Typhoon Ketsana

Geoffrey Cain — Special to GlobalPost October 3, 2009 12:32 ET

Vietnam in the aftermath of Ketsana

Relief efforts are improving in central Vietnam, which has long been afflicted by catastrophic floods.

By Geoffrey Cain — Special to GlobalPost
Published: October 4, 2009 08:11 ET

DANANG, Vietnam — "Attention passengers. This is your captain speaking. We’re starting our descent into Danang, with heavy winds and rain. Things could get bumpy. As always, we thank you for flying with us."

Oops! They forgot to mention we’re landing in a typhoon. Of course, the news was spreading since we took off, but the cabin crew managed to feign...

Recent on Vietnam:

Silicon Sweatshops: A promising model

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 18, 2009 06:54 ET

There's no easy way to police supply chains in Asia. But one US high-tech firm and its Taiwan supplier are taking a creative approach that might just work.

Special report: Silicon Sweatshops

Jonathan Adams and Kathleen E. McLaughlin - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:05 ET

Despite strict "codes of conduct," labor rights violations are the norm at factories making the world's favorite high-tech gadgets.

What do you think about Silicon Sweatshops?

News Desk - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 15:04 ET

Are high-tech supply chains in Asia good business or exploitation? You decide.

Silicon Sweatshops: Shattered dreams

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:24 ET

Migrant workers making gadgets at Taiwan's high-tech parks sign deals that make them modern-day indentured servants.

Silicon Sweatshops: The China connection

Kathleen E. McLaughlin and Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

For migrant workers, an electronics factory job can be a ticket into China's booming middle class. But for many, it turns into a nightmare of poor working conditions and indifferent bosses.

Silicon Sweatshops: Disposable workforce

Jonathan Adams - China and its neighbors - November 17, 2009 07:22 ET

Laid-off Taiwanese workers accuse their firm of violating industry codes even when times were good.

A World of Trouble: Is the nightmare over?

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - October 14, 2009 13:35 ET

With signs of economic recovery finally emerging, here's where things stand in 20 countries around the world.

Clean burning stoves in Vietnam

Matt Steinglass - Vietnam - October 3, 2009 11:05 ET

News analysis: Malaysian model drinks beer, asks to be caned

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - August 24, 2009 06:25 ET

The wacky story of the week comes from, where else, Asia?

Meet the economic gangsters

Mark Scheffler - Commerce - August 12, 2009 09:03 ET

Economic gangsters come in all shapes and sizes — they're Asian dictators and Somali pirates.

Fears of a nuclear Burma

Patrick Winn - Thailand - July 22, 2009 12:15 ET

The evidence, the conspirators and one "very concerned" Hillary Clinton

Kerry: "We are going to take a hard look at Afghanistan"

John Aloysius Farrell - Diplomacy - July 10, 2009 14:21 ET

In an interview, Sen. John F. Kerry recalls his appearance at Vietnam hearings and says he will hold them on Afghanistan.

Hydropower projects drying up central Vietnam's water supplies

VietNamNet - Vietnam - July 6, 2009 13:41 ET

VietNamNet Bridge reports on the environmental consequences of a rapid build-up.

The biggest cave in the world

VietNamNet - Vietnam - July 6, 2009 13:33 ET

VietNamNet Bridge reports on what some subterranean scientists are calling "the find of the century."

All-electric, all-Texas

Matt Steinglass - Vietnam - June 22, 2009 07:25 ET

Video: How a high-tech electric engine from the Lone Star State could change the face of Vietnam.

Footloose in Hanoi

Matt Steinglass - Vietnam - June 21, 2009 09:41 ET

Faced with a rise in drugs and prostitution, Vietnam bans .... dancing?

A World of Trouble, the sequel

Thomas Mucha - Commerce - June 15, 2009 06:40 ET

Special Report: It's still ugly out there.

VietNamNet: Help wanted?

VietNamNet - Vietnam - May 13, 2009 08:30 ET

Recruitment leaflets seeking workers are appearing in Ho Chi Minh City.

Crisis puts migrant workers in a bind

Bruce I. Konviser - Czech Republic - April 22, 2009 11:39 ET

Some Vietnamese paid so much to get to Prague, it's impossible for them to return home.

Global Blogs:

Carelessness in construction in Vietnam

Mel Schenck - Vietnam - November 21, 2009 01:16 ET

The following article  on 20 November 2009 from Thanh Nien News Online (English version) tells an unfortunately common story about construction mishaps in Vietnam: Quang Ninh resident dies in...

Even More Photos

orangwutang orangwutang - Vietnam - November 20, 2009 22:06 ET

We’ve picked out 55 or so photos for our wedding album and uploaded them. Here’s a link to the web album: Album They haven’t been cropped our edited, etc., yet – these are just the raw images. We’re pretty happy with the way they came out and...

Parking Your Motorcycle In Ho Chi Minh City - Electronic Cards

Living In Saigon Vietnam author - Vietnam - November 21, 2009 00:46 ET

I went downtown yesterday for the first time in over a month. Things change so fast here in Ho Chi Minh City- you blink and there are new buildings everywhere.Tax Center has something new since the...

One week in Saigon

SAIGONNEZUMI SAIGONNEZUMI - Vietnam - November 16, 2009 09:09 ET

Hard to believe it has been one week since I last posted.  The last week has a lot of meaning for me. The US Marine Corp’s birthday was on Nov. 10th followed by Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11th) and the day I entered Marine Corps boot camp (Nov. 13th).  Do not forget, I...

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