The Saigon Monorail That Could Have Been (1966)
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- Published on 19 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Saigon has been without an urban railway since the last streetcars were removed from its streets in 1957. With explosive population growth over the past 20 years, city planners commissioned a US$154 billion rail system, parts of which are already under construction. But you may be surprised to learn that 50 years ago, there was a plan to build a monorail system through the heart of Saigon.
[Infographic] Key Statistics on Vietnam's Internet Population
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- Published on 19 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
TechinAsia has been on a roll with infogrpahics lately. Entitled, “Numbers Every Vietnamese Tech Founder Should Know,” this infographic, created with the help of BTIC, illustrates telling behaviors of Vietnam’s internet users, all 36+ million of them.
New US Visa System Streamlines Application Process
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- Published on 19 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
The US Embassy in Vietnam has announced that some significant changes will take place with regards to US visa procedures. The US Embassy has said that this is part of the US Department of State’s continual effort to “streamline” the visa application process and provide a better, more accessible service.
Morning News Roundup: 11 Arrested for Pickpocketing Foreigners in Southern Vietnam
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- Published on 19 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Work to begin on $2.5b thermal plant [VNS]
11 arrested for pickpocketing foreigners in southern Vietnam [Thanh Nien]
[Infographic] The Growth of Vietnam’s Online Advertising Market
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- Published on 18 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
This fantastic infographic shows the growth of Vietnam’s online advertising market. Created by Itracker.vn, a digital marketing tracking service, it reveals the top sectors and websites where online advertisers are spending their money.
A Look at Some of Vietnam's Bug-Based Delicacies
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- Published on 18 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Cultures around the world have included protein-rich insects as part of their diets for thousands of years. While the practice has almost disappeared in the West, insects are still as popular as ever in other parts of the globe, including right here in our fair Vietnam.
New Restrictions on Female Workers Draw Criticism
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- Published on 18 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Female manual labourers in Vietnam are to be banned from employment in industries deemed too risky and arduous Thanh Thien reports. The new regulation, implemented in December 2013, saw 77 jobs categorised as too dangerous and unhealthy for women to carry out. Now that a few months have passed since the regulation took effect, some complain that they are losing their livelihoods.
Morning News Roundup: Last Prince of Vietnam’s Last Feudal Dynasty Dead
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- Published on 18 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam to ease restrictions on overseas Vietnamese buying property [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam to send 90,000 workers abroad in 2014 [Shanghai Daily]
Pickpockets who targeted foreigners in HCMC seized [Tuoi Tre]
Slideshow: 11 of the First Color Pictures Ever Taken in Vietnam
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- Published on 17 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
From 1914 - 1917 Leon Busy (1874-1950), a French officer serving in Indochina, was assigned by the Albert Kahn Museum in France to capture the lives of the people in northern Vietnam.
Old Saigon Building of the Week: 14 Cách Mạng Tháng 8
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- Published on 17 February 2014
- Written by Tim Doling.
The art deco style building at 14 Cách mạng Tháng 8 was inaugurated in 1937 as the headquarters of the Cercle Indochinois at 14 rue
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam to See 7% GDP Growth in 2016: Forecast
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- Published on 17 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Survey reveals lingering poverty for resettled citizens [SGGP]
Power industry faces competition test in 2016 [Vietnam Net]
Vietnam police arrest 2 taxi drivers for attacking, robbing Korean tourist [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam’s Big Casino Plans Hinge on Locals Being Allowed to Gamble
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
While Saigon and Hanoi are home to a number of casinos, it is illegal for Vietnamese to roll the dice in their country. Plans for large-scale casinos have been in the works for years but until locals are allowed to join in, international investors will view the market as a "a future development opportunity,” according to Reuters.
Slideshow: 15 Pictures of Vietnamese Children During Wartime
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam Net recently published a set of photos from German photographer, Bill Thomas Hardt who documented the horrors of the American War.
Strange Fruit: Old Man Nearly Dies After Squash Mishap
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Claudia Davaar Lambie.
Oh, Tuoi Tre, you sure know how to find the best stories. An 81-year-old Can Tho man hit a bum note when he was hospitalized after putting a squash up his anus to relieve his constipation, according to the newspaper.
Culture on 3 Wheels: Artsy 7-Story Tricycle Making its Way Around Hanoi
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Brian Letwin
There are few things that surprise us in Vietnam these days – a gaggle of geese draped from a motorbike, electricity workers on precarious ladders, hell, even a volcanoes sprouting from the streets. But a recent creation from Swiss Architecture firm, Bureau A, may have you doing a double-take. For you see, it’s a 7 story tricycle that houses a mobile kitchen and performance space.
Morning News Roundup: Taiwanese Investigated for Allegedly ‘Selling’ Visas to Vietnamese Students
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- Published on 14 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian role in global aviation [Daily Times]
Seven kids die on measles outbreak in Vietnam [Xinhuanet]
Spainish coach wants to take Vietnam futsal to top four Asia [Vietnam Net]
Video: Watch Prince William ‘Speak’ Vietnamese
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- Published on 13 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
Last week, Prince Charles and Prince William recorded a video with the BBC to encourage an end to the illegal wildlife trade. In an effort to spread the message to the world, the pair translated the slogan, “Unite for Wildlife,” in 5 different languages - Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, Swahili and Chinese. William was assigned the Vietnamese translation and stumbled through it (I don’t think he was reading the accents…) but numerous Vietnamese we showed the video to said, “that’s not Vietnamese.” ‘A’ for effort, I guess?
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Cashes in on Cave Adventures
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- Published on 13 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In Vietnam, genetically modified organisms find fertile ground to grow [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam province culls ducks as bird flu threat re-emerges [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian role in global aviation [Global Post]
Slideshow: How Saigon Changed From 1955 – 2005
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
In 2005, the French Consulate in Saigon commissioned a publication called Saigon 1955 – Ho Chi Minh City. As the title suggests, the book compares well-known Saigon locations from photos by French photographer Raymond Cauchetier in 1955 to their 2005 counterparts. While a bit old, the book does an awesome job of showing how Saigon has changed – or stayed the same – over the years.
VietJetAir Ready for Massive Expansion with Airbus Order
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- Published on 12 February 2014
- Written by Saigoneer.
VietJetAir, Vietnam’s favorite budget airline (take that, JetStar) announced yesterday that it has signed a deal with Airbus, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers for nearly 100 new jets, according to Reuters.
