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Every newly published Saigoneer article, ordered from newest to oldest across all sections and series.
13174 articles
Saigon
While I'm not the biggest fan of chè (Vietnamese sweet soup) in general, gánh tàu hủ (tofu with ginger, caramel and optional coconut milk) has a special place in my heart (even if it's not technically chè).
Culture
It’s been almost a year since I first arrived in Saigon. Now, when looking back on my search for jobs in the city, I think that my personal experiences carry some value and may come in handy for those who plan to live long-term in Saigon.
Vietnam
Another week, another interesting law - a 2008 decision which proposed to ban drivers based on height, weight and chest size due to safety issues is gaining steam again.
Saigon
For the second time in two years , Pham Ngu Lao hotspot, The Crazy Buffalo, saw its neon sign go up in flames. At 4pm yesterday afternoon, passersby warned the restaurant that smoke was rising from their large neon sign.
Roundups
- Land subsidence creates hole that swallows bed, woman [Tuoi Tre] - Abusing wage fund, directors pocket $123,000 as yearly salary [Tuoi Tre] - Japanese investors eye Vietnam’s real estate market [VOV]
Saigon
As the plan for Saigon's massive Long Thanh Airport moves forward ( despite some objections ), we thought we'd take a minute to look back at the long history of old standby, Tan Son Nhat.
Development
Green building is slowly but surely gaining popularity in Vietnam. For Saigon in particular, the tropical climate provides many opportunities for design firms to implement efficient, green designs.
Development
Green building is slowly but surely gaining popularity in Vietnam. For Saigon in particular, the tropical climate provides many opportunities for design firms to implement efficient, green designs.
Saigon
Saigon is a city of bridges. They criss-cross the city's rivers and canals, allowing for the flow of goods and people. But time, wars and poor maintenance have not been kind to many of the city's old bridges, some of which are over 100 years old.
Music & Arts
"They called her The Big Girl, sometimes The Lost Girl, but among themselves The Strange Girl. In her own world she was a little girl. But she stopped being little when she went travelling and decided to stay for a while in another world?"
Roundups
- Vietnam ministries pass the buck on controversial driving regulations [Thanh Nien] - Phishing increasing in Vietnam [VietnamNet Bridge]
Music & Arts
“ Saigon Players ” will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a community theatre in Saigon. It is a non-profit theatrical group composed by amateurs and professional foreigners and Vietnamese who share the same passion for theatre. All its cast and crew are volunteers and the profits from the shows go to charities chosen by the members themselves.
Travel
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam has reeled in more than 677,000 foreign tourists in August, a 22% increase from last year.
Music & Arts
Over at Bodegapop , Gary has assembled a dope mix of Vietnamese hip hop tracks. Gary, always on the hunt for unique international music, was driven to find some Vietnamese hip hop at his local Vietnamese media store in Chicago.
Development
The Lavenie Crown was one of the many victims of Saigon’s real estate crunch. Slated to begin construction in 2012 on the site next to Diamond Plaza, the project came to a halt as the main investor, Kinh Do Corporation (yes, the bakery) pulled out, leaving the site to become a parking lot. But over the last few weeks, there has been a buzz of construction activity on the site. Has the project found a new investor?
Saigon
As plans move forward for Saigon’s new Long Thanh airport, a pair of former aviation officials are questioning the need for such an investment. Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Thien Tong, former chairman of the aviation engineering department of the HCMC University of Technology and Le Trong Sanh, former head of the management department at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, favor upgrading Thanh Son Nhat as opposed to building a completely new airport. Tong compared the project to other, ambitious yet short-sighted infrastructure plans:
Vietnam
- Coffee bean price continues to plummet [SGGP] - Taxis scheme offers hope for the handicapped [VietnamNet Bridge] - Invaluable fossils in Vietnam [VietnamNet Bridge]
Culture
Since 1998, numerous ancient vessels have been found of the coast of Quang Ngai Province. The ships hold thousands of ancient artifacts, mainly ceramics as these waters were once part of the ‘Ceramic Road’ which linked East and West. Unfortunately, these sites are mismanaged and unprotected, leading to mass looting and the destruction of centuries-old artifacts:
Culture
Tomorrow, August 24th VietPride - "share the pride" will arrive in Saigon for the very first time. The LGBT community has prepared a series of activities and events to raise awareness about sexual diversity and LGBT issues as well as to create an open dialogue about equal opportunities and sexual minorities in Vietnam.
Vietnam
Following last year’s passage of the Vietnamese Advertisement law which requires that advertising content, spoken or written must be in Vietnamese, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently told cultural departments nationwide to exercise greater control over the many shop signs featuring only foreign languages, or signs where Vietnamese is not the focus. Shops that have only or predominantly foreign-language signs will face fines up between VND1 – 5 million.
Music & Arts
Have you ever been in front of a painting, a photograph, a video installation or any other form of artistic creation, for that matter, and asked yourself “What was the artist/author thinking?”, “What is he trying to say?”?
Saigon
Before the age of motorbikes, Saigon's streets were characterized by ox-drawn carts and horse-drawn carriages. And, just like motorbikes, everyday wear and tear would take their toll, requiering small repairs here and there to keep them going. Who would play the role of hero when your carriage broke down?
Roundups
- Banks warned not to hide debt [VNS] - Tears at Smile restaurant [VietnamNet Bridge] - Many famous discotheques in Saigon raided [VietnamNet Bridge]
Development
Da Lat, once a sleepy French vacation town, full of ornate villas and majestic pine forests, is in danger of losing what charm still remains. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the city’s pine trees are disappearing at an alarming rate and now, according to Thanh Nien , its colonial villas are facing a similar fate.
