Saigon's Next Top 5 Congested Streets Are Announced. Here Are the Winners.
Local streets are buckling under the pressure of Saigon's ever-increasing population density, here are the city's most frequently jammed roads, according to the municipal Department of Transportation....
Paul Christiansen in Food Culture
Into the Beguiling Backyard Rice Wine Distilleries of Long An
The highway eases into sand and gravel the way history descends into myth and legend when traveling towards Long An. A mere 27 kilometers outside of Saigon, the province feels a world away: the differ...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: While the Day Away Under the Green Canopy of Cỏ Cafe
Under a thick canopy of verdant vines and minuscule pink flowers, it’s easy to indulge in the cooling comfort of a glass of iced tamarind juice and while the day away.
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
An Ode to Saigon’s Chò Nâu Trees
It’s too cold for chò nâu to grow where I’m from, but we still gave it an English name: dipterocarp.
Vietnam Consumer Protection Watchdog Asks Grab to Explain New 'Hot Weather' Fee
A “hot weather” fee is Grab’s latest surcharge on a shopping list of other additional fees the ride-hailing giant tacks on to each ride.
Bars, Cinemas, Ride-Hailing Return to Saigon in Low-Risk Districts
Many previously suspended activities are allowed again in Saigon depending on their district’s COVID-19 risk assessment.
Vietnam Pushes for Mutual Recognition of 'Vaccine Passports' With Some Nations
Vaccine passports may soon become part of a “new normal” as more Vietnamese are getting their two shots.
Air Pollution is Robbing Hanoians of Roughly 80,000 Years of Life
Due to PM2.5 exposure, Hanoi has suffered 2,855 premature deaths, accumulating to 79,933 years of life lost.
Hanoi to Spend VND500bn in New Plan to Renovate Old Apartment Buildings
Between 2021 and 2025, Hanoi plans to spend VND500 billion (US$28.1 million) on inspecting and assessing the quality of old apartment buildings in the city.
Hanoi Aims to Reach $12,000 in Average Income in Next Decade
Hanoi is aiming to double the city’s per capita income in the next 10 years by leaning on the encouraging economic growth rates of recent years.
Hanoi to Enforce Social Distance at Cafes, Restaurants From August 19
Beginning Wednesday, August 19 at 12am, all patrons at cafes and restaurants in Hanoi must be one meter apart from one another and staff must wear masks.
Saigon Approves Plan to Charge Cars Fee to Enter Downtown
To improve downtown Saigon’s traffic situation, city authorities are planning to boost public transportation while imposing more hurdles on private vehicles entering the area.
Hanoi to Deploy Water Trucks to Keep Dust, Summer Heat at Bay
Hanoi authorities are planning to re-deploy water trucks to city streets to keep dust and heat at bay in the sweltering summer months.
The Week in Focus: Social Distancing Regulations Eased Off
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From April, Cars for Ride-Hailing Apps Might Be Required to Install Taxi Signs
In 2016, a pilot for the application of science and technology to support transport management on a contractual basis was issued, allowing ride-hailing services such as Grab to operate without being s...
Vietnam Basketball League Welcomes 7th Team, Nha Trang Dolphins, in 2020
The Nha Trang Dolphins will join the Vietnam Basketball Association when the fifth season tips off this May.
Saigon Has 13 New Air Quality Monitors, Mostly at Public Schools
They will provide residents with more accurate air quality readings across the city.
Nhậu Places Respond to Drunk Driving Law With Their Own Transport Services
In response to a decline in customers following stricter laws regarding driving after drinking, bars and restaurants across the country are offering transportation services for patrons.
Vietnam Should Aim to Become High-Income Nation by 2045, PM Says
After Vietnam finished 2019 with impressive growth rates, leaders are optimistic that the country is on a stable trajectory to join the ranks of upper-middle-income or even high-income nations within ...
Vietnam's Blanket Ban on Drunk Driving Doesn't Spare Any Vehicle. Not Even Bicycles.
