Brangelina “Secretly” Visited Vietnam This Week
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Since adopting their Saigon-born son Pax in 2007, Brangelina have become perhaps Vietnam’s most popular foreign celebrity couple.
Nguyen Hue Traded a Colonial Shophouse for a McDonald's
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.
As Saigon's one and only motorbike-free, picnic-free, pet-free walking street protected by rollerblading police, Nguyen Hue is already a popular gathering spot. But starting today, the good people of Saigon now have another reason to visit the bustling downtown thoroughfare: Mickey D's.
Saigoneer’s Picks: 10 Places to Buy Artsy Gifts in Vietnam
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Zelda Rudzitsky.
From rich textile traditions to innovative contemporary art, ethnic minority handicrafts and dozens of local and international designers, there's far more to shopping in Vietnam than conical hats and coffee. With Christmas upon us and Tet just over a month away, here are 10 shops and designers which showcase the culture and creativity available in Vietnam, as well as the country's slow shift toward ethical business practices.
Vietnam Immune to 'Star Wars' Fever
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last weekend, moviegoers the world over collectively went insane over the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Fans of the franchise purchased tickets weeks in advance, the internet was abuzz with plot speculation and grown men proudly sported full Jedi regalia in public.
Vietnam Among Top Remittance-Receiving Countries in the World
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam is among the top 15 remittance-receiving countries in the world, with overseas Vietnamese sending back US$12.5 billion to the country so far this year.
Morning News Roundup: New Cave Systems Close to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay Unveiled
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- Published on 23 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Shing Chan.
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FTA kicks off aiming to double trade in five years [Nikkei Asian Review]
Officials Slow to Act on Fake Coffee Sold in Saigon, Buon Ma Thuot
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Around the world, humans seem to have a strange fixation with coffee beans that have been pulled out of another animal's poop. But just because you like coffee that comes from shit doesn't mean that coffee should taste like shit.
[Video] Local Videographer Shows Why Sapa Is Awesome in Under 5 Minutes
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Any good traveler will tell you that the best way to explore a place is by getting to know the locals.
29 Russian Tourists Saved From Sinking Ship in Nha Trang
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
After a long period of declining arrivals, Russian tourists have been returning to Vietnam en masse in recent months. Many have returned to the beachside city of Nha Trang, long a favorite destination for Russian travelers. However, last Thursday, 29 such tourists had an additional, unplanned experience: escaping from a sinking ship.
The Story Behind Hai Phong's Opera House
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
During the early 20th century, the French were really into building opera houses in Vietnam. Any city with a sizable European population was all but guaranteed to have a theater in its town center, along with a church and a few fancy colonial villas.
Google CEO Meets Vietnamese Startups in Hanoi Today
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Today, 300 people will gather in Hanoi to meet Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the first time a senior executive from the company has visited Vietnam.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Aims to Halve Traffic Death Toll by 2020
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- Published on 22 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Shing Chan.
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HCMC clarifies capital increase of second metro project: Ministry [SGGP]
Vietnam's Da Nang suspects more land illegally bought by Chinese [Tuoi Tre]
Interactive Book 'Art of Phở' Brings Saigon to Life One Click at a Time
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
When foreign visitors arrive in Vietnam, one facet of local culture that tops every must-do list is cuisine. Since the outside world has only recently been introduced to the magic of Vietnamese food, travelers are, of course, keen to tuck in to a bowl of phở to see what all the fuss is about.
Construction Begins on New Downtown Saigon Skyscraper
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Lee Starnes.
Earlier this month, developers broke ground on the Saigon Me Linh Tower, adding yet another skyscraper to District 1's riverside Me Linh roundabout.
Flappy Bird Creator Releases Infuriating New Mobile Game
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Mobile gamers had good reason to rejoice last week, as Flappy Bird creator Nguyen Ha Dong and his company DotGears Studio debuted a flashier second version of the original Swing Copters game.
Chinese Restaurant Charges Customers For Clean Air
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Nor, apparently, is there such thing as free air to breathe while you eat that lunch.
Saigon Is Experiencing Its Coldest Weather of the Year
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
If you felt a little chillier than usual on your ride to work this morning, you're not alone. It turns out Saigon – and the rest of southern Vietnam – is currently experiencing its coldest weather so far this year.
Weekend News Roundup: Transport Ministry Sells Vinamotor, Auto Industry’s Fate In Doubt
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- Published on 21 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
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Transport Ministry sells Vinamotor, auto industry’s fate in doubt [Vietnam Net]
E-books of Vietnamese historical, folk tales take on international market [VoV]
Archaeologists Discover Roman Fish Sauce off Italian Coast
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- Published on 20 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
In Vietnam, you can't swing a dead cat without finding a bottle of fish sauce. The stuff is everywhere: on dining tables and in street food stalls, on supermarket shelves and in kitchens across the country. It even claims to be the precursor to ketchup.
[Video] Take a Look at Giant 17th-Century Drawings of Vietnam
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- Published on 20 December 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
History books tend to make for dry reading. Of course, they're full of important facts and details to be remembered for generations to come, but if you're looking for an interesting read, historical records usually don't do much to entice the average person.
