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

Vietnamese Travel Program Elicits Outcry Online for Promoting Dog Meat

A television show on a local children and family-focused channel is catching backlash for featuring dog meat as a traditional Vietnamese dish in a recent episode.

in Asia

Chinese Scientists Have Successfully Cloned Monkeys Using SCNT Technique

Scientists in China recently achieved a major scientific breakthrough by cloning two monkeys.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Fears Foreign Investment Affected by US Tax Bill

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ 19,000 freelance tour guides won’t lose right to practice [VietnamNet] ▪ Vie...

in Vietnam

Da Nang's My Khe Beach Faces Grim Future Due to Coastal Erosion

One of Vietnam’s most popular beaches, My Khe, is suffering from coastal erosion brought about by groundwater exploitation.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Sees Drops in New HIV Infections for 10th Consecutive Year

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam sees drops in new HIV infections for 10th consecutive year [DTI] ▪ V...

in Vietnam

How to View the Ultra-Rare Super Blue Blood Moon in Vietnam Tomorrow

A rare Super Blue Blood Moon will grace Saigon’s skies tomorrow night.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam in Top 10 Destinations for Americans Aged 55, Above

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ HCMC authorities make efforts to revitalize canals [SGGP] ▪ Vietnam in Top 1...

in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Casino Reports Massive Losses of $5.58m in 2017

The casino inside the UNESCO World Heritage site lost VND127 billion (US$5.58 million) in 2017, which is seven times higher than in 2016.

in Vietnam

VietJet CEO Apologizes for Welcoming Vietnam's U-23 Team Home With Bikini Show

Vietnam’s festive shenanigans to celebrate the country’s U-23 team range from internet memes to excessive flag-waving to an impromptu bikini show, courtesy of budget carrier VietJet Air.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam’s International Internet Connectivity Fully Restored

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s international internet connectivity fully restored [VietnamNet] ▪ ...

in Vietnam

Hanoi, Saigon Make Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in Southeast Asia

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been recognized by a international database as one of the most affordable Southeast Asian cities.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Closes 2 Central Streets Today for Tet Offensive Ceremony

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Ho Chi Minh City canal cleanup projects may fail to meet deadline [DTI] ▪ HC...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Photochemical Smog Threatens Public Health in HCMC

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam's deputy PM takes to the streets to celebrate U23 Asian Cup semifinal victory&n...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Embassy in Chile Caught Drying Shark Fins on Roof

Last week, at least a hundred potentially illegal shark fins could be spotted drying on the roof of the Vietnamese embassy in Chile.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam to Face Uzbekistan in AFC U-23 Final on Saturday

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam to play against Uzbekistan in AFC U23 champs final [VietnamNet] ▪ ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Huge Foreign-Invested Real Estate Projects Remain on Paper

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Why Vietnam football fans celebrate Asian Cup semi like a World Cup win [Tuoi Tre]...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Says No to Chinese, European Lion Statues Nationwide

Local officials continue efforts to replace foreign depictions of lions with Vietnamese ones in front of temples, pagodas, parks and private buildings around the country.

in Vietnam

About 0.6% of Commuters in Vietnam Use Phone While Driving: Survey

A recent survey found that 6 in every 1,000 drivers in Vietnam are using the phone while driving.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: UNESCO Discusses New Approach to Study Vietnam’s Heritage

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ UNESCO discusses new approach to study Vietnam’s heritage [DTI] ▪ Vietnam in...

in Vietnam

Vietnam National Team Stuns Iraq in U-23 Asian Tournament to Reach Semifinals

If you noticed thousands of jubilant people boasting Vietnamese flags flooding onto the street last night, there's a good reason why: Vietnam pulled off a stunning upset against Iraq in the quarterfin...