No more beer-fueled pedal power for you.
Does Grab Affect Student Drivers' Study? Officials Want to Impose Limit on Part-Time Work.
In the face of ride-hailing services’ robust growth, policymakers are concerned that too many university students are ride-share drivers, which might affect their school performance.
Roadworks Expected on Au Co for 4 Months as Street Widening Begins
Hanoi authorities began the second stage of widening the main road heading towards Noi Bai airport on Sunday, with roadworks now expected on a three-kilometer stretch of Au Co for at least four months...
King Cake’s Storied History and Arrival in Saigon
While relatively unknown in Vietnam, King Cake is one of the most popular holiday desserts in the world.
WiFi to Be Installed at Bus Stops Throughout Hanoi
Perfect for reading Saigoneer while waiting for your bus.
Saigon Pilots Park-and-Ride Scheme at Ham Nghi Central Bus Terminal
Authorities hope the parking facility will increase convenience for bus riders.
Is Tourism in Vietnam Reaching a Tipping Point?
Tourism is surging in Hanoi and Vietnam as a whole, but is it too much of a good thing?
Il Corda’s Secret Charcoal Grilling Method Arrives in Saigon
A delicious smoky crispness encases the exceedingly moist Tajima Wagyu, adding a pleasant ashy touch to the tenderloin. This charcoal taste sets Il Corda apart from Saigon’s other exemplary steakhouse...
Creative Canapés Accompany Park Hyatt Saigon’s New Lounge
In ancient times, people ate small amounts of savory food before a large meal, believing this could help digestion and increase appetites. Whether scientifically sound or not, the practice of en...
Is Saigon's Haze the Result of Forest Fires in Indonesia?
In Saigon is quite literally hard to breathe these days.
Hanoi to Limit Old Quarter Traffic in Preparation for Mid-Autumn Festival
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Hanoi authorities are aiming to mitigate the intense traffic that often clogs city streets during public holidays by closing certain roads to vehicles.
Heavy Rain Expected Across Vietnam Over Holiday Weekend as Storm Podul Weakens
Did your morning commute turn into a wrestling match with traffic and puddles? Well, expect more of that during this long weekend, meteorologists have warned.
Hanoi Design Agency Launches Apartment Building Renovation Contest
The contest, called Space Wizard in English, will award unique concepts aimed at refurbishing old apartment buildings in the capital and creating more livable areas.
Grab to Invest $500m to Expand Operations in Vietnam
In response to what it considers a surging market, the ride-hailing giant has announced plans to invest heavily into its Vietnamese business.
CNN to Screen 15 Minute-Long Clips About Hanoi Internationally
Over the next two months, CNN will broadcast 15 shorts films about Hanoi to international audiences.
5 Dead After Storm Wipha Sweeps Across Northern Vietnam
Five people have been killed and 14 remain missing after storm Wipha crossed directly over Hanoi and across northern provinces.
The Transformation of Saigon Through the Eyes of Ride-Hailing App Drivers
Saigon is well-accustomed to change. Having once been part of the ancient Cham empire, ruled by the Nguyen Lords and occupied by the French, Saigon is a city with a rich, compelling history. These var...
Northern Provinces Brace for Potential Tropical Storm Later This Week
An area of low pressure that may form into a tropical storm will bring heavy rain to northern provinces this week.
Saigon's Urban Green Coverage Is Poor, but Little Is Done to Speed up Park Projects
Saigon currently has 540 million square meters of green space, but the number seems dismal when factoring in the city's population density.
Hanoi Welcomed Nearly 15m Visitors in First Half of 2019
With the number of visitors continuing to rise, Vietnam’s largest cities remain magnets for both local and international tourists.
Paul Christiansen in Food Culture
Vietnam Loves Drinking Beer. What About Cooking With It?
