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 Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Chief Warns Against Growing Economic Divide, Again

Vietnam Vows Dong and Interest-Rate Stability for Growth [Bloomberg] US alliance says Vietnam software piracy decreasing [Thanh Nien] Dogs in Vietnam: Not just for dinner anymore [Reu...

in Vietnam

Typhoon Nari Devastating Central Vietnam

After wreaking havoc on the Philippines where it killed 13 people, Typhoon Nari made landfall this morning in central Vietnam, causing massive flooding, power outages and destruction of property.

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Mass Evacuations in Vietnam for Typhoon Nari

Vietnam Vows to Boost Political Trust With China During Li Visit [Business Week] Sustainable tourism in Vietnam inspires film [ABC] Killer drunk drivers stalk Vietnam roads [Thanh Nie...

Brian Letwin

in Stories

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

At Least 21 Dead in Vietnam Firework Factory Blast [Farsnews]  Japan slow to realize nuclear plant export to Vietnam [Global Post] High cholesterol might become top killer in Vietnam&...

in Stories

A Look into the World of HCMC Sex Shops

Even though sex toys and unregistered aphrodisiacs are awesome illegal in HCMC, many sex shops stock these items and are seeing their profits soar. After all, it’s hard to run a business selling condo...

in Saigon

Video: iPhone Thievery

Crime is on the rise in HCMC. The city may be installing video cameras and increasing the number of security personnel, but these won't solve the problem on their own. Thieves are conniving and thrive...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnamese Manufacture Unmanned Aircraft, Submarines, Battleships

Railway planned to link Vietnam metro with new airport [Thanh Nien] Vietnam-Japan trade turnover at US$16.3 billion in first 8 months [SGGP]  Foreign banks lend $100 mln to Vingroup&n...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnam Seizes Nearly 2 Tons of Elephant Tusks Smuggled From Malaysia, Labeled as Sea Shells

General Vo Nguyen Giap to be laid to rest at Dragon Cap [SGGP]  A new phase of poverty reduction [VoV] Two hospitals violate regulations, suffer great losses [Tuoi Tre]

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

98-Year-Old to Continue his Hunt for $100 Billion Treasure

98-year-old Tran Van Tiep of Ho Chi Minh City has been given permission to continue his hunt for Japanese treasure he believes is buried at Tau Mountain in Binh Thuan Province.

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: EVN Posts Massive Losses Over Non-Core Investments

Vietnam Government Clarifies its 'Buy-Local' Policy [FutureGov] Toxic waste continues to flood into Viet Nam [Vietnam Net] Refinery investment to double [VNS] City prepares supply of...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

South Korean Man Found Dead in HCMC Apartment

In what's becoming a seemingly weekly occurrence, another foreign national has died in Saigon. Korean Kim Tea Sik was found dead in his HCMC apartment yesterday morning. Sik's naked body was discover...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Foreign Ship Spills Oil into Reef Off Vietnam

Vietnam, Myanmar agree upon visa exemption [VoV] Vietnam workers indifferent to minimum wage hike, employers fret [Thanh Nien] Thousands pay respects to Vietnam's General Giap [France...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Hero, General Vo Nguyen Giap, Dead at 102

It's been all over the news this weekend but in case you missed it, General Vo Nguyen Giap, who ousted both the French and Americans from Vietnam died in Hanoi last Friday at the age of 102. Late...

in Stories

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap dies [Tuoi Tre] Efficiency Needs to Play a Bigger Role in Vietnam’s Fast-Growing Cities [GreenTechMedia] MetLife Expands Asian Growth Ambitions To Vietnam...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnam’s Coffee Industry Rumored to be Collapsing

Vietnam’s New Crop Coffee Premium Seen 58% Below 2012-13 Beans [Bloomberg] Vietnam considers selling a bank to foreigners [Vietnam Net] Vietnam state firm chief cops golfing ban for whacki...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnam Builds First Power Plant Fueled by Rice Husks

Vietnam builds first power plant fueled by rice husks [Vietnam Net] Vietnam reports 124 mln USD trade deficit in 9 months [Global Times] Big test for ageing economic system [Vietnam N...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Japanese National Killed at Ben Thanh Bus Station

In what seems to be a worrying trend, another foreigner has died in Saigon, this time a Japanese lecturer on her way home from school. The 50-year-old victim was a teacher of Oriental Studies at ...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnam Cop Arrested for Shooting Boss Dead

Tropical storm Wutip brings rain and winds to Vietnamese coast, leaves 75 fishermen missing [Washington Post]  Vietnam ranks 7th worldwide for economic growth potential [Thanh Nien] V...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Central Vietnam Braces for Superstorm Wutip

Superstorm Wutip, currently around 200km off Vietnam’s central coast, is expected to make landfall at 4pm this afternoon. With maximum winds of 149kph, local authorities in Ha Tinh are in the process...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

- Hanoi hosts first street performance festival [Nhan Dan] - 40 years on: When Fidel Castro came to town [VNS] - “White gold” plants encroach on forest’s territory [Vie...