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Lee Starnes

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Lee Starnes is a commercial and editorial photographer based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Stories by Lee Starnes

468 stories

The Story Behind Saigon’s ‘Death’ Projects

Development

The Story Behind Saigon’s ‘Death’ Projects

A number of large, high-end projects in Saigon have long been stalled, their skeletons constant reminders of the city’s speculative real estate market.

SaigoneerJun 22, 2016

Saigon Housing Is About to Get the Japanese Treatment

Development

Saigon Housing Is About to Get the Japanese Treatment

As early as next year, middle-class residents in the southern hub will be getting “Japan quality” housing.

SaigoneerJun 21, 2016

Independent stories about the people, places and ideas shaping Saigon and Vietnam.

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Weekend News Roundup: Chinese Man Burns Vietnamese Money in Da Nang Bar

Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Chinese Man Burns Vietnamese Money in Da Nang Bar

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Free waves: Southern beach town Vung Tau now gives away Wi-Fi to tourists [Thanh Nien] Chinese man burns Vietnamese money in Da Nang bar [Thanh Nien]

SaigoneerJun 20, 2016

Hẻm Gems: The Best Bún Chả in Hanoi…in Saigon

Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: The Best Bún Chả in Hanoi…in Saigon

The weather was truly Hanoian earlier this week. Outside, rain fell in sheets, flooding the pockmarked alley outside our office door. The sun had disappeared. Though a few particularly photo-obsessed teens continued to pose before the graffiti splashed across 3A Station's walls, most had given up and retreated to shops and cafes.

Dana Filek-GibsonJun 17, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Jet Goes Missing While Searching for Lost Pilot and Fighter Jet

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Jet Goes Missing While Searching for Lost Pilot and Fighter Jet

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . 5 Vietnamese universities named in Asia's QS list [Thanh Nien] Vietnam: Innovations help deaf children better prepare for formal schooling [World Bank]

SaigoneerJun 17, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Man Arrested for Pretending to Be Cop to Rob Foreigners in HCMC

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Man Arrested for Pretending to Be Cop to Rob Foreigners in HCMC

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Vietnam's north-south train services to be restored this month [Thanh Nien] Chinese fruit loses grip on Vietnam’s supermarket shelves but not street carts [Tuoi Tre]

SaigoneerJun 15, 2016

Hẻm Gems: Maison Marou: The House That Chocolate Built

Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Maison Marou: The House That Chocolate Built

Across from Ben Thanh Market sits a massive, open pit that will eventually serve as the base for a set of gleaming, modern towers housing the likes of a six-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel. But just beyond the cranes and construction site ambiance sits a modest, two-story art deco structure home to Marou, Faiseurs de Chocolat ’s latest creation.

Brian LetwinJun 14, 2016

At Angkor Wat, Groundbreaking Research Upends Cambodian History

Asia

At Angkor Wat, Groundbreaking Research Upends Cambodian History

Today, all eyes in the archaeology world are on Cambodia, as new evidence suggests a lost city near Angkor Wat which upends many of historians' assumptions about Southeast Asian history.

SaigoneerJun 13, 2016

Hanoi World’s Greatest City for Food: Telegraph

Food Culture

Hanoi World’s Greatest City for Food: Telegraph

While the international press has been fawning over Vietnamese cuisine long before US President Barack Obama shared a few bowls of bún chả with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi a few weeks back , the visit may have helped catapult the Vietnamese capital to the top of the Telegraph ’s “World’s best cities for food” list.

SaigoneerJun 11, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Talk Show Triggers Fresh Outrage With Controversial View on Charity

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Talk Show Triggers Fresh Outrage With Controversial View on Charity

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Facility selling chemical-doused pork as delicacy busted in HCMC [Tuoi Tre] HCMC asked to take lead in erasing extra classes [VietnamNet]

SaigoneerJun 9, 2016

19 Vietnamese Cities to Provide Air Quality Readings by 2017

Vietnam

19 Vietnamese Cities to Provide Air Quality Readings by 2017

Next year, residents in 19 cities across Vietnam will have up-to-the-minute air quality readings, according to the central government.

