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?
After 3 Days of Rain, Historic Flooding Disrupts Life in Phu Quoc
Three days of heavy rain have resulted in flooding that has forced hundreds of families in numerous areas of Phu Quoc to evacuate.
Morning Stories Roundup: Ca Mau Erosion, Saigon Food Street and Toni Morrison
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's Car Imports Triple Compared to First 8 Months of 2018
During the first eight months of 2019, Vietnam imported 88,000 vehicles valued at US$1.94 billion, accounting for increases of 366% and 319% respectively, compared to the same time period last year.
Free Heat Shelters Set up in Hanoi for Outdoor Workers
A German-funded project is providing free air-conditioned sites for people to escape the summer heat of Hanoi.
Saigon to Tighten Traffic Law Enforcement on Foreign Drivers From August
Instead of just giving warnings and admonition, police will start applying punishments for foreign traffic violators starting August 16.
Morning Stories Roundup: Number of Foreign Tourists to Vietnam Tops 1.31m in July
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...
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.
Weekend Stories Roundup: US Remains Largest Import Partner of Vietnam in 7 Months
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...
Jakarta to Build Giant Sea Wall to Stop City Sinking Into Sea
Last Friday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo warned that in order to stop the country's capital from sinking into the sea, a giant wall surrounding the city must be built quickly.
Drunk Man Fined VND10m for Groping Female Passenger, Attendant on VNA Flight
On the afternoon of July 26, a male passenger was removed from flight VN253 from Hanoi to Saigon for inappropriate behaviors.
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnamese Enterprises Struggle to Protect Trademarks
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...
Bronze Cannon Discovered in Da Nang Is of Dutch Origin, Researchers Say
First discovered in May, researchers announced on Monday that the military device came from the Netherlands and was likely owned by the Nguyen Dynasty.
Hanoi Officials Consider Imposing Tolls to Limit Entry to Downtown Areas
Due to severe traffic, Hanoi is considering setting up automatic toll gates for downtown areas in order to reduce congestion.
Morning Stories Roundup: Controversy Raised Over HCMC Bus Lane Plan
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...
Noi Bai Officials Seize 125kg of Rhino Horns Worth $7.5m
Officials at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport on Sunday seized 125 kilograms of smuggled rhino horn, which represents one of the biggest wildlife tracking cases ever recorded in Southeast Asia.
Saigon to Remove Single-Use Plastic Items in Government Agencies
Saigon authorities are moving forward with measures to minimize plastic usage in government functions.
Morning Stories Roundup: Wildlife Crime Challenges Vietnam’s Tiger Conservation Efforts
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...
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.
Nat Geo Names 2 Pagodas in Vietnam Among World's 20 Most Beautiful Temples
The list also includes landmarks from other Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.
Bangkok Imposes Heavier Fine on Motorbikes Driving on Sidewalk
Bangkok's city government has doubled the THB2,000 (US$65) fine for motorcyclists driving on sidewalks starting August 1.
