Vietnam Mulls Destruction of Illegal Ivory, Rhino Horn and Tiger Bone
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
As Vietnam struggles to curtail the import of illegal wildlife products, officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development say they are considering “crushing” confiscated rhino horn, elephant ivory and tiger bone, reports Live Science.
Morning News Roundup: Foreign Tourist Dies After Fall in Nha Trang
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- Published on 25 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Meet Vietnamese, 24, who can speak 8 foreign languages [Tuoi Tre]
Breaking bad: Vietnam's female rap stars [AFP]
The Story of Saigon's Last Citadel
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You’ve probably passed the pair of colonial buildings at intersection of Dien Tien Hoang and Le Duan hundreds of times. What you may not be aware of, however, is that these two buildings are the last physical remnants of Saigon’s royal citadels.
After 23 Years, Lufthansa to Close HCMC Route
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline, will close its Frankfurt-HCMC route after 23 years, reports the Saigon Times.
Saigoneer Exclusive: Interview with the Editor of the HCMC MEGA City Photo Book
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book examines major themes relating to HCMC's rapid urban development. We sat down with one of the book's editors, Michael Waibel, and asked about how his team accessed unique locations such as the Bitexco Tower's helicopter pad, plans to create a similar publication for Hanoi and changes to the city's urban fabric he's observed over the last 20 years ago.
Fake Diplomas Continue to Undermine Vietnamese Education System
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Peter Cornish.
Once again the issue of fake qualifications has hit the news in Vietnam, and it comes as no surprise that once again the problem seems to be in the state sector, according to Tuoi Tre. What is surprising this time is that Vietnamese education experts agree that sham diploma holders can only be hired by state agencies.
Vietnam is the World’s 4th Largest Consumer of Instant Noodles
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Given the huge stocks of instant noodles in the aisles of Vietnamese supermarkets and corner stores, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise: a recent report found that Vietnam is now the world’s 4th largest consumer of instant noodles with 5.4 billion packs bought per year, according to Bernama.
Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Woman Wants to Marry a Death Row Prisoner
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- Published on 24 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
One more vaccine-related death triggers worries in Vietnam [Global Times]
Saigon woman wants to marry a death row prisoner [VietNamNet]
Vietnam calls for aviation expansion [TTR Weekly]
[Slideshow] 12 Old Pictures of the Notre Dame Cathedral
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of Saigon’s oldest and most iconic buildings. Built with imported materials from France, it was constructed between 1863 and 1880 in an effort to promote Catholicism in Vietnam. Due to its long history, it has been a centerpiece of Saigon’s urban narrative for over 150 years and an enduring reminder of the city’s colonial heritage.
Why Bitcoin Matters in Vietnam - Part 1
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Dominik Weil.
In January, Marc Andreesen’s article, “Why Bitcoin Matters” went viral just as Vietnam’s Central Bank, among others, rejected the technology’s legitimacy. In order to move the conversation away from the technology’s risks, I decided to look at how it can benefit the country, rather than hinder it.
[Video] Saigon Is Happy
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
You've probably seen the video for the hit song Anh Không Đòi Quà where a women is stripped (literally) of the gifts given to her by her ex-boyfriend. While there have been dozens of remakes of this video, apparently it has hit its cultural expiration date if the introduction to this Vietnamese remake of Pharrell's "Happy" is any indication. We guarantee you'll smile at least once.
The Brains Behind Vietnam’s Meme Explosion
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Vietnamese netizens have embraced internet memes which employ a mix of humour and satire to create a new lens with which to view everything from daily life to pop culture. In a recent interview, Vietmeme’s Patrick Sharbugh spoke with two pioneering Vietnamese, An Khung An Tung (Duy An) and Minh Chanh who have helped usher in the era of meme culture in Vietnam.
Morning News Roundup: Not Allowed to Board, Passenger Threatens to Blow Up Jetstar Pacific Plane
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- Published on 21 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Not allowed to board, passenger threatens to rocket Jetstar Pacific’s plane [VietNamNet]
Vietnam expressways get Japan tech [Bangkok Post]
Vietnam, Russia to construct $500 mln atomic energy center [Tuoi Tre]
The Evolution of Can Gio – From Desert to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Eric San Juan.
It's hard to associate Saigon with one of the biggest and most valuable mangrove forests in Vietnam, and yet it makes sense. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Can Gio, part of the Ho Chi Minh City municipality, is located about 30 km away from the city center.
[Slideshow] A Morning on the Bitexco Tower's Helipad
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Since it’s rarely (if ever) used for helicopters, the Bitexco Tower’s notoriously underutilized helicopter landing pad has become something of an urban legend. Last month, the editors of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book were granted access to the helipad and made use of its position as one of the city's highest open-air locations to snap some stunning photos.
Hoi An’s $4 Billion Casino Project Back on Track
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
As Vietnamese authorities continue to debate reducing gambling restrictions on locals, the long-stalled $4 billion casino project appears to be back on track with a US investor recently taking over the project, according to Thanh Nien.
Vietnamese Businessman Rescued from Chinese Kidnappers who Demanded $323,000 Ransom
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
After a month of captivity, a Vietnamese businessman and his interpreter, being held for a $323,000 ransom, were rescued by Chinese police last week, reports Tuoi Tre.
Morning News Roundup: Polluted Rivers, Dwindling Groundwater Threaten Vietnam City Supply
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- Published on 20 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Red tape hinders construction of HCMC underground parking lots [VietNamNet]
Polluted rivers, dwindling groundwater threaten Vietnam city supply [Thanh Nien]
Exhibition showcases metal artefacts made in northern Vietnam during Bronze Age [The Star]
[Updated] End of an Era? Authorities Reportedly Crack Down on Bui Vien Street Drinking
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
[Update Below] Bui Vien, the land of drunken backpackers and general debauchery, underwent a makeover yesterday when police removed motorbikes and plastic furniture from the area’s sidewalks, according to witnesses.
Behold: The Mekong Delta as Viewed from Space
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- Published on 19 March 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
This sweet image of the Mekong Delta is a composite of 3 pictures taken between January and November 2007 by Envisat, an Earth-observing satellite.
