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in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: A Night of Love, Poetry, and the Pursuit of the Sublime at Emme Bar

“So what makes Emme House different?” the head bartender Dũng asked during our earlier conversation with Trực, the bar’s owner. “Emme House is not a bar,” he explained. I further inquired then about t...

Uyên Đỗ

in Dishcovery

A Light Bánh Cuốn Quảng Đông to Break Your Fast the Chợ Lớn Way

Meeting up for a Chinese-style breakfast often means gathering around stacked baskets of dim sum or diving into hearty bowls of wonton noodles. But if you're looking for something lighter, a serv...

in Travel

Insights, Polished History Lessons Await in Hanoi's Massive, Brutalist Military Museum

When I pitched a review of Hanoi’s massive new Vietnam Military History Museum to the Saigoneer editorial staff, I expected to find the museum somewhat boring. After all, although I am a historian, I ...

in Education

Viet Nam Tinh Hoa Emerges: A New Identity, The Same Excellence

“Our new branding is a more authentic reflection of who we are: rooted in Vietnam, yet drawing strength from NLCS (North London Collegiate School). While it may have been easier to remain as NLCS, our...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Amid Saigon's Heat, a Wintry Ambiance in Xocoati's Cozy Cocoa Drinks

Amidst Saigon’s year-round scorching heat, I crave coziness — a feeling that often comes with snuggling under heavy blankets in my Hanoian winter. I was searching for some comfort and “winter vibe” sp...

in Ănthology

In Taiwan, a Vietnamese Baker Creates Bánh Mì Thịt From Scratch

“We’re going to Taipei on VietJet Air,” an acquaintance said to me. An international flight on Vietnam’s notoriously delayed airline didn’t sound like the best idea ever. But who would expect that I w...

Paul Christiansen

in In Plain Sight

To Appreciate Tao Đàn More, Study the Park's Past, Present, and Future

Shallow shrub and fern roots tussle to send shoots, tendrils and stalks up and outwards, sprawling across uneven ground and grasping at patches of light. A musky, funky, fetid soil stink emanates from...

in Saigon

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....

in Architecture

Saigon's VOH Radio Building, a Marvel of Architect Lê Văn Lắm's Modernist Intuition

In the middle of the 20th century, Vietnam grew to become one of the world’s prominent centers of modernist architecture. Saigon at the time was an economic and cultural heart of the region, with many...

in Environment

Waste-to-Energy Plants Might Be the Remedy for Vietnam's Struggling Landfills

Lam Van Quyet lives three kilometers from the Tây Bắc waste facility in Ho Chi Minh City, but he knows exactly what time the garbage trucks arrive there.

Uyên Đỗ

in Dishcovery

The Unbearable Lightness of An Giang's Bánh Bò Thốt Nốt Chảo

Some simple delights can capture the flavor of an entire region.

in Music & Arts

A World in Turmoil via Mahdi Abdullah’s Exhibition 'Memory and Body Mythology'

How does an artist turn haunting memories into powerful artworks that speak for himself and on behalf of countless lives? Mahdi Abdullah’s paintings serve as social commentary on the realities that th...

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...

in Saigoneer Getaways

Abundant Nature, Small-Town Charms and Unexpected Luxury in Phú Yên

With a total population hardly larger than some Saigon districts and limited tourism development, Phú Yên province doesn’t get much consideration when people are planning their next vacation.

in In Plain Sight

Hanoi's Largest Indoor Aquarium Is Surprisingly Impressive for a Mall Attraction

I am a champion of the public aquarium. For many people, the aquarium is the only place where they can meet marine life outside of perhaps a wet market or seafood restaurant. Some research suggests th...

Uyên Đỗ

in Health

Sweating out My Sadness on the Canal's Exercise Machines

We're all unlucky in love sometimes. When I am, I go jogging. The body loses water when you jog, so you have none left for tears.

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.

in Environment

Preserving Cambodia's Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins: Community-Based Ecotourism and Nature-Based Solutions in the Mekong Flooded Forest Landscape

At dawn, the blunt foreheads of Irrawaddy dolphins breach the calm surface of the Mekong River the way an epiphany enters one’s mind; unexpected, graceful and profoundly welcome.

in Environment

WWF-Laos’ Efforts to Preserve Unique Ecosystems and Traditional Ways of Life in the 4,000 Islands

As it flows down through Laos towards the border with Cambodia, the Mekong River frays and unspools into separate threads of current that weave around islands and rocky outcroppings and tumble over As...

in Quãng 8

Something About Xe (Đạp): Olivier Flora's Knack for Fun, Flamboyant Remixes


The saxophone riff in ‘Careless Whispers’ is not only instantly recognizable due the popularity of the original song by George Michael but has since become an internet fixture — a classic meme.

in Eat & Drink

Stunning Sunset Views from One of Saigon's Most Historic Streets

Saigons streets all seem to have at least two stories: the person they are named for, and the history of the street itself. Take Hàm Nghi Boulevard, for example.

Brian Letwin

in Heritage

Tàu Cánh Ngầm: The Curious Case of Saigon’s Lost Soviet Hydrofoils

Not long ago, hulking “creatures” glided atop the waters between Saigon and Vũng Tàu. Like the dinosaurs that came before them, they slowly disappeared, until all that was left were their skeletons.

Govi Snell

in Saigon

Relive Your Memories of Saigon Water Park via These Photos by One of Its Makers

Although water parks involve a combination of two of the most tedious human experiences, standing in lines and prolonged direct sun exposure, the now-demolished Saigon Water Park was an icon of 2000s ...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Trứng's Divine Flan Is What Happens When Saigon Dreams of Japanese Desserts

My slight obsession with Japanese-style flan started in Tokyo, but it’s taken on a new life here in Saigon.

in Environment

Learning to Coexist in Peace Is the First Step to Protect Vietnam's Last Remaining Elephants

A trail of enormous footprints, criss-crossing slabs of cracked concrete, lead to a battered ranger station in Vietnam’s Pù Mát National Park. Park staff say the wild Asian elephant that left the trac...

in Asia

Pride Fest, Cambodia's Most Ambitious LGBT Event to Date, Is Coming This Week

On a steamy evening in downtown Phnom Penh, Rebecca Chan takes the stage. The crowd — mostly Cambodian millennials and Gen Z's — is riled up from previous performances, but Chan’s composure tames thei...

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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang, a 'Secret' Hakka Feast Only for Those in the Know

I first heard about Tiệm Cơm Ninh Giang 寧江客家飯店  from some Hoa friends in the city.

in Ănthology

A Singaporean-Vietnamese Couple Refreshes Hakka Offal Soup With Trứng Cuộn

When my mother, a native of Singapore’s oft-visited Chinatown, described a pork offal soup stall with meatballs that “tasted suspiciously like that vermicelli dish we had in Huế back in 2013,” I knew ...

in Ton-sur-Ton

Great Vietnam Resurrects Nguyễn-Era Fashion, One Traditional Costume at a Time

In the last four to five years, ancient Vietnamese costumes have gained more visibility, becoming a welcome sight among young locals thanks to the efforts to reproduce and promote historic fashion fro...

in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks

Ngõ Nooks: The Peculiarity of a Coffee Sanctuary With No Menu and No Address

"SOLitude" — At first glance, the word conjures a sense of melancholic privateness in my ever-anxious soul. But not in a pessimistic way, fortunately.

in Vietnam

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.

Govi Snell

in Environment

In Đà Lạt, Greenhouses Revolutionize Farming, but at What Environmental Cost?

Plastic greenhouses in the city of Đà Lạt may protect farmers from the impacts of erratic weather, but the environmental toll of agri-plastics is building in the agriculture-dependent region.

in Snack Attack

Just a Love Letter to Saigon's Tropical Fruits

How lovely to have taste buds and to have tasty things to eat.

in Stories

Letter From Ukraine: Kharkiv Is My Home, I Never Imagined That We Could Be Attacked

Editor's note: This article is a personal essay written by Viktoria Grivina, a Ukrainian and friend of a member of our team. While Saigoneer has always focused our editorial content on Vietnam, as Vie...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Tân Định's Tried-and-True Bánh Canh Cua for a Late Breakfast

Bánh canh, at times described as Vietnamese udon or even “mouse-tail noodles,” is a great mystery on its own. Etymologically speaking, bánh canh translates to “soup-cake,” and these thick, cylindrical...

in Music & Arts

Indie Meets Classical in a New Rendition of 'Tôi và Em' by Pink Frog

In the company of three violins, a cello, and a double bass, Pink Frog delivers a version of ‘Tôi và Em’ that is even sweeter than the original.

in Saigon

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.

in Music & Arts

In 'Hà Nội Bị Say Cà Phê,' a Tribute to the House Dancers of Lenin Park

Although house dance has its origin in nightclubs, the members of House Dance Hanoi (HDH) community don’t necessarily need to go to clubs to dance.

