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Brian is the Co-Founder of Saigoneer and pasta enthusiast who likes to explore the hidden corners of Saigon's urban fabric.
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![[Photos] Vietnamese Motorbikes and the Things They Carry](https://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/Lj7ORpHb.jpg)
Culture
With more than 37 million of them , Vietnam is truly the land of the motorbike ( for now ). As we see on a daily basis, they’re not only the preferred method of transportation for people, but also for the transference of goods.
Culture
A 19th century draft of village rules and regulations has been discovered by a Vietnamese historian in Hoi An, the first of its kind, reports Vietnam News .
Tech
Vietnamese authorities have reversed a 4-year-old ban on the development of local online games after acknowledged that it has not only failed to limit their usage, but has allowed foreign firms to dominate the growing market, reports Thanh Nien .
Health
While you may have to watch out where you’re buying your produce in Vietnam, the cuisine itself is about as healthy you can get. The Huffington Post recently talked to the Vietnamese owners of Pho, a UK-based, family-run restaurant who provided 7 health benefits of eating Vietnamese food, as if we needed more convincing.
![[Video] Teaser: The Banditas of Hoi An](https://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/yOLnN4kb.jpg)
Culture
To avoid a dark complexion, many Vietnamese women wear body-encompassing garb when out about town. Some call them ‘ninjas’ and others ‘mummies.’ Sydney-based filmmaker, Kearon de Clouet , recently traveled to Hoi An to film women, who he dubs ‘banditas’, wearing their suits of sun-defying armor. He posted a very well-produced teaser for his upcoming short film, The Banditas of Hoi An .
Tech
As the world’s largest social network, Facebook, continues its massive expansion in Vietnam, many have wondered why Twitter, which ranks second, is ignored. One of our favorite tech writers, Anh-Minh Do over at TechinAsia , recently tackled the conundrum.
Development
The magnificent art deco apartment building at 213 Dong Khoi has nearly been reduced to a pile of rubble to make way for a 14-story City Administration Center.
Health
Mind the VietGAP. According to a recent report in The Guardian , Vietnam’s sole safety certification mechanism is at best ineffective and, at worst, pulling the wool over the eyes of Vietnamese consumers seeking safe produce.
Travel
After public outcry from Vietnamese tourists and tourism officials, Thai customs authorities have announced that they will amend “offensive” signage and procedures requiring proof of funds at the Poipet border gate between Cambodia and Thailand, reports Tuoi Tre .
Saigon
Canals used to serve as the Saigon's main commercial highway, connecting the city to the Saigon river and in turn the web of rivers that traverse Vietnam.
Development
It’s all about the green. Earlier this week we looked at a sustainability-focused kindergarten by Vo Trong Nghia Architects . While that project seeks to educate Vietnam’s youth, in the same compound, the firm built prototypes of low-cost housing for residents in the Mekong Delta.
Health
While some raised doubts about a WTO report that found Vietnamese women outdrink Russian (and Vietnamese) men , there’s no question that Vietnam is a country that loves its beer. So much so in fact, that domestic production cannot keep up with demand, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Culture
Looking to step up your bicycle game? Two mechanics in Nam Dinh Province have made their own electric chopper bicycle and the final product could only be described as baller.
Vietnam
After discovering Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park 5 years ago, a team of researchers has been scouring the area, measuring, charting and photographing 39 new caverns.
Vietnam
By now, you’re probably aware that Vietnam and China are locking horns over a Chinese oil rig which Hanoi says constitutes a gross intrusion into the Vietnam’s territorial waters. As tensions heat up with reports of force being used against Vietnamese ships, today, the Vietnam index saw its largest 1 day drop in 13 years, reports Reuters .
Development
Due to rising labor costs in China, many counterfeit goods manufacturers are moving their operations to Vietnam. As the country becomes increasingly intertwined with the global economy via free trade agreements, authorities are hoping to stave off the trend, but so far have had little success.
Culture
After moving to Vietnam, Richie Humphrey, in an attempt to improve his Vietnamese, started a video blog where he posted short, comedic videos. Last year, the Los Angeles, California native released a video called Meet the Nguyễn's , a play on the American film, Meet the Fockers .
Travel
Even though the country has received criticism for some of its tourism policies, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed 745,980 international travelers in April, a 21.51% increase over the same month last year.
Music & Arts
According to an industry source, Dutch DJ Afrojack, #7 on Forbes ’ 2013 ‘The World’s Highest Paid DJs List’ and #9 on DJMag ’s “Top 100 DJs” will be playing a massive show in Saigon this June. He would be one of the highest profile DJ to ever play Vietnam.
Sports
Vietnam has recaptured 1st place in the SE Asian FIFA rankings which were announced last week. While we applaud the team’s accomplishment, there’s still some room for improvement - they are ranked 17th in Asia and 125th in the world.
Culture
Daryl Villanueva moved to Saigon in 2011 on a 1-year contract for an international advertising agency. A week into his stay, he bought his first motorbike, a Honda Super Cub. A week later, he painted it, and a week after that, he bought his second bike. He had contracted a full-blown case of motorbike fever.
Asia
All forces deployed to search missing Malaysian jet [Vietnam Plus] Japan firm licensed to operate $2 mln Vietnam bus route [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam property market sees activity as prices fall [Thanh Nien]
Vietnam
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal , in 2014, Vietnam’s stock markets (it has one each in Hanoi and HCMC), along with some SE Asian neighbors, have been outperforming every other Asian market, “outpaced globally only by a few European markets.”
Development
Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be giving you an overview of the book's fantastic photos. Today we’ll take a closer look at the fourth chapter: Demolition & Vision.