclipse.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Launches Most Modern Coastguard Vessel

Vietnam launches most modern coastguard vessel [SGGP] About 1,500 people race in Run for Peace in Hanoi [VoV] Australian group to set up luxury sailboat plant in Da Nang [Vietnam News]

in Saigon

[Photos] HCMC Streets Flooded After Heavy Rains

According to the HCM City Flood Control Center, flooding in HCMC has been getting worse in recent years since many of the city's sewers are blocked with mud and sand from construction projec...

in Asia

Millions of Laser Beams Uncover the Vastness of Angkor Wat

When Portuguese monk, António da Madalena, visited Angkor Wat in 1586, he was overwhelmed by the architecture of the ancient city, writing that "…[it] is of such extraordinary construction t...

in Vietnam

Ministry Withdraws Controversial Plan To Ban Sidewalk Alcohol Sales

Following “widespread criticism,” the Ministry of Industry and Trade has withdrawn its plan to ban sidewalk alcohol sales.

in Vietnam

Hanoi’s X98 Will Open Its Doors This Month

Hanoi’s Zone 9 will be reincarnated in the form of a new alternative art and cultural space called X98 later this month, according Kenh14.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Museum Cited Top 25 In Asia

Vietnamese scientists successfully create iron from red mud [Vietnam Net] HCM City intensifies education for disabled kids [Vietnam Plus] Vietnamese museum cited top 25 in Asia [DTI]

in Vietnam

Repairs To AAG Cable Completed Ahead Of Schedule

Technicians have completed repairs to the Asia American Gateway (AAG) cable, restoring Vietnam’s international Internet connection a day ahead of schedule, according to Thanh Nien.

in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge Opens In Hanoi With Brilliant Colors

Hanoi’s skyline just got a boost of color with the opening of the Nhật Tân Bridge which is illuminated by a powerful set of multicolored floodlights.

in Vietnam

[Video] Vietnamese Monk Faces Punishment For iPhone 6 Unboxing, Extravagant Facebook Photos

A Buddhist monk from the northern province of Hai Duong will “likely be punished by his Sangha” after video of him unboxing an iPhone 6 and photos showing his “extravagant” lifestyle spread across soc...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Phu Quoc To Become Special Economic Zone With Casinos

Cessna delivers first amphibious Grand Caravan EX aircraft to Vietnam [Biz Journal] Hand-foot-mouth disease, dengue fever hit HCM City [VoV] Ha Noi ward lacks water for one week after supply cu...

in Vietnam

116-Year-Old Recognized As Vietnam's Oldest Man

The Vietnam Record Organization (VRO) has recognized 116-tear-old Y'N Dong of Đắk Nông Province as the country’s oldest man, reports Vietnam Net.

in Saigon

Demolition Of Tân Bình Market Put On Hold After Protests From Traders

After protests from traders, Tân Bình District authorities have delayed plans to replace the 50-year-old Tân Bình Market with “a six-story traditional, civilized market,” and 17-story shopping center,...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Bag Snatcher Drowns In Canal

HCMC offers free parking for student bus passengers [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City bag snatcher drowns in canal [Thanh Nien] Khe Nuoc Trong Forest project officially launches in Vietnam [Worl...

in Vietnam

Rapping Vietnamese Newscasters Take Home Prize At World Journalism Awards

Expats aren’t the only ones who can rap in Vietnam. Not only does the country boast an up and coming group of young hip-hop artists such as Suboi, but also award winning rapping newscasters.

in Saigon

A Week After Expat’s Deadly Accident, A Different Story Emerges

In the early morning hours of September 21, a foreign man was killed at the intersection of Điện Biên Phủ and Đinh Tiên Hoàng Streets in District 1. A week after the accident, new ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: VND3 Trillion For Climate Change Adaptation Projects

VND3 trillion for climate change adaptation projects [DTI] Ha Noi department seizes 20 iPhone 6 smartphones [Vietnam News] Vietnamese man hits US$228.4 million Powerball jackpot [VoV]