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.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Records a Rare Case of Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam records a rare case of cri du chat syndrome [VnExpress] Vietnam’s new cust...
Power Demand in Southern Vietnam Outstrips National Output: EVN
Power shortages in southern Vietnam may become commonplace in the future as the nation's electricity supply is falling short of the region's growing demand for power.
Fining Foreign Traffic Offenders Is Difficult: Police
Police in major cities such as Saigon, Hanoi and Nha Trang are speaking out about the difficulty of fining foreign traffic offenders.
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Hits Speed Bump on Road to Motorbike-Free City
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hanoi hits speed bump on road to motorbike-free city [VNExpress] Fish not entirely...
Vietnam Has Over 100,000 Sex Workers: ILO
There are more than 100,000 sex workers in Vietnam, according to a recent study published by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Morning News Roundup: Health Ministry Issues Central Region Fish Warning
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Health ministry issues central region fish warning [DTI] Japan to build satellite ...
For the Third Time, Officials Debate an Increase in Retirement Age
The debate over Vietnam’s elderly workers has returned to the fore as legislators consider a new proposal to increase the country’s official retirement age.
Vo Trong Nghia Wins Prestigious Prince Claus Award
Vo Trong Nghia, Vietnam’s resident starchitect, recently clinched the coveted 2016 Prince Claus Award, which rewards artists and organizations for their contribution to local culture and development.
Vietnam Delays TPP Ratification
Vietnam's progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has hit a speed bump as the national government recently announced that ratification of the trade deal will not be discussed at the country's ...
Morning News Roundup: Higher Tax Slams the Brakes on Vietnam’s Car Imports
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Higher tax slams the brakes on Vietnam’s car imports [VNExpress] Vietnam to claw i...
Korean Plastic Surgery Clinic Gives Pikachu a Facelift, Creates Monster
In case you don't have enough nightmare fodder, a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul, South Korea decided to give famed Pokemon character Pikachu a makeover in order to showcase the range of services it ...
Saigon Homework Ban to Take Effect Next School Year
Saigon’s tweenagers will be happy to hear that when they return to school next year, homework assignments will be a thing of the past.
Weekend News Roundup: After Appropriating Hundreds of Billions of Dong, Vietnamese Tycoons Flee Abroad
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam PM says may allow bigger foreign stakes in banks [Tuoi Tre] Appropriating ...
Kim Jong-Un Sulks, Bans Sarcasm in North Korea After Being Called 'Fool' by Citizens
In the latest example of Kim Jong-un’s supreme brilliance, the North Korean leader has banned sarcasm in the isolated nation.
Obama Vows to Lift Myanmar Sanctions Thanks to Government Reforms
On Wednesday, while hosting Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office, President of the United States Barack Obama revealed that the US is primed to lift sanctions on the Southeas...
Thanh Nien News Discontinues Its English-Language Site
In a major blow to English-language media in Vietnam, Thanh Nien News shut down its website yesterday.
Morning News Roundup: Hydropower Dam Tunnel Collapses in Central Vietnam Flash Floods, Many Missing
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. India PM offers Vietnam $500 million credit line for defense cooperation [Thanh Nien] ...
This Notorious Suicide Spot in Japan Is Seeing Fewer Deaths Thanks to Pokemon GO
While Pokemon GO has made global headlines thanks to distracted drivers and pedestrians causing accidents, in one part of Japan the mobile phenomenon may actually be saving lives.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Scientists Win 4 More US Research Grants
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese mobile start-up ‘Shark Journey’ snaps up $40,000 from Facebook [VNExpress] ...
Regular Downpours May Shut Down Tan Son Nhat Due to Flooding Threat: Official
Less than one month after an epic downpour turned Saigon into a swimming pool and paralyzed Tan Son Nhat International Airport (TSN), a shower which occurred last Sunday forced the facility'...
