
The ISHCMC Advantage: Instilling Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Global Mindsets in Each Student
“These years of my life are very important, they shape the person I'm going to be in the future,” said Danko, a student who just finished Grade 9 at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC).

The ISHCMC Advantage: Lifelong Learning Begins in Early Years
“Each morning, the gates open to the joyful rhythm of footsteps and confident smiles. Students independently stroll in, waving to friends and familiar adults, ready to begin the day. With great enthusiasm, they engage in conversations, unpack their bags, tuck away their belongings, and proudly ‘check in’ before eagerly venturing off to discover what learning awaits them. This sense of confidence, independence, and joy isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a thoughtfully designed environment and an intentional approach to learning that nurtures essential life skills through meaningful play.”

The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...

Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together
“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.

Hanoi's Bát Tràng Ceramic Village Turns Historic Craft Into Global Fame
Bát Tràng has been producing ceramics for over 700 years, but it’s the recent decades that interest me most: a period in which this small village has mirrored Vietnam’s rapid economic growth.

Final Merging Plan Brings Vietnam's Locality Number From 63 to 34
After extended working sessions to gather insights from experts and locals, Vietnam’s state government has announced the final version of the country’s administrative map.

Múa Lân Is Officially Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage
In Chợ Lớn, every Tết, amid the aroma of burning joss sticks and an onslaught of red-color decorations is the echoing beats of lion dance instruments. For generations of Saigoneer, the presence of múa lân, or lion dance, is a sign of festivity and celebration.

How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness
In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.

Ministry: Shops Must Use Vietnamese Signs
Following last year’s passage of the Vietnamese Advertisement law which requires that advertising content, spoken or written must be in Vietnamese, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently...

Morning Links: Plastic Food Wrappers Found Contaminated with Toxic Substances
- Banks warned not to hide debt [VNS] - Tears at Smile restaurant [VietnamNet Bridge] - Many famous discotheques in Saigon raided [VietnamNet Bridge]

Large Bomb Uncovered in Dak Ru
A massive, 300kg bomb was discovered by a resident of Dak Ru Commune, Dak R'lap District in the central highlands province of Dak Nong.

Morning Links: Vietnam Plans Over 110 Television Channels by 2015
- Vietnam police deny recent memo banning people from filming cops [Thanh Nien] - Bus carrying Vietnamese robbed in Moscow [Tuoi Tre] - Century-old temple inside bodhi...

How Much Do You Make? New Report Finds Growing Salaries in HCMC
Ever wonder what you're worth? The recently released 2013 Robert Walters Global Salary Survey shows moderate growth in salaries for workers in the financial, supply chain, engineering, HR, IT, s...

Morning Links: Fire Rages Next to HCMC Backpackers’ Quarter
- Vietnam Sends Plan for Relaxing Foreign Ownership Limits to Dung [Bloomberg] - Vietnam court sentences Nigerian man to death for drug trafficking [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam to...

Morning Links: Casinos to be Fined up to $10,000 if Serving Vietnamese Players
- 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?
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 V...

[Updated] 2 ‘Jungle Men’ Found Living in Vietnam Forest for 40 Years
[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 ...

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- 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 N...

Morning Links: Vietnamese Man Pays Russian Boy $12,000 for Smashing Teeth with Golf Club
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 [Bangk...

Thai Villagers Detain Google Maps Car Believing Driver is a Spy
While many wish that Google Street View were available everywhere, a Village in northern Thailand does not share this opinion. Yesterday morning, A Google Maps car, mounted camera and all, was stopped...

Morning Links: Vietnamese and the “$1billion Business Ambition”
- Binh Chau shipwreck: discovery area to be expanded [Quanhnai] - Price hike to ensure electricity supply [VEN] - Violence, capitalism and dodgy cops... [Thanh Ni...

Massive Fire Drill at Diamond Plaza this Morning
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...

Morning Links: Civilization Fails to Lure Vietnam Men From 40-year Jungle Home
- 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 bri...

Morning Links: ‘Ba Tung’ Closes Facebook Page After Nationwide Ban
- Can Vietnam become a gambling getaway? [Thanh Nien] - Land for industrial parks lies abandoned in Mekong Delta [SGGP] - Foreigners with over-3 month visas can buy houses i...

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam can’t afford to switch to newer, safer vaccines: official [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam authorities lax over hydrofoil safety [Thanh Nien] - No further dong devaluation, ...

Morning Links: Downtown HCMC Statue on Brink of Collapse
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Vietnam's auto industry faces crossroads ahead of Asean trade pact [JakartaPost] - Emerging Vietnam: The Big Ch...

Morning Links: Unable to Flirt with 10-year-old Girl, Man Sprays Acid on 5
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Special team to investigate fatal accident [VNS] - Foreign investment shifting to new locales in Vietnam [...

Morning Links: Lam Dong Scam Facilities Make Tea from Buffalo Dung
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - American doctor frees many Vietnamese from tumors in short visit [Thanh Nien] - Lam Dong scam facilities make t...