Govi Snell

in Vietnam

Nguyễn Thị Định, the Major General Leading Bến Tre's 'Long-Haired Army'

Hidden down an alley in Saigon’s District 3 is the house that was given by the government to Vietnam’s first woman general, Nguyễn Thị Định, after the country’s reunification in 1975.

in Vietnam

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.

in Environment

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. 

in Arts & Culture

It All Started With 100 Boxes of Cookies

Food is anything but apolitical.

in Architecture

Decoding the Language of Vietnamese Modernist Architecture

There is a common confusion between Vietnamese modernism and international modernism that doesn't include vernacular modernist structures in the historical discourse.

in Environment

24 Live Tigers Rescued From Wildlife Trade in Nghe An This Week

Shocking news from Nghe An Province.

in Development

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.

in Ton-sur-Ton

Enjoy the Simple Things: The Essence of Hanoi's Gian Don Clothing Store

Gian Don is not much of a commercial fashion brand but a "family shop," where Diệu spends her days delivering stories on "friendly" fashion, and puppies are “employed” as sales associates. I visi...

in Music & Arts

How LiveSpace, a New Music Initiative, Aims to Nurture Vietnam's Indie Musicians

A new joint initiative towards a more realized musical landscape extends the commitment of some of Vietnam’s key cultural players.

in Parks & Rec

Saigon's Only Bonsai School Grooms Budding Artisans on a Century-Old Craft

Bonsai has often been regarded as an activity for the elderly, but the local bonsai community is experiencing an unprecedented renewal thanks to the participation of an unexpected demographic: young p...

in Architecture

The Aesthetic Yet Functional Role of Shade in the Genome of Vietnam's Modernist Architecture

Since the mid-twentieth century, Vietnamese architecture has started to be made from industrial materials such as concrete, steel, glass, et.. This resulted in Vietnamese modernism, a branch of global...

in Architecture

How Saigon's V.A.R Building Epitomizes Vietnam's Architectural Autonomy

Completed in 1973, the V.A.R building at 9 Ho Tung Mau Street in Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, is a prominent example of Vietnamese mid-20th-century modernist architecture designed by architect L...

in Culture

Inside the Extravaganza Using Literature to Highlight Hoi An History

Directed by writer Nguyễn Quang Vinh, “Hội An Show – Gratitude” was launched last month in the central Vietnam town. It featured 150 artists portraying the history of the ancient town via stories of H...

Elise Luong

in Music & Arts

Ahead of the Hanoi Return of 'Les Misérables,' a Talk With Director Trần Ly Ly

Directing the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet with a tender iron fist since 2018, Tran Ly Ly pushes her artists and the company towards a daring new image by revisiting classic works and promot...

Govi Snell

in Environment

The Story of Hồng Hoàng: From the 1st Vietnamese in Antarctica to a Fervent Wildlife Activist

For Hồng Hoàng, a career in environmental activism in Vietnam began with a polar expedition.

in Architecture

The Beauty of Saigon's Mid-Century Shophouses via Street Sketches

What was Vietnamese architecture after colonialism?

in Culture

[Video] A Dynamic Visual Ode to Hanoi, a City of Paradoxes

Cái Gốc (The Origin) is the latest release from music producer and video director Robin Marty and his collaborator Jakub Zajac.

in Culture

[Video] How Has Vietnamese Fashion Changed in a Millennium of History?

The most fascinating factoid about the video project is that black teeth had such enduring appeal across centuries and dynasties.

Govi Snell

in Travel

At the Women's Museum in Hanoi, a Celebration of Women at Home and at War

The Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi is a museum with a mission.

in Sports

In Saigon, a Movie Studio Becomes the New Home for Vietnam's Basketball 'Bubble'

A tight game heading towards halftime in Ho Chi Minh City. The crowd bashing thundersticks to egg on the competitors. And then a chant breaks out: “Let’s go Hanoi.”

Khôi Phạm

in Film & TV

Review: 'Đoạn Trường Vinh Hoa' Is Cải Lương at Its Most Heart-Wrenching

As the screening came to an end, there were quiet sobs echoing softly across the auditorium. For a lot of us viewers with water in our eyes, it was a complete surprise that a documentary about a seemi...

in Ton-sur-Ton

How a Vietnamese Ethiopian Designer Built Her Fashion 'Dynasty'

“I’m young so I still have big dreams,” Kim Berhanu begins our chat on an early September day. At the tender age of 23, Berhanu is already the CEO and creative director of the fashion brand Dynasty th...

in Hanoi

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.

Govi Snell

in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks

Ngõ Nooks: A Warming Phở Chay to Welcome a New Autumn

Tree-lined Lo Duc street is home to Phở Chay: a restaurant so small it could fit in the palm of your hand. 

in Music & Arts

On the Road With One of Vietnam's Last Traveling Cải Lương Troupes

Most Saigoneers know cải lương as a form of television entertainment usually enjoyed by their parents or grandparents, but not many are aware of the art form’s important role in the nightlife of resid...

in Music & Arts

Review: Red Balloons, a Fresh Musical Take on Vintage Vietnamese Cartoons

At 6:30pm on July 5, Red Balloons: Music for 20th Century Vietnamese Animation took place at the Institut français de Hanoi-L'Espace. It was organized by The Onion Cellar and The Centre for Assis...

in Literature

'Con Ăn Cơm Chưa? | Have You Eaten Yet?' by Jessica Nguyen

it took me till my college years when saying “I love you” became a normal thing

Govi Snell

in Loạt Soạt

Saigoneer Bookshelf: Portraits of Frontline Workers From Inside Quarantine

In Con Đã Về Nhà - I'm Home, Tăng Quang documents his two-week stint in quarantine at Military School Zone 7 in District 12 of Saigon with a combination of paintings and prose.

in Vietnam

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. 

Govi Snell

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: It Doesn't Get More Coconut Than This Streetside Ice Cream

Head to Tân Bình District if the idea of coconut ice cream served in a coconut with a crunchy coconut topping excites you.

Govi Snell

in Music & Arts

How Music and Art Empower Vietnam's Efforts to Contain Covid-19

"Even if it's small, it is very cruel. Many have died because of it...We definitely got to stay alert."—'Ghen cô Vy' by ERIK and MIN.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

In Search of Charming Cafes Along Saigon's Train Alleys

Compared to Hanoi’s now-restricted Phung Hung “Train Street,” the neighborhoods bordering the railway in Saigon have neither the romanticism nor goosebumps-inducing adrenaline rush that turned the for...

Khoi Pham

in Culture

The Art Book That Delves Into the History of Ancient Vietnamese Fashion

Born at the intersection of fashion and history, a new art book by a team of Vietnamese researchers and creatives will take readers on a journey back to the eras of the country’s past royalty.

in Environment

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.

Govi Snell

in Culture

Already Ubiquitous, Face Masks Become the Symbol of Vietnam's 'New Normal'

What image will come to mind when you look back on 2020?

in Music & Arts

[Illustrations] Local Designer Turns Vietnam's Endangered Species Into Geometric Stamps

Beautiful illustrations of animals on stamps take on a mournful tone within the context of extinction.

in Vietnam

The Week in Focus: Social Distancing Regulations Eased Off

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Govi Snell

in Culture

To Learn How to Love Your Jeans Sustainably, Talk to Saigon's Denimheads

I never feel better than when I am ensconced in denim. This love for jeans is caught up in my genuine adoration of the cowboy aesthetic, the particular beauty of a denim-clad ass and the snug hug of a...

