8 Old Pictures of Saigon's Canals
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- Published on 02 July 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Saigon has long been a city of canals; even Nguyen Hue Street used to be one.
But today, as the city's infrastructure continues to prioritize roads, many canals have ceased to function as commercial routes.
Let's look back at some pictures of the city's canals when they acted as highways for people and goods.
Latin Music With Soul
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- Published on 02 July 2013
- Written by Alfredo de la Casa.
With many options available, it seems that a large number of Vietnamese youth are getting more and more into Latin music - Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Reggaeton. From Salsa clubs like La Salsa and Xsalsa to live bands at the Caravelle, Hard Rock Café and other bars, Latin fever seems to be sweeping Saigon.
A Vietnamese View of Photography: Artsy vs Trendy
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- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Jas Huynh.
Over the past four years, young Vietnamese have been paying more attention to photography. They’re not only keen on the qualitative aspects but are also eager to learn how to create these images by themselves. As a result, they are buying photography equipment and are quickly finding out that it is a ‘luxury hobby.’
Japan Eases Visa Requirements for Vietnamese
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- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The struggles of Vietnamese applying for visas to European and North American countries are well documented and probably won’t be changing anytime soon. But it will soon be easier for Vietnamese to visit Japan as the island nation plans to ease its visa requirements for most ASEAN countries.
Yabai!
Emerging Vietnamese Artists at Craig Thomas Gallery
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- Published on 27 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In celebration of Craig Thomas Gallery’s 4th anniversary, the works of 15 young Vietnamese emerging artists will be displayed from June 29 – July 21.
Among the artists are Ngo Van Sac, Bui Thanh Tam, Bui Tien Tuan, Nguyen The Hung, Tam Minh, Tran Quoc Tuan, La Huy, Lieu Nguyen Huong Duong, Le Kinh Tai, Bui Hai Son, Nguyen Thuy Hang, Mac Hoang Thuong, and Luong Luu Bien.
Amazing Motorbike Choreography by the Rome Police (1953)
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- Published on 26 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Think Saigon motorbike drivers are hardcore? You have no idea.
Check out the video below of a 1953 performance of the Rome motorbike police. If Saigon’s traffic is organized chaos, then this is, well, just organized.
Vietnam Airports Charging Premium Prices for Low-Quality Products
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- Published on 26 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We’ve all been there – in the rush to get to the airport on time, you forgo a necessary meal. You arrive only to find that your (insert budget airline here) flight has been delayed 2 hours. Maybe there’s one or two American fast food outlets to choose from, but you don’t feel like a greasy burger before your flight.
8 Old Pictures of Cars in Saigon
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- Published on 26 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Bentleys, BMWs and Mercedes are all over Saigon these days. 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 vintage automobiles in Vietnam. One will sometimes see an old Ford Mustang or VW Bug around town but they are very rare and often imported. For many, it’s hard to imagine sweet old Citroens and ’57 Chevys puttering about town. That’s why we’ve put together this awesome slideshow of Saigon’s vintage transportation methods!
Phở-Flavored Cocktail Makes Its Debut. Seriously.
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- Published on 25 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Pho is a universally adored dish (yes, even aliens love it), a melody of simple ingredients that yield abundantly complex flavors. Bottom line - it's goddamn delicious. So it's no surprise that people across the world have attempted to put their own spin on the traditional soup. There have been pho burgers, pho salads and now, a bar in Philadelphia, US, is serving up a pho cocktail.
Vietnamese Artists Mix Electronic, Hip Hop and Traditional Music
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- Published on 25 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
There are complaints that Vietnamese pop music is bland and lacks variety and musical ingenuity. Pop ballads, usually indistinguishable from one another, dominate Vietnamese TV and radio.
Fortunately, there are local musicians who are breaking the mould, such as DjGiang Nguyễn who partnered with blind Đàn Bầu (traditional monochord instrument) musician, Hà Chương and Mrt Beatboxer, to create a unique track that fuses contemporary electronic and hip hop with traditional Vietnamese music.
Beware of Fake Beer in Saigon
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- Published on 24 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
After words of caution from Oi Magazine about fake alcohol in Saigon, a Thanh Nien expose has revealed that beer is also being counterfeited as well.
In an alley in Tan Binh district, a Thanh Nien reporter found men sitting in a 20sq meter room, taking empty bottles of Heineken and Tiger, filling them half-way with the original product and the remainder with Saigon beer.
Ode To Saigon
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- Published on 24 June 2013
- Written by Mark Batchelor.
When Mark Batchelor found himself in an all-to-familiar power outage, he was left with no internet and decided to spontaneously pick up a pen a paper and whip together a poem/rhyme about his first impressions of living in Saigon.
Weapons Workshop Uncovered in Hai Phong
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- Published on 21 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
If there's a will, there's a way. When you own a workshop and are a drug addict, this could lead you to running a gun-making operation as in the case of Duong Minh Nhat.
The 38-year-old and his wife were arrested on Tuesday when authorities stormed his workshop and found numerous pen guns and ammunition. The couple sold the guns to local gangsters and used the proceeds to feed their drug addiction.
Event: Green Drinks Returns on June 25
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- Published on 21 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.
With a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business, it's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.
Don't Panic: SuperMoon is on Its Way
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- Published on 21 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s about that time again. On June 23, the year’s largest supermoon will be visible above the Saigon skies.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon lines up with the Earth and the sun at a specific point in its orbit, called the lunar perigee. That's the point at which the moon is nearest to Earth as it traces its elliptical path around our planet.
7 Old Pictures of Saigon Street Vendors
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- Published on 20 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
The buildings and streets of Saigon can change in the blink of an eye. Gone are the streetcars, French street names and ox-drawn carts. As the economy continues to develop, the old Saigon is being replaced by skyscrapers, metros and Burger Kings. However, there are elements of the city that have barely changed over the last century, one of these are street vendors.
Thai Monks Traveling on Private Jet Cause Uproar
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- Published on 20 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Three Thai monks have landed in hot water after footage of the trio flying on a private jet, wearing sunglasses and earphones and carrying Louis Vuitton bags emerged on YouTube.
The video has caused backlash in Thailand as the images in the video are completely at odds with the clergy’s principles - high on that list is living without possessions (save for a few robes).
Lost Cambodian City Found Using Frickin' Laser Beams
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- Published on 19 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Apparently Ankgor Watt is a piece of a larger puzzle. Using frickin' areal lasers, archaeologists have identified a sprawling city around the 1,200 year old temple complex, revealing how the area’s network of temples were once connected.
The Sad Story of Da Lat’s Disappearing Pine Trees
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- Published on 19 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Known as “the city of a thousand pine trees,” unregulated deforestation and development have taken their toll on Da Lat’s forests and pine tree population.
There was once a time when many of Da Lat’s thoroughfares were lined with tall, majestic pine trees.
Downed US Plane in Binh Phuoc
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- Published on 19 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin. Photo by Quinn Ryan Mattingly .
Earlier this year, Quinn Ryan Mattingly made his way through Binh Phuoc Province. Eventually reaching Phuoc Long, he stumbled upon some interesting history, a downed US plane, slowly decomposing in the center of town.
There wasn't much information available about the plane, but after a little digging around, it’s likely that it was a casualty of the Battle of Phuoc Long.