Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Vietnam's plugged-in generation: Internet boom creates 'Little Silicon Valley' -

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Vietnam's plugged-in generation: Internet boom creates 'Little Silicon Valley' -

HO CHI MINH CITY - The group of shaggy-haired Vietnamese-Americans huddle on stools over baguette sandwiches and fruit sodas at Highlands Coffee, a popular expatriate hangout.
What could pass for a Southeast Asian version of spring break is actually Vietnam 2.0. They've brought along laptops and business cards, and engage in banter that bounces between an upcoming party to the latest Facebook software iteration.
"We are trying to create a little Silicon Valley here," said Don Phan. He left Campbell a few months ago to set up his own Internet applications R&D center for his company, TechFos, which operates out of his alley-apartment. "I tell my guys they can wear flip-flops and work remotely - the things we do in Silicon Valley."
These techies are the latest wave of brainy-cool geeks to hit this developing country - the first came to set up software outsourcing companies a few years earlier. They are drawn to Vietnam's newly plugged-in generation.
Investors and Internet giants eBay, Yahoo and even Google are taking notice of Asia's latest Internet boom. Some 20 million Vietnamese are now online - up from 500,000 eight years ago. IDG Ventures predicts as many as 36 million Vietnamese will be using the Internet in less than two years. Next year, Vietnam will begin to roll out WiMax, so DSL-quality Internet experience will increasingly be available across the country

more info-->>>Vietnam's plugged-in generation: Internet boom creates 'Little Silicon Valley' - San Jose Mercury News

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.