Saigon-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Service To Resume In November
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Hydrofoil service between Saigon and Vung Tau will resume in November with a fleet of new boats.
[Photos] 15 Strange Snacks From Around Asia (But Mostly Japan)
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Snack food, once ubiquitous with Western culture, has become a global phenomenon. When entering new markets, multinational corporations often introduce products tailored to the palates of the local population. Asia, where convenience stores are packed with Pepsi-flavored Cheetos, wasabi/seaweed/cheese Oreos and hot & sour fish soup potato chips, is no exception.
Phu Quoc Authorities Want to Wipe out Forests, Farmland for Development
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.
Famous for its beautiful (and sometimes polluted) beaches, the island of Phu Quoc has become one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations with arrivals increasing by 20% every year. As a result, major tourism development is in full swing and the days of deserted beaches are now a thing of the past.
[Photos] Nha Xa: The Remote Village Packed With 30 Colonial Villas
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
The village of Nha Xa, located in northern Vietnam, is best known for its long tradition of silk weaving. During the colonial period, high demand for the quality product led to a boom for the town’s businesses, many of which were able to expand with branches in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
[Video] Enraged Foreigner Confronts Vietnamese Driver On Hanoi Pedestrian Street
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
A video of a foreign man scolding a Vietnamese motorbike driver on a Hanoi walking street surfaced on the internet recently, sparking widespread debate on whether or not he was out of line.
Morning News Roundup: Ho Chi Minh City To Set Up Special Economic Zone
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- Published on 19 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam ranks 12th for at-risk public debt [DTI]
Ha Noi to cut jobs in state-funded organisations [Vietnam News]
Universities nationwide increase working time to serve students [SGGP]
[Photos] Hanoi Launches 'Friendly' Bicycle Police Force
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Nguyen Hue Street’s rollerblading security guards have been getting a ton of press over the past week for their unique mode of transportation. Not to be outdone, last Wednesday, a squad of police in Hanoi traded in their motorized vehicles for the analog, two-wheeled variety, patrolling the city on bicycles.
What Does The Future Hold For Saigon’s Skeleton Tower?
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
The monolithic Saigon One Tower is the most obvious victim of the city's burst real estate bubble (which looks to be finally recovering). Even though the skeleton of the unfinished US$238 million skyscraper lies at the intersection of Ham Nghi and Ton Duc Thang Streets, an incredibly desirable piece of real estate, information about the stalled project has been nearly impossible to come by.
[Video] Following A Hột Vịt Lộn Vendor Through The Streets Of Saigon
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Shing Chan.
We often take for granted the immense diversity of foods found on the streets of Saigon, in addition to those that sell them. This short film profiles Vinh, a hột vịt lộn (fetal duck egg) vendor who hawks her product to pay for her son's university tuition.
22 Killed, 120 Injured In Blast At Central Bangkok Shrine
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
A massive explosion tore through a popular Hindu shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok last night, killing 22 and injuring 120 more.
Former US Consulate Employee Imprisoned For Selling Visas At Up To $70,000
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
After years of investigation, a former State Department employee has been sentenced to 64 months in prison for his role in selling US visas to Vietnamese citizens who had previously been denied them for up to US$70,000 a piece.
Morning News Roundup: VN Coffee Growers Near Bankruptcy
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- Published on 18 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam's $2.6mln stall at Italy expo fixed 2 months after criticism [Thanh Nien]
Vietnamese DJ listed among world’s top 50 [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam is in top destination of South Korea’s investors [SGGP]
Check Out This New Instagram Account Dedicated To Napping Saigonese
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
In Vietnam, there’s no shame when it comes to taking a nap in public as nearly every vehicle doubles as a makeshift sleeping pad. To capture Saigonese at rest, graphic designer Maria Tran Larsen (who is also responsible for this set of animated gifts of a similar theme) has started an Instagram account to capture what she calls a “funny” and “charming” aspect of Vietnam.
Construction of Saigon Metro Flyover Above the Hanoi Highway Begins
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
Work on the above ground section of Saigon's first metro line is in full swing. Along with the construction of a rail bridge across the Saigon River and the installation of concrete girders, the city's transport authorities have announced that work has begun on a flyover across the Hanoi Highway.
Old Saigon Building Of The Week: 86 Võ Văn Tần
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Tim Doling. Photos by Lee Starnes.
The ornate mansion on the corner of the Bà Huyện Thanh Quan and Võ Văn Tần junction was once the private residence of celebrated photographer Fernand Nadal, whose old sepia postcard images of the city are now collectors’ items.
Parking Space Prices Hit US$50,000 In Hanoi
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
High demand and low supply have resulted in astronomical costs for parking spaces in Hanoi, some of which exceed the cost of the cars themselves.
Military Area in Cam Ranh to Be Converted Into Tourism Beach
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
In a bid to boost tourism in Cam Ranh, the Vietnamese military has agreed to hand over a beach to their civilian counterparts for tourism development.
Weekend News Roundup: Government To Pursue $500.8M Museum Despite Funding Problems
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- Published on 17 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Lee Starnes.
Experts criticise uncontrolled Mekong crocodile breeding [Vietnam News]
Government to pursue $500.8mln museum despite funding problems, criticisms [Thanh Nien]
Foreign coloring books for adults take Vietnam by storm [VoV]
[Video] Parody Of American Teacher Mispronouncing Vietnamese Names Goes Viral
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- Published on 14 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.
When a video like Key & Peele’s “Substitute Teacher” gets over 400,000 hits on YouTube, copycats and parodies are to be expected. One such imitation, “Substitute Teacher in Vietnam,” shows an American teacher butchering Vietnamese names as he takes attendance.
Population Explosion: Hanoi Adding 200,000 New Residents Each Year
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- Published on 14 August 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Lee Starnes.
It’s no secret that the populations of Vietnam’s urban centers are quickly growing, but in Hanoi, this phenomenon is occurring at a rapid pace as the city adds 200,000 new residents each year.
