1. Vietnamese Architects Unveil Awesome Modular Bamboo Home Design
H&P has produced a demo of their long-promised bamboo houses which are designed to endure flooding and powerful storms. And the kicker? It can be assembled in 25 days at a base cost of $2,500.
2. 46 Incredible Color Photos of 1915 Vietnam
Considering how rare turn of the 20th-century Vietnam photos are, we were especially excited to come across this Flickr album of 46 colorized photos from 1915. The photos were taken by Leon Busy (1874-1950), a French officer serving in Indochina who was also an avid photographer.
3. A Complete Map of the HCMC Metro System
Saigon's first metro line may be under construction and its 5th line fully funded, but it's often hard to grasp what things will look like when all 6 are complete. This map should give us our first glimpse of the full system when in full swing.
4. Vietnam's First McDonald's to Open in HCMC After Tet
Last Friday, international burger giant, McDonald’s confirmed what has been predicted for years – its opening its first store in Vietnam, just after Tet.
5. 10 Old Pictures of Christmas in Saigon
The brightly lit Christmas decorations of downtown Saigon seem to getting more elaborate each year. In the 1960s, though still a popular holiday in the South, Christmas was decidedly analog. The differences are clearly illustrated in a Honngocviendong.vn photo retrospective depicting Christmas in Saigon 50 years ago.
6. 10 Beautiful Photos of Sapa's Majestic Snow
Last weekend's snowstorm in Sapa drew photographers from all over northern Vietnam who jumped at the opportunity to capture some great photos of the town's snow-covered hills, roads and residents.
7. Gangsters of Old Saigon: Binh Xuyen
In the final days of French occupation, the struggle for power in Vietnam, and Saigon in particular, was a free-for-all. As French control waned and the influence of Communism was identified as the “state’s” biggest enemy, private militias and warlords jockeyed for position, hoping to take advantage of the instability.
8. Vietnam Ponders Name Change
This October, the National Assembly is expected to make some major changes to Vietnam’s constitution for the first time since 1992. One of the biggest modifications that may take place is a slight change to the country’s official name.
9. The History of Saigon's Streetcars
Saigon got its first streetcars at the end of 1881 when the 1meter gauge, Sài Gòn–Chợ Lớn “high road” steam tramway was put into operation. 10 years later, another line was added on the “low road” which ran along the north bank of the Bến Nghé Creek (not the Bến Nghé Canal).
10. 75% of Pho Noodles in Saigon Found to Contain Cancer-Causing Chemicals
On the heels of yesterday’s news that nearly every street drink contains high levels of bacteria and heavy metals, a new report has found that 80% of rice noodles tested contained a banned, cancer-causing chemical.
11. Massive Changes Approved for Saigon's City Center
Sometimes wishes do come true. The city government has approved a plan that will completely redefine the layout and borders of Saigon's city center. The highlight of the plan will see the conversion of some District 1 streets into pedestrian-only areas.
12. Number of Vietnamese Women Marrying Foreigners per Year? 100,000 and Rising.
At a recent conference in Hanoi, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Vietnam Women’s Union released figures showing that 100,000 Vietnamese women marry foreigners annually.
13. Organic Vietnam: A Step in the Right Direction
Organic produce has gained massive popularity in the West over the last few decades. Given the importance of agriculture in Vietnam – both from economic and health standpoints – there are those who are working to improve the country’s diet and overall health by focusing on cultivating organic fruits and vegetables.
14. Saigon's Airports in Transition
It’s no secret that Saigon aspires to be the commercial and tourist hub of Southeast Asia. Even as the economy has slowed, tourism in Vietnam is growing at a pace of 11% annually. Government officials expect the economy to bounce back and for growth in the tourism sector to continue. To accommodate the rising number of visitors, plans for additional International airports across Vietnam are in the works.
15. Slow Internet? Broken Cable Might Not Be Fixed Until February
The $560 million Asia America Gate Way cable, Vietnam's international internet connection, has been severed and might not be fixed until February.
16. The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market
Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where locals sold everything from tomatoes to blankets. While the dynamics of shopping in Vietnam have changed a great deal over the last 20 years, these markets still serve as important commercial arteries, especially outside of District 1. In this series, we’ll take a closer look at the history of these important buildings starting with the big boy, Ben Thanh Market.
17. Stunning Street Art in Saigon
French street artist, Julien Malland, AKA Seth Globepainter, travels the world using buildings as a canvas for his huge murals. Collaborating with local artists, he tries to learn new artistic techniques while creating pieces that are aesthetically and socially contextual. A graduate of the National School of Decorative Arts in Paris, Julien Malland has painted murals in Vietnam, India, China, Cambodia, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and many other countries.
18. This is What Saigon Looked Like in 1881
When this picture was drawn in 1881 by a ship captain known as Favre, the French were 22 years into their occupation of Saigon. In this short time, the city took on a decidedly colonial feel both in terms of architecture and infrastructure. While not a map, per se, there are plenty of interesting details of Saigon's past.
19. How Saigon Plans to Avoid the 'Car Age'
It seems like every time I’m stalled in traffic, cars and buses are to blame. Nimble motorbikes can easily navigate hectic traffic patterns (and drive on sidewalks) and buses get a pass since they’re the city’s only form of public transportation (and their numbers are fairly static). In a city designed without cars in mind, their increasing numbers are becoming a serious obstacle for the flow of traffic. But, while some curse cars, others are buying them at a record rate – the number of new cars sold in the first quarter of this year was higher than the total sold in 2012. Can Saigon complete its public transportation network fast enough to avoid “the age of the car”?
20. A Closer Look at the Images on Vietnamese Banknotes
Vietnamese banknotes are characterized by beautiful colors and illustrations that capture some of Vietnam’s most famous locations (and Ho Chi Minh, of course). We've previously written about their history but have you ever taken a moment to look closely at the images on the back of your dong notes?
