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Khôi Phạm

in Music & Arts

5 Albums to Put on While Driving Home at 12am Pretending You're in an MV

It’s 12:03am in Saigon. You've just finished a movie at the last screening of the day. The asphalt in the parking lot is coated in a layer of golden light from the streetlight. You walk gingerly to yo...

in Development

New Proposal Plans Metro Line Linking Long Thành Airport, Thủ Thiêm

Let the paperwork begin!

in Architecture

'Slow/ed/ing Architecture': When Architects Ruminate on Architecture Together

The super cute duo that make up the design studio “Exutoire” are Bùi Quý Sơn and Paul-Antoine Lucas. Life and work partners, they moved back(ish) to Vietnam from Oslo last year, and are currently prep...

in Vietnam

Huế Becomes 1st City With Dedicated Lanes on Pavements for Bicycles

The growing popularity of biking as a recreational activity in Vietnam has been acknowledged officially by urban planners in Huế.

Paul Christiansen

in In Plain Sight

On a Boat Ride Through Nhiêu Lộc Canal, a Fish's-Eye View of Saigon

Could your life in Saigon be made into a quirky indie film? 

in Sports

Saigon Heat Wins Intracity Rivalry Over HCMC Wings, Closing Out VBA Regular Season

Families of fans filed into the “Fire Pan” on September 3, wearing red, white, and black jerseys. The atmosphere hums with anticipation.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Simple Pleasures of Kite-Flying in Thủ Thiêm

One of the most elegant means to observe the textured heft and untethered strength of otherwise-invisible wind — there is plenty one could say about the poetry of flying kites. 

in Saigon

Plan to Put Canopy Over Treeless Lê Lợi Pavement Sparks Debate

Late last week, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture unveiled a proposal to install canopies across Lê Lợi Boulevard’s pavement.

in Saigon

Ở đó ở đây Sài Gòn — A Love-Hate Letter to the Maze of Paradoxes

Editor's note: Adrien Jean is a Saigon-based photographer and a frequent contributor to Saigoneer's Darkroom series. His photos often depict the precise moments in time when the visual elements of our...

in Music & Arts

On Its 12th Birthday, a Brief History of Hanoi Rock City, a Bastion of the Indie Spirit

Hanoi Rock City (HRC) is even more than a household name for the youth of Hanoi, especially anyone who’s fond of the “Rock n Roll” culture. Twelve years after its founding, HRC has become a special cu...

in Music & Arts

Illustration Series 'Phố Trong Hộp' Preserves Our Street Corners in a Tin Can

The cheeky illustration project “Phố Trong Hộp” (City in a Box) was conceived when its author Khánh Băng started merging Vietnam’s quaint street corners with some of the country’s most iconic FMCG pro...

in Vietnam

Bình Dương Gang Drives Car, Steals Mooncakes, Eats Almost Everything Before Arrest

If you ever feel overwhelmed by mooncake gifts this Trung Thu, remember that there are underprivileged others who might have to resort to driving their car to steal bánh Trung Thu.

in Development

At Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge's Launch, Exuberance and Selfies Galore

After seven years under construction, the Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge officially opened for traffic at 5pm, April 28. This was a much-anticipated project for Saigoneers, with over VND3.1 trillion in investment...

Michael Tatarski

in Natural Selection

Mangroves: The Everyday Superheroes Protecting Vietnam Against Climate Change

When you think of ways to combat the inevitable ravages of climate change and sea level rise, what comes to mind?

in Development

Enormous 'City Within a City' Planned for An Phú, Thủ Đức City

It will feature a wide range of building styles and features.

in Music & Arts

Adorable Metro Illustrations Take Viewers on a Joyride Through Saigon

As fans of Vietnam’s busiest city, graphic designers An Nguyễn and Học Nguyễn launched a mock communication campaign to create prospective visual branding for the upcoming Ho Chi Minh City Metro. The ...

in Architecture

Tản Mạn Kiến Trúc Propels the Architecture Discourse Into the Age of Social Media

Architecture Excursions - Tản Mạn Kiến Trúc is a grassroots media project founded by a group of young Vietnamese who share a simple goal: to shed light on Vietnam’s vast and often undiscussed architec...

in Society

Two People, 54 Ethnic Groups, One Photo at a Time

Through their photography project, Vietnam the People, Alden Anderson and Nguyễn Thị Yến Trinh have documented most of the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Paul Christiansen

in Quãng 8

Kim Chi Sun and Charles on the Evolution of Good

"I haven’t lost myself yet, but there are many new angles of me, new realizations; there are some new feelings, new vibes I want to share with you. I want to open up to you," Kim Chi Sun says to her l...

in Music & Arts

'Lòng Vòng Sài Gòn' Music Video Reminds Us of the Fantastical Magic of the City

There are certain things that we tend to take for granted in life. A standard routine, moments of simple contentment, and that one cơm tấm lady who’s always been at that street corner whenever you rea...

in Health

Saigon Expands Vaccination Campaign to All City Residents Over 18

Have you gotten a shot yet?

in Saigon

Saigon Has Imposed Over $50,000 in Fines so Far to Enforce Lockdown Rules

Huge amounts of fines have been levied since Directive 16 went into effect in Ho Chi Minh City.

