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.

in Saigon

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?

Back Stories

in Vietnam

As Cases Rise, Da Nang to Establish Walk-in Covid-19 Vaccination Site

As Da Nang experiences its highest new COVID-19 case numbers in two months, city leaders are ramping up vaccination efforts.

in Vietnam

After Each Flood, Hoi An Picks Itself up, Just Like It Has Always Done

Every year, Vietnam braces for dozens of tropical storms coming from the East Sea. Localities along the coast in central Vietnam have to bear devastating destruction caused by Mother Earth whenever se...

in Saigon

Bars, Cinemas, Ride-Hailing Return to Saigon in Low-Risk Districts

Many previously suspended activities are allowed again in Saigon depending on their district’s COVID-19 risk assessment.

in Vietnam

Thief Breaks Into Anti-Theft Device Store in Binh Duong

In a sweet stroke of irony, a security equipment shop in Binh Duong Province couldn’t stop a criminal from infiltrating their own stronghold. 

in Saigon

Saigon Proposes 2 New Waterbus Routes Linking Districts 1, 7

Saigoneer's favorite form of transportation has just proposed adding two new routes linking District 7 and District 1.

in Vietnam

Brown, Princeton Universities Offer First-Ever Vietnamese-Language Classes

The two Ivy League colleges are collaborating on beginner and intermediate Vietnamese language courses after high demand from members of their student bodies.

in Hanoi

Hanoi's First Metro Line Will Officially Open Tomorrow

Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line will be the first metro system in Vietnam to commence operation.

in Saigon

Delta Variant Accounts for 100% of Cases in Saigon's Current Outbreak, Data Shows

The Delta variant of the novel coronavirus was the main reason that the current outbreak in Saigon was so fast-spreading and severe, a recent report shows.

in Vietnam

Oxford University's Linacre College to Be Renamed After Donation From VietJet CEO

In response to a £155 million (VND4.8 trillion) donation via the SOVICO Group, which Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo is president of, Oxford University's Linacre College plans to change its name to Thao C...

in Vietnam

Bamboo Air to Launch Direct London Flights from Hanoi, Saigon

The routes will only be available once Vietnam resumes inbound international flights.

in Saigon

Saigon Begins Vaccinating Students to Prepare for School Reopening

The city aims to administer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 780,000 children aged 12 to 17.

in Saigon

Saigon Restaurants, Cafes Resume In-Person Dining at 50% Capacity

What's the first restaurant on your list?

in Saigon

Over 75% of Saigoneers Have Received 2 Shots of Covid-19 Vaccines

After a sluggish start, Saigon has sped up inoculation efforts, becoming Vietnam’s locality with the most vaccine coverage.

in Vietnam

Major Typhoon Kompasu to Hit North-Central Vietnam Tomorrow

In preparation for the storm's expected landfall Thursday morning, the government is evacuating 250,000 people in the North-Central Region.

in Saigon

As Cases Drop, Saigon Announces Roadmap to Phase out Covid-19 Field Hospitals

Hospital beds were once a scarcity that became filled as soon as they were set up, but the number of cases in southern COVID-19 hot spots has plummeted to the point that many field hospitals are no lo...

in Vietnam

Da Lat Installs First-Ever Traffic Lights to Stem Road Congestion

A new era has begun for the increasingly busy mountain city.

in Saigon

Vaccine QR Codes Are the Hottest New Fashion Accessory in Saigon

Sometimes fashion trends are not born of creativity, but practicality.

in Saigon

Saigon to Resume Flights, Buses, Taxis, App-Based Car Rides in Limited Capacity

Buses, cars and private ride options will resume in limited capacity in Saigon this week.

in Vietnam

In Q3 of 2021, Vietnam's Economy Shrinks for the First Time Since 2000

The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, combined with severe lockdown restrictions, has led to Vietnam's worst economic quarter in decades.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Pushes for Mutual Recognition of 'Vaccine Passports' With Some Nations

Vaccine passports may soon become part of a “new normal” as more Vietnamese are getting their two shots.