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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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Vietnam
Vietnam doctor charged for dumping patient's body into river [Thanh Nien] Old Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam, braces for makeover [Newsday] Obama Approves Nuclear Cooperation With Vietnam [ABC]
Vietnam
Illegal taxi driver returns overcharged money to foreigners [Tuoi Tre] Victor Vu's VENGEFUL HEART Becomes Vietnam's Highest-Grossing Film Ever [Twitch] 474 companies voted High-quality Vietnamese goods [SGGP]
Music & Arts
There are few things that surprise us in Vietnam these days – a gaggle of geese draped from a motorbike, electricity workers on precarious ladders, hell, even a volcanoes sprouting from the streets . But a recent creation from Swiss Architecture firm, Bureau A , may have you doing a double-take. For you see, it’s a 7 story tricycle that houses a mobile kitchen and performance space.
Health
After recent health scares from chemically-laced produce and dubious Chinese imports , Vietnamese consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that they don’t know where their food comes from. As this reality sets in, an organic food trend is growing in the nation’s urban centers. But with Vietnam eager to sign onto the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, it may be difficult for this trend to grow in the face of an international, free-trade economy focused on large-scale and increasingly globalized production.
Saigon
Nguyen Hue Street, one of Saigon’s oldest thoroughfares, has undergone numerous transformations over its history. With the craziness of the holidays and accompanying sea of motorbikes, it's hard to imagine Saigon as a sleepy colonial backwater. But this image of Nguyen Hue Street, taken around 1871, less than 10 years after the French formally occupied the city , paints the 'city' as a calm and sparsely populated area.
Vietnam
Flood-tide to reach peak in 61 years, Saigon to be submerged again [Vietnam Net] HCMC shows impressive economic growth [SGGP] Vietnam’s aging rate among fastest in the world [Tuoi Tre]
Saigon
The Saigon Opera House (aka the Municipal Theatre) is one of Saigon’s oldest buildings and one of the city’s best examples of classical French architecture. Constructed at the turn of the 20th century, it has performed many functions throughout its history, from theatre to refuge shelter to legislative offices.
Vietnam
We’ve seen plenty of people do tricks on their motorbikes, usually late at night after some drinking. But police won’t hesitate to give you a massive ticket if they catch you in the dangerous act. Just ask Huynh Tuan An.
Development
A recent video produced by the World Bank tells the story of two brothers born in a poor family, one living in the mountainous area, one migrating to the city, to respond to the question: What will it take to end poverty in Vietnam?
Culture
Popular travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler , just released their rankings for the most popular cities in Asia based on feedback from their readers. The ancient town on Hoi An came in second, just behind the former Japanese imperial capital of Kyoto. While impressive, Hoi An has been carefully tailored to the tastes and nostalgias of foreigners so it’s not a complete surprise to see it ranked this high.
Saigon
Even though drivers in Vietnam seem to have mastered driving the wrong way on one way streets, this tactic can still result in accidents. Especially when the offender drives in the middle of the road. In the video below, a female biker causes a motorbike pileup and brushes it off like nothing happened, even with drivers yelling at her. Props for staying cool as a cucumber but still a dick move if you ask us.
Saigon
This striking image was taken from above Saigon's streets in 1966. It's images like this that make one wonder where their subjects are today.
Vietnam
Vietnam Vows Dong and Interest-Rate Stability for Growth [Bloomberg] US alliance says Vietnam software piracy decreasing [Thanh Nien] Dogs in Vietnam: Not just for dinner anymore [Reuters] Paris Orchestra to perform in HCMC [Tuoi Tre]
Roundups
Vietnam Vows to Boost Political Trust With China During Li Visit [Business Week] Sustainable tourism in Vietnam inspires film [ABC] Killer drunk drivers stalk Vietnam roads [Thanh Nien] Mass evacuations in Vietnam for typhoon Nari [Economic Times]
Culture
In this edition of “Street Signs,” we take a closer look at Nguyen Hue, one of Vietnam’s most prominent folk heroes and successful military commanders. While he died before his vision for Vietnam was realized, his conquests ushered in a century of Vietnamese unification.
![[Video] Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam](https://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/x5YUWB5b.jpg)
Food Culture
Gordon Ramsay isn't the only celebrity chef obsessed with Vietnam. But unlike Ramsay, New York chef, Anthony Bourdain, has a surprisingly close connection to Vietnam, cultivated over many visits since 2000.
![[Updated] Saigon Bridge 2 Completed Ahead of Schedule, Will Open Tomorrow](https://media.urbanistnetwork.com/saigoneer/article-images/legacy/4R5J48wb.jpg)
Development
[Update Below] After only 17 months of construction, Saigon Bridge 2 was completed yesterday and will open to traffic in early November. The new, VND1.5 trillion (US$70.75 million) bridge, 987.3 meters long and 23.5 meters wide, will have 4 lanes for cars and 2 for motorbikes, running parallel to the original.
Stories
At Least 21 Dead in Vietnam Firework Factory Blast [Farsnews] Japan slow to realize nuclear plant export to Vietnam [Global Post] High cholesterol might become top killer in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] General Giap rests in peace in hometown [VoV]
Roundups
Railway planned to link Vietnam metro with new airport [Thanh Nien] Vietnam-Japan trade turnover at US$16.3 billion in first 8 months [SGGP] Foreign banks lend $100 mln to Vingroup [Reuters]
Saigon
Just a beautiful picture captured on Saigon's streets in 1966.
Development
Add the US to the list of nations helping Vietnam secure a nuclear future. The country joins Japan, Russia and South Korea as advisers and suppliers for Vietnam's planned nuclear power plants .
Travel
Last week Vietnam announced plans for a US$16 billion, 8 line railway that will provide modern rail service to the south and central regions of the country. There is of course, the current, century old railway - the Reunification Express - that runs from Saigon to Hanoi. The trip from the country's capital to its commercial hub takes about 2 days. While many shy away from this trip due to its length, it takes passengers on a journey through jungles, along pristine coastlines and over verdant ridges.
Roundups
General Vo Nguyen Giap to be laid to rest at Dragon Cap [SGGP] A new phase of poverty reduction [VoV] Two hospitals violate regulations, suffer great losses [Tuoi Tre]
Saigon
Though we can't pinpoint the exact date for this map, we're sure it's from before 1954. This was the year when the French ceded control of Saigon and south Vietnam in accordance with the Geneva Accords . When Diem's government took office, they switched out the French names for Vietnamese ones. Whatever its date, it's a pretty sweet map.