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 Vietnam
Bill: Job-Seeking Foreigners Must Have Work Permit Before Entering Vietnam
Vietnam seems to be overhauling their immigration policies this week. In addition to yesterday’s news that foreigners working in Vietnam without a work permit will be deported, Tuoi Tre is reporting t...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Crime on the Rise in HCMC
- Vietnam lifts radiation inspection on Japanese food imports [Global Post] - Vietnam’s farm produce exports remain precarious [VietnamNet] - Will threat to pull out of Viet...
Brian Letwin in Asia
China's $1.9 Billion Mooncake Industry
Vietnam might consume a lot of mooncakes during the mid-autumn festival, but it has nothing on China. The country of over one billion has more than 10,000 mooncake manufacturers which produce over 28...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Slideshow: Gang of Taxi Drivers Destroys Truck Driver After Accident Near Tan Son Nhat
Yesterday at 11:30, a battle royal occurred near Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat airport between a truck driver and gaggle (we’re pretty sure this is the technical term) of taxi drivers.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Decree: Foreign Workers Without Work Permits to be Deported
Following in the footsteps of other ASEAN nations like Malaysia, a new government decree, set to go into effect on November 1st, includes provisions for deporting foreign workers in Vietnam who d...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
5 Arrested in Massive Saigon Nike Theft
Vietnam may be the land of Nike but the company’s pricey shoes make them a prime target for thievery. Earlier this week, A Ho Chi Minh City court sentenced five men to up to 15 years in prison for ste...
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 ...