Govi Snell

in Food Culture

[Illustrations] A Playful Look Into Vietnamese Ingredients by Lucia Pham

Lucia Pham has created a set of four illustrations of Vietnamese cuisine featuring whimsical, personified ingredients. 

Govi Snell

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Pho Chay Nhu and 35 Years of Serving Tasty Vegetarian Meals

A bowl full of noodles is one of the things that make me feel lucky to be alive, and alive in Saigon in particular.

in Tech

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...

in Ănthology

A Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm in Singapore That Tastes (and Smells) Just Like Home

Joo Chiat, a neighborhood in the eastern realms of Singapore, is hardly a forgettable area.

in Sports

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.

in Environment

Saigon Has 13 New Air Quality Monitors, Mostly at Public Schools

They will provide residents with more accurate air quality readings across the city.

in Vietnam

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. 

in Vietnam

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 ...

in Vietnam

Vietnam's Blanket Ban on Drunk Driving Doesn't Spare Any Vehicle. Not Even Bicycles.

No more beer-fueled pedal power for you.

in Vietnam

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.

in Hanoi

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...

in Retail

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.

in Hanoi

WiFi to Be Installed at Bus Stops Throughout Hanoi

Perfect for reading Saigoneer while waiting for your bus.

Khoi Pham

in Music & Arts

With Debut Album 'Họa Âm Xưa,' Saigon Soul Revival Brings Back Old-School Cool

From covers of old songs from the 1960s and 70s, Saigon Soul Revival now presents their own original music in an exciting debut album, a continuation both in spirit and execution of the silvery vein o...

in Saigon

Saigon Pilots Park-and-Ride Scheme at Ham Nghi Central Bus Terminal

Authorities hope the parking facility will increase convenience for bus riders.

in Food Culture

Not Just a Drink: As Vietnam's Coffee Scene Matures, It's Also Getting More Serious

If motorbikes are the choice mode of transportation in Saigon, coffee has got to be the choice stimulant and legal addiction. 

in Vietnam

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?

in Eat & Drink

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...

in Culture

Vietnamme Project Explores How Vietnamese Culture Transformed Through the Eras

The Vietnamme Project aims to reinterpret ancient Vietnamese cultural traditions with a contemporary outlook, via artistic and visual practices. Ahead of our first major event on December 15, we'd lik...

in Hotels

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...

in Sports

In Its 2nd Edition, Coupe de Hue Features Bach Ma Mountain Trail, World-Famous Cyclist

Vietnam is opening itself up as a destination for international-standard competitive cycling events. But can the momentum last? 

in Saigon

Is Saigon's Haze the Result of Forest Fires in Indonesia?

In Saigon is quite literally hard to breathe these days.

in Eat & Drink

How Drinking & Healing Made a Name for Itself

  “No more spicy chocolate passionfruit cocktails…no more durian,” jokes a mixologist at Drinking & Healing when asked what they’ll do differently in its second year.

in Music & Arts

[Illustrations] Whimsical Vignettes of Everyday Hanoian Street Scenes

The menacing, irritating presence of a black SUV in a narrow alleyway, rain-soaked commuters, bird-like characters riding motorbikes in the capital; Olivier Blanchin's vision of Hanoi is quotidian and...

in Hanoi

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Hanoi

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.

in Tech

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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Tasty Char Kway Teow and Sisig Where You Least Expect It

"They have bak kut teh. And what do you call that...Singaporean Hokkien fried noodles? The Korean businessmen go there for gatherings too," a friend told me during a casual chat at a craft beer joint ...

in Hanoi

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: An Ancient Chinese Meat Sandwich, 3,000km Away From Home

In the landlocked Chinese city of Xian, the legendary Terracotta Army of more than 8,000 soldiers with distinct facial features, weapons, chariots and horses finds their eternal home. This article, ho...

in Society

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...

in Vietnam

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.

Michael Tatarski

in Arts & Culture

'Reinvent Saigon' Asks Visitors to Reimagine the City and Themselves

Through tomorrow, the week-long Reinvent Saigon festival is taking place at five locations across the city.

in Development

How Place Identity Helps Preserve Hanoi's Last Traditional Silk Village

The identity of luxury goods firms is often anchored in the creativity and skill of the artisans behind the objects. A case in point is Hermès, where workers spend years learning to work with precious...

in Saigon

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.

in Hanoi

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.

in Vietnam

Experts Warn Against Building Hydropower Plants On Red River

Lao Cai Province authorities have proposed building two hydropower plants on the Red River.

in Tech

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.

in Film & TV

Immersive Documentary Storytelling Workshop to Be Held in Hanoi

The School of Slow Media is hosting REMIX Hanoi, an intensive media lab, from June 14 to 16.

in Saigon

HCMC Signs Deal With South Korean Firm to Create Electric Bus Rapid Transit System

Can a bus rapid transit (BRT) system succeed in Saigon?

in Society

[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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: The Comfort of Slurping Vegetarian Noodles on the Pavement

Tien, who’s been up since 4am, stops for a moment, lets out a small sigh of satisfaction and wipes the sweat from her brow with the well-used towel around her neck. It’s now 7:45am on another hot, hum...

in Society

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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 ...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: In Saigon's First Shots Bar, Usain Bolt and Princess Peach in Test Tubes

Pham Ngu Lao Street, along with its sister street Bui Vien, has been known for almost two decades to foreigners as the perfect place to drink, bunk-in and conveniently repeat. In other words, a booze-...

in Music & Arts

The Punk Badassery of Antiantiart, Hanoi's Underground Fashion Rebels

In 2014, a group of restless young Vietnamese set up Nirvana, Hanoi’s first-ever punk streetwear store. In a city known for politics, and where the thickness of history constantly reminds us of t...

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...

in Vietnam

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. 

in Hanoi

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.

in Saigon

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.”

in Vietnam

Vietnam Breaks All-Time High Temperature Record as Heat Bakes Nation

The searing heat has occurred much earlier than when it usually arrives.

in Saigon

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...

in Food Culture

Chả Lụa Fit for a Kingdom: How Thailand Fell in Love With Vietnamese Ham

Instead of sunny Saigon, I found myself yet again in relentlessly sunny Bangkok. I had a convenient excuse though: attending a close friend’s wedding.

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.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: When a Saigon Cafe Gets Its Hanoi Quirks Just Right

There are three H’s that best encompass Vietnam: Hanoi, the capital; Hue, the ancient capital; and Ho Chi Minh City, the economic center. While I am still struck by Hue’s vibrant culture, my memories ...

in Saigon

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.

in Culture

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...

in Asia

Grab to Train Drivers to Detect Human Trafficking

Corporations and NGOs are working together to fight against human trafficking.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Authentic French Pastries in an Unexpected Part of Town

Perhaps a story not too unfamiliar to many: Tom Nguyen grew up in France as a French-Vietnamese. Any similarity in background with other Viet Kieu, however, ends rather quickly. About two years ago, N...

in Food Culture

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.

in Saigon

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...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

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...

in Hanoi

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.

in Hanoi

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.

Michael Tatarski

in Film & TV

[Video] Short Film 'Sigh Gone' Depicts Love Lost, With a Twist

Have you ever felt completely at sea, hopelessly lost? A new Saigon-set short video from Vietnamese-American director Jeannie Nguyen depicts a day in the life of a young woman facing this situation.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: One Family's Unexpected Outpost at the Foot of Langbiang

Lac Duong, a township 12 kilometers north of central Da Lat, isn't exactly a place where one would expect to find some international comfort.

in Saigon

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.

Chris Humphrey

in Music & Arts

[Video] Paying Tribute to Quán Cầm, 60 Square With Những Đứa Trẻ

Earlier this month, Hanoians were left heartbroken when waving farewell to much-loved art quarter Sixty Square, which closed for good on February 15. We're releasing this music video of ...

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...

in Development

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.

in Hanoi

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...

Khoi Pham

in Music & Arts

A Playful Project Uses Pigs to Showcase Vietnam Iconography Through History

Year of the pig is a gift that keeps on giving.

in Travel

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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...

in Food Culture

The Distinctly Da Lat Comfort of Bonding Over Coffee Beans

After a two-year stint as an English teacher in Saigon, Nick Melhuish decided that it was time to call it quits. He moved to Da Lat with his partner Brianna and his dog Sausage to open a bed & breakfa...

in Hanoi

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.

in Vietnam

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...

in Music & Arts

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 ...

in Society

Saigon's Stand-up Scene Grows up, but the Jokes Remain

Comic Uy Le will freely tell anyone, preferably on stage with a spotlight and a hot mic, that he doesn’t get along with other comics. “Because I don’t smoke, drink and still have a future,” Uy shared....

