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

[Video] Vietnamese Brothers Set World Record for Head-to-Head Stair-Climbing

Vietnamese brothers Giang Quoc Co and Giang Quoc Nghiep broke a Guinness World Record last Thursday after successfully pulling off a spectacular acrobatic move.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: 2017 to Be Good Year for Vietnam Economy

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. 2017 to be good year for Vietnam economy: analysts [VietnamNet] Vietnam claims hau...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Woman Suffers Blindness, Stroke After Nose Job

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam woman suffers blindness, stroke after nose job [Tuoi Tre] Crocodiles in Vi...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: New Cold Spells, Floods to Hit Northern, Central Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. New cold spells, floods to hit northern, central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam raises...

in Vietnam

Businesses on Hanoi’s ‘Model Street’ Stop Conforming to Signage Rules

Residents of Hanoi’s “model street” are rebelling against a rule on uniform signage.

in Saigon

Saigon May Impose Toll on Car Drivers in Downtown Area

In yet another move to alleviate traffic congestion, city officials are considering a new road toll for car drivers in the downtown area.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi’s BRT to Offer Month of Free Travel

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hanoi’s maiden BRT to offer month of free travel [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City mulls...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam to Launch First Home-Built Radar Satellites Into Space

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam to launch first home-built radar satellites into space [VnExpress] HCMC to...

in Vietnam

Transgender People Can Change Gender on Legal Documents in 2017

As of January 1, 2017, transgender people who have undergone sex reassignment surgery will have the right to change their gender on legal documents.

in Vietnam

VietJet Aims to Raise $170m in IPO, Launch New Hanoi-Siem Reap Route in 2017

As VietJet finishes out a successful year with the launch of its latest route between Saigon to Hong Kong, the company is gearing up for its initial public offering (IPO) in early 2017.

in Vietnam

Phu Yen Teachers Save 13 Schoolchildren From Flash Flooding

“Had it not been thanks to this cabinet, we would have drowned yesterday.” Teacher Thai Thi Tuyet Hong pointed to a corner, where the classroom’s filing cabinet lay drenched in a mushy layer of m...

in Saigon

7 Saigon Streets Could Become One-Way in 2017

In an effort to remedy Saigon’s current traffic pandemonium, local authorities are considering turning several of the city’s major streets into one-way thoroughfares.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Donald Trump Speaks to Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Hopes to Strengthen Ties

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Donald Trump speaks to Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, hopes to strengthen ties [Internati...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Government Driver Under Fire for Hit-and-Run

A government agency is in hot water after a video recently emerged on social media showing a state-issued vehicle committing a hit-and-run in Hanoi.

in Vietnam

Recognize Cockfighting as an Art Form: Vinh Long Officials

Vinh Long’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is seeking permission to recognize cockfighting as an art form in the Mekong Delta province.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: 10 Districts in Hanoi to Have 5-6 Star Hotels

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. 10 districts in Hanoi to have 5-6 star hotels [VietnamNet] Hanoi police propose br...

in Vietnam

Flash Flooding, Landslide Paralyze Nha Trang

Saigon is not the only city in Vietnam to suffer at the hands of Mother Nature this week: yesterday, a bout of torrential rain wreaked havoc on Nha Trang, paralyzing traffic and flooding thousands of ...

in Saigon

Saigon Officials Blame Skyscrapers for Traffic Congestion

As traffic congestion in downtown Saigon continues to grow, the city’s legislators are putting the onus on high-rise buildings.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi, HCMC Rank Low in 'Livable’ Index

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City rank low in 'livable’ index [VnExpress] Vietnam province r...

in Vietnam

Uber Still at Odds With Government After Paying Taxes

Uber Vietnam has once again gotten into trouble with local authorities for – wait for it – dodging taxes.