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 Stories
Slideshow: When Capitalism Returned to Vietnam
When Vietnam opened it's doors to capitalism and the free market in the mid 90s, almost overnight, multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Kodak and Pepsi rushed to exploit the country's u...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Obama Invites Vietnam President for Rare Trip
- Bonus marks for Vietnam Heroic Mothers at university exams [Vietnam Net Bridge] - Italian communist leader on visit in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] - 7 arrested in Vietnam for fatal brawl ove...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: The Real Owner of Highlands Coffee
- China remains largest rice consumer of Vietnam [CRIEnglish] - The real owner of Highlands Coffee [Vietnam Net Bridge] - 576 undocumented people granted Vietnamese citizenship [Tuoi ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Bigwig to be Charged in Fatal Drunk-Driving Accident
- New shrew discovered in Vietnam forest [Mongbay] - Vietnam bigwig to be charged for fatal drunk-driving accident [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam faces challenges of increasing work forc...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Chicken Smuggled From Vietnam to China Had Been in Storage Since 1967
If you’re eating, you’ll probably want to stop for a moment. Chinese authorities have raided a food storage facility in Nanning, China and found tons of substandard meat, imported from Vietnam. Oh, an...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Where Driver’s Licenses are Bought
- Vietnam losing shine in attracting FDI to regional rivals: Minister [Tuoi Tre] - Vietnam, Laos complete border demarcation [Saigon GP Daily] - Where driver’s licenses are...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam’s 2nd Russian-made sub completes sea trials [Thanh Nien] - Southern hub embraces CNG bus fleet [VietnamNet Bridge] - ADB gives $500 mln loan to HCMC metro project&...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Police to Crack Down on Noisy Pham Ngu Lao Bars
We’re sure nothing will come of this (other than some hush money) but the District 1 People's Committee has set up a joint inspection team address the late night noise from Pham Ngu Lao’s bars.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vinh Gang Busted for Stealing 4,000 Cats Over 2 Years
Apparently dogs aren't the only pets you need to watch out for. Police in Vinh City have arrested 6 men for allegedly stealing and selling the meat of up to 4,000 felines. Picking up four to six cats...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
[Updated] Cops Bust Out Net Launchers to Stop Traffic Violators
Our strategy of avoiding eye contact with traffic police to evade tickets may soon be rendered useless. Authorities in Thanh Hoa Province are planning to mass produce fishnet launchers to catch those...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Sidewalk Nước Mía Sellers Earn $2,500/month
Vietnam cops accused of beating man with cerebral palsy [Thanh Nien] Street children inspire paintings [VietnamNet Bridge] Vietnam military deploys vehicles to help college applicants [Tuo...
Brian Letwin in Stories
BarcampSaigon Returns on July 7th
BarcampSaigon, a great knowledge-sharing event returns to Saigon this Sunday at RMIT. Try to make it if you can! You can even register to speak on any topic of your choice (relating to tech in some wa...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vinamilk Gets Approval to Export Dairy Products to US
Vinamilk, Vietnam's favorite dairy brand, has been given the go-ahead by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin exporting products to the US – a first for the Vietnamese dairy industry. U...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Weapons Grade Uranium Removed from Da Lat
A joint American and Russian program has removed the last remaining, highly enriched uranium from Da Lat’s nuclear research facilities. Over the last 6 years, the US and Russia have shipped out 35 po...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Introduces Digital Textbooks at Select Schools
- Foreign giants hunt for retail space in HCM City [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam introduces digital textbooks at select schools [Thanh Nien] - US: Vietnam's weapons-grade uranium remo...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened This Weekend? 9 Stories You May Have Missed
While you were busy this weekend checking out emerging Vietnamese artists and trying to stay dry, you may have missed this weekend’s news: - Vietnam Devalues Dong for First Time Since Decem...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Reckless Driving Turns Vietnam's Highways into Horror Show
- Two Africans expelled from Vietnam for conning locals [Thanh Nien] - Lethal injection “is still being prepared” [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam Economic Growth Quickens as Inves...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: US citizen caught at airport with giant heroin haul
-US citizen caught at Vietnam airport with giant heroin haul [Thanh Nien] -Heineken ‘absolutely on top’ of fake beer threat after Vietnam gang bust [Beverage Daily] -Drunken man sleeps on highw...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Vietnam Airports Charging Premium Prices for Low-Quality Products
We’ve all been there – in the rush to get to the airport on time, you forgo a necessary meal. You arrive only to find that your (insert budget airline here) flight has been delayed 2 hours. Maybe ther...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: A Look Inside Male Brothels
Here's what's making news around Vietnam this morning: -A look inside male brothels [Tuoi Tre] -Clean cafés emerge in city, outplay sidewalk rivals [Tuoi Tre] -HCM City: River “swallows” seven hous...