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: A Bowl of Hanoi's Southern-Style Bún Bò in the South

Fabien from France and Trang from Hanoi led a very different life just a year ago. They were running a Vietnamese restaurant nearly 12,000 kilometers away from Saigon, in Morocco.

in Food Culture

Da Lat, the Unlikely Home of El Salvador's Rare Pacamara Coffee Beans

In a previous life, Nguyen Van Son was an auto parts salesperson. As a gift of appreciation for his wife, he acquired a seemingly trivial plot of land in Da Lat and made it a place where the family co...

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 ...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Aims to Export 6.5m Tons of Rice in 2019

For 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has set a target of exporting 6.5 million tons of rice, valued at US$3 billion. 

in Food Culture

The Lush Da Lat Cottage That Houses Unexpected Italian Delights

As Da Lat’s wet season comes to a close, cool weather and sunshine greet local and foreign visitors on a daily basis. People from colder cities such as Hanoi appreciate Da Lat’s comfortable average of...

in Hanoi

Hanoi to Axe 100 Trees for Road Widening Project

As part of continuing efforts to ease congestion, Hanoi authorities are set to widen Lang Street, which means 371 trees will be relocated while another 105 will be cut down.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Orders Grab to Pay Vinasun $206,000 Due to 'Unfair Competition'

Charging the Singaporean ride-share app with "having seriously violated the law on transport business," a Vietnam court agreed with Vinasun's claims that its rival's illegal actions cut into their pro...

in Culture

[Video] At FEEL It Festival, a Full Display of Saigon's Vibrant Street Culture

On December 15, Saigon's underground street scene was on full display on a rooftop in District 7, with freestyle skating, vibrant graffitti and local musicians.

in Food Culture

Vietnam Officially Designates December 12 the Day of Pho

Vietnam has officially marked every December 12 the Day of Pho in celebration of the nation's most well-known dish.

in Society

Overcoming a Small-Scale Mindset to Grow Startups in Vietnam

As Vietnam's population of entrepreneurs and investors continues to grow, there is a divide between those who favor quick financial gain, and those who focus on long-term growth.

in Hanoi

Over a 3-Year Period, Hanoi Planted 1m Trees: Official

Over the past three years, an urban tree-planting project has brought over one million trees to Hanoi’s streets. 

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: At Thương Library, a Shrine to Leonard Cohen and How the Light Gets In

At the risk of appearing like a pretentious prig, I will begin this Hẻm Gem review with the introduction of a foreign word: the weirdly specific concept of smultronstället.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Among Top 10 Most Weather-Wrecked Countries in 2017: Report

With a death toll of 298 and damages surpassing US$4 billion, the country occupies the sixth spot on the 2019 Climate Risk Index.

in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks

Ngõ Nooks: Cu Xa, the Cafe That Awakens Your Childhood Self

“Where is home?” is a question that at some point has probably nagged everyone who feels caught between worlds. To the owner of a retro cafe in Hanoi’s southern Dong Da District, it’s Cu Xa.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Aims to Boost GDP per Capita to $6,500 by 2030, $10,000 by 2035

The country also hopes to have two million private businesses accounting for 60-65% of the GDP by 2030.

in Travel

Mui Ne's Suoi Tien Damaged by Tourist Activities, Illegal Construction

Suoi Tien, a famous natural tourist site in Mui Ne, is losing its appeal due to overcrowding and unauthorized construction work.

in Culture

[Photos] What's Inside Beloved Binh Tay Market's Glorious Comeback?

Binh Tay Market is the central market in the heart of Cho Lon, sitting on the very edge of District 6 along Thap Muoi Street.

in Saigon

Saigon to Allocate $30m to Preserve, Renovate Local Cultural Heritage Sites

The city is also looking into commodifying more historical sites for tourism development.

in Saigon

Typhoon Usagi Causes Longest, Heaviest Rain and Worst Flood in Saigon History

After more than a day of unrelenting rain, Typhoon Usagi has reduced Saigon to a waterlogged town.

in Saigon

Saigon Heat Overcome Early Butterflies, Outduel Knights in Season Debut

A tight game knotted 80-80, seemingly headed for overtime. The Saigon crowd is biting their nails as their two top scorers have just fouled out. And Vietnamese-American star Justin Young launches a fi...

in Development

District 1 Wants To Completely Ban Traffic on Nguyen Hue In 2020

District 1's People Committee recently sent a proposal to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transportation regarding traffic management for Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

in Food Culture

What We Talk About When We Talk About Bánh Mì

Bánh mì is without a doubt a Vietnamese staple. Versatile, convenient and affordable, the sandwich has gotten so popular in recent years in Vietnam and elsewhere that phở shouldn’t be complacent, as i...

in Vietnam

In Vietnam, Markets Still Beat Convenience Stores, but That Might Change Soon

In recent years, Vietnamese are visiting convenience stores more frequently while foot traffic in traditional markets gradually dwindles.

Michael Tatarski

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Come for the Architecture, Stay for the Architecture

In an age when seemingly every building in Saigon has been knocked down for redevelopment at least once, it's rare to be able to spend time in a truly unique architectural gem.

in Hanoi

Hanoi to Introduce Traffic Congestion Charges in Central Districts

As part of the capital’s efforts to reduce traffic jams, private vehicles will face charges for entering congested areas of central districts.  

in Saigon

Saigon's Bus Station Projects Lag Behind Due to Overlapping Plans, Limited Land

Many locations that are supposed to be used for building new bus stations are being appropriated for other uses.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: In a D1 Corner, a Heated Battle Between Yellow Noodles and Red Noodles

At the northernmost end of Saigon’s bustling District 1, the end of Hai Ba Trung Street leading to Phu Nhuan District is known best for heavy rush hour traffic. But a curious textbook case of an Asian...

Thi Nguyen

in Travel

No Nón Lá, No Problem: A New Saigon Tour Takes the Road Less Traveled

Sitting down for a bowl of phở, sipping a glass of cà phê sữa đá, visiting the Saigon Post Office: these activities are all too common to the tourist experience in Saigon. So much so that it's of...

Michael Tatarski

in Music & Arts

In Saigon's Latest Indie Workshop, a Heaven for Eco-Friendly Risograph Prints

Nestled above inpages in Thao Dien, a new print studio is offering artists and other creatives a new way to express their ideas and visions.

in Saigon

Saigon to Introduce Food Safety Stickers for Street Food Stalls

The city's Food Safety Management Authority has also issued 10 criteria for evaluating street vendors' food safety.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Unveils Ambitious Scheme to Flex More Maritime Muscles by 2030

To foster economic growth and respond to climate change, the country will focus on its coastal infrastructure and initiatives. 

