Is It Possible to Feel Nostalgic for Rest Stops, the Liminal Space We're Supposed to Forget?
If the long-distance bus is a person, there’s a high chance that it’s a character who’s not very well-liked. Perhaps it’s a rude guy who smokes like a chimney and often yells whenever someone overtakes him. If the bus is female, then it’s a moody princess, especially during long holidays. Countless people queue up in hopes of accompanying her on trips, but she only takes the few earliest arrivals, and will give them a hard time with everything.
Paul Christiansen in Vietnam
The Grotesque Food on AI Slop Signs Ushers in the Age of Flattened Human Experience
The AI slop has arrived, our streets conquered by vibrant, same-same cartoon faces with goofy grins slapped atop gradient-drenched backgrounds, every inch of space smeared with colorful activity that distracts from wonky details: clocks with nonsensical numerals, bánh mì with reptile skin, and passion fruit oozing juice from sinkhole centers.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Kite-Flying in Thủ Thiêm
One of the most elegant means to observe the textured heft and untethered strength of otherwise-invisible wind — there is plenty one could say about the poetry of flying kites.
Uyên Đỗ in Saigon
Into Saigon's Charming Hidden Third Spaces in the Shade of Bridges
Third place (noun): A space outside of one's home and workplace, where people meet and interact socially.
Saigon Uncovers 9 of Possible 900 Human Remains From 1968 Tết Offensive Beneath Local Park
Authorities believe nine soldiers, alongside artifacts including a military poncho and hammock, are part of a mass grave of about 900 soldiers killed in the 1968 Tết Offensive, according to Tuổi Trẻ. After an eight-year forensics undertaking, local officials have undertaken a mission to recover the remains beneath Lê Thị Riêng Park in Hòa Hưng Ward (former District 10).
Xuân Phương in Hanoi
In Suburban Hanoi, With Summer Comes the Red-Purple Cascade of Mulberries
In suburban Hanoi, this is the season when mulberry branches heavy with bright red fruits dangle in the summer wind.
After Saigon Police Bust Major Pet Theft Ring, the City Rallies to Help Care for 400 Cats
After an extended investigation, the Hồ Chí Minh City Police Department has busted a major cat theft and distribution ring that operated across multiple southern provinces.
A Visit to Lê Minh Xuân, a Rare Craft Village Making Incense Sticks Amid Saigon
From inside the workshop, artisans carry bundle after bundle of freshly made incense sticks into the courtyard amid the morning mist. A gentle scent of spices linger in the air.
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&...
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...
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...
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...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam has More Than 300,000 Obese Children
- Nok Air has Vietnam in sights [Bangkok Post] - Vietnam man arrested for car accident that drowned 5, including 2 kids [Thanh Nien] - HIV/AIDS transmission rate in Vi...
