Paul Christiansen

in Vietnam

The Grotesque Food on AI Slop Signs Ushers in the Age of Flattened Human Experience

The AI slop has arrived, our streets conquered by vibrant, same-same cartoon faces with goofy grins slapped atop gradient-drenched backgrounds, every inch of space smeared with colorful activity that distracts from wonky details: clocks with nonsensical numerals, bánh mì with reptile skin, and passion fruit oozing juice from sinkhole centers.

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. 

Uyên Đỗ

in Saigon

Into Saigon's Charming Hidden Third Spaces in the Shade of Bridges

Third place (noun): A space outside of one's home and workplace, where people meet and interact socially.

in Saigon

Saigon Uncovers 9 of Possible 900 Human Remains From 1968 Tết Offensive Beneath Local Park

Authorities believe nine soldiers, alongside artifacts including a military poncho and hammock, are part of a mass grave of about 900 soldiers killed in the 1968 Tết Offensive, according to Tuổi Trẻ. After an eight-year forensics undertaking, local officials have undertaken a mission to recover the remains beneath Lê Thị Riêng Park in Hòa Hưng Ward (former District 10). 

Xuân Phương

in Hanoi

In Suburban Hanoi, With Summer Comes the Red-Purple Cascade of Mulberries

In suburban Hanoi, this is the season when mulberry branches heavy with bright red fruits dangle in the summer wind.

in Saigon

After Saigon Police Bust Major Pet Theft Ring, the City Rallies to Help Care for 400 Cats

After an extended investigation, the Hồ Chí Minh City Police Department has busted a major cat theft and distribution ring that operated across multiple southern provinces.

in Saigon

A Visit to Lê Minh Xuân, a Rare Craft Village Making Incense Sticks Amid Saigon

From inside the workshop, artisans carry bundle after bundle of freshly made incense sticks into the courtyard amid the morning mist. A gentle scent of spices linger in the air.

in Saigon

As Thanh Đa Faces Redevelopment, Writer Dạ Ngân Reflects on What Will Be Lost

To me, my trip to Cư xá Thanh Đa in summer 1982 was a serendipitous encounter. It was Saigon’s largest-scale residential complex in the first half of the 1970s, with nearly 4,000 separate units housing about 50,000 inhabitants. Cư xá refers to a residential quarter reserved for gainfully employed citizens, with a vision to establish a model community with a high quality of life. Here, in their three-bedroom apartments, civil servants, professors, doctors, and military leaders ranked major or higher lived in pride of being a part of a cư xá like that.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Huế Launches Public Bicycle Trial Program With 7 Stations, 250 Bikes

This Monday, Huế launched the pilot phase of its public bike rental system.

in Hanoi

Last Weekend's Downpour Was the Heaviest Rain Hanoi Has Seen Since 1986

On Sunday afternoon, torrential rain following an unprecedented downpour inundated many streets and paralyzed traffic in Hanoi.

in Saigon

Saigon Restaurant Faces Boycott Over Gruesome Poisoning of Stray Cats

Over the past week, animal lovers in Saigon were shocked to learn of a deliberate poisoning aimed at stray cats living in a local apartment complex. 

in Saigon

Saigon Plans to Add 10ha of Public Parks by End of 2022

The additional parks are part of a goal to have 3–4 square meters of green space per Saigon resident by 2030.

in Vietnam

Controversy Brews Over 'Minh Mạng' Herbal Tea Brand's Song Joong-Ki Packaging

A tea product featuring the face of a South Korean celebrity has turned into a royal pain for its manufacturer.

in Saigon

Đàm Lê Đức, Educator Extraordinaire and Matriarch of 218 Lý Tự Trọng, Passes Away at 91

If there’s such a thing as a celebrity teacher, Madame Đàm Lê Đức would be a shining example of Saigon’s educator extraordinaire.

in Saigon

Facing Another Removal Plan, Will Chợ Cũ Tôn Thất Đạm Survive 2022?

After years of existing on paper, Saigon authorities’ plan to remove chợ cũ might become a reality this year.

in Vietnam

Hanoi Woman Survives 7 Days in the Wild After Falling off Cliff During Pagoda Visit

Would you be able to survive a week in the wilderness of Vietnam?

in Vietnam

Vietnam Removes Health Declaration Requirement for Domestic, International Travelers

Citing Vietnam's continued success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health announced domestic travelers will no longer need to make health declarations and restrictions will be ea...

Khôi Phạm

in Stories

A Letter From Saigoneer

Saigoneers ơi!

in Vietnam

Hanoi Envisions 6 More Metro Lines for City Center by 2050

Earlier this week, Hanoi unveiled a general plan for the underground development of the city center which includes adding six metro lines and 81 underground stations. 

in Vietnam

Inside the Backbreaking Work of Quảng Ninh's Coal Miners

“I am a person with two skin tones.”

in Vietnam

Hanoi to Establish Animal Control Squads to Catch Roaming Dogs, Cats

In a city-wide campaign to curb the spread of rabies, Hanoi authorities announced that the city will form squads dedicated to snaring stray dogs.

in Vietnam

5 Biggest Cities Told to Restrict Motorbikes From 2030

Will motorbikes in downtown Saigon be a thing of the past in eight years?

in Vietnam

Beauty Behemoth Sephora Enters Vietnamese Market With Digital Store

Sephora, the wide-reaching consumer goods retailer, has launched an e-commerce portal for Vietnamese customers, but has revealed no plans for physical stores in Vietnam.

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 Vietnam

President Joe Biden Announces New US-Based VinFast Factory on Twitter

Vietnam's domestic manufacturing industry has entered a new era. 

in Saigon

Highest Temperatures of the Year to Hit Saigon, Southern Provinces in April

Saigon's latest hottest club is literally the entire city.

in Saigon

New Proposal to Move Tôn Đức Thắng Underground to Make Room for Walking Plaza

It's ambitious, to say the least.

in Saigon

After Initial Success, Saigon's Public Bike Scheme to Expand to 4 More Districts, Hanoi

Pedal power!