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 12th Typhoon This Year, Damrey, Will Hit Nha Trang Head-on Tomorrow
Tourist destinations such as Nha Trang, Hoi An and Da Nang are in the middle of the typhoon’s path.
Morning News Roundup: Over 1,000 Khaisilk Products Confiscated in HCMC Amid Mislabeling Crisis
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Over 1,000 Khaisilk products confiscated in Ho Chi Minh City amid mislabeling crisis&nb...
Former US Ambassador Ted Osius to Remain in Vietnam as Fulbright University Vice President
Ted Osius, the outgoing American ambassador to Vietnam, will continue to live and work in Vietnam after his term ends.
Vietnam Plans to Retrench 10% of Government Jobs by 2021
The Vietnamese government is planning to cut at least 10% of civil service jobs in the next four years in an effort to curtail public spending.
Morning News Roundup: Da Nang Schools, Agencies to Have Days off During APEC Week
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Da Nang schools, agencies to be given days off during APEC week [Tuoi Tre] ▪ ...
Vinasun Lost 8,000 Drivers in First Half of 2017 Due to Uber, Grab Competition
Vinasun and Mai Linh have blamed Uber and Grab for causing thousands of drivers to quit while profits take a nosedive.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Spends $9.4bn on Debts This Year
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vinamilk tops list of prestigious food – beverage firms in 2017 [SGGP] ▪ Vie...
Saigon Considers Overpasses, Monorail, Cable Car to Solve Airport Traffic Conundrum
Saigon continues to seek new solutions to ease road congestion around the city’s airport.
Vietnam Suddenly Bans Cryptocurrencies After Local College Starts Accepting Bitcoins
Over the weekend Vietnam's central bank took a harsh stance against Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Tourist Arrivals up 28% Compared to Last Year
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Vietnam’s inflation edges closer to annual limit in October [VnExpress] ▪ To...
Chinese University Begins Offering Competitive Dragon, Lion Dance Course
In case anyone is interested, Zhejiang University in China is now offering a course on dragon and lion dances.
Foreigner Praised Online After Moving Moto Driver Blocking Hanoi Road
Here’s the full story behind the kerfuffle between a foreign man and a local motorcyclist that was caught on tape recently.
Vietnamese Consumers Are the Most Charitable in Asia-Pacific: Survey
A recent survey has shown that Vietnamese consumers are the most generous in the Asia-Pacific region when it comes to supporting charities.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Photographer Wins International Environmental Photo Prize
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ▪ Grab, Uber benefit from ‘unfair competition’: Vietnamese ministries [VnExpress] ▪...
Vietnam to Grant Income Tax Exemption in 3 Upcoming Special Economic Zones
Vietnam’s future special economic zones (SEZ) might be the mecca for locals to achieve an unprecedented amount of income.
Singapore to Ban New Private Vehicles From 2018
Singapore’s government announced on Monday that it plans to freeze the number of private cars on its streets from 2018.
Vietnam Is the 27th-Largest Greenhouse Gas Emitter in the World: Official
According to experts, Vietnam is the 27th-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, accounting for 0.72% of total global emissions.
Vietnam's Natural Sand Deposits Might Deplete in 5 Years
Vietnamese authorities are desperately searching for new sources of construction sand amid dire warnings that the country is running out of the natural resource.
Saigon Fronts $51m for Metro Line 1 as ODA Remains Tied Up
In order to ensure that work on Saigon's first metro line continues, the city's administration has approved an advance payment of US$51.7 million for the project's contractors.
From 2018, Vietnam to Only Buy Government Cars for Ministers, Higher Officials
Vietnam’s central government is planning to curtail government spending by cutting back the amount spent on state-issued cars.