Linh Pham

in Tech

Wonder How Much Air-Con Costs You This Summer? A Homegrown App Can Help.

Vietnam is facing a serious electricity shortage, yet we have no idea how much energy we use everyday.

in Saigon

New PM Supports Plan to Let HCMC Retain More Budget Revenue

The city currently has the lowest budget retention rate of any locality.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Supply Chain Cyber Attack, More F1, F2 Identified and Thu Duc City Announcement

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 Environment

Over 5,000 Solar Systems Were Installed in Saigon This Year

Let there be sun!

in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City Hall Receives Recognition as National Architectural Monument

The Ho Chi Minh City Hall has been one of the metropolis’ most recognizable landmarks since the period of French rule.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Vinasun Layoffs, Hanoi-Taiwan Flights Reopen and New R&D Hub

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 Film & TV

[Videos] Get up Close and Personal to Hanoi's Myriad of Urban Textures

To walk through Hanoi is to move simultaneously forwards and backwards in time.

in Saigon

Saigon Aims to Reach Over $12,000 in GDP per Capita by 2030

Saigon's GDP per capita in 2019 was US$6,862.

in Music & Arts

Get to Know Vietnam's 54 Ethnic Groups via These Adorable Emojis

If only these adorable emojis existed back when we were toiling over our geography homework years ago.

in Development

Vietnam Reconsiders Nuclear Power Options in Decade Energy Master Plan

Previous plans to build nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan Province were scrapped in 2016, but the projects might be coming back in the near future.

in Vietnam

Vietnam's Coal Imports Reach Record High in First Half of 2020

Demand for electricity in the country is surging.

in Sports

As Epidemic Subsides in Vietnam, Return of VBA Not an ‘If,’ but a 'When’

Rebooting professional basketball during a global pandemic is no slam dunk.

in Environment

Hanoi Public School Becomes First in City With Solar Power System

It is part of a program to install solar panels at local schools.

in Music & Arts

[Photos] An Other-Worldly Wander Through a Human-Less Hanoi at Night

Tracing Hanoi’s spirit: that was the initial goal of the photographic project I set out to do from November 2018 onward.

in Environment

Vietnam Considers Scaling Back Plans to Build New Coal Power Plants

The move comes as thermal power plants are increasingly difficult to finance, while their detrimental environmental impacts are impossible to ignore.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Aims to Double Power Generation by 2030 to Fuel Fast-Growing Economy

A fast-growing economy and rising income levels have strained the country's power grid.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Inks Deal to Buy Massive Amounts of Electricity From Laos

The move comes as the Vietnamese government works to avoid projected power shortages in the near future.

in Development

Binh Duong to Build 'World Trade Center' With Link to Saigon Metro

Binh Duong has unveiled plans to construct a massive commercial complex in hopes of boosting the local economy and investment opportunities.

in Hanoi

New Proposal Seeks to Pedestrianize More Old Quarter Streets

Perhaps Hanoi's Old Quarter streets won't be such a nightmare for pedestrians in the future.

Paul Christiansen

in Sports

On Dreaming of a Time When Vietnam Loves Basketball as Much as Football

How lucrative is being a professional basketball player in Vietnam? To help make ends meet, “some work at fast-food restaurants,” admits Ho Chi Minh City Wings small forward Nguyen Ky Quan.

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

The Story of Tan Son Nhat Airport

As the plan for Saigon's massive Long Thanh Airport moves forward (despite some objections), we thought we'd take a minute to look back at the long history of old standby, Tan Son Nhat. 

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

How Much Do You Make? New Report Finds Growing Salaries in HCMC

Ever wonder what you're worth? The recently released 2013 Robert Walters Global Salary Survey shows moderate growth in salaries for workers in the financial, supply chain, engineering, HR, IT, s...

Brian Letwin

in Film & TV

Films Coming to Vietnam This August

We know we’re a few weeks late, but here’s a list of films being released in Vietnam this month. Descriptions from IMDB.

