Xuân Phương

in Hanoi

Every Bánh Chưng Season, Vietnam’s Lá Dong Capital Comes Alive With Harvest Frenzy

On the patches of sandy soil by the river in Kim An Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, there’s a tiny village named Tràng Cát, where dong leaves have been embedded in local history, memory, and economy for centuries. Right in local courtyard, these broad green leaves were transformed into bánh chưng, ready for Tết feasts across the country.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus

We are all in this, but not together.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Holiday Stories Roundup: Hanoi Metro Delay, Ha Giang Marathon and Inflation

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...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Saigon to Ban Vehicles on Certain Streets During Holiday Weekend

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...

in Vietnam

As Vietnam Restricts Waste Imports, Plastic Scrap Finds Next Under-Regulated Victim

A new report by environmental NGO Greenpeace shows the ugly truth behind the “musical chairs” game countries are playing in the global plastic waste trade.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Breaks All-Time High Temperature Record as Heat Bakes Nation

The searing heat has occurred much earlier than when it usually arrives.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Elephant Tusk Trafficker Arrested in HCMC

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...

in Asia

Thailand-Cambodia Railway Reopens After 45 Years

Traveling between the two ASEAN capitals is now a reality thanks to recent efforts by Thailand and Cambodia to reconnect their defunct railway.

in Vietnam

Moc Chau's New 'Romance' Bridge Is Red and Made of Glass, Just Like Love

It's so red and pink!

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: 6 People Sentenced for Violating Regulations on Rare Animals

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...

in Vietnam

AirAsia Once Again Gives up Plan to Launch New Airline in Vietnam

The deal marks the Malaysian-based budget carrier's fourth failure in the Vietnam aviation market.

in Vietnam

Hai Phong to Build Vietnam's First Road Made From Recycled Plastic

In an attempt to lessen Vietnam’s alarming rates of plastic waste, reduce pressure on landfills and increase sustainability, Hai Phong plans to begin using recycled plastic to create roads.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Grab Expansion, Baby Liver Transplant and Manila Earthquake

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...

in Saigon

How Will Saigon Metro Line 1 Connect With Existing Bus, Water Transport Networks?

While Saigon’s first-ever metro project is inching slowly towards the finish line, city transportation officials are devising plans to integrate the upcoming urban railway into existing public transpo...

in Stories

Weekend New Roundup: Hanoi Plays Host to Vietnam Grand Prix Kick-Off Event

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Sri Lanka Bombings, Preserving Old Villas and 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...

in Vietnam

For the First Time, Vietnam Buys More Choco Pies Than South Korea

We consumed a lot of Choco Pies last year.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: 39 Pangolins Handed Over to Cuc Phuong National Park

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...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: More App-Based Taxi Services Piloted in HCMC

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...

in Hanoi

Hanoi Authorities Say Motorbike Ban Yet to be Officially Approved

Nguyen Duc Chung, the Hanoi chairman, has suggested the city’s long-discussed motorbike ban remains merely a proposal and has not been officially approved.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Moves to End Plastic Scrap Imports by 2025

“Vietnam must not become a dumping ground for other countries' scrap,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently said in response to a dramatic rise in scrap imports to Vietnam.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Bamboo Airways to Increase Capital by $30m

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...