CNA938 Rewind - Tech Talk: The Nintendo Switch 2 - Next-Gen or just Next?
CNA938 Rewind
Nintendo's long-awaited follow-up has finally docked in Singapore, and we've got someone who's put it through its paces. Is it just a shinier screen and faster chip, or has Nintendo truly levelled up? Daniel Martin speaks with Aloysius Low, Co-Founder and Editor of gadget review site Can Buy or Not.
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CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Must-see sights, street food tours and fine dining: How to spend 72 hours in Da Nang, Vietnam
The late, great chef, traveller and raconteur Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnam like few other destinations. He filmed eight programmes there and memorably said of the country: 'Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn't let go. Once you love it, you love it forever.' It's impossible to disagree with his much-missed wisdom and a 72-hour hop to the central coastal city of Da Nang, the country's third largest just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Singapore, showcases how Vietnam blends food, culture, landscapes and history to such dazzling effect. WHERE TO STAY During the Vietnam War – or the American War, as locals understandably call it – Son Tra Mountain was known as Monkey Mountain thanks to residents including red-shanked douc langurs. Today these beautiful primates, who look like they're wearing knee-high red socks, enjoy the peaceful surrounds of their mountainside nature reserve that is also home to one of southeast Asia's most spectacular resorts, Intercontinental DaNang Sun Peninsula Resort. It's the only resort in Vietnam with its own funicular tram. The Nam Tram lets guests glide effortlessly from the perfect curving arc of a private beach up to the elegant, expansive main building with all the hallmarks of starchitect Bill Bensley's quirky design motifs blending Vietnamese and French colonial era influences. If the resort has shades of the most recent series of White Lotus, that's because Bensley also designed the hillside Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which features in the show, along very similar lines. Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea are the four levels across 39 hectares, home to 189 expansive rooms, villas and suites with gorgeous sea views and colourful interiors. There are several large infinity pools, including one which is adults-only, a sublime spa, nature walks and other experiences to keep guests of all ages entertained. STREET FOOD A brilliant way to get a real feel for Da Nang comes with a small group guided food tour led by bilingual young Vietnamese who are thrilled to share their region's dishes with international visitors. The excellent Helen from @danangcuisine led ours, taking us to four spots serving up local classics, starting with the iconic Da Nang noodle dish, mi quang. The genius comes in the layers of textures and flavours as fresh greens, banana blossom, herbs, rice noodles and shrimp all vie for your palate's attention in a slow-boiled broth made of pork, beef, fish and chicken bones, finished with turmeric. You're not done yet, however, as a squeeze of lime for acidity, the optional zing of coriander and crunchy peanuts and rice crackers complete the sensory journey. Banh xeo was the other standout in the two-and-a-half-hour tour, enjoyed at what many consider the city's best, Banh Xeo Ba Duong. Savoury crispy pancakes – the Vietnamese name comes from the sizzle or "xeo" as they cook – are layered in rice paper with options including smoky grilled pork skewers and fresh herbs. Then dunk them in an addictive brown sauce made from pig liver, peanuts, chili, garlic, shrimp paste and more. There are, naturally, countless other places to choose from for local dishes at scarcely believable prices, so the tried and trusted mantra of simply looking where there are plenty of customers invariably does the trick. EXPERIENCES AND EXCURSIONS Da Nang is a large port city with an impressive tree lined boulevard along its substantial main beach, My Khe, which offers dozens of places to kick back, chill, or eat and drink. As with so many destinations, simply getting lost amongst the maze of streets is a huge draw, watching daily life and the quirks of local culture play out. Dragon Bridge in the centre of the city is unmissable, especially when illuminated at night, and also allows for a visit to Son Tra Da Nang Night Market which features street food and trinket vendors. Another bridge, Golden Bridge, has also become a hugely popular draw, thanks to a 500m span seemingly held aloft by two vast stone hands. Sitting west of Da Nang, it's a slightly surreal experience as it lies within an amusement park called Ba Na Hills which also features the world's longest cable car, amongst many other attractions. Above all, no visit to Da Nang is complete without heading 35 minutes down the coast to the ancient merchant town of Hoi An. It's rightly one of central Vietnam's most iconic sights and well worth a day of your time to explore its beguiling lantern-filled laneways, waterways, seventeenth century Japanese bridge, pagodas and French colonial mansions. SHOPPING Hoi An is where you'll want to indulge in retail therapy as it's especially well known for dozens of tailors offering off-the-rail or bespoke garments which are usually turned around and ready to pick up in less than 24 hours. They're happy to make copies of your favourite designs, or let you craft your own from seemingly endless swathes of materials. I avoided the main tourist heart of Hoi An, instead choosing a random shop