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.
Vietnamese Universities Urged to Conduct Classes, Staff Meetings in English
In an effort to improve the language skills of university students, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha has urged universities to make English the second language on campus.
Hanoi May Ban Motorbikes by 2025
Hanoi's municipal government may ban motorbikes from the streets of the capital by 2025.
Morning News Roundup: In Vietnam, GBP, EUR Keep Falling 3 Days After Brexit
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. UAE eyes Vietnam’s untapped potential [The National] Vietnam becoming a magnet for...
Officials to Announce Cause of Central Vietnam Fish Death on June 29
Government officials will announce the official cause of central Vietnam's mass fish death on Wednesday, June 29.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Starts Biggest Ever Anti-Flood Construction
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Ghenh Bridge opens to traffic, resumes North-South railway [SGGP] Protecting Vietn...
New Report Claims China Uses Political Prisoners for Organ Harvesting
A disturbing new report compiled by journalist Ethan Gutmann, human rights lawyer David Matas and former Canadian politician David Kilgour suggests China is harvesting the organs of its political pris...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Set to Gain From Brexit
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese entrepreneur wins first place in US competition [Vietnam News] Manchest...
Foreign Couples Are Keeping Japan's Wedding Industry Alive
As the Japanese government struggles to spur the country's marriage rate, even resorting to matchmaking in some cases, Japan's wedding industry is flourishing thanks to foreign couples.
Despite Protests, China's Dog Meat Festival Goes Ahead as Scheduled
Amid pressure from animal rights activists, China’s southern city of Yulin commenced its 10-day dog meat festival on June 21.
6 Vietnamese Arrested in Japan for Stealing Melons
Six Vietnamese men have been arrested in Japan for melon theft.
Morning News Roundup: Gambling-Mad Vietnamese Put Their Houses on Euro 2016
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam, Laos boost cooperation in scientific research [VietnamNet] Small size, lo...
Thailand Is Making Its Drunk Drivers Visit the Morgue
In 2015, some 9,000 people in Vietnam died in traffic accidents. Our Thai neighbors, however, faced even greater danger on the road last year with a traffic-related death toll of 24,000. As ...
Truck Crash Causes Highway Full of Bees in Central Vietnam
If there’s one thing you should know about Vietnam, it’s that our highways are full of whimsical adventures, from impromptu beer slip-and-slides to runaway ostriches à la Hugo Cuoi Da Dieu, ...
Morning News Roundup: Audit Finds Giant Holes in Vietnam's Local Budgets
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Tourism firm may be shut down after Chinese client burns Vietnamese money [Thanh Nien] ...
Gia Lai Officials Oppose New Hydropower Plant
A new proposal to construct a hydropower plant in the Central Highlands is facing opposition from Gia Lai authorities, who fear it may exacerbate the environmental damage caused by existing hydropower...
Vietnam to Ratify TPP by August, Perhaps in Vain
Vietnam's National Assembly expects to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by August 9.
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Offers Dead Fighter Pilot’s Wife a Teaching Job
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese woman denied lottery money after losing tickets [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam send...
Survey Finds Only 1 in 10 Residents Believe Saigon Is Safe
According to a recent survey, only one in 10 local residents believes Saigon is safe.
Vietnamese Government Exceeds Budget...Again
According to a new expenditure report, the Vietnamese government not only spent more than it had in 2014 but also blew an overspending cap set up by legislators.
Morning News Roundup: Using Obama's Image for Ads, Does Habeco Violate the Law?
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Cyclones thrash hundreds of houses in southern Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Da Nang lays pat...
