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?
As Hot Weather Grills Central Vietnam, Multiple Wildfires Ravage Ha Tinh
After three days of constant fire-fighting efforts by local law enforcement and military personnel, the forest fires in Ha Tinh Province were finally subdued.
Weekend Stories Roundup: HCMC’s CPI Goes Down Slightly in June
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...
Vietnamese Passport Strength Improves Slightly to 73rd of 94
Overtaking Algeria and Haiti, Vietnam moved up to 73rd out of 94 spots.
5 Men Jailed for Killing Endangered Primates in Nghe An National Park
Sentences were given to five men in Nghe An Province for poaching a pair of langurs in Pu Mat National Park.
Morning Stories Roundup: As Pork Imports Spike, Vietnam's Livestock Industry Is Under Pressure
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 Data Shows Fansipan Is 4.3m Higher Than Previously Recorded
After a recent round of measurements, experts believe that the peak of Mount Fansipan is higher than previously recorded.
Morning Stories Roundup: Quang Binh Signs Promotion Deal With Google
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 Applies for Recognition as UNESCO Creative City
As part of the capital’s ongoing efforts to bolster the city’s global standing, authorities are developing a dossier to submit for Hanoi’s recognition as a UNESCO creative city.
Da Nang Will Pilot a Public Bicycle-Sharing Program to Reduce Traffic
To combat increasing traffic and pollution concerns, the city will trial a high-tech bicycle-sharing program.
Morning Stories Roundup: Land Transfer Problem Hinders HCMC Public Toilet Project
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...
Saigon Earmarks $7m for Measures to Thwart Illegal Sand Mining
Illegal sand mining in the area is devastating ecosystems and ushering in a host of environmental problems.
ASEAN Countries Confirm Bid to Co-Host FIFA World Cup 2034
On June 22, a meeting between representatives of ten ASEAN countries was held to discuss the prospect of co-hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Attracts 17m Visitors in First 6 Months of 2019
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...
How a Vietnamese Fishing Boat Saved 22 Filipino Victims From a Shipwreck
The group of Vietnamese fishermen includes ten people working on a fishing boat belonging to Tien Giang resident Ngo Van Theng.
Weekend Stories Roundup: Doctors Warn of Disease Outbreaks as Heat Wave Continues
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...
246 Illegal Vietnamese Workers Arrested in Taiwan
Taiwan continues its crackdown against illegal workers in the country that began in January.
Experts Warn Against Building Hydropower Plants On Red River
Lao Cai Province authorities have proposed building two hydropower plants on the Red River.
With Vietnam's Thriving Air Travel Comes Severe Pilot Shortage
The country will need 2,680 pilots for commercial flights by 2020, nearly twice as many as it currently has.
Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC's Accident-Prone Spots Get Closer to Downtown
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...
Saigon Is Sinking Fast Due to Too Much Groundwater Extraction, Experts Say
In late March 2018, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued a plan to close groundwater wells in the city.
