In April 2010, thousands of Vietnamese Nike factory workers went on strike due to poor working conditions and low wages. A few workers stated that the 4000 Dong ($.21) meals were not sufficient or healthy enough to sustain productive work. Even after a 5% increase in wages, workers were still unhappy. During these tough economic conditions, strikes like these seem to be a … [Read more...] about Nike Factory in Vietnam: Source of Jobs or Evil Sweat Shop?
Plays + Coffee = Dream Come True
What's one thing that HCMC has that SF doesn't? Drama Cafes. Cafes are no longer just study spots with caffeine and soothing music. In Vietnam, they are transforming into destinations for the purpose of bringing art and theater to everyday people. Painting exhibitions, live music, films, and lectures have been popular in the past, but now, skits and plays are … [Read more...] about Plays + Coffee = Dream Come True
The Áo Dài Gets a Makeover
Isabella and Neil previously wrote about the beauty of the traditional Áo Dài. In the past few years, this traditional Vietnamese dress has received a face lift. With a new culture of Vietnamese Hyphenates, the fusion of modern fashion and traditional garb has resulted in a new Áo Dài, made over with an East meets West sensibility. The evolution of the Áo Dài in America shows … [Read more...] about The Áo Dài Gets a Makeover
SOMETHING SOMETHING with Jennie Le – Episode 2
Cats and coffee, rice rice rice, pageant beauty queens! This episode is packed with more fun and frenzy with hot topics, Vietnamese news, and of course, the grandma saying of the day! Check out the latest episode of "Something Something with Jennie Le." Love it? SHARE it! Got something you want to see me talk about on Something Something? Send mail to … [Read more...] about SOMETHING SOMETHING with Jennie Le – Episode 2
The Curse of the Asian Glow
Hello, my name is Jennie Le, and I suffer from acetaldehyde accumulation caused by a missense polymorphism that encodes the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2).1 Essentially, my body does not have the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, resulting in an allergic reaction to alcoholic beverages. Due to this condition known as alcohol flush reaction, which some of you may … [Read more...] about The Curse of the Asian Glow