Famous Japanese Rockers to Play Saigon
- Details
- Published on 09 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Looking to an alternative to the typical Saigon music scene? On Sunday, July 28th, the Onion Cellar will host a night of Japanese-dominated indie, progressive rock and electronic music ranging from single acts to group performances.
The Onion Cellar is a Vietnam-based independent organization that aims to promote alternative music and films to the local audience - and ultimately to inspire them to go on their own exciting adventures in sounds and visuals.
Chicken Smuggled From Vietnam to China Had Been in Storage Since 1967
- Details
- Published on 09 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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, and some of the chicken feet in question date back to 1967. What the actual f*ck.
Video: What Traditional Vietnamese Music Would Sound Like in English
- Details
- Published on 08 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
For many foreigners, Vietnamese is a tough language to master due to its many tones. As hard as it may be for them in daily conversation, understanding music lyrics is a herculean task.
So what would a traditional Vietnamese song sound like in English? Famous Vietnamese singer, Manh Quynh, took a crack at an English version of cai luong, traditional Vietnamese opera, in the hilarious video below.
Dutch Lady Versus Vinamilk - A Foreigner and a Local Battle it Out (But Not Really)
- Details
- Published on 08 July 2013
- Written by Diana van Oort.
Humor doesn't require much knowledge of each other’s language, especially in Vietnam.
On a recent sweltering day, I went to a minimart to buy a Coca-Cola just as the store was being supplied. They didn't have a bottle in the fridge, so they had to get it from the back – a task which took some encouragement on my end.
11 Old Pictures of People in Saigon
- Details
- Published on 08 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We spend a lot of time writing about old buildings and changes to Saigon's skyline, but today, we take a closer look at the people of past Saigon.
The clothing and hair styles may seem a bit antiquated but it's clear that day-to-day life in the city has changed less than one may think.
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Details
- Published on 08 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- 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 [Tuoi Tre]
Police to Crack Down on Noisy Pham Ngu Lao Bars
- Details
- Published on 05 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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.
Vinh Gang Busted for Stealing 4,000 Cats Over 2 Years
- Details
- Published on 05 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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 per night, the crew used their profits (VND60,000/kg) to play online games according to police.
[Updated] Cops Bust Out Net Launchers to Stop Traffic Violators
- Details
- Published on 05 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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 who don’t pull over when flagged down by police.
Dekotora: Japan's Truckin' Subculture
- Details
- Published on 05 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Japanese really know how to take shit to the next level. Next level brothel? Check! Next level hamburger? Check! Blinged-out transformer trucks? Double check! The pictures in the gallery below showcase Dekotora, the Japanese subculture of truck drivers adding as many lights and metallic objects as possible to their vehicles.
And the results are spectacular.
The Oldest House in Saigon
- Details
- Published on 04 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
While Saigon houses many wonderful examples of colonial architecture, there are few buildings standing that predate the 1880s. After all, the city isn’t particularly old, having been a fishing village for much of its early history. So what is the oldest building in Saigon?
BarcampSaigon Returns on July 7th
- Details
- Published on 03 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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 way, of course).
Vinamilk Gets Approval to Export Dairy Products to US
- Details
- Published on 03 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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.
Under the licensing agreement, the FDA can randomly inspect Vinamilk production facilities at any time.
Weapons Grade Uranium Removed from Da Lat
- Details
- Published on 03 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
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 pounds of highly enriched uranium, which officials feared could have fallen into the wrong hands and used as material for a nuclear weapon.
8 Old Pictures of Saigon's Canals
- Details
- Published on 02 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Saigon has long been a city of canals; even Nguyen Hue Street used to be one.
But today, as the city's infrastructure continues to prioritize roads, many canals have ceased to function as commercial routes.
Let's look back at some pictures of the city's canals when they acted as highways for people and goods.
Latin Music With Soul
- Details
- Published on 02 July 2013
- Written by Alfredo de la Casa.
With many options available, it seems that a large number of Vietnamese youth are getting more and more into Latin music - Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Reggaeton. From Salsa clubs like La Salsa and Xsalsa to live bands at the Caravelle, Hard Rock Café and other bars, Latin fever seems to be sweeping Saigon.
A Vietnamese View of Photography: Artsy vs Trendy
- Details
- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Jas Huynh.
Over the past four years, young Vietnamese have been paying more attention to photography. They’re not only keen on the qualitative aspects but are also eager to learn how to create these images by themselves. As a result, they are buying photography equipment and are quickly finding out that it is a ‘luxury hobby.’
Japan Eases Visa Requirements for Vietnamese
- Details
- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The struggles of Vietnamese applying for visas to European and North American countries are well documented and probably won’t be changing anytime soon. But it will soon be easier for Vietnamese to visit Japan as the island nation plans to ease its visa requirements for most ASEAN countries.
Yabai!
Emerging Vietnamese Artists at Craig Thomas Gallery
- Details
- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In celebration of Craig Thomas Gallery’s 4th anniversary, the works of 15 young Vietnamese emerging artists will be displayed from June 29 – July 21.
Among the artists are Ngo Van Sac, Bui Thanh Tam, Bui Tien Tuan, Nguyen The Hung, Tam Minh, Tran Quoc Tuan, La Huy, Lieu Nguyen Huong Duong, Le Kinh Tai, Bui Hai Son, Nguyen Thuy Hang, Mac Hoang Thuong, and Luong Luu Bien.
Amazing Motorbike Choreography by the Rome Police (1953)
- Details
- Published on 26 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Think Saigon motorbike drivers are hardcore? You have no idea.
Check out the video below of a 1953 performance of the Rome motorbike police. If Saigon’s traffic is organized chaos, then this is, well, just organized.
