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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Binh Thuan's Beloved Seal Found Beaten to Death on Local Beach
You might want to sit down for this: not long ago, one of central Vietnam’s beloved seals was found brutally murdered on a beach at night.
Morning News Roundup: Three Vietnamese News Outlets Fined Over Pro-Child Molester Stories
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Three Vietnamese news outlets fined over pro-child molester stories [Tuoi Tre] 50k...
China Vows to End Ivory Trade in 2017
In an unexpected move, China announced late last week that it would shut down the world’s largest ivory market by the end of 2017.
Saigon Considers Altering Work Hours to Tackle Traffic Congestion
As Saigon’s traffic problems get progressively worse, municipal authorities recently announced that they’re considering a handful of proposed solutions that were previously tabled, including an adjust...
Morning News Roundup: Scissors Pulled From Vietnam Man's Stomach 18 Years After Surgery
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Scissors pulled from Vietnam man's stomach 18 years after surgery [Daily Mail] Vie...
On Its Maiden Voyage, Hanoi’s Bus Rapid Transit System Isn’t So Rapid
Due to a lack of physical lane dividers, Hanoi’s first rapid transit buses inched through traffic during their first trial run last Thursday morning.
Weekend News Roundup: 80 Projects to Be Executed in Saigon to Curb Congestion in 2017
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. 80 projects to be executed in Saigon to curb congestion in 2017 [Tuoi Tre] Road ac...
After a Solid Year, Vietnam’s Economy Set to Hold Strong in 2017
While the world has had a trying 2016, the Vietnamese economy fared pretty well this year, with a record 110,000 new business opened in 2016.
Saigon’s Cool Weather to Continue Through New Year
The abnormally cold weather that has visited Saigon since early December is expected to remain through the new year.
Morning News Roundup: 7 Uplifting Stories From Vietnam in 2016 That Will Make You Smile
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam suffers first slowdown in economic growth for 4 years [Tuoi Tre] Hundreds ...
Saigon Banks Prepare for Tet Cash Shortage
Ahead of Vietnam’s annual pre-Tet ATM cash shortage, banks are preparing their own plans to handle the increased usage of these machines. However some local institutions are worried about a new factor...
Taiwan's Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes First Legislative Hearing
Taiwan is getting closer and closer to becoming the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Become Second Largest Expat Group in South Korea
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese become second largest expat group in South Korea [VnExpress] Nutritioni...
Saigon Mulls 9-Story Parking Structure in Lam Son Square
More of Saigon’s open spaces are slowly giving in to developmental pressure: there’s a high chance that District 1’s Lam Son Square will become a multi-story car park in the near future.
Hanoi’s Civil Servants Are Getting a New Code of Etiquette in 2017
Starting on January 1, 2017, Hanoi’s new code of etiquette for civil servants will take effect.
Morning News Roundup: Hundreds Run for Clean Toilets in Southern Vietnam
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hundreds run for clean toilets in southern Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Dog theft gang buste...
Over 38,000 Flights Delayed or Canceled in 2016: CAAV
Even though Vietnam's Saigon-to-Hanoi air route recently joined the ranks of the world's busiest, the country's airports have not necessarily caught up with its rapid growth in air traffic: in 2016 al...
In 2017, You Can Be Fined for Texting and Driving
As a new year approaches so, too, do a new set of traffic regulations.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Welcomes Five-Millionth International Visitor in 2016
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Ho Chi Minh City welcomes five-millionth int’l visitor in 2016 [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam ...
Vietnam Bans Tet Fireworks to Spend Money on Poor Communities
Fans of Vietnam’s annual Tet pyrotechnics will be sad to learn that the country’s central government has released a directive specifically forbidding firework displays over the holiday.