Paul Christiansen

in Food Culture

A Saigon Pop-Up Fuses Mexican and Vietnamese Fares, One Pun at a Time

More romantic than the season's first snow dusting a trampled field of post-harvest corn husks; more inspiring than stars strewn across a cloudless night sky; more alluring than fragrant pollen drifti...

in Hanoi

After Completing Nghi Tam Overpass, Hanoi Proposes Plan to Expand Au Co

Having finished construction on the An Duong-Thanh Nien Overpass, which opened last Thursday, plans are now being proposed to level and expand Au Co Street.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Reports Fewer Traffic Accidents, Deaths and Injuries Compared to 2017

The number of traffic accidents and victims continues to be high, but the situation has seen slight improvement compared to last year.

in Hanoi

Hanoi Begins Using E-Cards on New Bus Rapid Transit Route

As of yesterday, electronic cards have been available for use on the Kim Ma-Yen Nghia BRT route.

in Saigon

Saigon Will Spend $4bn on New Roads, Bridges in Hopes of Curbing Traffic Congestion

By 2020, 82 mostly state-funded projects will add nearly 190 kilometers of roads and 39 bridges to the southern metropolis.

in Travel

Vietnam Starts Ranking Tour Guides to Improve Tourism Quality

In hopes of inspiring tour guides to improve their performance, Vietnam's tourism officials will launch a trial program that grades guides on capability, knowledge and skills.

in Development

Lack of Space, Booming Tech Scene Drive Saigon's Office Rents to Highest in 5 Years

Driven by a dearth of suitable office space and the flourishing of local companies, the monthly cost to rent an office in central Saigon is skyrocketing.

in Sports

Fitness, Flexibility and Mindful Meditation: There's Something for Everyone in Saigon's Yoga Scene

During Saigon’s lunch hour, you won’t find Jiva sitting on any street side. That’s because she’s busy leading the city’s lunchtime renegades, a group that sacrifices that precious hour of eating to ge...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: On the Road to Ruin, From Budapest to Binh Thanh

The southern edge of Binh Thanh is one of Saigon’s most fascinating areas. More cosmopolitan than the district would have you believe, its maze-like streets hold a heady mix of different influences. W...

in Health

Vietnam Imposes Harsher Penalties on Street Vendors, Eateries to Address Food Safety Concerns

A new resolution will increase fines for street vendors who do not wear gloves as well as organizations that sell diseased animals or use banned chemicals.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Madam Oyster Proves that Taiwanese Food Is More Than Just Milk Tea

Arguably one of the most underrated cuisines in Asia, Taiwanese fare has remained under the radar in Saigon for a long time, even though Taiwanese business owners were among the first foreign business...

in Society

[Photos] Former Street Kid Reveals the Reality of Hanoi’s Homeless Youth

I grew up in a very poor family in Nam Dinh Province. When I was 14, I traveled to Hanoi to shine shoes, in the hope that I could earn money and support my family. But after a year and a half working ...

in Saigon

Saigon Needs Smart Cards for Public Transport Instead of Single-Use Tickets: Experts

Could a single contactless card allow riders access to bus, water taxi, tram, monorail and metro routes?

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Cam Cam Kafe and the Fujian Pagoda That Inspired Its Name

I wish I could claim that I discovered Cam Cam Kafe by myself. Tucked away in a corner unit up the second floor of a nondescript apartment in District 5, the coffee shop seems mostly undetectable from...

in Saigon

Saigon Proposes Major Walking Street Project Linking Ba Son, Nguyen Hue, Ben Thanh

Yay or nay?

in Sports

No Turnbuckles, No Ropes, No Problem for Saigon's Pro Wrestlers

Damien Wolfe rained down blow after blow on spindly Phong Tran (not pictured above), with onlookers jeering and questioning his humanity. Then, out of the blue, Phong sprang to life and leapt into the...

in Saigon

Saigon Will Completely Overhaul Nguyen Huu Canh in November to Eliminate Flooding

Life is about to get tough for commuters on Nguyen Huu Canh Street.

in Film & TV

Review: 'Song Lang' Is a Cải Lương Tribute for the Ages

Asia is well-known for its rich history and diverse cultures, with many countries taking pride in distinct styles of traditional art performances.

Michael Tatarski

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: On Eating Greek With Chopsticks

Who says excellent Greek food can't be served on the same menu as Korean tofu along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal?

in Environment

Experts Think Building Dedicated Paths for Cyclists, Pedestrians Could Ease Vietnam's Congestion, Pollution

By 2030, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the environment will triple that of 2015's amount.

in Vietnam

Grab Told to Punish Drivers for Using Mobile Phones While on the Road

Traffic safety officials and Grab have been ordered to begin punishing Grab drivers who use their phone while on the move.

in Saigon

Minibuses That Run in Hẻms Might Be the Latest Transport Pilot Program in Saigon

Will there be room in Saigon’s hẻm system to fit small buses?

in Hanoi

Hanoi Moves Forward With Plans for Yen So, 'Vietnam's Most Modern Bus Station'

A major new bus station has been approved for Hoang Mai District, in an effort to relieve stress several of the city's dated bus facilities.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: A Canal Cafe and Bar as Rustic as Its Name Promises

Driving leisurely along Hoang Sa Street, I stopped in front of a small coffee shop called Lao Hac — a retro-style cafe that's hidden behind the perennial flowering vines within sight of Nhieu Loc...

Thi Nguyen

in Development

[Photos] A Two-Minute Ride on Saigon's Shortest, Most Anticlimactic Ferry Trip

The accelerated urbanization of Saigon has led to the rapid metamorphosis of its landscape. This process, however, is hardly evenly distributed. While residents living in the inner city's center ...

in Vietnam

Vietnam's Hotels and Luxury Resorts Raked in $22bn in Revenue Last Year: Report

Digital technology integration is happening in many fields and industries including hospitality services.

in Development

Rising Demand for Homestay Is Causing 'Land Fever' in Da Lat and the Mekong Delta

The growing promise of tourism that focuses on a more "local experience" has led many to open their own homestay business.

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: On the Hunt for Succulent Seared Chicken in an Old French Apartment

As far as urban nooks go, exploring Saigon’s apartment buildings is perhaps the best way to discover new hangouts, Instagrammable corners and amazing views of the city.

Chris Humphrey

in Music & Arts

Interactive Art Installation ‘Synescape: Please Touch’ Enthralls the Senses

Anita Wilczęga sits on a stool in Tinh Dau art studio, trying to explain the final project she’ll curate in Vietnam before departing for Italy. Behind her, ten white boxes hang from the rafters, swayi...

in Saigon

Saigon, Hanoi Among Most-Improved Cities in Liveability: Economist

The country's two largest cities were among the most improved in the world on the Global Liveability Index.

in Vietnam

93% of Foreign Tourists Had 'Satisfactory' Experience in Vietnam in 2017: Survey

More than 93% of foreign travelers expressed their satisfaction towards trips to Vietnam in 2017, according to statistics by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Tried-and-True Singaporean-Style Hainanese Chicken Rice in D4

Every foodie who has visited the island-nation of Singapore has probably heard about about a local specialty known as Hainanese chicken rice. With a Michelin star and Michelin Bib Gourmand title, ...

in Music & Arts

[Photos] In Minimalist Street Photography, Good Frames Come to Those Who Wait

Photographer Victor Morante is all about the little details in a frame.

in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Bebinca Is Heading to Northern Vietnam

Tropical Storm Bebinca is bearing down on northern Vietnam and could bring up to 350 millimeters of rainfall to the region.

in Saigon

Restrooms, Fountains, Food Stalls Among New Amenities Planned for Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Water fountains, multi-colored lights, drink vending machines, food stalls and more restrooms are planned for Saigon's popular pedestrian promenade.

in Saigon

Saigon Pilots Taxi Stand Program With 5 Official Stops in D1

To address traffic congestion caused by slapdash passenger pick-ups, the city's Department of Transportation is establishing official taxi stands in central areas on a six-month trial basis.

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Lured by the Promise of 7-Way Noodles, We Found Delicious Dim Sum in D5

Come for the seven-way noodles, stay for the dim sum.

in Hanoi

Hanoi Launches First-Ever Natural Gas-Powered Buses

Two bus routes, set up by Bao Yen Tourism, will run entirely on compressed natural gas (CNG). They officially opened in Hanoi on August 1, with a third route beginning August 9.

in Vietnam

After Hoi An and Hanoi, Can Tho Is the Next City in Vietnam Afflicted With Cable Car Fever

You get a cable car! You get a cable car! Everybody’s getting a cable car!

in Vietnam

Amid Tourism Boom, Apartment Owners Forsake Long-Term Leases for Airbnb Fast Cash

Many apartment owners are turning to Airbnb and other short-term lease platforms in order to cash in on Vietnam's ongoing tourism boom.

in Saigon

Saigon May Pilot Bus-Only Lanes on Vo Thi Sau, Dien Bien Phu

Dien Bien Phu and Vo Thi Sau streets have been suggested as testings grounds for the bus lane, as both one-way roads are prone to traffic congestion during rush hour.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: At Ngọt Cafe, a Treasure Trove of Saigon's Childhood Snacks and Knick-Knacks

To me, Saigon is not just a city, it is the people, the lifestyle and the cafés.

in Saigon

Saigon Ranks 5th Globally in Tourism Potential: Travel Website

Saigon’s tourist arrivals will almost double by 2025, according to a UK tour website.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Old-School 'Take It or Leave It' Nam Dinh Phở in District 3

Pho Dau captures the essence of the Nam Dinh soul food that the owner brought with her to Saigon six decades ago.

in Vietnam

In Vietnam's Ride-Hailing Market, It's Grab Against the World. And It's Winning.

