Stuff I've picked up on in the past few weeks that I thought was interesting but of course it's up to you to decide. Please comment one way or the other.
Here goes:
Made an interesting find when I was exploring a little alley that takes of from beside Baskin Robbins on Lee Loi Street. Wondering down the small alley I found it opened up to reveal a newish hotel named the Little Saigon Hotel.
5:00 am heading across town to catch an early morning bus down to the Mekong and see bunches of Vietnamese playing badminton and exercising under the street lights.
The other day I watch a motor bike delivery guy pull up on a Honda dream scooter with 12 cases of beer on board.
Made note of US defense spending of 633 billion dollars, probably old news but I think, don't you, that it's worth repeating. Especially, as the US government attempts to slash more social programs to balance the budget.
With regard to government spending - China just opened a new high speed train line, 2,300 KM long (1,429 miles) running at an average speed of 300 KM hour (186 miles per hour). Adding to its existing high speed rail network of 9,300 KM (5,779 miles) since the start of construction in 2007. The total train line is expected to be in operation in 2020 with 50,000 KM (31,000 miles) operational. Oh ya, but do they have Amtrak or a proposed high speed link between Northern and Southern California.
On life and living from the Vietnamese government via the "Vietnam News"
On tourists - "Every month I am informed 6 or 7 tourists are stolen on domestic and in-bound tours"
What is destroying the housing market in Saigon - "Investors cannot sell cheaply because their costs are high". Now isn't that the truth.
About the pot holes and depressions in a new 50 Km (31 miles) highway
This was a six year project and the explanation goes "the highway suffers from pot holes and depressions caused by the rush to finish on time."
On the quality of life in Saigon - The quality of life is down due to Social evils, red tape and environmental issues. All so it was added that 58 % of the residents have an income in the range of 2 - 3 million dong a month ($95-140.00 us). Workers are between the ages of 18 - 40 and normally, at 40 are dismissed from their job because they are worn out and in bad health. With no social services and probably no savings I can see where this might darken a person’s mood as you looked toward the future.
On Blogging in Vietnam - The founder of the Freelance Journalist club web site and blogger Nguyen Van Hai (60) was resenteced to 10 years in prison and on release 3-5 years of probation. Along with Mrs.Ta Phong Tan(42) who drew a 10 year term with also 3 - 5 year probation on his release. Also Phan Thanh Hai (42) was sentenced to 4 years. There sentencing was based on Clause 2, article 88 of the 1999 criminal code - conducting propaganda against the state - per the Vietnamese government.
That's all I've got for today.
Doug
