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?
Michael Tatarski in Asia
Cambodia's Shocking Rates of Deforestation to Blame for Climate Emergency
As the impacts of climate change become more apparent worldwide, members of the public are connecting more weather events to the phenomenon.
Vietnam Suffers Most Offline Cyberattacks in Southeast Asia This Year
Offline cyberattacks happen when a user is not connected to the internet and malicious codes can spread through third-party devices such as USB, CD and DVD drives.
Morning Stories Roundup: UN Project Helps Da Nang Develop Sustainable Development Planning
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...
New Proposal Calls on Hanoi Businesses to Ditch Plastic Bags
A new proposal submitted by Hanoi authorities late last month calls on businesses involved in the production of plastic bags to drastically adjust their output.
In New Proposal, Saigon Wants to Impose Fee on Cars Entering Downtown
The transport department's latest effort to alleviate pollution and encourage public transit usage comes with a US$10.8 million price tag.
Morning Stories Roundup: More Flexible Visa Policies Needed to Boost Vietnam's Tourism
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...
Tickets for Hanoi’s Formula One Race Go on Sale Today
With just eight months to go until Vietnam’s first-ever Formula One Grand Prix, construction of the racecourse is underway and, as of today, tickets for the event are officially on sale.
After Heatwaves and Wildfires, Central Vietnam Faces Historic Saltwater Intrusion
Heatwaves and droughts have resulted in worrisome salt levels in freshwater supplies that is seriously impacting agriculture and tourism sectors.
From 2020, Vietnam to Increase Regional Minimum Wage by 5.5%
The new minimum wage will go into effect from January 1, 2020.
High-Speed Railway Connecting Bangkok to China in the Works
The modern bullet train system will take Bangkokians to Laos and China from Bang Sue.
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Improves Its Position on Sustainable Development Goals
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 Authorities Earmark Over $5m for Reducing Poverty
As part of an ongoing drive to minimize poverty in the capital and reduce the number of poor households to zero by the end of this year, Hanoi authorities have outlined a set of funding for initiative...
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.
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam's Solar Power Capacity Reaches 4,464MW
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 Economic Growth Predicted to Reach 7% in 2019
Growth could reach 7% for 2019, according to economic experts from the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research.
Weekend Stories Roundup: Vietnamese Rice Exporters Look for New Markets
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...
At 96.2m Citizens, Vietnam Is the World's 15th-Most Populated Country
Over the last decade, Vietnam witnessed its population grow by 10.4 million.
Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Districts Join Battle With Illegal Sand Miners
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...
New Proposal Wants to Reduce Speed of High-Speed Train to Save $33bn
As a new proposal suggests, by switching the route and reducing speed by 150km/h, the high-speed railway connecting Hanoi and Saigon is estimated to cost just US$26 billion, instead of the initial US$...
Morning Stories Roundup: Woman Arrested for Unintentionally Starting Wildfire in Central Vietnam
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...
