How Game Theory Explains Vietnam's Lack of Queues
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a straight, orderly line in Vietnam. Sure, there are some rare places – the bank or perhaps the immigration counter at the airport – where you might find people queuing in neat rows, but by and large Vietnam tends not to buy into the act of lining up for coffee, movie snacks, train tickets or most other goods and services.
Female Prisoner Inseminates Herself to Avoid Death Sentence
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
You would think that when a person gets arrested, convicted of a serious crime, thrown in prison and sentenced to death, the game is pretty much over.
How Vietnamese Cinema Is Riding the Crest of the Korean Wave
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
2015 was quite a year for Vietnamese cinema. Take, for instance, Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, the film adaptation of celebrated novelist Nguyen Nhat Anh's coming-of-age story: whether it was screening at high-profile film festivals, taking home international awards or becoming the highest-grossing Vietnamese drama of all time, the movie helped to connect the country and its filmmakers with international film audiences. In theaters at home, smash hit Em La Ba Noi Cua Anh, a local remake of a Korean comedy-drama, trounced the almighty Star Wars: The Force Awakens in its opening weekend. Both among Vietnam's massive moviegoing audience and beyond, local flicks are beginning to take control of the box office.
[Photos] Saigon's Wasp House Is a Tiny Urban Oasis
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
The many oddly shaped houses of Saigon are, in some ways, an architect's dream: rather than contend with the conformity of gated communities or apartment blocks, architectural minds in this city face a new challenge every day.
Hyundai Motor Group Overtakes Toyota in Vietnam
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
You don't need to do much more than take a look outside to realize that Vietnam's car industry is booming. On average, Saigon registers 139 new four-wheeled vehicles everyday and automobile sales have consistently risen over the past two years.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Online Retail Sales Will More Than Double by 2020
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- Published on 17 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Alberto Prieto.
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Vietnamese language website for diaspora to be upgraded [Vietnam News]
Counting the cost of Vietnam's Lunar New Year party [Forbes]
[Video] Vietnamese Restaurant in US Challenges Customers to Consume 6-Kilo Bowl of Phở
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Earlier this month, televisions across the United States tuned in to the Super Bowl, hoping to take part in the country's most celebrated American football match-up, judge the year's greatest TV commercials, and most of all, experience the force of nature that is Beyonce.
It's Official: Obama Will Visit Vietnam in May
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
On Monday, a White House official confirmed that United States president Barack Obama will visit Vietnam this coming May.
Local LGBTQ Zine Launches Crowdfunding Campaign, Call for Submissions
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vănguard, Saigon’s first-ever queer zine, is calling upon LGBTQ Vietnamese artists to submit new work for its third edition, to be released later this year.
New Decree Exempts Certain Expats From Work Permits
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
UPDATE: Following an amendment to the Vietnam News article linked in this piece, it has come to our attention that the new regulation exempting certain foreign workers from work permits limits that individual's time in the country to no more than 30 days at a time and no more than 90 days in a year. These workers must meet all additional requirements surrounding visas, employment and certification. A circular providing guidance in the implementation of the new regulation is coming soon. Saigoneer will continue to provide updates as the regulations are clarified.
90,000 Hospitalized in Vietnam Over Tet Holiday
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
While most of us were relaxing last week, the Tet holiday kept medical professionals working hard, as nearly 90,000 people were hospitalized between February 7 and 9 alone, according to the Ministry of Health.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Businesses Will Need 19,000 New Workers After Tet
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- Published on 16 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Jose Lozano Casado.
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Visitors to Hanoi increase by 17% during Tet holiday [Hanoi Times]
More severe drought forecast this year in Vietnam [Vietnam News]
Pierre Coupeaud and the Great Cyclo Trial of February 1936
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- Published on 15 February 2016
- Written by Tim Doling.
Banned from an ever-increasing number of city streets, the cyclo is rapidly becoming an endangered species. But spare a moment to appreciate this much-maligned form of transport, invented by Phnom Penh-based French industrialist Pierre Coupeaud and launched here exactly 80 years ago this month by means of a high-profile demonstration run from Phnom Penh to Saigon.
Indonesia Bans Same-Sex Emojis From Messaging Apps
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- Published on 15 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
The Indonesian government recently asked instant messaging apps to remove same-sex emojis out of respect for the country’s “culture and local wisdom”.
New York Times Lists Vietnamese-American Among Possible US Supreme Court Justice Nominees
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- Published on 15 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last week, 79-year-old Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly passed away, leaving an empty spot on the bench of the United States' most powerful court.
Hanoi Metro Will Open in December 2016
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- Published on 15 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
By the end of 2016, Hanoi's first metro line will officially be up and running.
[Photos] Traffic Nightmare Ensues as Tet Travelers Return to Saigon, Hanoi
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- Published on 15 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
For many Saigon workers, today is the first day back from a glorious, week-long celebration and a startling return to the harsh reality of having a job.
Middle-Aged Japanese Man Dressed as Schoolgirl Visits Vietnam
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- Published on 07 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
We can all relate: you get home after a long day at the office, exhausted and ready to get out of your business casual. But when it comes to the standard after-work ensemble, Japanese cosplay photographer Hideaki Kobayashi puts us all to shame.
Saigon Launches 5-Year Safe Produce Plan
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- Published on 07 February 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brian Letwin.
Saigon recently approved a five-year plan to promote safe organic produce in the city.
Saigoneer’s Picks: 20 Best Films From the Year of the Goat
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- Published on 06 February 2016
- Written by Zelda Rudzitsky.
Life Itself, a film about the life of the late film critic Roger Ebert opens with one of his quotes: “We are born with a certain package. We are who we are [...], we are kind of stuck inside that person...For me, the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.”