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Check Out This Badass

In the time before Ducatis and Yamaha FZ16s were the hottest things on two wheels in Saigon, the Honda Cub 67 reigned supreme with local cool kids. Even though many of the old 67's are still around, ...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Massive Fire Drill at Diamond Plaza this Morning

If you're wondering why emergency crews, including 2 helicopters are running around Dimond Plaza this morning, fear not, for it's only a drill! The city fire, police and health departments along with...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Old Saigon Picture of the Day: Saigon Railroad Building

Not too long ago, the park across from Ben Thanh Market was the location of the city's main train station. Even though the station moved to District 3 following the American War, remnants of the old ...

in Music & Arts

Latin Music With Soul

With many options available, it seems that a large number of Vietnamese youth are getting more and more into Latin music - Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Reggaeton. From Salsa clubs like La Salsa and Xsa...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: A Look Inside Male Brothels

Here's what's making news around Vietnam this morning: -A look inside male brothels [Tuoi Tre] -Clean cafés emerge in city, outplay sidewalk rivals [Tuoi Tre] -HCM City: River “swallows” seven hous...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: Vietnam Cops to Mass Produce Fishnet Launchers to Catch Traffic Violators

Here's what's making news around Vietnam this morning: -Vietnam cops to mass produce fishnet launchers to catch traffic violators [Thanh Nien] -Drug makers accused of collusion [Vietnam Ne...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Weapons Workshop Uncovered in Hai Phong

If there's a will, there's a way. When you own a workshop and are a drug addict, this could lead you to running a gun-making operation as in the case of Duong Minh Nhat. The 38-year-old and his wife ...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Don't Panic: SuperMoon is on Its Way

It’s about that time again. On June 23, the year’s largest supermoon will be visible above the Saigon skies. A supermoon occurs when a full moon lines up with the Earth and the sun at a specific poin...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

7 Old Pictures of Saigon Street Vendors

The buildings and streets of Saigon can change in the blink of an eye. Gone are the streetcars, French street names and ox-drawn carts. As the economy continues to develop, the old Saigon is being rep...

Brian Letwin

in Asia

Thai Monks Traveling on Private Jet Cause Uproar

Three Thai monks have landed in hot water after footage of the trio flying on a private jet, wearing sunglasses and earphones and carrying Louis Vuitton bags emerged on YouTube. The video has caused ...

Brian Letwin

in Asia

Lost Cambodian City Found Using Frickin' Laser Beams

Apparently Ankgor Watt is a piece of a larger puzzle. Using frickin' areal lasers, archaeologists have identified a sprawling city around the 1,200 year old temple complex, revealing how the area’s ne...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Morning Links: 701 Vietnamese Travelers Abandoned in Thailand

Here's what's making news around Vietnam this morning: - Prostitution ring targeting foreigners busted in Vietnam metro [Thanh Nien] - Gold Premiums in Vietnam Hit $217 Over Spot In Heavy Demand [Go...

Brian Letwin

in Music & Arts

Call for Submissions - Ho Chi Minh MEGA City

If you love Saigon, it’s time to grab your camera and take some shots of the city! The photo book, “TP. Ho Chi Minh MEGA City,” is currently being assembled and the authors are seeking submissions. C...

Brian Letwin

in Development

Vietnam May Embrace Cars After All

Japanese companies, some of Vietnam’s largest investors, are playing an interesting game these days. For the most part, Japan has taken on the role of older brother to Vietnam, supporting the develop...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

The Remarkable Tale of Ben Thanh Market

Large markets have been the cornerstone of many Vietnamese neighborhoods for over a century. When Saigon was still a collection of small towns, central markets acted as vital commerce centers where lo...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

[UPDATE] Broken Wire Leaves Southern Vietnam Powerless

Tuoi Tre is reporting that a section of the 500 KV wire that connects the power grid between north and south, “fell apart,” cutting power to 22 provinces in southern Vietnam. While power has returned ...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Saigon's New CNG Busses to be Produced in Vietnam

Locally-produced CNG (compressed natural gas) busses may be an increasingly common sight over the next 12 months. On April 18, Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the City Department of Transport, a...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Old Saigon: Pictures from Life Magazine

When looking at old pictures of big cities, what usually strikes us is how different yet similar things are today. Back in the 50s, Time Magazine ran some great pictures of Saigon, capturing its initi...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Contrasting Past & Present

Old bridge. Photo by Khánh Hmoong If you love old Vietnam photos as much as we do, you’ll get a kick out of these which contrast the present and past of some of Vietnam’s most famous sites.

Brian Letwin

in Development

Bringing Back the Green

Green bedroom. Source: New York Times The idea of “going green” is gaining popularity in our fair Vietnam, and while the government talks about it on a national level, there are plenty of good exampl...