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

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

[Photos] Lê Lợi Street Undergoing Massive Changes For Metro Line Construction

Saigon is getting ready to join the subway club, starting with the Bến Thành Market - Suối Tiên line which is set to open in 2018.

in Saigon

Saigon Zoo Gets 3 New Giraffes

Last Thursday the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens welcomed some new additions – 3 giraffes imported from Thailand, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Man Survives 5 Days Trapped Under Frozen Food

Man survives five days trapped under frozen food [DTI News] Passenger opens emergency door, 23 people miss flight [VietNamNet] Branded clothe smugglers face prosecution in HCMC [SGGP]...

in Vietnam

After Backlash, Vietnam Considering Changes To Alcohol Sales Law

The Ministry of Health’shas decided to consider changes to the recently proposed legislation that would ban the sale of liquor and beer between 10pm and 6am after meeting public resistance, according ...

in Saigon

The World’s Oldest Woman Lives In Saigon

The Vietnam Records Organization (VRO) is planning to ask the Guinness Book of World Records to recognize 121-year-old Saigon resident Nguyen Thi Tru as the world’s oldest living person, reports DTI N...

in Saigon

Future Saigon: The Bến Thành Market Metro Station

News about the start of construction of Saigon’s first metro terminal in front of the Saigon Opera House has been making the rounds this week, but there’s another large station set to be built in fron...

in Vietnam

Saigon Heat Dominate Indonesia Warriors In Season Opener

Saigon’s professional basketball team, the Saigon Heat, kicked off the 2014 ASEAN Basketball League season with a decisive victory over the Indonesia Warriors on July 19 at CIS Stadium.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Red Tape Causes $37bn Loss In Annual Trade Revenue To Vietnam

Vietnam sees growing popularity of electric bike [Shanghai Daily] Vietjet Air opens new direct route linking central and Mekong delta [SGGP]  Vietnam's footwear exports among global t...

in Asia

Report: Bubonic Plague Outbreak Rocks China, 30,000 Quarantined

If that headline make you feel a bit unnerved, it should. According to Reuters, China has set up quarantine zones (home to about 30,000) in parts of the northwestern city of Yumen, following the deat...

in Saigon

100-Year-Old Trees In Front Of Opera House Cut Down To Make Way For Metro

Flower Street and the statues in front of Bến Thành Market aren’t the only sacrifices being made to accommodate the construction of Saigon’s first metro line.

in Vietnam

Marks & Spencer (M&S) To Open Shop In Vincom

British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has grand plans for Vietnam expansion after seeing success in Thailand over the last few years, reports Inside Retail Asia.

in Vietnam

FPT Announces Repair Date For Undersea Internet Cable

Telecom giant, FPT announced that repairs to the broken Internet cable that connects SE Asia and North America will be fixed by next Wednesday, July 30, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Starbucks Confirms Plan To Open 3 Stores In Hanoi

After speculation began earlier this month about Starbucks opening their first shop in Hanoi, the company has confirmed plans for 3 locations in the capital.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: FPT Rejects Rumors Of Being Acquired By Apple

Typhoon Rammasun toll 11 in Vietnam [Business Standard] In Vietnam, homegrown mushrooms are gaining in popularity [Tuoi Tre] Proposed ban on late liquor sale sparks controversy among expat...

in Vietnam

3 Earthquakes Hit Son La, Aftershocks Felt In Hanoi

On Saturday night, 3 consecutive earthquakes shook Son La Province, with the most powerful reaching 4.3 on the Richter scale, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Ministry Proposes Ban On Alcohol Sales After 10pm

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has proposed banning the sale of liquor and beer between 10pm and 6am in an effort to curb rising consumption rates, according to Tuoi Tre.

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Typhoon Hammers Northern Vietnam; Another Storm Brewing

Chinese tourists abandon Vietnam after oil rig row [Global Post] Vietnam's petrol prices remain high despite global dip [Thanh Nien] Qantas, Vietnam Airlines give Jetstar Pacific $38m for ...

in Vietnam

Kiwi Bobby Chinn Named Vietnam Tourism Ambassador To EU

Kiwi chef, Bobby Chinn, has been appointed Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to the EU for the term July 2014 to July 2017.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Exhaust Fumes Take Toll On HCM City Air Quality

Gaza violence does not affect Israel trade ties with Vietnam: envoy [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam mulls setting up ‘super ministry’ to watch over state firms [Tuoi Tre] Exhaust fumes take toll on HCM...

in Vietnam

[Updated] Typhoon Rammasun Making Its Way To Vietnam

Vietnam may be getting its first major storm of the rainy season this weekend.