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 Saigon

HCMC Begins To Crack Down On “Illegal” Uber Taxis

 Could this be the beginning of the end for Uber in Vietnam?

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam To Hold First Art Fair To Pique Public Interest Next Month

Hanoi, Da Nang rank eighth among top tourist attractions [Vietnam Net] Vietnam to hold first art fair to pique public interest next month [Tuoi Tre] VN designers shape new fashion scene&nb...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: State-Run Cinemas ‘Dying’ In Vietnam

Vietnam vows to promote rights of people with disabilities [Vietnam Plus] Book casts light on little known Vietnamese workers in France [Vietnam Plus] Int’l experts urge Vietnam to build rice brand ...

in Saigon

Nguyen Hue Street Promenade To Block Traffic With "Smart Pillars," Reopen By Tet

Nguyen Hue Street, currently closed down for the constriction of a pedestrian promenade, will not be completely closed to traffic when it opens next year, according to city authorities.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Model Named Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian

Truong Thi May, a Vietnamese model who represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, has been named Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian by the NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PE...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: A Vietnamese Depositor Receives 20 Cents For 30-Year Bank Savings

Vietnamese has lowest wages in ASEAN [DTI] Hanoi authorities admit defeat on relocating historic markets [DTI] Transport fees reduce in three big cities [SGGP]

in Vietnam

Beware Of The “Frankennote”

Want to make VND1,000,000 from VND520,000? Sure, you could invest in Vietnam Airlines stock, but as rumors have it, you could make your money work for you by splitting it down the middle, literally.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Approves Law Allowing Foreigners to Buy Property

In an attempt to boost the country's stagnant real estate market, Vietnamese lawmakers yesterday approved a law allowing foreigners to buy land.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Transport Minister Calls Vietnam's Air Traffic Control Corps 'Low-Quality,' Citing Nepotism

Millions of people expected to join VN’s first Black Friday [Vietnam Net] University teachers, students complain about clothing ban [Vietnam Net] Four more Asian records for Vietnam [Vietnam Plus]

in Asia

[Photos] Hanoi’s Pedestrian-Only Streets Flooded With Vehicles

Back in October, Hanoi officially launched a plan to keep a number of streets in the Old Quarter free from vehicles. Even though signs and barriers have been installed, many have ignored the new schem...

in Saigon

Lovers’ Feud Causes Delay Of Vietnam Airlines Flight

After a week of major safety hiccups at Tan Son Nhat Airport, a slightly less serious disturbance took place last Friday night when two female passengers engaged in a soap opera-like brawl over a male...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Named Asia’s Most Attractive Nation For Manufacturing

Vietnam named Asia’s Most Attractive Nation for Manufacturing [Nhan Dan] HCMC underfinanced for evacuation of households on canals [SGGP] Factory workers denounce employers for low-quality meals [DT...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Police Confiscate Thousands Of Stuffed Endangered Sea Turtles

While some Vietnamese are taking steps to save them, the country continues to struggle with protecting its endangered sea turtles.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Gas Prices Down Further On Global Falls

Shipwrecks reveal ancient trade routes [Vietnam Net] Jobs for Low-Skilled Workers Moving from China to Vietnam [Forbes] Education Ministry plan to rewrite textbooks divides NA legislators [DTI]...

in Asia

Man Arrested For Allegedly Murdering Vietnamese Woman In Singapore

Yesterday afternoon, Singaporean police responded to a “call for assistance” from an apartment block on Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and, upon their arrival at the scene, found the body of an unidentified Vie...

in Asia

3 Massive Statue Heads Unearthed At Cambodian Temple

Last weekend, three massive Angkorian-era statue heads at Banteay Chhmar temple in Banteay Meanchey Province were unearthed.

in Saigon

Civilian And Military Aircraft Nearly Collide Over Tan Son Nhat

Authorities met yesterday to discus an incident in which a military helicopter and civilian passenger jet “narrowly missed” colliding over HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport on October 29.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Alien Species Pose Threat To Vietnamese Wildlife

Vietnam aims to foster space technology [Vietnam Plus] Motorbike expected to be popular in Vietnam for 30-40 more years [DTI News] In Vietnam, foreigners can rent a forest, but can't buy a hous...

in Saigon

HCMC Authorities Scrap Plan For Helipad, Tunnels At New Admin. Center

Plans for a helipad and tunnels within HCMC’s new administrative center have been omitted from the latest proposal.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Should Not Limit Motorcycles: World Bank

Circular ownership poses threat to Vietnamese school system [Vietnam Net] HCMC sets to market bio gasoline [SGGP] Vietnamese tea not grown in dioxin polluted soil, official [SGGP]