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Downed US Plane in Binh Phuoc

Details: 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.

Amazing Vietnamese Origami

Details: Published on 18 June 2013; Written by Saigoneer.

This is the work of Hanoi-based artist Nguyen Hung Cuong who creates his beautiful pieces with paper called Do.

Nguyen Hung Cuong has been making origami since the age of six when he received his first book - Prehistoric Origami and is currently an active member of Vietnam Origami Group (VOG), a community of origami enthusiasts in Vietnam.

Call for Submissions - Ho Chi Minh MEGA City

Details: Published on 18 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

If you love Saigon, it’s time to grab your camera and take some shots of the city! The photo book, “TP. Ho Chi Minh MEGA City,” is currently being assembled and the authors are seeking submissions.

Check out the information below to better understand the project and see how you can play a vital role in its creation:

Vietnam May Embrace Cars After All

Details: Published on 17 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Japanese companies, some of Vietnam’s largest investors, are playing an interesting game these days.

For the most part, Japan has taken on the role of older brother to Vietnam, supporting the development of the country’s major infrastructure (bridges and tunnels) and transportation (subways and urban rail networks) projects.

Friendly Between Arsenal and Vietnam in Jeopardy

Details: Published on 17 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

The friendly between Arsenal and Vietnam is in a state of limbo after stadium owners raised fees for the match.

Touted as the first Premier League team to visit Vietnam, Arsenal had planned to play the Vietnam national team at the 40,000 seat My Dinh stadium in Hanoi on July 17.

Chile to Assist Vietnam in Growing Quinoa

Details: Published on 14 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Rice has certainly cornered the market in Vietnam but a new pilot program conducted by Chile's Institute for Agricultural Research and Hanoi University of Agriculture hopes to add quinoa to the country’s diet.

Saigon Graffiti - Part 1

Details: Published on 14 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Saigon has quite a bit of graffiti but not much of it is of particularly high quality.

These refreshing pieces by local bombers such as Tom, KD, Ares, Mur, K Dee, YCP are a few years old but show a high level of skill.

New Ho Chi Minh Statue for Downtown

Details: Published on 14 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

The iconic statue of Ho Chi Minh, which has made its home in front of the HCMC People’s Committee building, will soon be moved and replaced by a new bust of Vietnam’s most beloved national hero.

The new statue is set to be completed by April 30, 2015, to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the American War. It will stand 6.3 meters tall with a 1.8-meter base, nearly double the size of the current one and will cost VND30 billion ($1.4 million).

Electronic Components Now Vietnam's #1 Export

Details: Published on 13 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

As electronics companies look for cheaper labor, many are moving their production facilities to Vietnam. Electronics production has grown so quickly that in only 2 years, electronic component exports now surpass all others including textiles, oil and footwear. And this is just the beginning.

Vietnamese Man Dead After Slashing Himself Over Plane Ticket

Details: Published on 12 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Last Saturday, a Vietnamese man in Dagupan, Philippines killed himself when he was unable to borrow money for a plane ticket home.

The man, identified as Nguyen Tan Lap, was found bleeding heavily in front of the West Central Elementary School at 9:30 a.m.

New iPhone Feature May Deter Thieves (But Probably Not)

Details: Published on 12 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Yesterday's WWDC saw some major product announcements, highlighted by an updated Macbook Air, re-designed Mac Pro and new versions of iOS and Mac OSX. Major changes aside, there was one element of the new iOS which is of some relevance here in Vietnam – Activation lock.

Hitachi Selected to Build Vietnam’s First Urban Railway

Details: Published on 12 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Japanese mega-corporation, Hitachi, has announced their winning bid to build Vietnam’s first urban railway in Saigon. The $381 million project is slated to begin operation in 2018.

Under the contract, Hitachi will provide trains, ticketing machines, communications and signaling systems in addition to a 5-year maintenance contract after the line is operational.

Authorities to Crack Down on Showing Skin in Public

Details: Published on 11 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

If the Ministry of Public Security has its way, there will be a lot less skin showing on Saigon’s streets. The ministry has introduced a draft decree that doubles fines for people appearing in "undergarments" or without clothes in public places.

Dog Thief Beaten to Death by Angry Mob

Details: Published on 11 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Yesterday, residents of the north-central province of Nghe An brutally attacked 2 dog thieves, leaving one dead and another seriously injured.

Can Saigon Preserve its Historical Architecture?

Details: Published on 11 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

The Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee has launched a program aimed at preserving the city's architectural gems. Unfortunately, the focus is on the city's famous buildings rather than sites that are seriously threatened by unchecked development.

The program, with the intent to list and preserve Saigon’s artistic, iconic and collective architectural items, will rank sites based on the results of the Cultural Heritage Law, expected to be completed by the end of the year.

New Report on Vietnamese Online and Mobile Trends

Details: Published on 10 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

The market research firm, Cimigo, just completed their most recent report on Vietnamese online and mobile trends. The numbers revealed that consumers are becoming increasingly engaged online.

The study included 5,800 people and spanned across 12 cities. Here are some of the highlights:

Rolls-Royce Coming to Vietnam in 2014

Details: Published on 10 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

Apparently Mercedes, BMWs and Bentleys aren’t enough for Vietnam’s growing upper class. But not to worry! Starting next year, British luxury carmaker, Rolls-Royce will set up shop in Vietnam.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars general director, Torsten Muller-Otvos, is confidant his company will successfully enter the Vietnamese and Nigerian markets in 2014: “I’m strongly confident to say we will open our agencies in Vietnam and Nigeria next year.”

Vietnam Ponders Name Change

Details: Published on 10 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

This October, the National Assembly is expected to make some major changes to Vietnam’s constitution for the first time since 1992. One of the biggest modifications that may take place is a slight change to the country’s official name.

Saigon’s Citadel - Part 1

Details: Published on 07 June 2013; Written by Saigoneer.

Hue was neither the first nor only Vietnamese city to house a citadel. Built in the late 18th century, a few years before its counterpart in Hue, the citadel in Saigon proved to be the key to Vietnamese hegemony over all of Vietnam and the establishment of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Saigon Pushes for One-Visa Policy

Details: Published on 07 June 2013; Written by Brian Letwin

To better connect the tourism of SE Asian countries, Saigon authorities have pressed the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to adopt a one-visa policy with Thailand, Cambodia, Loas and Mynamar. This would allow tourists to travel between these countries without having to secure visas for each.

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