Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street

In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story

Water has no hometown.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis

There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.

in Hanoi

Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi

I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.

in Vietnam

In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions

The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam had enjoyed no such air-conditioned, traffic-immune method of transportation.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

After International Outrage, Vietnam Backpedals on Destroying Thousands of Smuggled Cats

Last week, Hanoi police discovered a truck packed with three tons of live cats destined for Vietnamese restaurants. After it was reported that the felines were to be destroyed in accordance with local...

in Stories

Plans For Vietnam's First Hooters In The Works

If you thought the penetration of American restaurant culture in Vietnam was complete with the arrival of McDonald’s last year, you’re in for a surprise. 

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Public Skeptical About Plan To Axe 6,700 Trees In Hanoi

Vietnam Is Becoming the 'New China' With Foreign Manufacturers [The Street] Homeland Spring 2015 for overseas Vietnamese to be held in HCMC [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City to offer Tet allowance to...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: EVN Could Go Bankrupt If It Cannot Raise Electricity Prices, Ministry Says

EVN could go bankrupt if it cannot raise electricity prices, ministry says [Vietnam Net] VNPT, MobiFone prepare for overseas investments [Vietnam Net] Russian-made submarine arrives at Cam Ranh port...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Bach Dang Wharf To Close In April

Ho Chi Minh City struggles to clear land for its first subway, again [Thanh Nien] Vietnam sees positive change towards gay people: survey [Thanh Nien] Ho Chi Minh City picks fight with SMS spammers ...

in Saigon

Crew Feared Dead After Military Helicopter Crashes In HCMC

[Update Below] A military helicopter crashed in HCMC’s Bình Chánh District this morning after departing from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and its four crew members are feared dead.

in Asia

[Video] New Reality Show Puts Fashion Bloggers To Work In A Cambodian Sweatshop

A new Norwegian reality show set to air this April strays from the typical nature of the genre, transplanting three 17-year-old bloggers into Cambodian sweatshops for one month.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC To Spend Big To Beautify Road To Tan Son Nhat

Female trafficking a growing problem in Nghe An Province [DTI News] VNU-HCMC hopes to offer world-class courses in next decade [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam’s exports look to shine for 2015 [VoV]...

in Vietnam

[Video] Topless Tarzan Swings From Trees, Causes Traffic Jam In Hanoi

Hanoi’s trees may be slowly disappearing, but it seems like one local is still making use of them.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Pulls Plug On So-Called Electric Cars

Education-universalization law prevents teachers from doing their job [Vietnam Net] Architects discuss new coat for Saigon Central Post Office [SGGP] Vietnam promotes sending guest workers to k...

in Vietnam

79 Vietnamese Pilot Trainees Abandoned In California As Training Center Owner Flees

The abrupt closing of a U.S. pilot training program being attended by 79 Vietnamese pilot trainees who are now out $80,000 a piece after its abrupt closure.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnamese Spent At Least $3.1 Billion On Beer In 2014

Low oil prices can boost Vietnam’s economic growth [Nhan Dan] Code of conduct discussed to prevent sexual harassment at workplace [Nhan Dan] Vietnamese aviation training poor [DTI]

in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Undersea Internet Cable Repaired Ahead Of Schedule

After 18 days of slowed internet access to international websites, connections are back to normal in Vietnam after repairs to the Asia-America Gateway Cable were completed late last week.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Plan To Hike Water Prices Runs Into Stiff Opposition

HCM City canal remains dirty after $46m cleanup [Vietnam Net] Cheap Vietnam Stocks Are Set to Rise to 7-Year High [Bloomberg] Teenager creates 3D scans of hundreds of Vietnamese mascots on webs...

in Saigon

Authorities Move To Ban Fishing In HCMC Canals

A proposal to prohibit fishing in all canals and lakes in HCMC is being discussed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

in Vietnam

Developer Pushes To Build Artificial Island For Villas, Golf Course On Ha Long Bay

A powerful real estate developer is attempting to push forward on a massive artificial island project that would bring both villas and a 27-hole golf course to Ha Long Bay.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Man Compensated For Wrong Murder Charge In 8-Year Legal Fight

Made-in-Vietnam chips gaining foothold in domestic market [Tuoi Tre] Petrol prices cut by 1,900 VND per litre [Tuoi Tre] Raising wild animals in farms causes scare in Vietnam [Thanh Nien]

in Saigon

The “Wolf of Wall Street” To Host Workshop In HCMC

Billionaire Jordan Belfort, the subject of the hit film Wolf of Wall Street, will travel to HCMC in March to hold a workshop where he will “share his secrets to success.”

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Pulls Out All The Stops For Samsung

Vietjet Air poised to hold IPO [Vietnam Net] Country’s most modern radiotherapy centre launched [Nhan Dan] HCM City pulls out all the stops for Samsung [VoV]

in Vietnam

Repairs To Vietnam’s Damaged Undersea Internet Cable Delayed

Unlike the last time the Asia America Gateway cable ruptured, repairs won’t be completed ahead of schedule this time around.