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 Saigon

Saigon Seeks Japan's Help to Revive Binh Thanh's 'Dead' Canal

Binh Thanh District’s Xuyen Tam Canal might get a makeover this year.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: ‘Saigon, I Love You’ Wins Top Prize at Vietnam’s Golden Kite Awards

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. ‘Saigon, I Love You’ wins top prize at Vietnam’s Golden Kite Awards [Tuoi Tre] Thu...

in Saigon

Hong Kong Lions Roar to Semifinal Sweep of Saigon Heat

David vs. Goliath. Frodo vs. Sauron. The Saigon Heat vs. the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions.

in Asia

Extreme Heat and Strong Storms Expected to Slam Saigon This Month

As bad weather is expected to continue in coming weeks, dry season downpours similar to those that have recently hit Saigon will return, in addition to brutal heat.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Among Top 50 Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Saigon among top 50 most beautiful cities in the world [VietnamNet] Annual suicide...

in Saigon

Ben Thanh Bus Terminal to Be Demolished, Moved to Ham Nghi Next Week

Saigon’s Ben Thanh bus terminal is the next city landmark slated for demolition in order to make way for District 1’s metro construction.

in Stories

Vietnamese Painting Sold for Record Amount at Hong Kong Auction

A painting by Le Pho, a 20th-century Vietnamese artist, sold for nearly US$1.2 million at an auction in Hong Kong on Sunday.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Quang Ninh Lifts Ban on Ha Long Kayaking After 1 Week

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Super-rich in Vietnam on sharp rise, public debt nears ceiling [VietnamNet] At lea...

in Asia

Officials Concerned as Vietnamese Laborers Overstay Visas in Korea

Vietnamese labor officials fear that South Korea may stop accepting Vietnamese workers since many have overstayed their visa. 

in Saigon

Saigon Receives $1.8bn in Investments from Viet Kieu in 2016

In recent years, Saigon’s many business and development projects have received a considerable amount of overseas remittances from Viet Kieu, according to a recent report.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Tour Operators Bump Prices Ahead of Peak Season

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese tour operators bump prices ahead of peak season [VnExpress] Tourism fir...

in Saigon

Saigon's 'Music Street' to Open by the End of April

In an effort to improve Saigon’s music scene, District 1 authorities are aiming to establish the southern hub’s first “Music Street” by the end of this month.

in Vietnam

Trump Sends Letter to Vietnam President, Hints Future Visit in November

In an effort to improve ties with Vietnam, US President Donald Trump recently wrote a letter to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

in Vietnam

Hanoi Keeps Wartime Loudspeakers Despite Overwhelming Objection From Residents

In a surprising move, Hanoi authorities recently decided to keep the capital’s collection of wartime loudspeakers.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC Under Water Following ‘Unprecedented’ Unseasonal Rain

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Ho Chi Minh City under water following ‘unprecedented’ unseasonal rain [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Saigon

D1 Official Doan Ngoc Hai to Take a Break From Clearing Sidewalks

After six weeks of demolition and vehicle-towing, District 1’s sidewalk crusader is taking a break.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Da Nang Orders Removal of Illegally Built Constructions on Son Tra Peninsula

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Da Nang orders removal of illegally built constructions on Son Tra Peninsula [Tuoi Tre]...

in Asia

Asia Suffered $83bn in Damage from Disasters Last Year

In 2016, Asia suffered greater financial losses due to natural and man-made catastrophes than any other region in the world, according to a new report.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Proposes Giant Golden Turtle Statue for Hoan Kiem Lake

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Ten-ton golden turtle statue proposed for iconic Hanoi lake [Tuoi Tre] HCMC to ope...

in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Economic Growth Hits 3-Year Low in First Quarter of 2017

Vietnam’s economic growth hit a three-year low in the first quarter of this year.