The Story of Saigon’s Opium Refinery
- Details
- Published on 20 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Many of you have probably enjoyed a meal in the courtyard at 74 Hai Ba Trung, which currently houses a number of high-end restaurants such as Vasco’s, Hanayuki, Annz and The Refinery; the latter being the most noteworthy as its name connects to the original use of this area – an opium refinery.
Wine, Grapes and Relaxation
- Details
- Published on 20 August 2013
- Written by Alfredo de la Casa. Photos by Thoa Kieu.
Although there are many reasons to visit Spain, including good weather, history and food, wine tourism has become one of the latest trends with foreigners and locals alike. You may enjoy drinking wine, but the next step is visiting the cellars.
Films Coming to Vietnam This August
- Details
- Published on 20 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
We know we’re a few weeks late, but here’s a list of films being released in Vietnam this month. Descriptions from IMDB.
Morning Links: Casinos to be Fined up to $10,000 if Serving Vietnamese Players
- Details
- Published on 20 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Ministry backs new airport plan [VNS]
- Viet Nam's first female film director dies [VNS]
- Overseas students’ series on life in US stirs Internet [Tuoi Tre]
Harley-Davidson Finally Opening Shop in Saigon?
- Details
- Published on 19 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
For a country with a motorbike obsession, this counts as huge news - iconic American motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson, is finally opening a showroom in Vietnam according to a set of job postings on Vietnamworks (hat tip to Vietnam 720 for finding them).
Vietnamese Tech Startup of the Month – August Edition
- Details
- Published on 19 August 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
As Vietnamese tech startups gain popularity and increased funding, the potential for growth in this market is massive.
TechinAsia, our favorite source for tech-related content in Vietnam, does an excellent job keeping us updated on the local startup scene.
Beautiful, 100-year-old Water Paintings of Vietnam
- Details
- Published on 19 August 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
You know how much we love to post old photos of Vietnam. But every now and then it's nice to switch up the medium a bit, so today, we present some beautiful, turn-of-the 20th century water color paintings from French artist, Marius Hubert-Robert.
[Updated] 2 ‘Jungle Men’ Found Living in Vietnam Forest for 40 Years
- Details
- Published on 19 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
[Update Below] You may have heard the stories of Japanese troops, hiding on on small, secluded Pacific islands, unaware that World War II had ended. A similar situation played out this month in Quang Ngai where 2 men, scared by war, fled to the vast depths of the province’s remote jungles.
Earlier this month, villagers in Tay Tra District observed two men deep in the forest. Surprised by their behavior and dress, locals reported the sighting to authorities who set up a search team and found the pair five hours later.
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Details
- Published on 19 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Reporter charged for taking bribe from bar owner [Tuoi Tre]
- VN pearls have the world as their oyster [VNS]
- Vietnam cops arrested for receiving bribes from criminal [Thanh Nien]
12 Color Pictures of Saigon from Before WWII
- Details
- Published on 16 August 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
With each passing day, Saigon's future becomes a bit more clear, and its past a bit more distant.
But fear not, for we've assembled a slideshow of colorized images from Saigon's colonial past.
VietJetAir Offering (Nearly) Free Tickets to Celebrate Milestone
- Details
- Published on 16 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
A few times per year, VietJetAir offers insanely low ticket prices and one of these promotions is fast approaching.
From August 21 – September 19, the budget airline is offering VND3,000 (US$.14) tickets for travel between September 5, 2013 and December 31, 2014.
Da Nang Taps IBM to Design Advanced Traffic System
- Details
- Published on 16 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Why is it that Da Nang keeps getting all the cool toys? As if free, city-wide WIFI weren’t enough, the city has signed a deal with IBM to install a high-tech traffic management system.
[UPDATED]Plan to Move Saigon's Electrical Wires Underground Facing Major Delays
- Details
- Published on 16 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
[Update Below] In an effort to clear Saigon’s skies, in 2009, city authorities signed off on a plan to move messy electrical wires underground. But the project, scheduled to be completed by 2015, is facing a plethora of technical and financial obstacles.
Morning Links: Vietnamese Man Pays Russian Boy $12,000 for Smashing Teeth with Golf Club
- Details
- Published on 16 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Over USD6 billion suggested for five PPP projects [dangcongsan]
Vietnamese forest devastated by Agent Orange restored to health [ajw.asahi]
Vietnam bid to stop traffic police bribes [Bangkok Post]
Saigon’s Citadel - Part 2
- Details
- Published on 15 August 2013
- Written by Saigoneer.
This is part 2 of our series on Saigon's citadel. You can read part 1 here.
Nguyen Anh (AKA Gia Long) would never use his citadel for military action as hostilities only resumed after his death in 1831. Shortly before he expired, Anh selected Minh Mang, his youngest son, as heir to the throne rather than his older son, Prince Canh.
Vietnam's North-South Railway Set for Major Upgrade
- Details
- Published on 15 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Vietnam’s North-South Railway has been in need of a major upgrade for a long time. Beyond issues of speed and comfort, the system’s infrastructure is in poor condition, causing chronic delays and inefficiencies. While Vietnam recently put plans for a high-speed rail system on the backburner due to massive costs, the Ministry of Transport has released a blueprint to overhaul the system’s main line.
Morning Links: Vietnamese and the “$1billion Business Ambition”
- Details
- Published on 15 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Binh Chau shipwreck: discovery area to be expanded [Quanhnai]
- Price hike to ensure electricity supply [VEN]
- Violence, capitalism and dodgy cops... [Thanh Nien]
Massive Fire Drill at Diamond Plaza this Morning
- Details
- Published on 14 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
If you're wondering why emergency crews, including 2 helicopters are running around Dimond Plaza this morning, fear not, for it's only a drill!
The city fire, police and health departments along with Military Zone 7 are participating in this simulation to prepare for high-rise fires.
Morning Links: Civilization Fails to Lure Vietnam Men From 40-year Jungle Home
- Details
- Published on 14 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
- Thirty Russian Firms to take part in Tourism Expo in HCMC [SGGP]
- Vietnamese school children are 'years ahead' of Indian pupils [phys.org]
- Vietnam to cover costs of bridge delay [Japan Times]
Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Saigon Railroad Building
- Details
- Published on 13 August 2013
- Written by Brian Letwin
Not too long ago, the park across from Ben Thanh Market was the location of the city's main train station.
Even though the station moved to District 3 following the American War, remnants of the old station, such as the the former Vietnam Railways headquarters seen above, still remain.
