Slow Internet Warning: AAG Cable to Undergo Maintenance Next Week
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- Published on 26 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
The notoriously fragile, 20,000km, Asia American Gateway cable - SE Asia’s main internet connection to the West - will undergo maintenance next week so expect “shaky connections” through March 9, reports Thanh Nien.
ADP Approves $60 Million Loan for Sustainable Urban Transport in HCMC
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- Published on 26 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Construction of the $1.3 billion, 20 kilometer Metro Line 2, is expected to go into full swing this year, starting with an underground maintenance and metro station in District 12. To “improve accessibility of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) 2 line in from Ben Thanh to Tham Luong stations,” the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a fresh $60 million loan.
Australian Man Dead After 14 Story Fall from Sheraton Hotel in HCMC
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- Published on 26 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
On Monday morning, a 50-year-old Australian man fell to his death from the 20th story of the Sheraton Hotel.
According to VietNamNet, hotel guests panicked when they saw the unidentified man fall from the roof.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Business Climate Improving: EuroCham
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- Published on 26 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Doctors blame vaccination neglect as measles makes a comeback [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam may set barriers to prevent waste imports [Vietnam Net]
EuroCham: Vietnam’s business climate improving [Vietnam Plus]
Will New Alcohol and Cigarette Taxes Reduce Consumption in Vietnam?
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- Published on 25 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
According to Thanh Nien, the government proposal to increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes won’t stem their consumption. The proposal under the Ministry of Finance would take effect from July 1, 2015 if approved. This would see excise tax on beer and spirits increase from 50% to 65%. The tobacco rate would also be hiked up from 65% to 75% and to a further 85% in 2018.
Vietnamese Are Most Economical in Southeast Asia: Nielsen
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- Published on 25 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
According to a recent Nielsen consumer confidence survey, Vietnamese are the most economical in SE Asia, reported Vietnam Net. If you have Vietnamese family, this probably doesn't come as a surprise.
10 Old Pictures of Cars in Saigon
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- Published on 25 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Though cars have been present in the country since the turn of the 20th century, decades of war (1941 – 1975) and an economic stagnation (1975 – 1986) drastically reduced the number of automobiles in Vietnam. One will sometimes see an old Ford Mustang or VW Bug around town but they are very rare and sometimes imported.
Morning News Roundup: Obama Approves Nuclear Cooperation With Vietnam
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- Published on 25 February 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam doctor charged for dumping patient's body into river [Thanh Nien]
Old Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam, braces for makeover [Newsday]
TP. Ho Chi Minh: MEGA City – The Mega City From Above
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- Published on 24 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book which was formally released on February 19. The book, edited by Michael Waibel and Henning Hilbert, was produced with the support of the Goethe Institut, and funding from Audi. It is split into 8 chapters, each covering a major theme related to HCMC's rapid urban development. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be giving you an overview of the book's fantastic photos. Today we’ll start with the first chapter: The Mega City from Above.
Hoi An Government Officials Required to Ride Bicycles to Work
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- Published on 24 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Starting next month, all Hoi An government officials will ride their bikes to work, reported Tuoi Tre. The program, organized by the Hoi An City Party Committee’s secretary Nguyen Su, seeks to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Bitcoin Forbidden in Vietnam
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- Published on 24 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Bitcoin may be grabbing headlines across the globe, but the controversial digital currency won’t be making a foothold in Vietnam anytime soon as the State Bank of Vietnam, along with the Government, have said they don’t recognize it as a legitimate payment method, according to the Authority of Foreign Information Service (AFIS):
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam, U.S. Cooperate in Developing Renewable Energy
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- Published on 24 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam pushes for reform in science, tech sectors [Eetasia]
Woman drowns at Bo Cap Vang eco-tourist site [Tuoi Tre]
Japanese companies lobby against Vietnam's plan to restrict motorcycles [AJW]
TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City Book Launch Event
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- Published on 22 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City Photo Book. On Sunday, February 23, there will be launch event for the book at Highland's Coffee on Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street. You can hear more about this book from interviews we've done with the book's creators here and here.
Can Vietnam Create its Own Version of Silicon Valley?
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- Published on 21 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
According to The Atlantic, Vietnam could be home to the world’s next “tech hub.” The capital recently hosted the country’s first start-up fair, bringing together eager entrepreneurs in the hope of attracting the attention of business investors. Comparing the new project to Silicone Valley in the US, Vietnam aims to be a “key player in the global digital economy.”
Seeking Out Saigon’s Best Banh Mi
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- Published on 21 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Like other Vietnamese staples, finding the best of any one dish in a nearly impossible task. Even if one is able to find what they deem to be the best, others will surely disagree. Even so, in a recent post on the Wall Street Journal, street food expert, Robyn Eckhardt, tapped Saigon-born food writer and banh mi expert, Andrea Nguyen, to seek out Saigon’s best banh mi.
HCMC to Relocate 1,300 Households at Risk of Natural Disasters
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- Published on 21 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
City authorities have identified 1,294 households across 62 locations that are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. To ensure that the 5,075 people in these high-risk areas are removed from harm’s way, they will be “urgently” relocated, according to Vietnam Net.
Morning News Roundup: 'Vengeful Heart' Becomes Vietnam's Highest-Grossing Film Ever
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- Published on 21 February 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
Illegal taxi driver returns overcharged money to foreigners [Tuoi Tre]
Victor Vu's VENGEFUL HEART Becomes Vietnam's Highest-Grossing Film Ever [Twitch]
[Slideshow] The Story of the Hanoi Defense Motorcycle Club
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- Published on 20 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Before the American War was in full swing, the Hanoi Department of Defense founded the Hanoi Defense Motorcycle Club, a collection of young men and women who were trained to do various tricks and “fly” on their motorcycles. Performing at many national events, the team served to boost morale and provide entertainment to Northern masses, accoding to VN Express.
[Updated] H5N1 Bird Flu Spreading Rapidly in Vietnam
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- Published on 20 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
[Update Below] H5N1, the avian influenza, has been making its way across Vietnam with reported outbreaks in 10 localities across the country. According to Tuoi Tre, thousands of animals have been infected and at least 2 people have died from the virus.
Morning News Roundup: Teacher-Students Scuffle Provokes Another Online Brawl in Vietnam
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- Published on 20 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Ho Chi Minh City plans to attract US$550 million to industrial parks [Nhan Dan]
Snow falls in Sa Pa again [Tuoi Tre]
Vietnam seaside tourism projects left to rust, locals have no sea access [Thanh Nien]
