Details: Published on 21 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

You might have come across Doan Thanh Tung if you’ve ever taken a stroll on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street at night. Just look for a lithe guy in his late 20s doing amazing tricks with a football using his entire body.

Saigoneer's Weekend Event Picks

Details: Published on 20 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our favorite events happening around Saigon.

From the Underground: DJ Nina Nova and the Rise of Saigon's Techno Scene

Details: Published on 20 April 2018; Written by Luca Powell. Top photo courtesy of Nina Nova.

The rising star delves into her love of techno, industry double standards and Saigon’s growing underground scene.

Hẻm Gems: Refreshing Đá Me and a Touch of Pre-1975 Tunes at 81 Cafe

Details: Published on 20 April 2018; Written by Thi Nguyen. Photos by Kevin Lee.

Given the city’s hot weather, cold drinks are Saigon's very own specialty. While cà phê sữa đá and trà đá are timeless staples, in recent years we have also witnessed the rise of milk tea shops in almost every corner of the city. These drinks provide that jolt of caffeine one needs to start or get through the day, finishing with a pleasant taste. On the non-caffeine end of the spectrum, Saigon's menu of fruit- and vegetable-based drinks is as diverse as the list of possible ingredients.

Editor's note: As of 2019, 81 Cafe has moved to 28 Nguyen Huu Cau, Tan Dinh Ward, D1.

Vietnam Should Extend Visa Exemptions to Australia, Canada, Among Others: Tourism Association

Details: Published on 20 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

To increase tourism, the HCMC Tourism Association has proposed visitors from more nations be allowed to enter the country without a visa.

Morning News Roundup: Large-Scale Fire Inspection to Take Place in Downtown HCMC

Details: Published on 20 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Kevin Lee.

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▪ Vietnam-Myanmar relations will grow further: ambassador [SGGP]

▪ Large-scale fire inspection to take place in downtown Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre]

Ladies Night @ Lush

Details: Published on 19 April 2018; Written by Vu

It was another jam packed house at Lush for Saigon's hottest Ladies Night!

Months After Typhoon Damrey Struck, Coastal Villages Still Struggle to Find Their Footing

Details: Published on 19 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

About six months ago, Typhoon Damrey leveled the district of Nam Tra My.

Saigon Puts City Hall Expansion Design up for Public Feedback

Details: Published on 19 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

Saigon's city planners have displayed a design for an extension to the city's iconic People's Committee building for public feedback.

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Stock Market Posts Highest Gain in Asia

Details: Published on 19 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Kevin Lee.

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▪ Hanoi breaks into top global destinations on TripAdvisor list [VnExpress]

▪ Vietnam’s stock market posts highest gain in Asia [VnExpress]

Inside the 170-Year-Old Homestead of Vuong Hong Sen, Vietnam's Famed Historian

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Khanh Tran. Photos by Kevin Lee.

This noble house is one of Saigon's dormant treasures. Dating back to 1848, it once hosted a notable Saigoneer, Vuong Hong Sen, and his family now calls it home. The lives of its current inhabitants is a parable of the vicissitudes of life.

[Video] Japanese Competitive Eater Visits Vietnam, Eats 15 Bánh Xèo in One Sitting

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

Yuka Kinoshita loves a good food challenge.

Opinion: The Surreal Rise of Vietnam's Gated Communities

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Alex Sinclair-Lack. Photos by Alex Sinclair-Lack.

Vietnam is shifting from the old world to the new. As socialism yields to capitalism, waves of foreign investment are reshaping both the nation’s values and its landscapes. In rural areas, these winds of change are just a breeze, but in strange microcosms across the country, they’re hurricanes. Gated cities are springing up across Vietnam. Exploring them gives a taste of what the nation could become if it does not take steps to preserve its character. They are presented as examples of modernism and grandeur but lack any reflection of Vietnam’s rich culture.

[Photos] This Brick 'Cave House' in Hanoi Is a Blast From the Past

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

The breathable home uses a double layer of recycled bricks to protect against the wind and sun while incorporating green elements and natural light.

Dak Nong Factory Caught Using Battery Powder to Dye Cheap Coffee Grounds

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer.

Prepare to be extremely grossed out.

Morning Links Roundup: Vietnam's Middle Class Population Increases by 1.5m Each Year

Details: Published on 18 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Kevin Lee.

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▪ 1.5 million Vietnamese join middle class each year [VietnamNet]

▪ High logistical costs place huge burden on Vietnamese businesses [Tuoi Tre]

The Unsolved Riddle Behind Cô Mía, Vietnam's Sugarcane Juice Muse

Details: Published on 17 April 2018; Written by Khôi Phạm. Illustration by Hannah Hoàng.

“Oh this drawing?” chị Liên shouted in Vietnamese over the juicer’s raucous purring. “I don’t know who she is. Isn’t it just an advertisement?”

Vietnam Wants to Limit Alcohol Sale Hours to Combat Social, Health Issues

Details: Published on 17 April 2018; Written by Saigoneer. Photo by Brandon Coleman.

The plan is the latest in an effort to address issues arising from late-night drinking.

[Photos] A Day in the Life of Saigon's Apartment Dwellers

Details: Published on 17 April 2018; Written by Anh Mat. Photos by Anh Mat.

When I arrived here ten years ago, I lived in the Eden Building, until it was destroyed to put in yet another shopping mall. Escalators and lifts in this mall are at a standstill. The corridors are now inhabited by a receptionist who no longer welcomes anyone. Cleaners are busy cleaning already-clean tiles, while guards stand ready to open the door for a customer who never comes.