called Simon the Tailor a couple of doors down from one of the town's most famous banh mi vendors, The Banh Mi Queen. The young team helped me choose a cut, fabric and finishes, and less than 24 hours later I had a beautifully tailored blazer delivered to my hotel, all for under US$70 (S$90). Galleries also abound, offering works of vastly differing quality, but there's sure to be something for every taste and price point. Lanterns and lights are another very popular draw, while for foodies a jar of Tuong Ot sticky chilli jam, unique to Hoi An, is a must. It's the perfect addition to the beloved local noodle dish, cao lau, of smoky pork and noodles, fresh herbs and bean sprouts. FINE DINING Dining in Vietnam simply doesn't get any finer than at the one-starred Maison 1888 at Intercontinental DaNang Sun Peninsula Resort. That's the case now more than ever as culinary legend Christian le Squer, from the three Michelin-starred Le Cinq in Paris, oversees the tasting menus which are beautifully crafted by Chef Florian Stein and his team. Stunning French dishes with Vietnamese accents included Japanese turbot cooked in brown butter, with grated pear. Gnocchi with saffron, black olives and basil broth was also sublime, especially paired with a Laurent Perrier Grande Cuvee from one of the country's finest wine cellars, awarded by Wine Spectator and led by a seriously impressive young Vietnamese sommelier, Toan Nguyen. Other high-end dining options include classic French with a seafood emphasis at Cabanon Palace, Cantonese at The Golden Dragon and Italian with Vietnamese twists at Si Dining. Then for those seeking Japanese, the brand new Tingara from Japanese chef Junichi Yoshida features a circular dining space overlooking the ocean, home to flawless teppanyaki and sushi omakase, paired with an enviable sake collection. GENERAL ADVICE Da Nang's climate ranges from a low of around 18 degrees Celsius in January to highs of 35 degrees Celsius in the peak of a sweltering summer. The dry season runs from January to August, while the wet season extends from September to December, with heaviest rainfall typically in October and November. Getting around is easiest via Grab which offers very reasonable fares, but if you're feeling more adventurous, rent a moped from a reputable company – and ensure you have good insurance.
CNA
18 hours ago
- CNA
In 2018, I lost my IT job and thought I'd never be in tech again. Now I teach AI to students and adult learners
In late 2018, I was the head of IT in a firm I had dedicated many years of my life to. One afternoon, I was called into a meeting, handed an envelope, and told that my role had been made redundant. Just like that, 18 years of hard work, late nights and quiet sacrifices went up in smoke. The first thing I did was call my wife. She didn't say much, just 'Come home first. We'll figure it out.' Her words grounded me in that moment. Because truthfully, my mind was completely blank – I had no idea what to do next. For the next three years, I felt like I was floating. Life became a meaningless blur of job applications sent into the void, polite rejections, and radio silence. With bills to pay, I became a Grab driver. It was honest work, and I came to appreciate the structure of the routine and the small human moments in picking up a sleepy executive at 6am or chatting with retirees on the way to the clinic. And then COVID-19 hit. Almost overnight, the roads emptied. My bookings dropped to a trickle; sometimes I'd wait 40 minutes for a single ride. I drove 10-12 hours each day and barely made enough to cover petrol, let alone meals, utilities, and my family's other needs. Still, every single dollar mattered. Behind the wheel, I fought not just physical exhaustion , but doubt. How long could I keep going like this? I carried my burdens with clenched teeth and silent prayers, but they only seemed to be growing heavier each day. For three years, I was running on empty both physically and emotionally. I asked myself over and over: 'Yatim, is this what you have become?' CHOOSING TO BELIEVE One night, tired from hours of driving with little reward, I came across the SGUnited Skills programme on my phone. My gaze caught on a course on smart factory and data engineering at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). The course description was peppered with words like 'Internet of Things' (or IoT), 'automation systems' and 'data integration' – all topics that had been mere emerging buzzwords when I was last working in IT. In that moment, I had a painful realisation: I had spent nearly two decades in tech, leading teams and building solutions that once felt cutting-edge – but all those years of experience meant little the moment I stopped learning. I had let my industry move on without me. I had become outdated. Obsolete. I missed the spark I once had. I missed feeling relevant and having something to offer. A small flame of faith fanned within me: Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe I still had it in me to grow. With a deep, trembling breath, I clicked 'enrol'. FINDING PURPOSE AGAIN Relearning at nearly 50 wasn't easy. I had to set aside my age and industry experience and return to the basics – not just in skills, but in confidence. But I was pleased to discover that SIT's eight-month course was structured thoughtfully to help all kinds of learners not just acquire technical knowledge and skills, but also apply them meaningfully. Through hands-on projects in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, I began seeing how today's digital economy has evolved to create a need for different types of expertise. The teaching staff