Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

If your internet got a little speedier in the new year, here’s why: Vietnam has a fancy new undersea cable that’s reportedly twice the speed of the old one.

Vietnam’s Skilled Workers Are Moving Overseas for Better Opportunities: Report

Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

While Vietnam’s skilled workers are heading overseas to find work, foreign experts have found Vietnam a good location for career development.

Flappy Bird Creator Launches VND1bn Fund to Help Local Inventors

Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

In a surprising move, Flappy Bird creator and Vietnam’s most sought-after app developer Nguyen Ha Dong recently announced the launch of a personal fund to help local students realize their dream projects.

Binh Thuan's Beloved Seal Found Beaten to Death on Local Beach

Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

You might want to sit down for this: not long ago, one of central Vietnam’s beloved seals was found brutally murdered on a beach at night.

China Is Revamping Its Public Toilets in the Name of Tourism

Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

In a concerted effort to boost tourism, China recently announced a new plan to upgrade its public toilets in addition to revitalizing its old industrial regions.

Morning News Roundup: Three Vietnamese News Outlets Fined Over Pro-Child Molester Stories

Details: Published on 05 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.

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Three Vietnamese news outlets fined over pro-child molester stories [Tuoi Tre]

50kg of rhino horns shipped from Kenya seized in Hanoi airport [Tuoi Tre]

[Photos] Saigoneer Getaways: Cat Tien National Park

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Brian Letwin. Photos by Brian Letwin.

Three hours northeast of Saigon sits a patch of verdant forest among a landscape of neverending rice paddies. Cat Tien National Park is the closest you can get to hike-able, pristine nature from the metropolis.

China Vows to End Ivory Trade in 2017

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

In an unexpected move, China announced late last week that it would shut down the world’s largest ivory market by the end of 2017.

Vietnam's Immunization Program Faces Challenges Due to Reduced Foreign Aid

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Having recently attained the status of a middle-income country, Vietnam must now prepare to become self-sufficient in supplying its citizens with vaccinations.

Vietnam Unveils New Film Rating System

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

As of January 1, Vietnam’s new film rating system allows the local movie industry to screen adult content.

Saigon Considers Altering Work Hours to Tackle Traffic Congestion

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.

As Saigon’s traffic problems get progressively worse, municipal authorities recently announced that they’re considering a handful of proposed solutions that were previously tabled, including an adjustment of office hours citywide to ease rush-hour congestion.

Morning News Roundup: Scissors Pulled From Vietnam Man's Stomach 18 Years After Surgery

Details: Published on 04 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brandon Coleman.

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Scissors pulled from Vietnam man's stomach 18 years after surgery [Daily Mail]

Vietnam fined for attacking Indonesian football squad [VietnamNet]

Environmental Problems Likely to Hamper Vietnam's Future Economic Growth

Details: Published on 03 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.

According to a new report by Vietnam's National Center for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast (NCIF), the country's economic growth is being hindered by a host of environmental hiccups, including air pollution and the lack of waste management at industrial zones.

The Highs and Lows of This Year’s Tet Bonuses

Details: Published on 03 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

As the season of holiday bonuses rolls around, Vietnam’s economic inequality is highlighted once again in the annual gifts doled out by Vietnamese employers.

[Illustrations] Young Illustrator Breathes New Life Into Work of Vietnamese Poet

Details: Published on 03 January 2017; Written by Saigoneer.

Poet Tran Dang Khoa’s most beloved collection of children’s poetry is receiving a makeover, thanks to young illustrator and graphic designer Pham Quang Phuc.