Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
Thoughts I've Had While Stranded in Murky Floodwater on Saigon's High-Tide Days
I’m willing to forgive nearly everything about Saigon. It’s a sign of a sustainable relationship, as I still wish to coexist in peace with this city. To me, Saigon’s midday, even when the searing sun flares the strongest, is when the trees are the most glorious. The sudden bouts of torrential rain are indeed a nuisance, but I tell myself that at least the streets can get a wash after a dusty day. But there’s one thing that never goes away and that I can never write off; something I can’t, for the life of me, find reasons to romanticize or defend. Those are the infuriating floods that submerge Saigon streets every time the tide is high.
Saigon Sees a 10-Year Low of 18°C. What Are the City’s Highest and Lowest Temperatures?
This January, Saigoneers have been enjoying an unusually pleasant stretch of weather, with daytime temperatures hovering around the mid-20s and dipping to 18–20°C late at night and in the early morning.
Vietnam Bans Unskippable Ads, Requires Skip Button to Appear After 5 Seconds
If things go our way, YouTube’s notorious unskippable ads might be a thing of the past come this February.
Grindr Year-End Report Names Vietnam as Country With Biggest Top Shortage
Ever since Spotify launched its first global Wrapped function a few years ago, December has turned into an exciting season of stats-driven year-end reviews. “Wrapping” is now a tradition embraced by numerous apps, such as Strava, Duolingo, YouTube, Reddit, and of course, Grindr.
When Donations Are All Womenswear, Men in Flood Zones Turn Necessity Into Fashion
Vietnam’s South-Central Coast region is going through an especially grueling time of the year as both the local people and authorities have to deal with the aftermath of historic rainfall and flooding. Still, amid the mourning and strenuous rebuilding efforts, moments of levity shine through — a testament to the resilience, optimism, and incredible humor of the Vietnamese people in the face of hardships.
Đắk Lắk, Khánh Hòa Are Next Victims of 2025's Historic Flooding. Here's How to Help.
After nearly a week of constant downpour, many provinces of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and South-Central Coast regions have suffered severe flooding and landslides, causing catastrophic damage to local infrastructure, economic activities, and deaths. This has been yet another month of loss and destruction for Vietnam in 2025, which is shaping up to be the most devastating year in recent history due to consecutive powerful typhoons and atypically high rainfall.
After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026
After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?
Historic British Embassy Building in Bangkok Demolished for Shopping Mall
The nearly 100-year-old compound was sold and dismantled to make way for a shopping mall.
Morning Stories Roundup: VNA Partners With Delta to Offer Vietnam-US Flights
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...
Landfill Spills 'River' of Garbage on Da Lat Farms After Heavy Rain
A week ago, several bouts of extended rain caused widespread flooding in Da Lat, an unexpected calamity, considering the town’s hilly topography. For some farmers in the area, flooding turned out to b...
Morning Stories Roundup: US Exports to Vietnam See Strong Growth, Data Shows
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...
Vietnam Has Returned Over 500 Containers of Scrap Waste so Far This Year
After China announced its ban on plastic waste imports, Southeast Asian shores have received countless containers of scrap from the developed world.
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnamese Airline Flights Hit by Hong Kong Protests
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...
'Amazing Race Vietnam' Apologizes for Challenge Harming Coral Reef
An underwater challenge during this year’s installment of The Amazing Race Vietnam is not sitting well with environmentalists.
Singapore Will Ban Domestic Ivory Trading From September 2021
The National Parks Board (NParks) said that Singapore will ban the domestic trade of elephant ivory from September 1, 2021.
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.
Saigon Mulls Establishing Public Bicycle Project in District 1
Will Saigoneers switch to bicycles for their daily commute?
Morning Stories Roundup: Rains to Decrease in Southern Vietnam, as Other Provinces Brace for Heatwave
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...
Con Dao's Sea Turtle 'Nursery' Wraps up Another Successful Hatching Season
The initiative, first started in 2015 and managed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), helps protect and support sea turtles during their hatching season.
Weekend Stories Roundup: 3,000 Tons of Waste to Be Burned to Create Energy in Can Tho
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...
VNA Gifts Round-Trip Tickets to Japanese Tourist Swindled by Xích Lô Driver
Oki Toshiyuki, an 83-year-old Japanese tourist, was charged VND2.9 million for an approximately two-kilometer ride.
Hanoi Railway Launches New Site for Online Ticket Booking
Hanoi Railway (HARACO) and online payment provider NganLuong.vn have teamed up to offer a new online booking and payment site for train tickets.
Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Plans More Transport Infrastructure in Southern Areas
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...
Nuon Chea, Khmer Rouge's Second-in-Command, Dies at 93
Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two," below only Pol Pot, passed away on Sunday.
Vietnam's Elderly Population Will Double by 2035, Reach 32m by 2050
By 2035, the country's elderly population is expected to double from seven to 14% of the total population, and authorities are taking steps to prepare for the unique challenges the change in demograph...
Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Speeds up Work on 4 Underground Parking Lots
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...
Hanoi First Grader Found Dead After Being Locked in School Bus
Parents in Hanoi are reeling from the heartbreaking death of a primary school student who was left on a school bus for an extended period of time.
