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.
Vietnam's Private Sector Has the Fastest-Growing Salaries in ASEAN: Survey
A regional job recruitment website has found that private-sector salaries are increasing faster in Vietnam than anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
North Korean Defector Given Free Lifetime Supply of Choco Pies
South Korean confectionery giant Orion has announced that it will bestow a lifetime supply of Choco Pies to a North Korean soldier who recently defected.
Hanoi Book Company Slammed for 'Book Hotpot' Event Which Offers Books by the Kilogram
A book company’s year-end sale event has become the center of contention for its allegedly disrespectful marketing tactics.
Saigon Tax Department Orders Facebook Cosmetic Vendor to Pay $400,000 in Back Taxes
An online retailer in Saigon has been ordered to pay an unprecedented VND9.1 billion (US$400,000) in back taxes.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Economy to Reach $300bn by 2020
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s economy to reach 300 billion USD by 2020 [DTI] ▪ Inspectors find n...
Christmas Decorations in High Demand 2 Weeks Ahead of Holiday
Sales of Christmas trees and locally made decorations are soaring across Saigon as the holiday approaches.
Morning News Roundup: World Bank Raises Vietnam’s Growth Forecast to 6.7% for 2017
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Facebook livestreaming a new medium for celebrity ads in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] ▪&nbs...
New Report Finds Indonesian LGBT Activists Under Increasingly Violent Threat
A new report has found that supporters of Indonesia's LGBT community are facing increasingly violent, personal threats in the country.
Chinese National Sentenced to 8 Years for Stealing $18,000 in Cash on VNA Flight
Last Friday the Hanoi People's Court sentenced a Chinese national to eight years in prison for stealing almost US$18,000 in cash from two passengers on a Hanoi-bound domestic flight in April.
Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Woman Finally Granted Visa to See Dying Father in US
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Saigon woman finally granted visa to see dying father in US [VnExpress] ▪ Ho...
Saigon Launches 3 'Model Bus' Routes With Free WiFi, Handicap Accessibility
As Saigon’s traffic situation gets progressively worse, city officials are employing several measures to revamp the city’s public transport system in hopes of mollifying its chronic congestion. This t...
Hanoi Fire Department Introduces Modified Motorbikes to Combat Blazes in Alleys
Firefighters in Hanoi have modified motorbikes with firefighting equipment in an effort to reach deep into the city's narrow alleys.
Vietnam Hopes to Combat Child Abuse With New National Child Protection Hotline at 111
Vietnam has debuted a new child protection hotline in the wake of a string of violent child abuse cases throughout the country.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Stock Index Jumps to 10-Year High
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam stock index jumps to 10-year high [VietnamNet] ▪ Booking.com, Agoda ...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Airlines Welcomes 200 Millionth Passenger
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam Airlines welcomes 200 millionth passenger [DTI] ▪ Vietnam struggling...
Starbucks Just Opened Its Largest Store in the World in Shanghai
In the proof of how important China is to its future success, Starbucks opened its largest outlet in the world in Shanghai today.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Puts Brakes on Controversial Toll Station Following Public Backlash
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam puts brakes on controversial toll station in wake of public backlash [VnEx...
Da Nang to Host 'Expats Got Talent' Contest Later This Month
Expats who live in and around Da Nang need to perfect their dance moves or singing voice, as the central city is set to host its first "Expats Got Talent" talent contest soon.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC-Vung Tau Express Boat to Open This Month
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam Airlines, Bangkok Airways sign codeshare agreement [DTI] ▪ Ho Chi Mi...
Vietnam, Brunei Only ASEAN Members to See Car Sales Drop in 2017
Contrary to common beliefs, car sales have fallen in Vietnam this year, and the country is one of two Southeast Asian nations that failed to see the auto market grow in 2017.
