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.

in Saigon

After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026

After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?

Back Stories

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Muong Exhibition, Saltwater Intrusion, and World Biosphere Reserve Status

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Japan-Vietnam Festival, Football Ranking, and Mango Production

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: Airport Congestion, VNA Fare Cap Hike, and Delayed Bridges

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Online Book Fair, Fish Die-off, and Robber Gang Snare

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon's Rainy Season Is Shorter, Comes Earlier This Year Due to La Niña

In case you hadn't figured it out from last night's huge storm.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Bamboo Airways IPO, Pothole Hazard, and Coconut Rice Paper

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

IMF Predicts Vietnam's Economic Growth Rates Will Top ASEAN in 2022

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts Vietnam's economy will grow 7.2% in 2022, making it the strongest in ASEAN.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Collapsed Trees, Con Dao Night Lights, and Zoom Fatigue

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Historic Gate of Saigon Children's Hospital Destroyed by Car Collision

The Children’s Hospital 2 is one of Saigon’s oldest medical facilities, dating back to the 19th century.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: Human Remains, World Press Photo Exhibition, and Cafe Amazon

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories: 'Bố Già' Screening Abroad and Weekend Marathon Roadblock

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Overtakes Saigon as Vietnam's Most Expensive City, Statistics Office Says

Hanoi's cost of living is currently the highest in Vietnam.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Kuman Thong Dolls, UXOs, and Closure of Last Field Hospital

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Morning Stories: Ben Thanh Station, Fines on Noisy Clubs, and Vaccinations

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Morning Stories: E-Medical Records, Fish Deaths, and Food Safety Fines

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Netizens Call for H&M Boycott Over 'Problematic Map' of China

A fervent wave of boycott calls directed at Swedish fast-fashion brand Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has swept social media circles in Vietnam in recent days.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: Vung Tau Cuisine Week, More Phu Quoc Flights and Cyberattacks Down

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

A Woman in Soc Trang Faked Her Own Funeral to Avoid Debt

Trần Thị Tuyến's fraudulent funeral scheme unspooled because her family couldn't keep their stories straight. 

in Roundups

Morning Stories: More Vaccines, VN Stocks Hit Record High and Termites Eating Hoi An's Heritage

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

VNA Resumes Flights to Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo, Though With Heavy Restrictions

Flights to and from Australia and several Asian nations will begin this weekend, followed (potentially) by the UK in May.