The craft beer craze that originated in the west has arrived in Vietnam in full force, but the trend of incorporating the beverage into local food recipes hasn’t yet followed.
Experts Warn Against Building Hydropower Plants On Red River
Lao Cai Province authorities have proposed building two hydropower plants on the Red River.
Vietnam Officials Find No Competition Violations in Grab-Uber Deal
Vietnam's Competition Council (VCC) has ruled that Grab broke no competition laws when it acquired Uber.
HCMC Signs Deal With South Korean Firm to Create Electric Bus Rapid Transit System
Can a bus rapid transit (BRT) system succeed in Saigon?
[Video] Wheels of Steel: Tearing Across Saigon on Japanese Fixies
Just 10 years ago, the fixed-gear bike was an unfamiliar concept in Vietnam; now, there’s a thriving community of riders here in Saigon with enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Public Bicycles Are a Hit in Hoi An, Not So Much in Saigon and Hanoi
In 2018, Hoi An announced that it had officially launched a project to establish a bicycle network to make transport more sustainable.
Vietnam's Economy Might Be Larger Than Singapore's in 10 Years: DBS Report
With growth rates that could steady at 6.5% over the next decade, Vietnam's economy could surpass that of Singapore by 2029, according to a report by a Singaporean bank.
Vietnam Earmarks $1.2bn for Forest Protection, Restoration
The plan focuses on improving sustainable forest and environmental management, protection and development along with conservation to increase total forest cover from 2.5 million hectares to 2.72 ...
Paul Christiansen in Loạt Soạt
Saigoneer Bookshelf: Direct Routes to Whimsy in 'Ticket to Childhood'
Children can “hear the music and see the colors of letters on a page — magic portals to a wilderness without fixed meanings… all adults see are the neat rows of black lines, the building blocks of def...
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Nhậu and Forming Friendships the Laotian Way in Saigon
“Here we go, I’m gonna do it,” I proclaim to a table of eight friends. On the tip of my chopsticks is a single ant egg, the “pearl of the forest” as some call it. Instead of ending in a dramatic burst...
Vietnam's Average Income Will Quadruple to $10,000 in 2030, Report Predicts
Vietnam joins several other Asian nations with expected economic growth rates of around 7% for the next decade according to a recent Standard Chartered report.
After 2 Years, Hanoi's BRT Route Fails to Reach Full Capacity
In 2018, Hanoi’s bus rapid transit (BRT) only reached half its potential capacity despite serving 5.3 million passengers.
Ride-Hailling Apps Draw Commuters Away From Saigon Buses, Report Says
Bus ridership has plummeted in Saigon, but are ride-share apps to blame?
Paul Christiansen in Society
How to Juggle Newfound Attention as an Introvert and One of Forbes' 30 Under 30
With a devious grin on her face, Hau snatched the oversized plush pillow resembling a tree trunk from my hands, exclaiming, “Mine! And third steal so no one can take it away.”
Vietnam Breaks All-Time High Temperature Record as Heat Bakes Nation
The searing heat has occurred much earlier than when it usually arrives.
How Will Saigon Metro Line 1 Connect With Existing Bus, Water Transport Networks?
While Saigon’s first-ever metro project is inching slowly towards the finish line, city transportation officials are devising plans to integrate the upcoming urban railway into existing public transpo...
Khoi Pham in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: A Bowl of Tripe Noodles That Takes You Straight to Hong Kong
In the public discourse surrounding beef and its culinary application, more often than not there’s barely any space for tripe.
Saigon Is the Most Expensive City in Vietnam to Live, Statistics Show
Followed closely by Hanoi and Da Nang, the southern stronghold took the top spot due in large part to high tuition fees.
A 60-Year-Old Trash Chute Is Saigon's Latest Most Checked-In Place on Instagram
Editor's note: Happy April Fools' Day! This article was part of Saigoneer's 2019 April Fools' Day celebration. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, a...
Grab to Train Drivers to Detect Human Trafficking
Corporations and NGOs are working together to fight against human trafficking.
