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.
81% of Vietnam's Young Netizens Use Social Media as Daily News Source: Report
According to a recent report published by the Pew Research Center, 48% of Vietnam’s online population uses social media as a source for news at least once a day.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Posts Record-High $3bn Trade Surplus
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Korean convenience store chain to open first branch in Vietnam [SGGP] ▪ Viet...
Taiwan Finalizes Vietnamese Language Syllabus for Children of Cross-National Marriages
Taiwanese grade schools are responding to demand for Vietnamese language lessons by opening language classes in grade schools this year.
Saigon to Turn Lam Son Square Into a Park
Saigon’s Lam Son Square has been through countless rounds of empty promises and mismanagement - will this finally be its big break?
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Ranks 5th in Happy Planet Index
Stay with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam fifth in Happy Planet Index [DTI] ▪ Scaffold collapse kills three, injuries th...
Vietnam Considers Increasing Retirement Age in 2021
In a recent draft bill, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs proposed raising Vietnam’s retirement age to 60 for female workers and 62 for male workers, starting from 2021.
After China Bans Plastic Imports, Southeast Asia to Become World's Largest Recycling Plant
With China’s plastic import ban going into effect on January 1, environmental experts worry that Southeast Asian nations will now have to shoulder the bulk of the world's plastic waste.
Vietnam Partners With Mitsubishi to Look Into Future With Electric Cars
On Monday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that they will sign an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Mitsubishi Motors to study the potential for the country to support ele...
Morning News Roundup: PM Wants to Transform Vietnam From ‘Beautiful Girl’ to ‘Economic Tiger’
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ PM wants to transform Vietnam from ‘beautiful girl’ to ‘economic tiger’ [VnExpress...
Dak Lak Requests Permit to Clear 12,700ha of Forest for Development Projects
Should the proposal be greenlit, a large chunk of forest in the Central Highlands will be gone.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Logistics Sector Too Expensive to Compete With Foreign Rivals
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Unemployed university graduates study for doctorate despite job outlook [VietnamNe...
Weekend News Roundup: Thai Tycoons' Deals in Vietnam Pose Risks to Domestic Market
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Thai tycoons' deals in Vietnam pose risks to domestic market [VnExpress] ▪ H...
Inside Southeast Asia's First Dating Platform for Sugar Daddies
TheSugarBook, a Malaysia-based dating platform aimed at matching wealthy individuals with others who are interested in being lavished with expensive gifts, has attracted more than 55,000 users since i...
Saigon Leadership Orders Temporary Closure of All Sidewalk Parking Lots by April
In a surprising move, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has ordered district leaders to temporarily close all local sidewalk parking lots by the end of March.
Morning News Roundup: Death Toll From Air Pollution 4 Times Higher Than Traffic Accidents
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Death toll from air pollution four times higher than traffic accidents [VietnamNet...
Saigon University Halves Tuition Fees for Female Students to Boost Presence in STEM Fields
In an effort to encourage female students to enroll in science and technology-related programs, a university in Saigon recently announced that it would reduce the tuition fees for female undergrads.
Drivers Go on Strike to Protest Grab's Increase in Commission Rate to 23.6%
One of Vietnam’s most popular ride-hailing applications, Grab, is facing criticism after it announced an increase in commission rates not long ago.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam PM Asks Banking Sector to Cut Interest Rates to Spur Economic Growth
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Ministries disagree on plan to raise taxes [VietnamNet] ▪ Vietnamese PM asks...
Saigon Requests $685m to Host SEA Games 31 in 2021
Saigon is upgrading the majority of its sport infrastructure to prepare for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Seeks to Cut Half of Business Rules in 2018
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Jetstar flight makes emergency landing in Hanoi [Tuoi Tre] ▪ Vietnam governm...
