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

Morning News Roundup: Da Nang Considers Blocking Uber, Grab

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Da Nang considers blocking Uber, Grab [VnExpress] Authorities search for bootleg a...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Has the Fastest-Growing Ultra-Rich Population in the World

According to a new report, Vietnam is home to the world’s fastest-growing population of ultra-rich individuals.

in Asia

Sink or Swim: Bangkok Might Be Underwater by 2032

The future is looking dire for Bangkok as the city continues to sink and sea levels continue to rise.

in Vietnam

Hanoi Woman Fined $260 for Littering

Last week, a woman in Hanoi was fined VND6 million for littering under a new regulation.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnamese Justice Official Causes Uproar for Vandalizing Da Lat Cherry Tree

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam says Kim murder suspect thought it was a prank [Reuters] Vietnam's top swi...

in Vietnam

Da Nang to Monitor Its Development Projects Via Unmanned Drones

Last month, Da Nang authorities approved a proposal to purchase and utilize two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in an effort to better manage the city’s urban development.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Mass Fight Breaks Out at Samsung Plant in Northern Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Algal bloom paints red streak in Vung Ang economic zone [DTI] Vietnamese lawyers o...

in Vietnam

IPO Makes VietJet First Airline to List on HCMC Stock Exchange

After its initial public offering (IPO) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, low-cost airline VietJet has joined a handful of local companies that are worth over US$1 billion.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Suspected Chinese Missile Launch Pads Put Vietnam on Alert

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Suspected Chinese missile launch pads put Vietnam on alert [VnExpress] Vietnamese ...

in Saigon

Saigon Faces Land Shortage for Low-Cost Housing Development

Municipal authorities are striving to provide low-cost housing to the city’s growing population, but a land shortage stands in their way.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Students’ High Scores at PISA Tests Remain Mystery to Experts

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Students’ high scores at PISA tests remain mystery to experts [VietnamNet] Vietnam...

in Asia

Indonesia Grants 9 Indigenous Communities Rights to Manage Forests

Indonesian President Joko Widodo recently granted the right to manage customary forests to nine indigenous communities.

in Saigon

Saigon Mulls Plans for Downtown 'Music Street'

In an effort to improve the city’s cultural scene, District 1 authorities are in the process of establishing a “music street” in the downtown area.

in Saigon

Inside Saigon Official’s Controversial Sidewalk-Clearing Campaign

As a new week begins, Vice Chairman Doan Ngoc Hai of the District 1 People’s Committee has made it clear he plans to continue his sidewalk-clearing campaign.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Samsung Display Gets License to Invest $2.5bn More in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Samsung Display gets license to invest $2.5 billion more in Vietnam [Reuters] Fore...

in Saigon

Roads Around Tan Son Nhat Rerouted for Overpass Construction

Traffic patterns around Tan Son Nhat International Airport were altered over the weekend to make way for the construction of two overpasses aimed at easing congestion around the facility.

in Saigon

Saigon to Evict Shops and Cafes From 42 Nguyen Hue

You might need to sit down for this: in the next few months, Saigon’s most popular cafe apartment building at 42 Nguyen Hue Boulevard will be stripped of its businesses.

in Asia

Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia Confirms Identity of Suspect in Kim Jong-Nam Murder

Over the weekend, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the identity of Doan Thi Huong, one of the two primary suspects in the high-profile murder of Kim Jong-Nam, estranged half-brother of ...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam's Foreign Visitors Hit All-Time High

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam's foreign visitors hit all-time high [VnExpress] Vietnamese spend big on f...

in Saigon

VietJet and Airbus to Open Aviation Technology Center in Saigon

It’s been a busy 12 months for VietJet, from buying a new fleet of aircraft to going public. To keep that momentum going, in 2017, Vietnam’s budget airline is set to open an aviation technology center...