at SIT were experts but also patient, passionate mentors who believed in every learner's potential. With their encouragement and support, for the first time in years, I felt it was okay to ask questions, stumble and start over. The course didn't just deliver education; it delivered a renewed sense of purpose for me. RESKILLING ISN'T JUST ABOUT ME People often talk about reskilling or upskilling as a journey of personal growth. For me, it was never just personal. Through my years of redundancy, my wife held our household together with quiet strength, taking care of our five children while I was out driving long hours or buried in assignments. When I first enrolled in SIT, my kids – the youngest of whom was just six years old – didn't understand why Dad was suddenly home all the time. But once we explained I was 'back in school', they never failed to ask me at the end of each day: 'Daddy, how was class!' Truth be told, there were many moments where I wanted to quit. Moments where I felt too old, too slow – unsure if I could keep up. But on those doubtful, defeated nights, my wife would gently remind me why I started. We had many honest conversations about expenses, sacrifices, and the kind of example I wanted to set for our children. I knew that I wasn't just rebuilding myself. We were, as a family, rebuilding what our life could look like together. FROM LEARNING TO TEACHING When I started the SIT course, I wasn't sure where it would lead. But over time, I found myself thinking often about my past experiences mentoring younger colleagues as a department head, or hearing passengers' personal stories as a private-hire driver. I began to see that the true value in my reskilling journey was no longer about gaining knowledge. If I was serious about re-entering the tech field, I had to find a new path – one centred on connecting with and investing in people. Upon graduating, I started consulting to regain my footing in an industry that had changed so much. I had to rebuild my confidence in my abilities to both solve problems and work in tandem with others. Soon, though, I realised that it wasn't enough for me to grow. I wanted to help others grow, too. Eventually, I found myself back in the classroom, this time as an educator at a private Institute of Higher Learning. My first day in the job, standing before my first class was a profound moment for me. I used to think of AI and IoT as things that were out of my reach – now I was educating others on them. I had rebuilt myself – now I was helping others do the same. TO FALL IS HUMAN If you're feeling stuck, unsure or afraid right now, I want you to know that it's okay to fall. We all do – that's just life. What matters is what you do after the fall. Saying yes to re-education wasn't easy. It was uncomfortable, humbling and exhausting. But on our hardest days, there's a quiet strength that only comes from knowing someone who loves you is waiting for you at the end. My family's belief in me was strong and steadfast – and that made all the difference. Our true value as human beings is not in our title or pay cheque. We can always learn new ways to grow and contribute. And sometimes, the very thing that knocks you down can become the push you need to stand taller than you ever did before. Yatim Ghani is an adjunct lecturer in IoT and AI, as well as an advocate for mid-career upskilling and digital resilience.
CNA
18 hours ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Flying high as Sports Boy of the Year 2025 — Kai Minejima-Lee
CNA938 Rewind Play 15 mins At just 15, he became the youngest World Cup champion in the sport, with 16 medals to his name — 10 of them gold. He's been named Sports Boy of the Year 2025, following a historic season in indoor skydiving. Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak with competitive indoor skydiver, Kai Minejima-Lee. CNA938 Rewind - Flying high as Sports Boy of the Year 2025 — Kai Minejima-Lee At just 15, he became the youngest World Cup champion in the sport, with 16 medals to his name — 10 of them gold. He's been named Sports Boy of the Year 2025, following a historic season in indoor skydiving. Daniel Martin and Justine Moss speak with competitive indoor skydiver, Kai Minejima-Lee. 15 mins CNA938 Rewind - Tech Talk: The Nintendo Switch 2 - Next-Gen or just Next? Nintendo's long-awaited follow-up has finally docked in Singapore, and we've got someone who's put it through its paces. Is it just a shinier screen and faster chip, or has Nintendo truly levelled up? Daniel Martin speaks with Aloysius Low, Co-Founder and Editor of gadget review site Can Buy or Not. 19 mins CNA938 Rewind - A new business hub for Bishan: will more towns follow this LIVE-WORK-PLAY model? Plans to develop Bishan into a new business hub could see the introduction of around 200,000 sqm of new office space to the area. This will match the scale of that in Paya Lebar Central. Are we going to see more towns adopt the live-work-play model? Daniel Martin and Justine Moss discuss with Provost's Chair Professor at the Department of Real Estate, NUS Business School, Sing Tien Foo. 17 mins CNA938 Rewind - Beyond the map a journey through Arunachal Pradesh In Destination Anywhere, show producer Vaisali Prabhakaran speaks with Divyakshi Gupta, travel storyteller and creator of Quirky Wanderer, about her 12-day journey through Arunachal Pradesh, one of India's most remote and mountainous states. From cloud-shrouded monasteries and centuries-old iron bridges to traditional paper-making and home-cooked meals in hidden valleys, Divyakshi shares what it's like to experience this little-known corner of the Eastern Himalayas. 18 mins
