Major Changes Announced For Vietnamese Phone Numbers
- Details
- Published on 09 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Alexander McMillan.

On March 1, Vietnam will change up the area codes of 59 provinces and restrict mobile phone numbers to 10 digits.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Cabbie Returns $11,600 Vertu Phone To Passenger
- Details
- Published on 09 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Vietnam upholds life sentence in largest-ever white collar case [Thanh Nien]
Vietnamese-American wins $46,700 claim against eye hospital [Tuoi Tre]
Cabbie in Vietnam metropolis returns $11,600 Vertu phone to passenger [Tuoi Tre]
Vietnamese Scientists Develop Android App To Help Visually Impaired Use Smartphones
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Scientists in Ho Chi Minh City have developed a text-to-voice app that allows visually impaired Vietnamese to use smart phones more effectively.
Vietnam Takes Lead on Gay Rights by Eliminating Same-Sex Marriage Ban
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

On January 1, Vietnam officially abolished regulations that “prohibit marriage between people of the same sex.”
Vietnamese Taxi Companies Finally Drop Fares As Fuel Prices Plummet
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

After government pressure, Vietnam’s taxi companies have announced that they will lower their fares to bring them inline with plummeting global oil prices.
48 Hours In Tam Cốc-Bích Động
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Lee Starnes. .

As you approach the small town of Tam Cốc-Bích Động, limestone karsts jump out of the endlessly flat terrain like monuments to the days of yesteryear.
Are Sharks to Blame for Vietnam’s Broken Internet Cable?
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

In the many breaks that have occurred along the Asia America Gateway internet cable since it went online in 2009, Vietnamese telecoms have been unable to determine the culprit. According to The Independent, we may finally have a suspect – sharks.
Masterchef Christine Ha Is Eating And Drinking Her Way Through Saigon
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Vietnamese-American Masterchef, Christine Ha, is back in Saigon and seems to be eating and drinking her way through the city.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Spends $1.57 Bln On Foreign-Made Cars In 2014, Highest Rate Ever
- Details
- Published on 08 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Vietnam expects to manufacture 200,000 automobiles in 2015 [DTI News]
Hanoi aims at green, clean 2015 [Vietnam Plus]
[Infographic] Vietnamese Only “Moderately” Difficult for Native English Speakers
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Many foreigners living in Vietnam find Vietnamese a challenging language to master, often citing its many tones as the biggest stumbling block. According to the US Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, however, there are plenty of other languages that are more difficult to master for native English speakers.
Drone Video Captures Nighttime Traffic In Saigon
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Over the past few decades, Saigon has spent a great deal of money upgrading its transportation infrastructure, specifically its roads (we’re still waiting on you, metro line).
Condé Nast's "10 Reasons To Visit Ho Chi Minh City Now"
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

In a mix between a Rough Guides list and a "36 Hours" New York Times piece, Condé Nast, one of the World’s leading publishers, recently compiled “10 Reasons To Visit Ho Chi Minh City Now.”
At Least 10 Vietnamese Have Ordered The New $450k Mercedes Maybach
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

At least 10 wealthy Vietnamese have ordered the new Mercedes Maybach sedan retailing at a cool $450,000 here in Vietnam.
Everyone Seems To Be Unhappy With The Saigon Post Office’s Makeover
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer. Photos by Lee Starnes.

Over the past few months, one of Saigon’s most beloved old buildings has been undergoing a serious makeover, trading in its subdued, light pink paint for a bright, golden yellow coat.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Airlines Flight Delayed As Escorted Criminal Utters False Bomb Threat
- Details
- Published on 07 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Vietnam introduces measures to regulate online games [Nhan Dan]
Petrol prices drop for first time in 2015 [Nhan Dan]
Will Fake Dog Meat Replace The Real Thing In Vietnam?
- Details
- Published on 06 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Journalist Elisabeth Rosen recently penned an interesting piece on fake dog meat (giả cầy), examining its role in Vietnam’s culinary history and its growing popularity as Western media and increased pet ownership are beginning to influence the way Vietnamese people view the real thing.
[Video] The Gangnam Style Coracle Dancers Of Quang Nam Province
- Details
- Published on 06 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

You were probably hoping that Gangnam Style wouldn’t still be relevant in 2015, but a group of Quang Nam Province tour guides has figured out a way to mix the modern, YouTube-breaking dance with traditional coracle boats.
It May Take 1 Month To Fix Undersea Internet Cable: Viettel
- Details
- Published on 06 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Get ready for an extended period of snail’s pace Internet.
January Movies At Saigon’s Alternative Film Venues
- Details
- Published on 06 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

International cinema in 2014 was marked not only by a number of solid films, but also by exceptional performances. With ‘award season’ in full swing, Saigon’s alternative film venues have lined up a number screenings of movies up for commendation in addition to some recent classics and the latest Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece.
Free WIFI Coming To Vietnam’s Trains This Month
- Details
- Published on 06 January 2015
- Written by Saigoneer.

Long trips on Vietnam’s rails are set to become a bit more bearable this month as the country’s railway operator has begun to install wireless internet on north-south express trains.