Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Cold War History With a Side of Nem Rán in Prague's Little Hanoi
Across English-speaking countries such as the US and Australia, the Vietnamese diaspora established close-knit “Little Saigon” towns whenever they settled down, founding large markets, starting financial services, and introducing southern fares like gỏi cuốn and bánh mì to the local population. Elsewhere in Europe, however, the Vietnamese community is often known as “Little Hanoi,” due to the regional makeup of the first wave of immigrants. Some, like Prague’s Little Hanoi, have flourished to the point of being a “city within a city,” boasting its own self-sufficient administrative services, schools, and housing.
Exploring the Power of an International Community at International School Ho Chi Minh City
Success at the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) can be measured according to many metrics. From IB DP test ...
Saigon's Next Top 5 Congested Streets Are Announced. Here Are the Winners.
Local streets are buckling under the pressure of Saigon's ever-increasing population density, here are the city's most frequently jammed roads, according to the municipal Department of Transportation.
Paul Christiansen in Vietnam
How to Spot a Traveling Vietnamese at the Airport? Boxes With Sharpied Names.
“If you know, you know.”
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.
Century-Old Historic Villa in Đồng Nai Faces Demolition Due to Road Project
It’s yet another case of new infrastructure versus old heritage building — one of Vietnam’s most common urban planning clashes in recent years.
Food, Art, Heritage and Everything of the Essence in My #SaigonSummer
“In summer, the song sings itself.”― William Carlos Williams
With Thriving Coffee Culture, Vietnam Has Half a Million Cafes, Data Shows
Taking into account global and national chains, small brands, independent cafes and street vendors, a recent report estimates that Vietnam is home to more than 500,000 coffee shops that generate US$1.46 billion in revenue in total.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Massive Fire Drill at Diamond Plaza this Morning
If you're wondering why emergency crews, including 2 helicopters are running around Dimond Plaza this morning, fear not, for it's only a drill! The city fire, police and health departments along with...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Civilization Fails to Lure Vietnam Men From 40-year Jungle Home
- Thirty Russian Firms to take part in Tourism Expo in HCMC [SGGP] - Vietnamese school children are 'years ahead' of Indian pupils [phys.org] - Vietnam to cover costs of bri...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: ‘Ba Tung’ Closes Facebook Page After Nationwide Ban
- Can Vietnam become a gambling getaway? [Thanh Nien] - Land for industrial parks lies abandoned in Mekong Delta [SGGP] - Foreigners with over-3 month visas can buy houses i...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam can’t afford to switch to newer, safer vaccines: official [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam authorities lax over hydrofoil safety [Thanh Nien] - No further dong devaluation, ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Downtown HCMC Statue on Brink of Collapse
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Vietnam's auto industry faces crossroads ahead of Asean trade pact [JakartaPost] - Emerging Vietnam: The Big Ch...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Unable to Flirt with 10-year-old Girl, Man Sprays Acid on 5
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Special team to investigate fatal accident [VNS] - Foreign investment shifting to new locales in Vietnam [...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Lam Dong Scam Facilities Make Tea from Buffalo Dung
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - American doctor frees many Vietnamese from tumors in short visit [Thanh Nien] - Lam Dong scam facilities make t...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Starbucks Opens Second Store in Saigon
Last Thursday, Starbucks opened the doors to their second location in Saigon (and Vietnam), just 6 months after the company arrived in the Vietnamese market. According to Patricia Marques, general ma...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Good morning, Saigon. Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend: - Vietnam man almost choked to death by live fish [Thanh Nien] - One dead, 8 missing in Vietna...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: The 50 Vietnamese Most Effective Businesses of 2013
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - The 50 Vietnamese most effective businesses in 2013 [VietnamNet Bridge] - ECF Asks Vietnam to Look Into Coffee ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam’s Power Price Goes up by 5%
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Bank lay-offs in Vietnam could continue for two years [Thanh Nien] - City Museum ranked among most attrac...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnamese Businessman Buys US Town with Plans to Create Coffee Empire
In April 2012, Pham Dinh Nguyen, a Vietnamese businessman, bought the town of Buford, Wyoming at auction for US$900,000. If you’re wondering why the sum is so small, 1) it’s in Wyoming and 2) the popu...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: New Species of Toed Lizard Discovered in Tuy Hoa
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Vietnam to launch micro satellite [SpaceDaily] - Vietnam failing to combat coastal erosion [Vi...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Proposes Ban on Shisha
The Ho Chi Minh City government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health that shisha be banned from businesses to protect the public’s health. Shisa, a water-based tobacco pipe, traces its ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Asia's Largest Underground Mall Opens in Hanoi
On July 26, Owner of Vinagroup, Pham Nhat Vuong, opened the doors to Asia’s largest underground mall, Royal City. The new megamall, covering 230,000 square meters, has already filled 95% of its retai...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Vietnam to have unmanned military aircraft [VietnamNet Bridge] Urban Apartheid in Vietnam [New York Times] Vietnam symphony orchestra to tour Japan [Thanh Nien]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Big Changes Proposed for Driving Fines
When news broke that new regulations would fine those driving vehicles not registered in their name, many were confused and unhappy. For Vietnamese, motorbikes are often shared among numerous family m...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Gets Tough on State Firms in Economic Growth Push
- Vietnam gets tough on state firms in economic growth push [Thanh Nien] - New Vietnam Airlines route is good news for Asia explorers [Easier] - Vietnam Devalues Its Currenc...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Bigwig’s Son Arrested for Attacking Cop
- Vietnam Stocks Fall the Most in 4 Weeks as Inflation Accelerates [Bloomberg] - Another prostitution ring for foreigners busted in Vietnam hub [Thanh Nien] - Vietnamese football...
Brian Letwin in Asia
9 Taiwanese Face Charges for Anal Gold Smuggling
Well, this is impressive. South Korean customs officials have announced that they have broken up a gold smuggling ring. The kicker? The mules would bring in the gold through their anuses. According t...
