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

Widespread Erosion in the Mekong Delta Is Dragging Homes Into the River

Rapid land erosion is destroying homes and devastating cropland at an alarming rate.

in Vietnam

Illegal Streaming in Vietnam Peaks as World Cup 2018 Enters Group Stage

Vietnam's age-old piracy issue might cost the country its World Cup telecast rights.

in Roundups

Morning Links Roundup: HCMC Adds Facilities to Hospitals to Cope With Overcrowding

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Honeymoon ends for Vietnamese women in sham marriages [VnExpress] ▪ HCM City...

in Vietnam

Lured by Impressive Sales, Retailers From Japan, South Korea Flock to Vietnam in Droves

Coinciding with Vietnam's increasingly liberal business outlook and consumer fervor for diversifying retail choices, Asian companies see a bright future for their stores in Vietnam.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Launches Zero Hunger Campaign to Reduce Malnutrition

The program prioritizes securing a stable food supply and reducing malnutrition among children under two years old.

in Roundups

Morning Links Roundup: Hanoi to Publicize Over 400 Sluggish Projects

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Hanoi to publicize over 400 sluggish projects [SGGP] ▪ Can Tho Hospital rece...

in Vietnam

Hanoi to Build Massive Multistory Parking Garage Beneath Quan Ngua Stadium

The garage will be the capital's biggest parking lot.

in Vietnam

Sustainable Wind Energy in Vietnam Remains a Distant Dream Due to Lack of Facilities, Funding

A series of infrastructural and legal hurdles continue to threaten Vietnam's ambitious wind energy targets.

in Roundups

Morning Links Roundup: HCMC Guarantees 10,000 Affordable Apartments for Relocated Families

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Fresh litchi to be served on Vietnam Airlines’ flights [SGGP] ▪ Vietnam to s...

in Vietnam

New Policy Allows District-Level Police to Carry Firearms, Grenades, Operate Helicopters

The new regulation will go into effect beginning July 1.

in Hanoi

Hanoi to Remove All Unregistered Motorcycle Rickshaws From Streets

From June 30, around 4,300 of Hanoi’s motorcycle rickshaws will be impounded and eventually destroyed.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC to Host Asian-Pacific Tourism Promotion Forum

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Five families evacuated in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta amid rising erosion risk [VnExpr...

in Saigon

Saigon Aims to Treat 90% of Wastewater by 2020

The efforts would be a vast improvement over the current 24%.

in Roundups

Morning Links Roundup: Scrap Imports Choke Ho Chi Minh City Ports

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Major airport runways require urgent repairs [DTI] ▪ Scrap imports choke Ho ...

in Saigon

After Street Vendors, Fire Safety Hazards, Doan Ngoc Hai Turns His Target to Illegal Fishers

Vice Chairman Doan Ngoc Hai: sidewalk crusader, fire safety protector and now, aquaculture ally.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Among Asia's Most Enterprising Cities, Report Says

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCMC among Asia's most enterprising cities [DTI] ▪ Scrap imports choke Ho Ch...

in Vietnam

Vingroup Announces Foray Into Mobile Phone Market With New Company VinSmart

The giant Vietnamese real estate conglomerate Vingroup has announced plans to go into the mobile device market in a bid to challenge international rivals.

in Vietnam

85-Year-Old Vietnamese Man Obtains Master’s Degree

Applause filled the auditorium of Da Nang’s Duy Tan University on June 10 as Le Phuoc Thiet, midway through his eighties, stood among students his grandchildren’s age before receiving his master’s deg...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Growing Middle Class Drives Car Demand in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ North Korea reportedly wants a 'Vietnam-like' debut to the world economy [Business...

in Hanoi

Hanoi FC Matches V-League’s Record Unbeaten Run With Victory Over Quang Nam

Following a 1–0 victory over Quang Nam, Hanoi FC have extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches this season. If you include games from the end of last season, that number reaches 19.