Heavy Metal Singer Elected to Taiwanese Legislature
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- Published on 19 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
While Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's first female president, nabbed the most international headlines after her historic victory in the country's recent elections, Freddy Lim, frontman for the Taiwanese metal band CHTHONIC also managed to earn a spot in national politics.
Vietnam Plans to Take Over Southeast Asia With Beer
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- Published on 19 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnamese beer may soon be taking the rest of Southeast Asia by storm.
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi, HCMC Ordered to Switch Completely to Biofuel
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- Published on 19 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Triet Thai.
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Government to issue power market rules [Hanoi Times]
Vietnamese parents take babies abroad for vaccinations [Vietnam Net]
VN coal power waste increases [Vietnam News]
How to Spend 36 Hours in Luang Prabang: NY Times
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
After spending 36 hours in Hanoi, Saigon and Phnom Penh, the New York Times recently took a trip to Luang Prabang, a tiny, UNESCO-protected town which the paper describes as full of “low-key pleasures”.
[Photos] Inside District 1's Coolest Kindergarten
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Hidden down a quiet street in District 1's Tan Dinh Ward, Chuon Chuon Kim is one cool kindergarten.
Unchecked Pollution is Threatening Southeast Asia's Environment, Economies
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Like much of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a very different place today than it was in 1990. New economic policies, increased development and modernization have transformed the country in many ways, but this rapid progress may come at a steep price.
Icons of Old Saigon: The First Governor's Palace
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Tim Doling.
It’s often assumed that the Norodom Palace (1873) was the first colonial governor's palace to be built in Saigon, but it was in fact preceded by a much humbler structure, the Hôtel des Amiraux-Gouverneurs.
[Photos] Binh Thanh Woman Gives Free Bread to Poor Workers
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Perhaps you've seen the handful of free trà đá tanks around town for thirsty workers, or the less-popular complimentary roadside medicine cabinets to help those in need. Now adding to the range of complimentary services available to those less fortunate is a free bread cabinet in Binh Thanh District.
Weekend News Roundup: Foreign Passenger Jumps off 2nd Floor at Tan Son Nhat
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- Published on 18 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brian Letwin.
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Work starts on Can Tho-Kien Giang road [Vietnam Plus]
Vietnam sees reform opportunities, labor challenges in TPP [Rappler]
Hyatt says payment processing systems at Vietnam properties hacked [Tuoi Tre]
Vietnam's Abortion Dilemma
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- Published on 17 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
While a new draft population law could update Vietnam's regulations on family planning and population control, the country's true challenge lies in addressing the root causes of its sky-high abortion rate.
Thai Company Under Fire for Blackface Commercial
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- Published on 17 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Thai company Seoul Secret recently pulled its latest commercial for skin-whitening pill Snowz after the ad, which featured a woman in blackface, sparked social media outrage.
Ha Long Bay Tourists Claim Crew Abandoned Burning Boat
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- Published on 16 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Two German tourists are claiming the crew aboard their Ha Long Bay cruise ship did nothing to save passengers after a fire broke out on the vessel's top deck.
The Lowdown on Vietnam's Uber-Confusing Car Taxes
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- Published on 16 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
To put it mildly, Saigon has a complicated relationship with cars. For two-wheeled drivers, the gas-guzzling road beasts are at best an inconvenience, while their fellow four-wheeled friends are more than happy to sit in traffic with the benefit of air-conditioning and a good soundtrack.
Da Nang Students Make Free Condom Vending Machine
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Da Nang residents now have access to free condoms after a group of electronics students built a public vending machine which dispenses the contraceptives free of charge.
Vietnam, Asian Nations to Launch Satellite Network to Track Natural Disasters
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Over the last year, Southeast Asia's weather patterns have been fickle to say the least. One minute, the streets of Saigon are disappearing under water, the next we're facing a months-long drought. In 2015, flooding in the Central Highlands threatened to wash people away as they drove home, planes were grounded in central Vietnam and an epic storm in Hanoi killed two people. While some managed to have a sense of humor about their predicament, the onslaught of weather-related emergencies was – and still is – concerning.
[Video] Filmmaker Merges Vietnam Footage With Poetry
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
There are an abundance of beautiful travel videos on the internet, many of them as visually stunning as the next. But whether you're touring Myanmar, watching Vietnam from above or getting lost in the rhythmic trance of a well-edited Southeast Asia travelogue, most of these films lack a specific message beyond encouraging viewers to get out and explore themselves.
Hẻm Gems: Dropping the Flavor Bomb With Vietnamese Comfort Food
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Brian Letwin & Lee Starnes. Photos by Lee Starnes.
Given that most of the spots that show up in our Hẻm Gems series are full-on meals, we decided it was time to explore the vast world of small, snack-like Vietnamese dishes. There are plenty of great options in this category, but we knew exactly where to start: bánh đúc.
Finance Ministry to Launch Online Tax Payment Services
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnamese individuals and businesses will soon be able to pay their taxes online.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Toughens Penalties for Street Food Safety Violations
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- Published on 15 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.
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Vietnam needs road map for ending 2G service [Hanoi Times]
Vietnam to develop new environment monitoring network [Vietnam Plus]
[Video] Terrorist Attack in Jakarta Leaves 7 Dead
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- Published on 14 January 2016
- Written by Saigoneer.
Seven are dead after a terrorist attack rocked central Jakarta earlier today.
