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.
Inside the Covid Memorial Park at 1 Lý Thái Tổ, Saigon's Brand-New Green Space
As part of Saigon’s latest initiative to increase green space coverage in the city, a number of abandoned land plots were converted into public parks, including a Covid Memorial Park that’s become a beloved destination for Saigoneers seeking a space to jog, reflect, or just simply touch grass.
Uyên Đỗ in Saigon
All Aboard Bus 146, Home of Plushies, Rubber Chickens and a Side of Humanity
“Cute” doesn’t seem like a fitting descriptor for any mode of public transport, but a bus in Saigon is driving straight into the heart of Saigoneers for being the quintessence of “smotheringly adorable.”
Saigon Set to Make Bus Service Free for All to Cut Congestion, Air Pollution
Saigoneers without private vehicles might be happy to hear that the city is planning to make the municipal bus system free to ride in the near future.
Bạc Liêu-94, Cà Mau-69: In Saigon, a Surprising Reminder of Home Lives on License Plates
Once in a while, I bump into a little sliver of my hometown on a random license plate on the street.
Pristine Blue Sky and Memorial Park: Ruminating on What the Covid-19 Pandemic Left Us
Recently, I visited Saigon’s newly inaugurated COVID-19 memorial park . Located at 1 Lý Thái Tổ, Vườn Lài Ward, the park o...
HCMC's Đồng Khởi Among World's Top 20 Most Expensive Retail Streets, Report Says
Saigon’s very own Đồng Khởi has once again made the list of world’s commercial streets with the highest annual rents.
Xuân Phương in Hanoi
Every Bánh Chưng Season, Vietnam’s Lá Dong Capital Comes Alive With Harvest Frenzy
On the patches of sandy soil by the river in Kim An Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, there’s a tiny village named Tràng Cát, where dong leaves have been embedded in local history, memory, and economy for centuries. Right in local courtyard, these broad green leaves were transformed into bánh chưng, ready for Tết feasts across the country.
Morning News Roundup: Heavy Rain Uproots Trees in HCMC Again
Vietnam’s credit ratings remain stable despite East Sea tensions [VietNamNet] Heavy rain uproots trees in HCMC [SGGP] One-Pillar Pagoda repairs put on hold [DTI News]
Brian Letwin in Asia
Man Stuck in South Korea After His Son Uses Passport as Drawing Pad
Kids are notoriously bad at determining the boundaries for their artwork, but this 4-year-old took things to the next level when he used his father’s passport as a canvas, leaving his father stra...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
HCMC University to Start Teaching All Courses in English
One of Vietnam’s major universities, the HCMC University of Social Sciences, has announced that it will start to teach some majors in English, effective immediately.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Turns Away 500 Tons of Toxic Chinese Fruit
Vietnam expects Japan coastguard ships next year: vice defense minister [Chicago Tribune] Phu Yen selected as site for US$2.5 billion marina [DTI News] Vietnam turns away 500 tons of toxic...
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Seeks $1.8 Billion for Subway Project
Suspended private Vietnamese airline given deadline for recovery plan [Tuoi Tre] Russia Lays Down 6th Kilo-Class Sub for Vietnam [RIA] Viettel provides free internet access to all schools&...
HCMC Has Stopped Extending Work Permits for Foreign Workers
In yet another blow to foreign workers in HCMC, the city’s labor authority has announced that it will stop issuing work permit extensions.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
[Photos] Cars Crushed by Trees in Yesterday’s Storm
Yesterday’s downpour not only caused massive flooding in Saigon but also managed to destroy 4 cars in the heart of District 1.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Tycoon Could Get 30 Years
Water shortage grips Kien Giang island [VNS] Vietnam tycoon could get 30 years [Thanh Nien] Vietnam joins UN peacekeeping activities [Global Post]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Dien Bien Man Killed by Lightning While Talking on Mobile Phone
Mobile phones may be linked to brain cancer and have been known to shock people from time-to-time, but there’s a far more dangerous threat to those who enjoy chit chatting in the middle of a thunderst...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Youth Take up Smoking
Vietnamese youth take up smoking [DTI News] Massive shark caught near Quy Nhon [VietNamNet] 1 dead, 4 injured in wild-ox attack in Quang Nam [SGGP]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Chinese Fishing Vessel Sinks Vietnamese Boat Near Disputed Oilrig
Late yesterday afternoon, a Chinese fishing boat rammed and sank a Vietnamese ship in the waters around the controversial oilrig that has stoked tensions between the two countries over the past few we...
Morning News Roundup: Honda Vietnam to Launch 10 New Motorbike Models
Vietnam Airlines to launch IPO in Q3 [SGGP] Experts urge delay of 4G application [Vietnam Plus] World heritage sites lack sufficient management [VNS]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Over 1 Ton of Elephant Tusks Seized in Hai Phong
Hai Phong customs officials seized more than 1 ton of illegal elephant ivory from Hong Kong on May 24, reports Tuoi Tre.
Weekend News Roundup: Real Madrid to Hold Soccer Camp in HCM City
Vietnam Air offering part of push for foreign investment [Sydney Morning Herald] Vietnam car imports soar in May: report [Thanh Nien] Two Vietnamese companies listed in Forbes Global 2000&...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Authorities: Woman Sets Herself on Fire in Front of Reunification Palace to Protest Chinese Oil Rig
According to Le Hieu Truong Hai, District 1's Vice Chairman, a 67-year-old woman from Binh Thanh District set her self on fire in front of Reunification Palace at 6am this morning to protest the Chine...
Morning News Roundup: Firms Pay Fines for Violating Food Safety Rules
Ford pours more investment into Vietnam [Vietnam Plus] ExxonMobil keen on Vietnam market [VoV] Firms pay fines for violating food safety rules [VNS]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Science and Technology Day Declared
Denture clasp spent 20 years in Vietnamese lung [Thanh Nien] Vietnam to play Thailand to secure World Cup berth [DTI News] Vietnamese lecturer wins Australian prize for outstanding researc...
Morning News Roundup: MobiFone Offers New Data Services for Tourists
TPP meeting fails to reach final agreement [Vietnam Plus] HCM City officials pledge wastewater cleanup [VietNamNet] No river in Hanoi found as unpolluted or slightly polluted [VietNam...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Saigon’s First Multi-Story Parking Lot Opens in District 1
While Saigon’s massive underground parking lots may be indefinitely delayed, the city’s first multi-story parking lot has opened in District 1 at a price tag of $24 million, according to VietNamNet.
Morning News Roundup: Ha Long Bay Relocates Houseboat Dwellers
Vietnam apologizes, mulling tax cuts for Taiwanese businesses [Focus Taiwan] Authorities to crackdown on dangerous ‘eggshell' helmets [SGGP] Vietinbank report reveals bad debt increase&nbs...