Newer ride-hailing apps are struggling to gain a place in the market, despite growing complaints of Grab’s post-Uber services.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Northern-Style Miến Lươn Is a Magical Saigon Breakfast

Mien Luon Cho Ben Thanh was the final destination in my parents’ 20-year quest to find an authentic northern miến lươn in Saigon.

in Tech

Google Maps Introduces Motorbike-Specific Navigation Mode in Vietnam

The feature was first developed in India.

in Food Culture

A Cozy Abode of Bak Kut Teh and Migrant Teochew Gastronomy in the Heart of Saigon

Singaporean Teochew bak kut teh is a seemingly simple broth made with pork ribs that has managed to enamor locals and foreigners for decades.

Michael Tatarski

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Set an Alarm, We're Waking up Early for Dim Sum in D11

According to historical legend, dim sum was created along the ancient Silk Road as a snack for weary travelers to enjoy with their tea while resting. On this day, I felt like I had traversed that fabl...

in Saigon

Saigon Stops Issuing Permits to New High-Rise Projects in Downtown

From now until 2020, the city will not issue any permits for new high-rise projects in District 1 and 3.

in Society

In Vietnam's Nascent Anti-Plastic Movement, Straws Are the First to Go

Saigon needs real solutions for its plastic problems.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnamese Annually Spend $4bn Studying Abroad

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ 10 arrested as $89 million online gambling ring busted in Vietnam [VnExpress] ▪&n...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Inside Le Thanh Ton's Japan Town Lives Saigon's Best Katsu

Inside the unofficial Japanese quarter of Saigon lies scrumptious katsu and oyakodon to suit all palates. For beginners like myself at one point in time, the existence of Fujiro can swing open many ne...

in Vietnam

In 2017, 53% of Vietnamese Owned at Least a Smartphone, Compared to 35% in 2015: Report

The global average for smartphone ownership is 59%.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Continues Visa Exemptions for Western European Visitors

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Rare gibbon rescued from HCM City house [DTI] ▪ Vietnam continues visa exemp...

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: An Authentic Hai Phong Bánh Đa Cua Right in the Heart of D1

I am a fervent champion of all things noodles.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Busts Another Expansive Online Gambling Ring

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Two dead, two missing as flash floods ravage northern Vietnam [VnExpress] ▪ ...

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Pandan and Durian Gelato for a Sizzling Summer Day in Saigon

My earliest memory of ice cream in Saigon involves savoring Kem Bach Dang’s renowned kem trái dừa: scoops of coconut ice cream in a coconut husk topped with an assortment of fresh and jammed fruits.

Paul Christiansen

in Literature

Meet the Author of the Most Important Vietnamese Novel You've Never Read

When the wind strafes Da Ngan’s window, seedpods shake and rattle like spent bullet casings in the tamarind tree that Americans planted decades ago. They also built the large apartment complex where s...

in Food Culture

Shrimp Paste and Fish Sauce: A Brief Primer on Vietnam's Dipping History

It is a well-known fact among Vietnamese that their home country has a rich portfolio of fermented food, from mắm chua (pickled shrimp) to mắm tôm (shrimp paste). Here is a comprehensive look into not...

in Culture

In Chợ Lớn, Leaf-Wrapped Rice Dumplings Abound Every Tết Đoan Ngọ

The fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar is a day of great importance in Chinese communities all over Asia.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC to Host Asian-Pacific Tourism Promotion Forum

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Five families evacuated in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta amid rising erosion risk [VnExpr...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Among Asia's Most Enterprising Cities, Report Says

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCMC among Asia's most enterprising cities [DTI] ▪ Scrap imports choke Ho Ch...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Growing Middle Class Drives Car Demand in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ North Korea reportedly wants a 'Vietnam-like' debut to the world economy [Business...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: VTV Finally Wins World Cup 2018 Broadcasting Rights

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnamese brick house bags coveted architecture award [VnExpress] ▪ VTV win...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Revises Plan to Limit Number of Taxis in City

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ High buildings good solution for Vietnam’s urban development: experts [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Tour Guide Association Launched

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCMC’s businesses keen to export to Cuba [SGGP] ▪ HCM City Tour Guide Associ...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Air Conditioner Makers Battle for Vietnam's Red-Hot Market

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Air conditioner makers battle for Vietnam's red-hot market [Nikkei Asian Review] ...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC to Add 17 High-Quality Bus Routes

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCM City to add 17 high-quality bus routes [VietnamNet] ▪ Vietnamese banks u...

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Cozy Autumn Flavors at Tokyo Moon, Japan Town's Korean Cafe

Tokyo Moon's presence is an odd-but-welcoming representation of South Korean hospitality in the heart of Le Thanh Ton's "Japan Town" with its mysterious herbal tonic, sweet potato pastry and pumpkin c...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Plans to Cut Back Tax Incentives for Casinos in SEZs

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s aviation market welcomes new fleets [VietnamNet] ▪ Vietnam plans t...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Lazada Faces Inspection After Multiple Service Complaints in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Public concerns over toxic chemical project near Ha Long Bay [DTI] ▪ Lazada ...

in Tech

Will Tracking Technology Help Combat Vietnam's Chronic Bike Theft Problem?

The surest way to keep your bike safe might just be to lo-jack it.

in Vietnam

Confusion Reigns Over Mobile Phone Registration Law

National Decree 49, which was issued last year, stipulated that all mobile phone users in Vietnam were required to register their phone with photo identification by April 24in order to avoid having th...

Paul Christiansen

in Postcards

Saigon Postcard No. 5: The Rainy Season Has Awoken

As last week's storms attest to, the rainy season is about to once again menace the city.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Successfully Produces Inactivated Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Draft regulations on foreign language centres proposed [DTI] ▪ VN successful...

in Society

Opinion: The Virtues of Riding the Saigon Bus

On a brutally hot day back in January, I was riding Saigon bus No. 65 out to District 10 when I made an amateur’s mistake.

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: At Things Café, Humans, Cats and Nat King Cole Coexist in a Harmonious Ecosystem

I admit that it’s taken me great pains to write this week’s Hẻm Gem.

in Saigon

As Rainy Season Arrives, Saigon Major Flood Barrier Project Stalls

Work has halted on a massive US$440 million drainage system aimed to control tidal flooding that impacts 6.5 million residents in a 570-square-kilometer area in and around south Saigon.

in Vietnam

Construction of High-Rises Should Cease in Downtown Saigon, Hanoi to Reduce Congestion: Vietnam PM

In Saigon and Hanoi, downtown areas are suffering from major bottlenecks due to the boom of high-rise buildings in recent years.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Health Ministry Warns of Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Summer

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Phu Quoc hotel keeps illegal construction on opening day [DTI] ▪ Health Mini...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: VNA Considers Creating Cargo Unit to Boost Revenue

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Border guards suspended over major illegal logging case [DTI] ▪ Vietnam Airl...

in Culture

[Video] The Drag Queens Firing Up Hanoi's Nightlife

For over two months, a tantalizing new event has been firing up Hanoi's nightlife: drag queens in burlesque outfits death dropping on stage.

Khoi Pham

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: The Best Bánh Căn Da Lat...in Saigon

Is there any cooking utensil that’s as magical as the bánh căn mold?

in Vietnam

Da Nang, FPT Agree on Plans for ‘Smart City’ by 2020

This time, city officials will tap a domestic company for the technological makeover.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC to Return 10kg of Gold to Local Man

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Cold snap to cool off northern Vietnam; heat wave lingers in south [Tuoi Tre] ▪&n...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC Top Official Demands Inspection on Cheap Public Land Sale

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Hanoians flock to register mobile phone numbers [DTI] ▪ HCMC top official de...