Vietnamese Ranks 13th Among World's Most Favorite Cuisines, Survey Says
In a survey involving citizens from 24 countries, Vietnamese food performs above average when compared to 33 other major cuisines across the globe.
Saigon to Remove Makeshift Co Giang Market After 25 Years in Operation
Nearly 350 vendors face an uncertain future as authorities plan to close the impromptu wet market.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
From Botany Institute to Amusement Park: The Evolution of Thao Cam Vien Sai Gon
Local parks such as the Jardin d’Espagne and Jardin de la Ville, now Tao Dan Park, were a focal point of Saigon’s early urban development. But no green space carried such significance as the Jardin Bo...
Hẻm Gems: Where Chay Alter Egos of Vietnam's Everyday Soups Reign
My first-ever vegetarian dish, long before I followed a plant-based diet, was hủ tiếu chay, and since then it has been my go-to order when trying a new restaurant. Besides, you definitely cannot go wr...
Prior to Complete Ban, Hanoi to Trial Motorbike Restrictions on Central Streets
On specific roads where public transport will soon be capable of serving traffic demand, a trial ban on motorbikes could be enforced at some point in the future.
Yet Another Ride-Hailing App Launches in Hanoi, This Time for Buses
A new mobile app, named Vihago, launched in Hanoi on March 5. The service aims to connect passengers with transport operators and bus services.
Transport Ministry Claims 62.56% of Saigoneers Support Proposal to Ban Motorbikes in Downtown Saigon by 2030
Some Saigoneers are in agreement with the city’s plan to ban personal vehicles in downtown Saigon, but most believe that there remains a lot to be done before the project is implemented.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: Making Good Life Decisions With Midday Rice Wine and Hanoi Deep-Fried Food
The Subcommittee for Sustainable Fishing? The Office of Dipterocarp Record-Keeping? The Directorate of Synthetic Rubber Quality Control? Ride-Share Hygiene Board? It was difficult to assess who exactl...
South Korean Firm Puts Forth Plans for $3bn Metro Network in Da Nang
The proposed metro system would connect the city's downtown, beach, airport and major roads.
Hanoi to Face Widespread Road Closures During Trump-Kim Summit
Both Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are expected to arrive in Hanoi today for their historic second summit. Security will be tight, and over the next few days, numerous roads in the capital will be clos...
Vietnam Expands E-Visa Pilot Program to 35 More Countries, Territories
A pilot program granting tourists 30-day electronic visas has been expanded to include 35 additional nations and territories.
Saigon Aims to Have 75% of New Buses Run on Natural Gas by 2020
Compressed natural gas (CNG), which emits less pollution and is considered to be safer than gasoline or oil, was used by 428 buses in Saigon at the end of 2018.
As Southern Vietnam Enters Dry Season, Saigon Records Dangerously High Levels of UV Radiation
Saigoneers should avoid going outside during noon, put on their “ninja” gear and slather on ample sunscreen as southern Vietnam will experience high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the next fe...
Hanoi Aims to Plant Nearly Half a Million Trees This Year
Hanoi authorities, who aim to plant a million trees over the course of 2019 and 2020, have made progress in greening the city in the weeks after Tet.
Holiday Stories Roundup: Hanoi, HCMC Among Most Dynamic Growing Cities, Report Says
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
One Artist, 500 Volunteers and 168,000 Recycled Straws: A Clarion Call Against Plastic
Viral photographer Benjamin Von Wong is no stranger to making waves with his mind-blowing photography, often dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues while blurring the lines between ...
Paul Christiansen in Food Culture
A History of Rice Wine, Part 2: A Traditional Craft Slowed to a Trickle
Rose-tinted shades and long swept-back hair tickling the collar of a half-unbuttoned maroon shirt that revealed a dangling peace-sign pendant: at age 27, Minh was the epitome of 70s Saigon cool. More ...