SaigoneerJun 8, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Foreigner Falls Victim to Another Robbery by Fake Cop in HCMC

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Foreigner Falls Victim to Another Robbery by Fake Cop in HCMC

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Former Norwich schoolboy reported missing in Vietnam, family fly out to join the search and Go Fund Me page launched [EDP24] Da Nang plans to put all children in swimming classes by 2017 [Thanh Nien]

SaigoneerJun 7, 2016

Developer Proposes Saigon River Park and Underground Mall

Development

Developer Proposes Saigon River Park and Underground Mall

Local developer Van Thinh Phat Group has submitted to city officials a proposal to build a new public park and underground trade center along the western bank of the Saigon River.

SaigoneerJun 6, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Province Fells 3,000 of Hanoi's Favorite Trees Over Foul Smell

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Province Fells 3,000 of Hanoi's Favorite Trees Over Foul Smell

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Vietnamese interpreters in US courts [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam province fells 3,000 of Hanoi's favorite trees over foul smell [VnExpress]

SaigoneerJun 3, 2016

Saved by Street Art: Penang's New Lease on Life

Travel

Saved by Street Art: Penang's New Lease on Life

Of the 1,031 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the planet, Penang manages to stand apart from its peers.

Lee StarnesJun 2, 2016

Vietnam to Fine Drivers Using Mobile Phones

Vietnam

Vietnam to Fine Drivers Using Mobile Phones

Starting August 1, drivers in Vietnam will be fined for using their mobile phones while on the road.

SaigoneerJun 2, 2016

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Anti-Flooding Proposal Rejected

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Anti-Flooding Proposal Rejected

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . White House releases video of Obama’s trip to Vietnam, Japan [Tuoi Tre] Company fined VND5.8bn for manufacturing contaminated soft drink [SGGP]

SaigoneerJun 2, 2016

Morning News Roundup: In Vietnam, Public Servants, Unskilled Workers Drink the Most Alcohol, Beer

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: In Vietnam, Public Servants, Unskilled Workers Drink the Most Alcohol, Beer

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . In Vietnam, public servants, unskilled workers drink the most alcohol, beer [VnExpress] Giant jars snapped up with high bid of $275,000 [VietnamPlus]

SaigoneerJun 1, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Sunny Spells to Return to Southern, Central Vietnam This Week

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Sunny Spells to Return to Southern, Central Vietnam This Week

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Civil servants' base salary up 5% [SGGP] Can anyone hold a candle to Walmart if it enters Vietnam? [VietnamNet]

SaigoneerMay 31, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Foreigner Introduces Paddle Board Taxi Service to Flooded Hanoi Street

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Foreigner Introduces Paddle Board Taxi Service to Flooded Hanoi Street

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Suspended public works leave HCMC residents in limbo [Vietnam News] Foreigner introduces paddle board taxi service to flooded Hanoi street [Tuoi Tre]

SaigoneerMay 27, 2016

[Video] Hẻm Gems: D5’s Glorious Goat Curry

Saigon Hẻm Gems

[Video] Hẻm Gems: D5’s Glorious Goat Curry

One of the benefits or writing this column is that it allows us to sample some of Saigon’s best local eateries. We may be well versed in the ways of street noshing, but once in a blue moon, we come across a dish that has us high fiving and silently pigging out without a word exchanged. Behold District 5’s Musa Cà Ri Dê Ấn Độ .

Brian LetwinMay 20, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Lack of Iconic Buildings Is About to Change, Says Design Expert

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Lack of Iconic Buildings Is About to Change, Says Design Expert

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Vietnam’s lack of iconic buildings is about to change, says design expert [Property Report] Vietnamese mother jailed for killing son in 'resurrection' ritual [Thanh Nien]

SaigoneerMay 12, 2016

Morning News Roundup: Obama Weighs Historic Decision on Whether to Lift Vietnam Arms Ban

Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Obama Weighs Historic Decision on Whether to Lift Vietnam Arms Ban

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook . Safe food chain to be expanded in city [SGGP] Short film raises public awareness of environmental pollution [Saigon Times]

SaigoneerMay 11, 2016

Hẻm Gems: Saigon's Street Food Unicorn

Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Saigon's Street Food Unicorn

Not only are unicorns real, they are edible. In fact, these beauties are an animal of such mythic deliciousness that you should count yourself lucky to even catch a glimpse of one, much less feast on its flesh. On a busy corner in District 1 during rush hour traffic, I had the privilege of spotting the great cá da bò – known to English speakers as the unicorn leatherback – before it promptly disappeared at the hands of our hungry dining group.

KKyle LeeMay 6, 2016

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