Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street

In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story

Water has no hometown.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis

There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.

in Hanoi

Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi

I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.

in Vietnam

In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions

The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam had enjoyed no such air-conditioned, traffic-immune method of transportation.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Female Prisoner Inseminates Herself to Avoid Death Sentence

You would think that when a person gets arrested, convicted of a serious crime, thrown in prison and sentenced to death, the game is pretty much over.

in Vietnam

Hyundai Motor Group Overtakes Toyota in Vietnam

You don't need to do much more than take a look outside to realize that Vietnam's car industry is booming. On average, Saigon registers 139 new four-wheeled vehicles everyday and automobile sales...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Online Retail Sales Will More Than Double by 2020

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese language website for diaspora to be upgraded [Vietnam News] Counting the co...

in Vietnam

It's Official: Obama Will Visit Vietnam in May

On Monday, a White House official confirmed that United States president Barack Obama will visit Vietnam this coming May.

in Vietnam

New Decree Exempts Certain Expats From Work Permits

UPDATE:  Following an amendment to the Vietnam News article linked in this piece, it has come to our attention that the new regulation exempting certain foreign workers from work permits lim...

in Vietnam

90,000 Hospitalized in Vietnam Over Tet Holiday

While most of us were relaxing last week, the Tet holiday kept medical professionals working hard, as nearly 90,000 people were hospitalized between February 7 and 9 alone, according to the Ministry o...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Businesses Will Need 19,000 New Workers After Tet

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.  Visitors to Hanoi increase by 17% during Tet holiday [Hanoi Times] HCMC drainage...

in Asia

Indonesia Bans Same-Sex Emojis From Messaging Apps

The Indonesian government recently asked instant messaging apps to remove same-sex emojis out of respect for the country’s “culture and local wisdom”.

in Vietnam

New York Times Lists Vietnamese-American Among Possible US Supreme Court Justice Nominees

Last week, 79-year-old Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly passed away, leaving an empty spot on the bench of the United States' most powerful court.

in Stories

[Photos] Traffic Nightmare Ensues as Tet Travelers Return to Saigon, Hanoi

For many Saigon workers, today is the first day back from a glorious, week-long celebration and a startling return to the harsh reality of having a job.

in Saigon

Saigon Launches 5-Year Safe Produce Plan

Saigon recently approved a five-year plan to promote safe organic produce in the city.

in Asia

[Photos/Video] China's New Year Mayhem Is Infinitely Worse Than Vietnam's

Tan Son Nhat International Airport may be hell on earth during the Tet holiday, but Saigon's travelers would probably think twice about complaining if they saw what their fellow holidaymakers in China...

in Vietnam

Gas Prices in Vietnam Are the Lowest They've Been Since 2009

Yesterday, gasoline prices dropped to their lowest rate since August 2009.

in Vietnam

Vietnam, Member Countries Sign TPP in New Zealand

Representatives from the 12 nations involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have officially signed the landmark trade agreement.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Traffic Accidents on the Decline in January

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Vietnam spent $1 billion to import Chinese cars in 2015 [Vietnam Net] Japan to help Ha...

in Asia

Myanmar's Elephants Have the Unemployment Blues

If you've ever found yourself unemployed for an extended period of time, you know how hard life can be without the sense of purpose a job brings. These days, there are a couple thousand elephants in M...

in Vietnam

Fansipan Cable Car Opens, Earns 2 World Records

It used to be a monumental achievement reaching the summit of Vietnam's Mount Fansipan. At 3,143 meters tall, the tallest peak in Southeast Asia – also known as "Indochina's Roof" – towered ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Techcombank, Vietnam Air Seek to Form New Airline

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Ha Noi bans trucks' entry during rush hour [Vietnam News] Education ministry proposes ...

in Asia

David Bowie Wanted His Ashes Scattered in Bali

Apparently, Bali left quite the impression on Major Tom.

in Vietnam

In Hanoi, Parents and Teachers Clash Over Cold-Weather Days off School

With large swaths of northern Vietnam still suffering from the deep freeze that appeared late last month, Hanoian parents and educators are butting heads over whether to send their kids to school...