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.
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...
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...
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...
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”.
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.
[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.
Saigon Launches 5-Year Safe Produce Plan
Saigon recently approved a five-year plan to promote safe organic produce in the city.
[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...
Gas Prices in Vietnam Are the Lowest They've Been Since 2009
Yesterday, gasoline prices dropped to their lowest rate since August 2009.
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.
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
David Bowie Wanted His Ashes Scattered in Bali
Apparently, Bali left quite the impression on Major Tom.
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...
Empty ATMs Spell Trouble Ahead of Tet
Have a Vietnamese bank account? You may want to withdraw some cash now before it's too late. Next week, ATMs across Vietnam will likely be running low, as workers all over the country take holiday an...
Morning News Roundup: Japan Relaxes Requirements of Short-Term Stay Visa for Vietnamese
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. PM asks HCMC to review metro cost [SGGP] Two more firms eye Casino’s Vietnam assets&nb...
District 1 Blaze Destroys Luxury Cars, Mobile Phones
Last weekend, a large fire in downtown District 1 destroyed eight luxury cars and hundreds of mobile phones.
Morning News Roundup: More Cold Spells to Strike Vietnam Ahead of Tet
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Vietnamese man wanted by Interpol on smuggling charge [Vietnam News] Vietnam tuna auct...
