Huế Becomes 1st City With Dedicated Lanes on Pavements for Bicycles
The growing popularity of biking as a recreational activity in Vietnam has been acknowledged officially by urban planners in Huế.
Khôi Phạm in Saigon
Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together
“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.
How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness
In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.
From 'Freeze' to 'Avcngcrs': Inside the Wacky World of Vietnam's Bootleg Toys
In Vietnam, you can find a Lego set in official Lego stores or any big toy shops at high prices; but if you take a different route, you can find Lego sets being sold by small vendors for much cheaper. But those sets are a little bit different; they are branded as “Lele'' or “Lepin,” or just white Chinese characters on a red square. For decades, these bootleg toys have been a widely popular option for Vietnamese kids.
New Renderings Show Saigon's Plans to Revamp Quách Thị Trang Square
At an estimated cost of VND157 billion (US$6.17 million), the controversial renovation work on the square in front of Bến Thành Market is set to begin this fall and be completed by April 2025.
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.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street
In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story
Water has no hometown.
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...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Traffic Violator Seized After 4km Chase, Cops Criticized for Endangering Road Users
A struggling Vietnamese rock music industry in a booming economy [Astroawani] Vietcombank CEO named Vietnam central bank deputy governor [Thanh Nien] US federal agencies banned from buying Viet...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Cops Using Thugs for Protection?
- City moves to alleviate overcrowding in bus stations [VNS] - Overseas Vietnamese wins TV's Master Chef [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam province opens world’s largest cave to tour...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
City Authorities to Demolish Hundreds of Illegal Homes
Over the next three weeks, city authorities will demolish 500 illegally-built houses in Binh Chanh, Thu Duc, Binh Tan, Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Go Vap and Tan Phu Districts. A few weeks ago, city authorities...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- HCM City: Explosion at U.S. Consulate General store kills one [Vietnam Net Bridge] - Vietnam 'Running Man' says he was invited by Arsenal to UK [Global Post] - American busine...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Couples Encouraged to Make More Babies
Even though Vietnam’s population has been steadily growing the last few decades, a declining birth rate has prompted HCMC officials to encourage couples to have more than one child.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam to Invest Over $300m in Cinema Industry
Good morning, Saigoneers! Here's what's making news around Vietnam this morning: - McDonald's faces challenges in late entry to Vietnam [CampaignAsia] - Police find 3 behind banker a...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
[Video] Dozens of Drivers Tripped Up by Pothole
Driving in Saigon becomes truly hazardous when it rains - flooded streets disguise potholes, and breaks are rendered ineffective at short distances. These are the elements that came into play last wee...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Fan Chases Arsenal Team Bus - Gets Invite to Come Aboard
Well, it looks like Arsenal wasn't able to avoid fans after all. After spending most of their trip in quarantine conditions, not meeting with fans or eating local food, the British football team allo...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Diabetes in Vietnam Surges
- Vietnam airports fill up fast [TTRWeekly] - Viet Nam Steel giant reports large losses in H1 [SteelGuru] - Traditional markets make Hanoi special, why eliminate them? [Tha...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
It’s Official – McDonald's Coming to Vietnam in 2014
The Big Mac cometh... After years of speculation and rumor, it appears that McDonald's, the world’s largest fast food chain, will open up its first location in Vietnam in 2014. McDonald's will join o...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: ‘Cow Bank' Project Assists Poor Farmers in Escape From Poverty
- ‘Cow Bank' project assists poor farmers in escape from poverty [Vietnam Net Bridge] - Japan leads in FDI projects in Vietnam [Saigon GP Daily] - Granny’s Gold Bars Are Key to Vietna...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
No Love for Fans or Vietnamese Food as Arsenal Arrives in Hanoi
Arsenal’s much published friendly with the Vietnam national team will take place at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium on July 17th. While the club’s first visit to Vietnam will bring premier football t...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 9 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam's Economy to Grow 5.3 Percent in 2013 [Malaysia Sun] - Vietnam concerned over HIV donor funding cuts [IRIN] - VN firm wins management contract for Myanmar skyscraper [V...