Thi Nguyen

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

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

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 alm...

in Vietnam

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

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam-Myanmar relations will grow further: ambassador [SGGP] ▪ Large-scale...

in Vietnam

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

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Hanoi breaks into top global destinations on TripAdvisor list [VnExpress] ▪ ...

in Culture

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

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 i...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Transport Ministry Mulls Plan to Put Fuel Consumption Label on Motorbikes

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietjet among Top 10 Vietnam Excellent Brands in 2017 [Nhan Dan] ▪ Motorbike...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Half of HCMC Citizens Use Online Public Services, Official Says

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Half of HCMC citizens use online public services [VietnamNet] ▪ Apartment pr...

Michael Tatarski

in Music & Arts

Dancers, Visual Artists Collaborate at Unique Saigon Arts Festival

From April 16 to 22, the Krossing Over Arts Festival will bring together artists and dancers for performances across Saigon.

in Vietnam

Uber Exits Vietnam, Leaves $2.3m in Tax Debt That Grab Refuses to Pay

Last Sunday, Uber officially ceased operations in Southeast Asia, allegedly leaving behind in Vietnam US$2.3 million (VND53 billion) in tax debt.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Sinks After Collision With Unknown Object

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam cycling queen on a roll to Asian Games [VietnamNet] ▪ Ho Chi Minh Ci...

in Saigon

D4 Seafood Paradise Vinh Khanh Is Now an Official Saigon Food Street

District 4’s nhậu neighborhood has been turned into an official food street by Saigon authorities.

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Mutahiro's Masterful Chicken Ramen

Ramen is often the preferred choice of Japanese comfort food in Southeast Asia, yet finding an impressive offering of the dish in Saigon has proven to be a challenge. The appearance of Mutahiro i...

in Society

In Rural Tay Ninh, Teach For Vietnam Brings a Jolt of Change to English Teaching

Vu Thi Hang’s (not pictured above) teaching style is far from traditional.

in Vietnam

Most Vietnamese Are Likely to Save Spare Cash: Report

Frugality is the go-to lifestyle for many Vietnamese.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam PM Approves $1.2bn for Infrastructure in Coastal Economic Zones

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Mandarin Airlines pilot dies of illness before flight from Vietnam to Taiwan [Taiw...

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Pass the Bánh Ướt on the Left-Hand Side

Thanks to Banh Uot Banh Me, you can finally put to use those rolling skills you honed back in your university days...rolling gỏi cuốn, obviously (wink).

in Travel

In Bangkok's Sunday Market 'Baan Yuan,' Flavors of Vietnam Abound

A stroll down the start of Soi Samsen 13 was utterly uninteresting at the beginning: it first appeared to be a typical Thai soi (alley) filled with SUVs and shuttered shops on a typical Sunday morning...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam, South Korea Agree to Do $100bn in Bilateral Trade by 2020

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ City needs to VND 10 bln to build three new bus stations [SGGP] ▪ Vietnam, S...

in Society

Meet Ho Nhat Ha, the Man Who Walked the Length of Vietnam With No Money

You might have seen him, had you been anywhere between Saigon and Ha Giang in the last four months. The proud owner of a guitar and a 100-watt smile, the simple fact is Ho Nhat Ha would have been hard...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC May Fall Short on Old Apartment Restoration Target

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnamese surgeons succeed in lung transplant from brain dead donor [SGGP] ▪&nbs...

Thi Nguyen

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: The Unapologetic Simplicity of Ben Thanh's Bun Rieu Ganh

Working in the middle of a market that houses a plethora of food collectives can be a double-edged sword. It's convenient when you’re pressed for time, but after a while, you tend to get lazy and just...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Ranks 33rd Among Emerging Economies In Inclusive Development: Report.

Inclusive Development Index is a newly created measurement which assesses 103 countries on eleven dimensions of economic progress.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Work Starts on $1bn Industrial Zone in Nghe An

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Work starts on 1-billion-USD industrial zone in Nghe An [SGGP] ▪ Vietnam nam...

Thi Nguyen

in Music & Arts

[Video] This Music Video Is a Quirky Homage to Go Lim Frontwoman Nga Nhi

For those familiar with Hanoi's independent music scene, the name Go Lim should ring a bell. During their fleeting single-year existence between 2011 and 2012, Go Lim was a breath of fresh air among t...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC to Welcome Nearly 700,000 Foreign Visitors in March

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCMC People’s Committee approves car parking fee increase [SGGP] ▪ HCM City ...

in Saigon

Saigon Offers Workers Highest Wages in Vietnam in 2017: Report

Saigoneers are currently being offered the highest salaries in the country.

in Asia

Is China’s Social Credit System a 'Black Mirror' Dystopian Scenario?

On 14 June 2014, the State Council of China issued the "Planning Outline for the Construction of a Social Credit System," one of the most ambitious e-governing efforts in the country.

Paul Christiansen

in Literature

A Vietnamese-American Poet's First Return to Vietnam After Half a Century

The barking of a nearby dog forced Hoa Nguyen to pause mid-stanza. It was as if the canine was attempting to collaborate with her poem, a fitting start to the Year of the Dog. This young year saw the ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Proposes Ban on Uber, Grab on 11 Streets

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Uber, Grab proposed to be banned from 11 streets in Hanoi [DTI] ▪ Ho Chi Min...

in Arts & Culture

In Vietnam's Contemporary Horror Flicks Lives a Specter of Past Hauntings

About half-way through The Housemaid (Co Hau Gai) I felt an odd sensation. It wasn’t from the gore and panic on display in this horror film but from the fact that not once had there been an overt ment...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Passengers Threaten to Boycott Air France Over Invalid Discounts

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Your next hot fashion is made in Vietnam [OZY] ▪ Vietnamese passengers oppos...

in Literature

Almost Noble: A Review of 'Punji Trap'

The Sympathizer, Viet Thanh Nguyen’s breakthrough 2015 novel, is a fictional tale of a North Vietnamese spy working inside the South Vietnamese army during the last legs of the American War. Duality a...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Saigoneers Make Trek to Da Lat to Buy Vegetables Straight From Farms

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ AFC Futsal: Vietnam reach quarters as Malaysia eliminated [Fox Sports Asia] ▪&nbs...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Cities Plan for Urban Green Growth

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam pursues goal of ‘universities of international stature’ [VietnamNet] ▪&...

Michael Tatarski

in Society

500 Startups' Investor Trek Highlights Vietnam's Robust Tech Scene

It’s no secret that Vietnam's rapidly growing tech industry is garnering the attention of international investors thanks to an active startup scene and an expanding digital economy.

in Food Culture

[Photos] Saigon's Forward-Looking Cafes on the Future of Coffee

  In the first part of our two-part photo project on Saigon's coffee shops, Saigoneer paid a visit to two old-school cafes with decades of heritage. In the second part, we're shining the limel...

Khoi Pham

in Food Culture

Milk Tea-Flavored Water Is Here. Is the Apocalypse Near?

The stark, clinical fluorescent lighting inside the convenient store casts an air of ominous dread all over the shop’s beverage section. With a glance, I find it. The blue package stares back at me me...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam’s International Internet Connectivity Fully Restored

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s international internet connectivity fully restored [VietnamNet] ▪ ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Closes 2 Central Streets Today for Tet Offensive Ceremony

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Ho Chi Minh City canal cleanup projects may fail to meet deadline [DTI] ▪ HC...

Khoi Pham

in Sports

It's Official: Vietnam Beats Qatar, Advances to Final of AFC U-23 Cup

Un-f*cking-believable!

in Food Culture

[Photos] Saigon's Old-School Cafes Hold Fast to Time-Honored Traditions

In a city of rapid change, there is no doubt that opinions on many subjects vary with passion and, sometimes, noticeable subtlety.

in Arts & Culture

Empty Forest: Dissecting the Fraught Relationship Between Man and Animal

In April 2010, a ranger in Dong Nai Province’s Cat Tien National Park found a rhino skeleton with its horn chopped off. Illegal poachers had killed the last Javan rhinoceros on mainland Southeast Asia...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Posts Record-High $3bn Trade Surplus

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Korean convenience store chain to open first branch in Vietnam [SGGP] ▪ Viet...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: PM Wants to Transform Vietnam From ‘Beautiful Girl’ to ‘Economic Tiger’

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ PM wants to transform Vietnam from ‘beautiful girl’ to ‘economic tiger’ [VnExpress...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Logistics Sector Too Expensive to Compete With Foreign Rivals

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Unemployed university graduates study for doctorate despite job outlook [VietnamNe...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Thai Tycoons' Deals in Vietnam Pose Risks to Domestic Market

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Thai tycoons' deals in Vietnam pose risks to domestic market [VnExpress] ▪ H...

