Khôi Phạm

in Vietnam

Cold War History With a Side of Nem Rán in Prague's Little Hanoi

Across English-speaking countries such as the US and Australia, the Vietnamese diaspora established close-knit “Little Saigon” towns whenever they settled down, founding large markets, starting financial services, and introducing southern fares like gỏi cuốn and bánh mì to the local population. Elsewhere in Europe, however, the Vietnamese community is often known as “Little Hanoi,” due to the regional makeup of the first wave of immigrants. Some, like Prague’s Little Hanoi, have flourished to the point of being a “city within a city,” boasting its own self-sufficient administrative services, schools, and housing.

in Saigon

Saigon's Next Top 5 Congested Streets Are Announced. Here Are the Winners.

Local streets are buckling under the pressure of Saigon's ever-increasing population density, here are the city's most frequently jammed roads, according to the municipal Department of Transportation. 

Paul Christiansen

in Vietnam

How to Spot a Traveling Vietnamese at the Airport? Boxes With Sharpied Names.

“If you know, you know.”

in Saigon

Into Saigon's Charming Hidden Third Spaces in the Shade of Bridges

Third place (noun): A space outside of one's home and workplace, where people meet and interact socially.

in Vietnam

Century-Old Historic Villa in Đồng Nai Faces Demolition Due to Road Project

It’s yet another case of new infrastructure versus old heritage building — one of Vietnam’s most common urban planning clashes in recent years.

in Saigon

Food, Art, Heritage and Everything of the Essence in My #SaigonSummer

“In summer, the song sings itself.”― William Carlos Williams

in Vietnam

With Thriving Coffee Culture, Vietnam Has Half a Million Cafes, Data Shows

Taking into account global and national chains, small brands, independent cafes and street vendors, a recent report estimates that Vietnam is home to more than 500,000 coffee shops that generate US$1.46 billion in revenue in total.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Vietnam Considers Eventually Merging Small, Sparsely Populated Provinces

Any plans to combine sparsely populated locales will, however, not happen anytime soon, as significant research and time for public input is needed. 

in Saigon

A New Baby Giraffe Was Born at the Saigon Zoo. You Can Help Name Her.

Will this attempt at another public naming contest go wrong or remain wholesome this time?

in Saigon

Amid Tourism Slump, Saigon's Hotels Provide Free Stays, Meals to Frontline Workers

Amid Saigon’s most devastating outbreak of COVID-19, the city’s various economic sectors have pivoted to supporting frontline workers in their enduring efforts against the epidemic.

in Saigon

Saigon Has Imposed Over $50,000 in Fines so Far to Enforce Lockdown Rules

Huge amounts of fines have been levied since Directive 16 went into effect in Ho Chi Minh City.

in Saigon

After Series of Shocking Pet Poisonings, Owners Push for Stricter Animal Welfare Laws

About two hours after her morning walk in the Lang Bao Chi area of Thao Dien one recent Sunday, Nguyễn Hoàng Thanh Cao’s two-year-old beagle, Peanut, began vomiting and convulsing uncontrollably.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Crossed 1,000 Daily Covid-19 Cases for the First Time Yesterday

July 5 was a dark day in Vietnam’s epidemic, as the country’s single-day COVID-19 case tally surpassed 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began last year.

in Saigon

D1 Proposes VND32.5bn Revamp Project of Me Linh Square Park

The VND32.5 billion (US$1.4 million) effort will focus on repairing the T​rần Hưng Đạo Statue, planting ornamental trees and performing road repairs.  

in Saigon

Saigon Pilots Home Quarantine for F1 Cases, Albeit With Strict Criteria

To ease mounting pressure on centralized quarantine facilities, Vietnam has agreed to let those who have had direct contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases (F1) in Ho Chi Minh City to isolate at home on...

in Hanoi

Amid Worsening Outbreaks Elsewhere, Hanoi Pauses Its Reopening Roadmap

Bia hơi, gyms and karaoke need to wait until further notice.

in Vietnam

Vaccine Passport Trial to Begin in Quang Ninh Next Month

Officials are working to figure out how to welcome vaccinated visitors.

in Hanoi

Hanoi CDC to Propose Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses

With the COVID-19 outbreak in the city evidently under control, Hanoi’s health authorities are proposing to reopen a few non-essential services.

in Saigon

Saigon Officially Extends Social Distancing Order for Another 14 Days

In a move that some might have predicted, Saigon authorities have confirmed an extension of the current social distancing orders.

in Saigon

Saigon Aims to Remove Plastic Bags From Supermarkets by Year-End

Have you switched to reusable bags yet?

in Vietnam

Vietnam Proposes Increasing Penalty for Sexual Harassment to VND8m

Will the heightened penalties deter Vietnamese from harassing vulnerable victims?

in Saigon

Fabulous Saigon Corgi Becomes Pandemic Star for Candid Disinfecting Photo

It’s hard not to be the center of attention everywhere you go when you’re a fluffy corgi.

in Saigon

Saigon Approves Removal of 178 Trees for Bach Dang Wharf Renovation Project

They were nice while they lasted.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Drank More Alcohol in Pandemic-Hit 2020, Data Shows

In a year marked by social isolation, Vietnam’s alcohol consumption increased considerably, though it’s not difficult to figure out why. 

in Saigon

New PM Supports Plan to Let HCMC Retain More Budget Revenue

The city currently has the lowest budget retention rate of any locality.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: 1.7m COVID-19 Vaccine Doses From COVAX to Arrive on May 16

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

How a TikTok Video Reunites a Missing Husband With His Family After 13 Years

The wife had been searching for her husband for 13 years after he had wandered off under the spell of a mental illness.