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.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Gender Inequality in Vietnam at Alarming Rate: Official
- Economic growth at 5.14 percent in first nine months [SGGP] - Vietnam's VietJet seen close to major Airbus order [Reuters] - Vietnam city to apply new English language te...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Traffic Cop Allegedly Shoots Colleagues in Vietnam
- Vietnam’s bad debt attractive to some investors, but regulations still unclear [Washington Post] - Typhoon Usagi kills 24 in Vietnam [IOL News] - Little good news as Vietn...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnamese Exec Beats Caddy Unconscious. Keeps Golf Club Membership.
Even with its slow pace, golf can bring out your competitive side. A missed putt or journey to a sand trap can boil the blood of even the most patient player. But that’s no excuse to beat your caddy w...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Authorities to Crack Down on Illegitimate Diplomatic Cars
You know all those fancy diplomatic cars speeding around District 1? Well, as it turns out, chances are the occupants are not diplomatic officials, but rather locals who bought the car and never trans...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
VNA Flight Attendant Arrested for Smuggling 50 iPhone 5s
Vietnamese airline employees have been known to cause a stir from time to time. Earlier this year, actress Ly Nha Ky got a VietJet flight crew into hot water when she was invited into the cockpit...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Cops Accused of Torturing Suspects in Dog Thieves Murder Case
- 7 arrested for robbing Ukrainian in central Vietnam [Thanh Nien] - Vietnamese favor super-expensive mobile phones [Vietnam Net] - Vietnam intends to grant husbands paterni...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Hue's Refurbished Airport Reopens
As Saigon waits for its new, massive airport, some of Vietnam’s smaller cities are focusing on renovations rather than starting from scratch. Hue’s Phu Bai airport, which was reopened yesterday a...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Foreigner Dies After Jumping Off Roof of Ford Dealership
Last week an unidentified foreigner snuck into the Ford showroom on Cao Thang Street in District 1 and jumped to his death in what authorities are calling a suicide.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam students give history a modern twist [Thanh Nien] - The most famous family run economic groups in Vietnam [VietnamNet] - Foreigner commits suicide by jumping off a...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Achieves 2013 Foreign Investment Goal
- 5 missing after car swept away in Vietnam flash flood [Tuoi Tre] - Vietnam achieves 2013 foreign investment goal [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam’s 1st ao dai museum to open in HCMC...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vinashin to Lay Off 14,000 Workers
- Mass evacuations ordered as storm nears [VoV] - Prehistoric traces found in Thai Nguyen [VNS] - Big names set to draw crowds at motor show [VNS] - 11 Vietnamese...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Map: More Than Half of the World's Population Lives Within This Circle
It’s well-known that Asia is the world’s population center (thanks, China and India!) with 51% of the global population. But this fact is slightly mind-blowing when illustrated visually. Reddit user, ...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Police to Fine Parents Blocking Traffic Outside of Schools
Packs of parents, idling on motorbikes, waiting for their children to finish their school days, are a common sight in cities across Vietnam. Hundreds of parents jockey for position, yelling and waving...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Severe Power Shortage to Hit Next Dry Season
- Vietnam vehicle sales up 20% in August [Justauto] - Forests destroyed to grow rubber [VietnamNet] - Authorities fail to tackle pollution woes [VietnamNet]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
[Updated] Nha Trang Effectively Bans Motorbike Rentals for Foreigners
[Update Below] On August 21st, the Khanh Hoa Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision to ban tourist companies from renting motorbikes to foreigners who don’t have Vietname...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Hundreds Confess to Killing Dog Thieves in Bac Giang
In an act of solidarity with their fellow villagers, hundreds have signed a petition confessing to the murder of 2 suspected dog thieves who were caught and beaten to death on August 27 in the Hiep Ho...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: 1 Dead, 7 Missing at Ship Collision Offshore Vietnam
- Tax incentives likely for tech-savvy enterprises [VNS] - Vietnam wants US contributions to Asian security, development [VoV] - Japan investment in Vietnam metr...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam up in FIFA rankings [VietnamNet] - Vietnam's auto import continues to slide in August [East Day] - Vietnam’s rice productivity may reduce 10% on climate chan...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Airports to Cut Fees by Half to Attract Foreign Carriers
- Vietnam airports to cut fees by half to attract foreign carriers [Thanh Nien] - Deal between Tony Blair and Vietnam gov’t not yet finalized [Thanh Nien] - Hue specialties ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Bill Gates Posts Picture of Vietnam Wires on Facebook, Sparks Fly
American billionaire, Bill Gates, recently took to Facebook to express his concerns about rising electricity demands in developing countries. To illustrate this, he used a picture of tangled electrica...
