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

After H&M, Uniqlo Might Launch First Vietnam Store in Saigon This Autumn

2017 is turning out to be a great year for fast fashion fans in Vietnam: rumor has it that Japanese casual clothing chain Uniqlo is preparing to debut a flagship outlet in Saigon this autumn.

in Vietnam

Hanoi Businesses Arouse Controversy With Shirtless Men Promotional Events

Apparently it’s shirtless season in Hanoi, and local shops are taking full advantage of this trend to orchestrate outrageous public relations (PR) stunts.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Downtown Saigon Streets Re-Routed for Metro Construction

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Downtown Saigon streets re-routed for metro construction [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh Ci...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Startup Chameleon City Wins US$7,000 Grant From Regional Sponsor

A travel startup from Vietnam recently received US$7,000 from a Southeast Asian fund for their innovation in providing travelers with tourism information on-demand.

in Saigon

Leader of Sidewalk-Clearing Campaign to Return to Saigon's Streets

Saigon's headline-grabbing sidewalk-clearing campaign is about to resume with Doan Ngoc Hai, the vice chairman of District 1, back in the driver's seat.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: VNA Targets Nearly $4bn in Revenue for 2017

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam Airlines targets nearly $4 bln in revenue for 2017 [VnExpress] Vietnam, Ch...

in Vietnam

Government Official Claims Unsafe Food Is Major Disease Driver in Vietnam

You should probably put down your bột chiên before reading this: the vast majority of diseases in Vietnam are caused by unsafe food, and lawmakers are speaking out.

in Saigon

Amid Golf Course Controversy, Tan Son Nhat Might Get 3rd Runway to Ease Overcrowding

Amid increased scrutiny of the golf course next to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered a feasibility study for the addition of a third runway at the facilit...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Local Man Stabs Self, Posts Video on Facebook

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam man stabs self, posting video on Facebook [Tuoi Tre] Children forced into ...

in Vietnam

Local College Prep Company Stirs Controversy With McDonald's Apprenticeship Program

Vietnam's obsession with the "American Dream" might have reached a new high, now that high school kids want to make burgers and fries to improve their college application.

in Vietnam

Vietnam's Adult Obesity Rate Is the Lowest in the World: Study

A new study shows that Vietnam has the lowest rate of adult obesity in the world. 

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Exporters Hunt for Robusta Coffee as Supplies Dwindle

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam's exporters hunt for robusta coffee as supplies dwindle [VnExpress] Saigon...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Ranks 6th on Global Retail Development Index

With India topping the list, an international retailer index recently placed Vietnam sixth, jumping five places from 2016.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Toxic Spill Feared as Chemical Tanker Stranded in Vietnam Waters

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Toxic spill feared as chemical tanker stranded in Vietnam waters [VnExpress] Austr...

in Saigon

[Video] New Helicopter Shuttle Service to Take Off in Saigon

Forget taxis; Saigoneers may soon be able to avoid congestion on the ground by flying into town from the airport.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Conglomerate to Invest $1bn in Solar Power Projects

The prospects for a significant boost in Vietnam’s renewable energy production are optimistic as real estate conglomerate TTC Group has announced plans to invest heavily in the country’s development o...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Water Park Apologizes for Sensual Dance in Kids’ Presence

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Saigon water park management apologizes for sensual dance in kids’ presence [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Saigon

Saigon Considers Charging Businesses More for Sidewalk Usage

Saigon's transport department has unveiled a plan to increase fees on businesses which use city sidewalks for commercial purposes.

in Saigon

Bui Vien to Become Pedestrian-Only Street on Weekend Nights From July

Saigon's Bui Vien Street will become a vehicle-free zone on weekend nights in the near future.

in Asia

'Brain Drain' Is Taking Its Toll on ASEAN Workforce and Economy: Study

Highly skilled members of the ASEAN workforce are pursuing more lucrative opportunities outside of their home countries.