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.
What the Future Holds for Saigon's Overcrowded Tan Son Nhat Airport
Officials met in Hanoi and Saigon to discuss competing plans to increase service capacity at the overwhelmed Tan Son Nhat Airport. The debates include whether the expansion should be to the north or s...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam’s Retail Revenue Nears $129bn
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s retail revenue nears $129 billion [SGGP] ▪ Regulations flouted as ...
HCMC Schools to Start Teaching English to First Graders This Year
In the current program, English is only offered once students reach their third grade.
These Fish Slippers Are the Must-Have Items This Summer in Thailand
The latest trend in Thailand involves ultra-realistic fish accessories including sandals, pillows, and keychains.
Morning Links Roundup: 3 Airport Staff Fined for Letting Tourist Board Wrong Flight in Saigon
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Heat wave to end cold weather in northern Vietnam [SGGP] ▪ Three fined for l...
Is China’s Social Credit System a 'Black Mirror' Dystopian Scenario?
On 14 June 2014, the State Council of China issued the "Planning Outline for the Construction of a Social Credit System," one of the most ambitious e-governing efforts in the country.
Cambodia Halts Deportation, Grants Temporary Residency to Stateless Vietnamese
Amidst looming deportations, Cambodian officials have announced plans to offer two-year residency cards to some of the approximately 70,000 ethnic Vietnamese living in Cambodia without legal status.
Vietnam Welcomes Year of the Dog With 1st Instance of Broken Internet Cable
Vietnam’s favorite marine animal strikes again.
Morning Links Roundup: HCMC to Spend Over $100m Raising Public Sector Pay in 2018
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ US-Vietnamese tie up to develop $50-million recycling facility [DTI] ▪ Ho Ch...
Saigon Railway Station Might Get a Snazzy Vintage-Theme Makeover Soon
The Saigon Railway Station might get an "old Saigon" makeover this year.
Hue Is Building a Riverside Pedestrian Zone With Rare Lumber
Rare lumber is being used for construction that is underway on a pedestrian area along the Perfume River.
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Proposes Ban on Uber, Grab on 11 Streets
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Uber, Grab proposed to be banned from 11 streets in Hanoi [DTI] ▪ Ho Chi Min...
Vietnam Aviation Industry Plans to Have 28 Functional Airports by 2030
Within 18 years, Vietnam’s airport industry aims to be one of the top four markets in ASEAN in terms of total passengers.
Taiwan Officially Bans Use of Plastic Items in Restaurants, Shops
Starting next year, in Taiwan, food and beverage outlets will be banned from providing plastic straws to customers for in-store use.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Workers to Compete With Machines for Jobs
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietjet Air to serve international flights at T4 of Changi airport [DTI] ▪ V...
Formula One Is Seriously Considering Putting a Race in Hanoi
Key insiders are reporting that a deal to bring a Formula 1 race to the streets of Hanoi by 2020 could soon be in place.
Weekend News Roundup: 170 Vietnam Websites Attacked During Tet Holiday
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnamese Ambassador visits US aircraft carrier in Norfolk [SGGP] ▪ 170 Vie...
China Becomes Vietnam’s Largest Export Market
In previous years, the position belonged to the US.
Vietnam Buddhist Association Slams Burning of Joss Papers as Ostentatious 'Superstition'
The Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam officially expressed its disapproval of the burning of votive papers in a recent document.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Imports $18m Worth of Flowers This Tet
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam Imports $18m Worth of Flowers This Tet [SGGP] ▪ Outlook bright for V...
