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.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Unfinished Billion Dollar Casino Projects
- Shiseido Vietnam builds US$30 million plant in Dong Nai [VoV] - Bulgarians held for stealing money using fake ATM cards [Tuoi Tre] - PM flags off work on 2.9km cable...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
American Teacher Killed by Truck in District 7
An American English teacher was hit by a truck and died this morning on Luu Trong Lu st. in District 7.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- State firms pay highest wages [VietnamNet] - Tony Blair strikes new deals to advise Vietnam and Peru [The Telegraph] - Authorities revoke license of clinic with Chin...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Vietnam, Neighbors Pledge to End Dog Meat Trade
At a recent meeting in Hanoi, the four governments agreed in principle on a strategy to end the trafficking of dogs between Vietnam and its neighbors, which is estimated at 5 million animals annually....
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon From Above
Photographer Gian Thanh Son is completing a book and preparing a special exhibition, "Discovering Saigon from the air." With the help of special forces helicopter Regiment 917 (Air Division 370), Son...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Vietnam: The Land of Nike
According to AmCham Vietnam, 98% of Nike footwear is produced in Asia with Vietnam leading the pack followed by China and Indonesia. In the 2013 fiscal year, Vietnam, which houses at least 10 Nike fa...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Six Suffocate in Fish Oil Tank
Well this is a sad story. Yesterday morning, six employees of the IDI Fisheries Factory in Binh Thanh Commun, Dong Thap Province suffocated from catfish oil fumes while taking samples.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Two Drunken Foreigners to be Expelled for Disturbing Acts
- Vietnam expects 6 pct GDP growth in two years [xinhuanet] - Foreign firms in Vietnam complain about deteriorating business climate, consider quitting [Thanh Nien] - ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Has Da Nang’s Bubble Burst?
After a decade of breakneck development, Da Nang’s luster is starting to wear off. Overly reliant on a once-booming real estate sector, the city’s coffers are drying up as investments slow and large-s...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: $2 Million Weasel Coffee Farm in Da Lat
- Cambodian import turns a Saigon staple [Thanh Nien] - Journalist jailed for fatal road accident [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam Stocks to Climb 12% by Year-End on Valuations,...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- The secrets of Saigon’s night clubs [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam urged to boost retirement age to save pension fund [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam Says New Internet Decree Good ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Battles with Poor Quality Education
- FDI bottlenecks in Mekong Delta [VOV] - Vietnam anticipates US$2,300 GDP per capita in 2015 [VOV] - Bad debts fall from previous month [SGGP]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
How Much Does Vietnam's Prime Minister Make? Less Than You Might Think.
With the news that some state officials are making outrageous salaries, the Vietnamese press has started to probe a bit deeper into exactly how much the country’s officials make.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: School Mulls Banning Female Teachers From Donning Short Skirts
- Dried shredded squid as elastic as plastic seized [Tuoi Tre] - School mulls banning female teachers from donning short skirts [Tuoi Tre] - Promoting e-government model in ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
‘Flat-Chested’ People May Face Driving Ban
Another week, another interesting law - a 2008 decision which proposed to ban drivers based on height, weight and chest size due to safety issues is gaining steam again.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Crazy Buffalo Up in Flames. Again.
For the second time in two years, Pham Ngu Lao hotspot, The Crazy Buffalo, saw its neon sign go up in flames. At 4pm yesterday afternoon, passersby warned the restaurant that smoke was rising from th...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: The Last Farmers in Saigon
- Land subsidence creates hole that swallows bed, woman [Tuoi Tre] - Abusing wage fund, directors pocket $123,000 as yearly salary [Tuoi Tre] - Japanese investors eye Vietna...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon's Old Bridges in Danger of Collapse
Saigon is a city of bridges. They criss-cross the city's rivers and canals, allowing for the flow of goods and people. But time, wars and poor maintenance have not been kind to many of the city's old...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: English Teaching: Is White Right?
- Vietnam ministries pass the buck on controversial driving regulations [Thanh Nien] - Phishing increasing in Vietnam [VietnamNet Bridge]
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Experts Reject Plan for New Saigon Airport
As plans move forward for Saigon’s new Long Thanh airport, a pair of former aviation officials are questioning the need for such an investment. Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Thien Tong, former chairman o...
