in Vietnam

Bạc Liêu-94, Cà Mau-69: In Saigon, a Surprising Reminder of Home Lives on License Plates

my  Once in a while, I bump into a little sliver of my hometown on a random license plate on the street.

in Saigon

Pristine Blue Sky and Memorial Park: Ruminating on What the Covid-19 Pandemic Left Us

Recently, I visited Saigon’s newly inaugurated COVID-19 memorial park . Located at 1 Lý Thái Tổ, Vườn Lài Ward, the park o...

in Saigon

HCMC's Đồng Khởi Among World's Top 20 Most Expensive Retail Streets, Report Says

Saigon’s very own Đồng Khởi has once again made the list of world’s commercial streets with the highest annual rents.

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.

Back Stories

in Saigon

Saigon Apartment Prices to Rise, But Remain Cheaper Compared to ASEAN Neighbors

In the next three years, the cost of buying an apartment in Saigon is predicted to increase by 5 – 10% annually, according to a new report.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam on Alert As Zika Virus Threatens to Spread From Neighbors

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Moody’s: Domestic demand supports Việt Nam’s growth outlook [VNS] Why Vietnam high...

in Vietnam

New Policy Increases Visa Fees for US Tourists Five-Fold

While American expats struggling to obtain a work permit have looked forward to one-year visas for some time, a new government policy will make tourist visas far more expensive for visitors from the U...

in Vietnam

You Can Now Travel From Saigon to Phan Thiet in a New Luxury Passenger Car

On September 2, Saigon Railways unveiled a newly renovated car on the SPT8 train running from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, right on time for the country’s national day celebration and the 80th...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: 2,100 Inmates Freed, Thousands Enjoy Reduced Terms on Vietnam National Day

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. 2,100 inmates freed, thousands enjoy reduced terms on Vietnam National Day [Thanh Nien]...

in Asia

Durian-Flavored Condoms Are Now a Thing in Southeast Asia

It was bound to happen sooner or later: durian, one of the world’s most divisive fruits, is making an appearance in bedrooms throughout Southeast Asia.

in Saigon

Saigon Considering $300m Intelligent Transport System to Alleviate Traffic Issues

With crippling traffic becoming the norm in Saigon, local authorities are seeking ways to address the problem, from trimming sidewalks to banning motorbikes. While these controversial tactics are hotl...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: New Route Open to Alleviate Congestion at HCMC Airport

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Formosa pays $500 mil compensation for marine disaster in central Vietnam [Thanh Nien] ...

in Asia

There's Now a Netflix-Like Streaming Service in North Korea

North Korea is currently among a handful of countries and territories in the world, including Crimea, Syria and China, where Netflix is not available. However, the reclusive East Asian country ha...

in Vietnam

French President to Visit Vietnam for the First Time in Early September

French President Francois Hollande will pay a visit to Vietnam from September 5-7, the French Embassy in Hanoi announced late last week.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Says All Will Lose in Any East Vietnam Sea War

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Hanoi says all will lose in any East Vietnam Sea war [Tuoi Tre] Chinese man gets j...

in Vietnam

Bill Gates Foundation Pours $12m Into Vietnam Stock Market

Earlier this month, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust announced an injection of US$12 million into Vietnam Enterprise Investment Ltd (VEIL), Vietnam’s largest investment fund.

in Saigon

High Heaven: Phu My Hung’s Special Stink

Residents of Saigon’s southern neighborhoods, such as Phu My Hung and Binh Chanh, have been dealing with a pungent daily smell for the last month, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Woman Killed in Pokemon Go-Related Accident in Japan

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Disturbing smell enshrouds southern Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre] Heineken buys a br...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Extends Late Night Hours, Bans Vehicles Around Hoan Kiem Lake to Boost Tourism

In an effort to increase its appeal to both visitors and residents, Hanoi will allow bars and restaurants to remain open later and ban vehicles from the Hoan Kiem Lake area on weekends.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Nearly 4,500 Vietnamese Renounce Citizenship in 2015

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Schedule announced for Hollande's visit to Vietnam next month [Thanh Nien] Ca Mau ...

in Saigon

[Photos] Downpour Turns Saigon Into Swimming Pool

Though Saigoneers are no stranger to heavy rainfall, many were undoubtedly taken aback by the vigor of the downpour that occurred yesterday evening which paralyzed the southern hub’s road system ...

in Saigon

Saigon to Shell Out $3.5m to Replace Derelict Air Monitoring System

In an effort to make the city’s air quality assessment process more efficient, Ho Chi Minh City's environmental department has requested US$3.5 million from the city budget to replace its broken air m...

in Asia

Philippines Police Banned From Picking Nose, Taking Selfies While on Duty

If you just can’t live without picking your nose, it’s probably wise to avoid a career in law enforcement in the Philippines: the country just banned its police force from messing around with their na...

in Asia

AirAsia Rewards Hoang Xuan Vinh, ASEAN Gold Medalists With Free Flights for Life

It’s a good year to be an Olympic medalist from Southeast Asia, as regional low-cost carrier AirAsia has announced that it will provide “free flights for life” to all local athletes who won a gold med...