Nixon’s Plan to Nuke His Way out of Vietnam
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- Published on 06 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Remember that time Nixon gave orders to drop nukes on Moscow to end the war in Vietnam? No? Well neither did I until I came across this article written by University of Wisconsin History Professor, Jeremi Suri.
Diabetes Rates Skyrocketing in Vietnam
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- Published on 06 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
As Vietnam continues its march to a free market economy, the country is not only importing new brands, but new health problems as well. Even as some begin to embrace organic produce, there are far more who prefer the arms of Colonel Sanders and his heart-clogging delights. But, as Vietnam’s healthcare system is quickly realizing, there is a high cost associated with the influx of fast food – diabetes.
Da Nang to Get Free WIFI Network
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- Published on 06 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
In the works since 2003, Da Nang’s $2 million city-wide WIFI network is set to come online this September. The system will rely on 400 transmitters, allowing access so 10,000 users at any given time.
Mr. Pham Kim Son, Director of the Da Nang Department of Information and Communication, said that the project was proposed in 2003 but has been slow to develop due to lack of capital.
Nguyens Set to Conquer Australia's Cities
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- Published on 05 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
With over 4,000,000 Viet Kieu, it’s not surprising that Vietnamese culture has made its way across the globe. Vietnamese culinary heroes, such as Pho to Banh Mi, have been popularized from Sydney to New York. But there’s one Vietnamese export that’s taking Australia’s metropolitan areas by storm - Nguyens.
Who Does Hoi An Exist For?
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- Published on 05 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Ancient houses, beautiful beaches, great restaurants and plenty of places to take long strolls have given Hoi An a reputation for being one of Vietnam’s most charming destinations. But as the number of foreign tourists has exploded, there are some who remember the “old Hoi An” and want nothing to do with the new one. These were the feelings of Barbara, writer of the Dropout Dairies, who just published a post titled, “What the Hell Happened to Hoi An?” where she complains about the town's noise, tourists and commercialization. But Hoi An is a paradox - these complaints stem from the same root that has helped to preserve the old houses and culture. Simply put, the cultural heritage displayed in Hoi An has been carefully tailored to the tastes and nostalgias of foreigners.
VNA A330 Engine Catches Fire After Landing in Saigon
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Yesterday at 3:55pm, a Vietnam Airlines Airbus A330, arriving from Melbourne, landed at Ton San Nhat International airport. Soon after, smoke was observed coming from its no. 2 engine.
Kowloon - City in Darkness
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We’ve seen some of Hong Kong’s tightest living spaces in a previous post but nothing compares with the notorious Kowloon Walled City. From the 1940s to 1993, this fortress of darkness and poverty housed as many as 50,000 residents, making it one of, if not the most densely populated places on earth. On the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of Kowloon's demolition, lets take a quick look back at its history.
Originally a military post, the British took control of the then open-air settlement after the 1889 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory which gave Britain a 99 year lease on Hong Kong.
E-commerce Sales to Hit $1.3 Billion by 2015
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
VECITA, the Vietnam E-Commerce and Information Technology Agency, released a report last week which revealed that Vietnam’s e-commerce sales will hit $700 million by the end of 2012 and $1.3 billion by 2015.
Even as e-commerce becomes more popular, there is an interesting paradox wherein Vietnamese are comfortable buying products online, but uneasy about paying for them there, even though it’s the same platform - only 11.7% of e-commerce transactions are paid for via online payments as these services are still developing in Vietnam.
Event: Art House Cinema Presents “The Night James Brown Saved Boston”
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- Published on 04 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Tonight, Art House Cinema will screen the 2008 film, “The Night James Brown Saved Boston.” The film covers a James Brown concert which took place after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and helped to quell a potentially volatile situation.
Call for Submissions: Ho Chi Minh MEGA City
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- Published on 04 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:
Saigon Lifts Ban on Public Bus Advertising
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- Published on 03 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Saigon’s 2002 ban on public advertising has been lifted, allowing for advertisements on public buses, taxis and trains. The move has been welcomed by advertisers, seeking to expand their reach, and the city, which estimates that bus ads will fetch nearly $5 million in annual revenue.
Quang Nam Principal to Defend his Honor with Genital Examination
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- Published on 03 June 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well, it’s Monday so let’s keep things light this morning. A Quang Nam school principal, rumored to have had an extramarital affair, has requested a genital inspection by “relevant agencies” to prove his innocence.
The principal, identified only as H, has been accused of engaging in an affair with a subordinate whose husband, in a fit of jealousy, cut H’s penis. He says these rumors have seriously damaged his relationship and reputation:
Blackouts Across SE Asia Spark Conspiracy Theories
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- Published on 31 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Last week’s blackout was one of many across SE Asia in recent weeks, with large-scale power outages in Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. While the blackouts in Vietnam and Cambodia have been attributed to a crane accident, the circumstances in Thailand and the Philippines were less clear, causing some to suggest that they were politically motivated.
Hoi An Shipwreck Yields Thousands of Precious Artifacts
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- Published on 31 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Once an international trading hub, ancient pottery from Hoi An has been found as far away as Africa. But a recent, local discovery has proved to be more impressive than the long distances some pieces have travelled. This week, a salvage company announced that they have successfully excavated a 15th century trading vessel containing 16,000, highly-prized artifacts.
Chinese Tourists Get a Bad Rep Abroad
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- Published on 30 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It’s been a bad week for the reputation of Chinese tourists. It started with a Chinese vice-premier lamenting the behavior of his countrymen abroad and culminated with news that a Nanjing teenager had defaced an ancient Egyptian temple.
Saigon Announces Plan for Waterway Development
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- Published on 30 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Well, Saigon is really trying to cover all the bases for its 2020 rebirth. Another massive project has been proposed to redevelop Saigon’s 1,000km of rivers and canals at a cost of more than $500 million. The city hopes that this will boost tourism, and that its waterways will become Saigon’s main attraction.
The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market
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- Published on 29 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where locals sold everything from tomatoes to blankets. While the dynamics of shopping in Vietnam have changed a great deal over the last 20 years, these markets still serve as important commercial arteries, especially outside of District 1. In this series, we’ll take a closer look at the history of these important buildings starting with the big boy, Ben Thanh Market.
Why Vietnamese are Boycotting Coca-Cola
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- Published on 29 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
When Coca Cola announced a $300 million expansion plan for Vietnam last October, the company faced greater scrutiny of its local operations. Investigators found that by reporting losses since 2010, and questionable loan practices, Coke has avoided paying corporate income tax. The structure of the company’s loans and accusations that the company is taking advantage of transfer pricing has sparked outrage among Vietnamese with many calling for a boycott of the world’s most popular soda.
How Vietnam’s Rich Earn Their Millions
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- Published on 28 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Two words: Real estate.
Citing an unnamed report, VietnamNetBridge found that nearly 30% of Vietnamese millionaires made their money from real estate investments and development.
As living standards began to raise in the early 1990’s, the first wave of local businessmen, who made money abroad, began investing in local properties. With Vietnam’s economic boom, real estate values skyrocketed.
Vietnam to Invest $287 million in a Taller, Stronger Population
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- Published on 28 May 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
It seems like everyone wants to be a little bit taller (and a baller) these days. A recent report revealed that Vietnam’s neighbors are not only taller, but enjoy a faster growth speed amongst their populations. To win the ‘war on short’, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced a $287 million plan to raise Vietnam’s average height by 4cm.
