The ISHCMC Advantage: How Every Child Can Grow and Thrive on Their Journey
“The goal of our school is to focus on inclusive practices where our students' individual learning styles are identified so that their learning journey is enriched,” explained Dr. Hana Adams, the Director of Student Support Services at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC). The school emphasizes challenging engagements and inquiry-based thinking, and within this rigorous approach, whether ahead or behind their trajectories, some students need additional support to surpass expectations and thrive.
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.”
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
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 ...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon
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.
Uyên Đỗ in Saigon
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.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Criticism and Confusion over Recently Announced TV Laws
Here are your morning links: - Current business environment uninviting for foreign graduates (Vietnamnetbridge) - Criticism and confusion over recently announced TV laws (ThanhNien) - Vietnam ...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Chinese DIY Projects: A Fine Line Between Ingenuity and Hilarity
Whether it's building the world's tallest building or shadily acquiring a Russian aircraft carrier, the Chinese government, while facing many shortcomings, dreams big. But what about its people? Surel...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnamese Painting Fetches Record Price at Christie’s
Nguyen Phan Chanh’s painting, entitled “La Marchand de Riz,” set a new record for Vietnamese art at Christie’s International in Hong Kong this past Saturday. Originally valued at $75 due to a case of...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Starbucks CEO Says Company Will Open Hundreds of Stores in Vietnam
On the heels of a successful launch in Vietnam, Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, announced that the American coffee chain will open hundreds of stores in the country. Before opening its 2-story flagshi...
Brian Letwin in Asia
China to Build the World's Tallest Building - In Only 7 Months
The Chinese economy may be slowing down, but that’s not stopping Hunan developers from breaking ground on the tallest building in the world – Sky City. The project will not only be taller than the Bur...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Incredible and Edible Japanese Latte Art
You know when you go to the café, and the barista draws a fancy leaf or heart in the foam of your cappuccino and you’re all like, “wow, that’s artistic!”? Well, after viewing the slideshow below, that...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
[UPDATE] Broken Wire Leaves Southern Vietnam Powerless
Tuoi Tre is reporting that a section of the 500 KV wire that connects the power grid between north and south, “fell apart,” cutting power to 22 provinces in southern Vietnam. While power has returned ...
Brian Letwin in Asia
“Little PSY” Stirs Cultural Tensions Between Vietnam and Korea
As “Gangnam Style” continues to pulsate from speakers all over the world, controversy surrounding Hwang Min-woo, or “little PSY,” has engulfed the Vietnamese and Korean online communities. Woo, seen p...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Lotteria Announces the Ramen Burger
Lotteria, the Korean version of McDonalds (in Vietnam at least), has joined the likes to Taco Bell and KFC in offering a dish that certainly qualifies as ‘thinking outside of the box.’ Here’s a break...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnamese Actress Gets Airline Crew into Hot Water
As the rest of the country goes about its daily routine, Vietnamese celebrities continue to make headlines. This time, it’s actress, Ly Nha Ky, whose celebrity status served as a golden ticket to the ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Arsenal Confirms Vietnam Pre-Season Game
Arsenal Football Club has announced that it will become the first ever Premier League team to play a match in Vietnam, with the first-team squad visiting Hanoi in July as part of the Club’s pre-season...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Rumors of Highlands Plant That Provides 100% Effective Birth Control
Put away the condoms and birth control pills. According to Tuoi Tre, there is an ethnic minority group (Van Kieu) in the central highlands that uses a special leaf, anăng, in place of typical contrace...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Budweiser to Set up Production Facilities in Vietnam
The past decade has seen a plethora of international brands enter Vietnam’s fertile consumer market. As Vietnam’s average income has risen, brands from Pizza Hut to Starbucks have taken advantage of t...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Opens ‘Smile School’ for Traffic Police
Saigon’s traffic police just underwent rigorous training sessions to help them gain knowledge on "cultural behavior and moral behavior of traffic police officers" while on duty. The program, chai...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Korean Schoolgirls Blame Manga Comics After Destroying Classroom
Koreans sure love their video games and manga comics. They have penetrated the psyche of the country’s children to the point where kids are shipped off to video game addiction camps. Every now and the...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Hanoi Man Arrested with 53 King Cobras in His Car
While snakes are awesome, the idea of being with one in closed quarters is less than appealing. Well, one Hanoi man felt differently and was arrested transporting 53 of them in his car. Did we mention...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon's New CNG Busses to be Produced in Vietnam
Locally-produced CNG (compressed natural gas) busses may be an increasingly common sight over the next 12 months. On April 18, Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the City Department of Transport, a...
Brian Letwin in Asia
A Look at Hong Kong's Cramped Apartments
There are plenty of small rooms here in Saigon, no doubt. But Hong Kong is notorious for it's cramped living quarters. These overhead photos were commissioned and released by The Society for Community...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
VietJetAir Expands Bangkok Service and Celebrates with Free Tickets
VietJetAir has just announced a new route from Hanoi to Bangkok, set to open on June 1, 2013. To celebrate and promote this new service, the company is offering free tickets if you book between April ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
UPS Becomes Vietnam's First 100% Foreign Owned Shipping Company
UPS has officially become the first 100% foreign owned shipping company in Vietnam. Concidering the state of shipping serice in Vietnam, this may symbolize a big step forward.
