Kowloon - City in Darkness
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We’ve seen some of Hong Kong’s tightest living spaces in a previous post but nothing compares with the notorious Kowloon Walled City. From the 1940s to 1993, this fortress of darkness and poverty housed as many as 50,000 residents, making it one of, if not the most densely populated places on earth. On the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of Kowloon's demolition, lets take a quick look back at its history.
Originally a military post, the British took control of the then open-air settlement after the 1889 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory which gave Britain a 99 year lease on Hong Kong.
E-commerce Sales to Hit $1.3 Billion by 2015
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
VECITA, the Vietnam E-Commerce and Information Technology Agency, released a report last week which revealed that Vietnam’s e-commerce sales will hit $700 million by the end of 2012 and $1.3 billion by 2015.
Even as e-commerce becomes more popular, there is an interesting paradox wherein Vietnamese are comfortable buying products online, but uneasy about paying for them there, even though it’s the same platform - only 11.7% of e-commerce transactions are paid for via online payments as these services are still developing in Vietnam.
Event: Art House Cinema Presents “The Night James Brown Saved Boston”
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Tonight, Art House Cinema will screen the 2008 film, “The Night James Brown Saved Boston.” The film covers a James Brown concert which took place after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and helped to quell a potentially volatile situation.
Call for Submissions: Ho Chi Minh MEGA City
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
If you love Saigon, it’s time to grab your camera and take some shots of the city! The photo book, “TP. Ho Chi Minh MEGA City,” is currently being assembled and the authors are seeking submissions.
Check out the information below to better understand the project and see how you can play a vital role in its creation:
Saigon Lifts Ban on Public Bus Advertising
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- Published on 03 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Saigon’s 2002 ban on public advertising has been lifted, allowing for advertisements on public buses, taxis and trains. The move has been welcomed by advertisers, seeking to expand their reach, and the city, which estimates that bus ads will fetch nearly $5 million in annual revenue.
Quang Nam Principal to Defend his Honor with Genital Examination
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- Published on 03 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well, it’s Monday so let’s keep things light this morning. A Quang Nam school principal, rumored to have had an extramarital affair, has requested a genital inspection by “relevant agencies” to prove his innocence.
The principal, identified only as H, has been accused of engaging in an affair with a subordinate whose husband, in a fit of jealousy, cut H’s penis. He says these rumors have seriously damaged his relationship and reputation:
Blackouts Across SE Asia Spark Conspiracy Theories
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- Published on 31 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Last week’s blackout was one of many across SE Asia in recent weeks, with large-scale power outages in Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. While the blackouts in Vietnam and Cambodia have been attributed to a crane accident, the circumstances in Thailand and the Philippines were less clear, causing some to suggest that they were politically motivated.
Hoi An Shipwreck Yields Thousands of Precious Artifacts
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- Published on 31 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Once an international trading hub, ancient pottery from Hoi An has been found as far away as Africa. But a recent, local discovery has proved to be more impressive than the long distances some pieces have travelled. This week, a salvage company announced that they have successfully excavated a 15th century trading vessel containing 16,000, highly-prized artifacts.
Chinese Tourists Get a Bad Rep Abroad
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- Published on 30 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s been a bad week for the reputation of Chinese tourists. It started with a Chinese vice-premier lamenting the behavior of his countrymen abroad and culminated with news that a Nanjing teenager had defaced an ancient Egyptian temple.
Saigon Announces Plan for Waterway Development
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- Published on 30 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well, Saigon is really trying to cover all the bases for its 2020 rebirth. Another massive project has been proposed to redevelop Saigon’s 1,000km of rivers and canals at a cost of more than $500 million. The city hopes that this will boost tourism, and that its waterways will become Saigon’s main attraction.
The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market
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- Published on 29 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where locals sold everything from tomatoes to blankets. While the dynamics of shopping in Vietnam have changed a great deal over the last 20 years, these markets still serve as important commercial arteries, especially outside of District 1. In this series, we’ll take a closer look at the history of these important buildings starting with the big boy, Ben Thanh Market.
Why Vietnamese are Boycotting Coca-Cola
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- Published on 29 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
When Coca Cola announced a $300 million expansion plan for Vietnam last October, the company faced greater scrutiny of its local operations. Investigators found that by reporting losses since 2010, and questionable loan practices, Coke has avoided paying corporate income tax. The structure of the company’s loans and accusations that the company is taking advantage of transfer pricing has sparked outrage among Vietnamese with many calling for a boycott of the world’s most popular soda.
How Vietnam’s Rich Earn Their Millions
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- Published on 28 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Two words: Real estate.
Citing an unnamed report, VietnamNetBridgefound that nearly 30% of Vietnamese millionaires made their money from real estate investments and development.
As living standards began to raise in the early 1990’s, the first wave of local businessmen, who made money abroad, began investing in local properties. With Vietnam’s economic boom, real estate values skyrocketed.
Vietnam to Invest $287 million in a Taller, Stronger Population
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- Published on 28 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It seems like everyone wants to be a little bit taller (and a baller) these days. A recent report revealed that Vietnam’s neighbors are not only taller, but enjoy a faster growth speed amongst their populations. To win the ‘war on short’, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced a $287 million plan to raise Vietnam’s average height by 4cm.
Chinese DIY Projects: A Fine Line Between Ingenuity and Hilarity
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- Published on 27 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Whether it's building the world's tallest building or shadily acquiring a Russian aircraft carrier, the Chinese government, while facing many shortcomings, dreams big. But what about its people? Surely, in a nation of a billion people, there must be those who use ingenuity to address pressing issues or shortcoming in their day-to-day lives. An article in The Atlanticearlier this month, took a look at some of China's craziest/most brilliant DIY projects. We put our favourites in the slideshow below:
Vietnamese Painting Fetches Record Price at Christie’s
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- Published on 27 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Nguyen Phan Chanh’s painting, entitled “La Marchand de Riz,” set a new record for Vietnamese art at Christie’s International in Hong Kong this past Saturday.
Originally valued at $75 due to a case of misidentification – a trainee labeled the piece as an unsigned Chinese work before experts identified Chanh’s signature – the winning bid was a record $390,000.
Nifty Old Map of Saigon
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- Published on 24 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
For history nerds like us, there's little better than an old map of Saigon. So here's an old map of Saigon, French street names and all. We're guessing it's from the late 1940s.
View the full size version here.
Starbucks CEO Says Company Will Open Hundreds of Stores in Vietnam
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- Published on 24 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
On the heels of a successful launch in Vietnam, Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, announced that the American coffee chain will open hundreds of stores in the country.
Before opening its 2-story flagship store on Le Lai St., many thought that Starbucks would face serious challenges due to Vietnam’s long and rich love affair with coffee.
China to Build the World's Tallest Building - In Only 7 Months
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- Published on 24 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The Chinese economy may be slowing down, but that’s not stopping Hunan developers from breaking ground on the tallest building in the world – Sky City. The project will not only be taller than the Burj Khalifa, but will be completed 5 years faster.
Hanoi Train Travels Though Narrow Gap Between Houses
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- Published on 23 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Just as in Saigon, Hanoi is a dense city where, outside of downtown, little attention was paid to details like infrastructure planning. This can result in some impactful visuals such as this video of a train traveling through a narrow alley.
The train makes its way through the tight path every day at 4pm and 7pm, barely clearing houses and motorbikes. As there have been accidents in the past, residents seclude themselves in their homes as the train passes by.