Brian Letwin

in Food Culture

Hẻm Gems: In Thao Dien, a Modernist Building Houses D2's Best Bánh Canh Stall

For many Saigoneers, central Thao Dien is known for its plethora of high-end restaurants catering to the neighborhood’s large expat population. However, if one looks closely enough between the scores ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Seeks to Cut Half of Business Rules in 2018

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Jetstar flight makes emergency landing in Hanoi [Tuoi Tre] ▪ Vietnam governm...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Launches Digital Database Aimed to Increase Public Knowledge

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnamese guy cycles across Southeast Asia to raise charity funds [Tuoi Tre] ▪&n...

Thi Nguyen

in Music & Arts

Collective Remembrance Project Delves Into Artists' Personal Connection to Saigon

In his comprehensive work The Past is a Foreign Country, American historian and geographer David Lowenthal contends that, even in spite of historical accounts, recollections and relics that contribute...

Brandon Coleman

in Society

[Photos] Catholic Neighborhoods in Saigon Celebrate Christmas With Elaborate Nativity Scenes

Unlike most of the western world, Saigoneers see Christmas as less of a time for cozy gatherings at home with family and friends but more as an oppotunity to take to the street to bask in the festive ...

Dana Filek-Gibson

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Cocktails and Conversation at Saigon’s Classiest Sidewalk Spot

Editor's note: This review from 2017 was of City Beer Station's first location on Pham Ngoc Thach Street, which has since closed. Over the past years, the cocktail bar has moved numerous times. Recent...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: World Bank Raises Vietnam’s Growth Forecast to 6.7% for 2017

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Facebook livestreaming a new medium for celebrity ads in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] ▪&nbs...

in Sports

The Reunification Game: How a 1976 Football Match Brought North & South Together

In early 1976, shortly after the dust had started to settle in a now-unified Vietnam, Le Buu, general director of the country’s Sports Administration Department, was tasked with heading to Saigon to a...

in Arts & Culture

For Saigon's Circus Performers, Money Is a Problem. But the Lack of Viewers Hurts the Most.

Nestled in a corner of Phu Nhuan District’s Gia Dinh Park, the Phuong Nam Circus is hidden under a canopy of towering trees. The main facility is an old, patched-up canvas that’s seen better days, whi...

in Society

Here's What to Expect at the 2017 AFF Futsal Championship, Hosted by Saigon

This October sees Ho Chi Minh City host its third major international futsal tournament in many years, as the best club teams from the ASEAN region meet to battle once again at the Phu Tho indoor stad...

in Sports

The Bleak Future of Vietnam's Franchise Football

In the age of franchise football, Vietnamese clubs are struggling to maintain loyal spectators and economically viable teams. Can Vietnam transform its approach to football, fans, and the future of th...

in Sports

In Its Second Season, Vietnam's Pro Basketball League Continues to Grow

Fresh from the success of its 2016 debut, the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) recently began its second season. In addition to an increase in the league’s number of competing teams, the VBA is al...

in Sports

A Brief Primer on Vietnam’s Football History

How Vietnamese teams made the jump from small-time local leagues to national franchise football.

in Film & TV

Hands-On Vietnam Brings Intensive, Affordable Workshops to Saigon's Budding Filmmakers

In a city brimming with actors, producers and filmmakers, it’s hard to imagine that a communal space for collaboration didn't already exist. Until last week, informal spaces like Facebook groups offer...

in Culture

Cambodia Is Losing Its Buddhist Monks to Modernization

Rocked by scandals, rapid modernization and a changing society, membership in Cambodia's Buddhist monkhood is on the decline.

Tim Doling

in Saigon

Date With the Wrecking Ball: Thu Thiem Parish Church and Lovers of the Holy Cross Convent

Two of Saigon’s oldest Roman Catholic institutions, located across the river in Thủ Thiêm, may soon be gone.

Tim Doling

in Saigon

Saigon’s Famous Streets and Squares: Quách Thị Trang Square

In this, the first of a new series about the history of the famous streets and squares of Saigon and Chợ Lớn, Tim Doling looks at the history of Quách Thị Trang square.

in Saigon

The Saigon Tax Trade Center Mosaic Staircase: A Forgotten Moroccan Masterpiece

When the Hồ Chí Minh City authorities announced in 2014 that the Saigon Tax Trade Centre was to be demolished and replaced with a 43-storey tower block, many voices were raised in opposition to the de...

in Sports

Young H’mong Boy Steals The Show At Sapa Mountain Marathon

The second Vietnam Mountain Marathon took place over the weekend of 20-21 September, with almost 400 runners from 40 nations descending on the mountains of Sapa to take on trails of 10, 21, 42 and a m...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Nguyen Van Linh

Driving around Saigon, it’s easy to lose sight of the city as it appeared 25 years ago. So many buildings have been leveled into dust and in their place, stand shiny new high-rises shimmering of glass...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Hai Ba Trung

When tyrants take your husband away and execute him for protesting high taxes, you tend to take stuff like that personally. That’s how Trung Trac took it when the Chinese killed her husband almost two...

in Vietnam

Street Cred: Path of Poets

If Saigon was a battlefront and its street signs served as territorial markers, then it’s clear that the revolutionaries and martyrs have won. Everywhere you look, the names of fallen heroes lead the ...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Ham Nghi

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” This quote from Shakespeare’s Henry IV basically sums up the political climate of Vietnam in 1883. In that year alone, four different men played the part of ...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Yersin

If you’ve been following this column, then you’ve probably noticed the pattern of folks getting famous for taking a stance and sticking up for Vietnam. By now, you should know that Vietnamese people a...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Phan Xích Long

Like a page straight out of Bizzaro World, fast food franchises have a heightened social status here in Vietnam.

in Saigon

Street Cred: Lý Thường Kiệt

Over mountains and rivers of the South, reigns the Emperor of the South. This fate is written in the Book of Heaven. How dare those barbarians invade our land? Your armies, without pity, will be annih...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Vo Thi Sau

Life, like the streets and alleys of Saigon, certainly has its fair share of twists and turns. One moment, you’re comfortably cruising down one direction, and suddenly, you encounter a detour. You try...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Cách Mạng Tháng 8

Some people find it boring and unimaginative that all the cities in Vietnam share the same street names. Whether it’s an isolated town touching the Chinese border or a tiny strip of road leading to a ...

in Vietnam

Street Cred: Lac Long Quan and Au Co

Street Cred is the rearview mirror by which we’ll explore the meaning behind the signs. Look for it every Friday. Enjoy!

in Saigon

Street Cred: Nguyễn Văn Trỗi

Hey folks! Saigoneer is resurrecting its short-lived series on the street signs of Saigon with a weekly column called Street Cred. Saigon is filled with history and we see signs of it everywhere. Stre...

in Saigon

Street Cred: Phạm Ngũ Lão

Hey folks! Saigoneer is resurrecting its short-lived series on the street signs of Saigon with a weekly column called Street Cred. Saigon is filled with history and we see signs of it everywhere. Stre...

in Music & Arts

Artist Spotlight: Yanneth Albornoz

There are very few people that you encounter accidentally in your lifetime with whom you can strike a spontaneous four hour conversation as if you have known each other for a very long time. Usually w...

Tim Doling

in Saigon

Saigon's Cầu Mống and the Remnants of Gustave Eiffel's Work in Vietnam

Many people will be familiar with the spurious claims that French civil engineer and architect Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) was responsible for two of Vietnam’s most iconic buildings, the Long Biên Brid...

in Tech

Big Changes for Online Advertising in Vietnam

For Google staff, today should prove to be slightly more relaxing following a week of big announcements. For many of them, the week started with a cup of coffee at the annual I/O developer conference ...

in Tech

Asia's Social Media Boom

A macro-economic expert could view social media as a good economic development indicator. Social media fever is fading a bit in the US after the mini-bubble, encouraged by the highly criticized purcha...

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