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

Groom Picks Up Bride in Forklift During Central Vietnam Wedding

A newlywed couple in central Vietnam has gained 15 minutes of internet fame thanks to their unconventional wedding vehicle.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Formally Invites Trump to Da Nang APEC Summit

Last Friday, Vietnam officially invited US President Donald Trump to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang this November.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Physicists Publish First Scholarly Article in International Journal

For the first time ever, Vietnamese physicists have published a scholarly article in a prestigious international journal.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Deputy Minister in Spotlight As Huge Personal Assets Discovered

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam deputy minister in spotlight as huge personal assets discovered [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Vietnam

Off-Season Rain Is Disrupting Vietnam's Agriculture

For Saigoneers, Vietnam’s recent bouts of heavy rain were nothing but a minor convenience. However, for rice farmers in other parts of the country, unpredictable weather patterns have the potential to...

in Vietnam

Vietnam May Start Auctioning off ‘Lucky’ License Plates

Vietnamese officials are hoping to cash in on people’s love of lucky numbers by legalizing the auction of personalized license plates.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Can Tho to Pilot Public Bicycle Rental Services

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Can Tho to pilot public bicycle rental services [DTI] Casinos report losses while ...

in Stories

First Hanoi Metro Line to Begin Trial Run in October

After nearly a decade of planning and construction, Hanoi’s first metro line will begin trial operations in October.

in Vietnam

On the Heels of ASEAN Tariff Reduction, Vietnam Car Imports Double

A month into 2017, Vietnam has already imported two times more new cars than it did in the same period last year.

in Vietnam

Yen Bai Officials Under Fire After Videos of Buffalo-Hanging Ritual Surface

Officials in Yen Bai province have come under fire this week after videos surfaced online of local residents killing a buffalo during a local festival.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Air Carriers Warned They May Lose in Home Market

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Scientists warn of dangers in using old plastic bottles with EDC [VietnamNet] Viet...

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Become World's 20th Biggest Economy in 2050: Report

According to a new report, Vietnam could become the 20th largest economy in the world by 2050.

in Saigon

[Video] Hop on Saigon's Shiny New Electric Bus

Tourists in Saigon are now able to enjoy the city’s scenery on four eco-friendly electric buses. 

in Vietnam

Hanoi's New Code of Conduct Would Publicly Shame Those Who Misbehave

After unveiling a new code of etiquette for civil servants last December, Hanoi is drafting another code for its residents and visitors in hopes of rebranding the capital as a “civilized and polite” d...

in Asia

Japan to Make 2020 Olympics Medals From Recycled Phones

When athletes stand atop their podiums at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, their sparkling gold, silver and bronze medals will all share a special ingredient – recycled mobile phones.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Welcomes First E-Visa Visitor

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam welcomes first e-visa visitor [Tuoi Tre] Binh Thuan okays floating power p...

in Vietnam

[Photos] Lam Dong’s Japanese-Inspired Temple Trashed by Tet Visitors

One of Vietnam’s most remote temples has fallen victim to severe vandalism by thoughtless tourists.

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Become Cashless Society by 2020

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue recently greenlit an ambitious policy that encourages Vietnamese to drop cash in favor of electronic payment methods.

in Vietnam

Year of the Rooster Roundup: Drinking Up, Crime Down During Tet

Apart from a slew of meaningful traditions such as hosting reunions and visiting family graves, Lunar New Year is also an occasion for ugly habits to resurface, such as drunk-driving, fighting and loo...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Notorious Internet Cable AAG Finally Back Up to Full Speed

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam’s notorious internet cable AAG finally back up to full speed [VnExpress] P...