Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street

In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story

Water has no hometown.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis

There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.

in Hanoi

Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi

I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.

in Vietnam

In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions

The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam had enjoyed no such air-conditioned, traffic-immune method of transportation.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Hanoi Traffic Solution Contest: Japan-Vietnam Team Clinches 2nd Prize, No 1st Prize Awarded

Remember Hanoi’s traffic congestion puzzle-solving competition?

in Vietnam

Vietnam Should Establish Red-Light Districts in Special Economic Zones: Lawmaker

A member of Vietnam's National Assembly has suggested that the country should consider legalizing prostitution in special economic zones.

in Vietnam

Controversial Tax Increase on Hold as Gov't Sets Its Sights on High Economic Growth

Vietnam's central government has ordered the Ministry of Finance to put the brakes on a series of controversial tax hikes.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Copyright Watchdog to Start Charging Local Hotels From October

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam’s copyright watchdog to start charging local hotels from October [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Kong Director Hospitalized After Alleged Bar Fight in Saigon

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Kong director hospitalized after alleged bar fight in Saigon: reports [VnExpress] ...

in Saigon

Saigon Suspends Bus Rapid Transit Plan Over High Costs, Low Ridership Estimates

After years of planning, Saigon’s BRT system was recently scrapped by the municipal administration.

in Vietnam

US Offers $24m for Elephant Conservation in Central Vietnam

The United States has pledged US$24 million to an effort to conserve some of Vietnam's last remaining wild elephants in Quang Nam province.

in Saigon

Fast-Fashion Furor at H&M Saigon Launch Sees 10,000 People Show up

Brace yourselves: Saigon’s fast-fashion fans are here.

in Vietnam

Global Survey Names Vietnam Most Affordable Country for Expats

Vietnam has been named the most affordable country in the world for expats in a recent survey.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Hanoi to Axe More Trees to Make Room for Metro

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. More trees face chop for Hanoi metro [DTI] Vietnam Airlines retains four-star stat...

in Saigon

Vietnam PM Supports Plan to Give Saigon More Policy Autonomy

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to a proposal which would give Saigon more leeway to set policies separate from the central government, though details of the plan remain vague.

in Vietnam

Da Nang Park to Shutter Zoo Section Over Poor Conditions, Attendance

The management of a park in Da Nang is seeking permission from local authorities to close a zoo on the park’s grounds due to a scarcity of animals.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Traffic Cops Collect Unofficial Fines From Commuters Near HCMC Airport

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Traffic cops collect unofficial fines from commuters near Ho Chi Minh City airport [Tuo...

in Vietnam

GrabShare Might Return to Saigon for a 1 Year Trial: Authorities

In Saigon, GrabShare might make a comeback later in the year.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Microsoft, Bosch Replace Local CEOs With Foreigners in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Microsoft, Bosch replace local CEOs with foreigners in Vietnam [VnExpress] Rough G...

in Asia

Japan is Running Out of Samurai, Ninja Due to Tourism Boom

Japan is being challenged by an unexpected shortage of both samurai and ninja, and this is not a joke.

in Vietnam

Can Tho Releases New Code of Conduct Banning Jeans, T-Shirts at Government Offices

Can Tho’s civil servants will have to leave their Levi’s at home from now on.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Tech Outfit Bkav Invests $22m in Smartphone

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese engineers aspire to make strides in farming technology [Tuoi Tre] Bkav ...

in Saigon

New Made-in-Vietnam Vessel to Begin Downtown-Can Gio Service Next Month

A boat built in Hai Phong province will begin a river bus service between Saigon and Can Gio in the near future.

in Asia

China Surpasses US, EU to Become World's Largest Solar Power Producer

China has jumped ahead of both the US and Europe in the solar energy field, having reached and then surpassed its 2020 solar power target three years ahead of schedule.