Shiny new syntax in three easy steps.

By default Ubuntu comes with the tiny version of VIM (Vi Improved).
First you’ll need to get the regular version.

1. Install
apt-get install vim
2. Open a file for editing
vim filename
3. Turn on syntax highlighting -or-
Press ESC :syntax on ENTER
3. Edit the config file to always do syntax highlighting
As root type: vim /etc/vim/vimrc and find and uncomment the line that says "syntax on"