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.
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.
Relative of Hoan Kiem's Legendary Turtle Found in Outskirts of Hanoi
The rare Yangtze giant softshell turtle had been keeping a low profile in Xuan Khanh Lake, but recently decided to come out of its shell.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang Recognized as UNESCO Global Geopark
The sprawling natural area in northern Vietnam joins Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang Province as the country’s second site to receive the prestigious distinction.
Saigon Might Put Underground Towns Beneath D1, Thu Thiem
City officials insist that underground expansions are necessary because the city is developing its metro network.
Weekend News Roundup: Transport Ministry Mulls Plan to Put Fuel Consumption Label on Motorbikes
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietjet among Top 10 Vietnam Excellent Brands in 2017 [Nhan Dan] ▪ Motorbike...
Nha Trang Starts Clearing Advertisements Written in Chinese and Russian
As a result of the surge in tourists coming from China and Russia, advertisements in Chinese and Russian are becoming more ubiquitous in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province.
Un-Staffed Convenience Stores Coming to Hanoi in 2018
The Hanoi People's Committee has given the go-ahead for automated convenience stores to start operating in the city this year as part of its e-commerce plans.
Morning Links Roundup: Vietnam’s Economy Expected to Grow by 6.5% in 2018
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Hanoi to have unstaffed convenience stores [DTI] ▪ Vietnam’s economy to grow...
New Policy Requires Phone Users to Submit Photo ID or Risk Service Suspension
New legislation going into effect later this month asks mobile phone subscribers to submit a portrait in an attempt to crack down on spam accounts.
Plan to Expand Noi Bai Airport Will Cost Hanoi $3.5bn: Official (3)
Noi Bai Airport's expansion plan – which has been approved but is not yet underway – will more than double the number of passengers it can service by 2025 to address concerns of impending ov...
Plan to Expand Noi Bai Airport Will Cost Hanoi $3.5bn: Official
Noi Bai Airport's expansion plan – which has been approved but is not yet underway – will more than double the number of passengers it can service by 2025 to address concerns of impending ov...
Morning News Roundup: Half of HCMC Citizens Use Online Public Services, Official Says
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Half of HCMC citizens use online public services [VietnamNet] ▪ Apartment pr...
Hanoi to Rebuild Hang Day Stadium During $307m Upgrade
Hanoi's Hang Day Stadium, currently in a state of disrepair, will be torn down at the end of the year and be replaced with a new sports complex costing an estimated US$307 million.
Vietnam Plans to Build Standard-Gauge Track Linking Northern Provinces With China
The proposed railway will ship goods at least 40 kilometers per hour faster.
Morning Links Roundup: HCMC Tops Nation in FDI Attraction
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Ho Chi Minh City tops nation in FDI attraction [SGGP] ▪ Vietnamese e-commerc...
Uber Exits Vietnam, Leaves $2.3m in Tax Debt That Grab Refuses to Pay
Last Sunday, Uber officially ceased operations in Southeast Asia, allegedly leaving behind in Vietnam US$2.3 million (VND53 billion) in tax debt.
Morning Links Roundup: Vietnamese Firms Turn Their Backs on China for Japan, South Korea
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnamese firms turn their backs on China for Japan, S Korea: report [VnExpress] ...
Vietnam to Impose Social Insurance Tax on Expat Workers in 2018
The move had been previously delayed due to the lack of a concrete plan.
Weekend News Roundup: HCMC-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Sinks After Collision With Unknown Object
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam cycling queen on a roll to Asian Games [VietnamNet] ▪ Ho Chi Minh Ci...
Paul Christiansen in Asia
Celebrity Endorsements Might Be the Key to Combatting Poaching in Asia, Campaign Shows
International conservation organization WildAid is teaming up with the world’s largest outdoor advertising company, JCDecaux, to help save some of the planet’s most endangered species.
Two Vietnamese Scientists Included in Top 100 Asian Academics List
Vietnamese scientists are getting more recognition in the region.
