No More Alcohol
If there is one thing that makes me distinctively not Vietnamese, that would be my poor drinking abilities. Drinking is almost an integral…
Category: Memory
Corruption in Hospitals
One of the news stories I’ve been paying attention to recently is the embezzlement and corruption case in Bạch Mai hospital. I’m particularly…
Publishing My Own Book
It’s still a bit surreal to think about, but I actually have a book published under my own name. And I didn’t pay…
Haircut and Streetside Barbers
So much of life in Hanoi takes place in the street: people drink tea, exercise, cook, eat, play, and of course, get their…
Eating Meat and Going Vegetarian
I’ve been on a semi-vegetarian diet for almost a month now. It’s not exactly vegetarian, but more of a “pescatarian” diet — as…
Unattended Dog Poop
One of my biggest pet peeves has always been irresponsible dog owners who casually let their dog drop a pile of steaming shit…
The Park of Broken Promises
In the early 2000s, it was announced that a water park would be built inside Tuổi Trẻ park, right next to my house….
7 Lessons From Arm Wrestling
Over the past 13 months, I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to the sport of arm wrestling. I have managed…
Always Drive Defensively
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the concept of “defensive driving“. That is, when on the road, always be ready…
Interstellar: Man Tears
I’d like to consider myself a tough guy. I practise stoicism and don’t get emotional very often. A truly poignant work of art…