BackStories » Vietnam

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 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 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 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 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...

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 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 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 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 Vietnam

What the Phở Happened This Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

While you were busy this weekend checking out the Indochina Project and waiting for the SuperMoon to appear, you may have missed this weekend’s news:

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Weapons Workshop Uncovered in Hai Phong

If there's a will, there's a way. When you own a workshop and are a drug addict, this could lead you to running a gun-making operation as in the case of Duong Minh Nhat. The 38-year-old and his wife ...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Don't Panic: SuperMoon is on Its Way

It’s about that time again. On June 23, the year’s largest supermoon will be visible above the Saigon skies. A supermoon occurs when a full moon lines up with the Earth and the sun at a specific poin...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Friendly Between Arsenal and Vietnam in Jeopardy

The friendly between Arsenal and Vietnam is in a state of limbo after stadium owners raised fees for the match. Touted as the first Premier League team to visit Vietnam, Arsenal had planned to play t...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Dog Thief Beaten to Death by Angry Mob

Yesterday, residents of the north-central province of Nghe An brutally attacked 2 dog thieves, leaving one dead and another seriously injured.

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Vietnam Ponders Name Change

This October, the National Assembly is expected to make some major changes to Vietnam’s constitution for the first time since 1992. One of the biggest modifications that may take place is a sligh...