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.
Mysterious 'Space Balls' Smash Into Northern Vietnam
Authorities in northern Vietnam remained stumped about a pair of “space balls” that fell from the sky this weekend.
Weekend News Roundup: Schools Remain Dangerous for LGBT Youth in Vietnam
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Mobile police asked for absolute safety for major events [VOV] New bridge opened to tr...
Cambodia, Thailand Reach Agreement on Pan-Asia Railway Network
Earlier this month, Cambodia and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding on a new railway line that will run from Bangkok to Phnom Penh.
[Video] Meet Vietnam's Ass-Kicking Ninja Policewoman
This is not a policewoman you'd want to cross.
New Evidence Suggests 'Last Stand' at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat might not have been just a religious monument.
[Photos/Video] How Vietnam Rang in 2016
Vietnam’s cities kicked-off 2016 in typical fashion, with huge crowds turning out for fireworks displays from Thu Thiem to Hoan Kiem Lake.
[Photos] To Curb Cheating, Saigon High School Makes Students Test Outside
Cheating is a well-known scourge of the Vietnamese education system, with students employing everything from smart watches to impersonators in an effort to improve their performance. As many...
Morning News Roundup: Five Key New Policies for Foreigners in Vietnam
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Vietnam warns of 'toxic' Web use ahead of party shakeup [Reuters] VND1.5 billion fines...
These D1 Streets Will Be Closed Tonight
In case you haven't already figured this out, tonight's traffic is going to be a shitstorm. Driving in District 1? Good luck with that.
South Korean 'Comfort Women' Are Not Happy About Japan's Latest Apology
On Monday, Japan and South Korea reached a landmark deal on aid to South Korean "comfort women", who were forced to serve as sex slaves to Japan's Imperial Army during World War II.
Saigoneer's Top 5 News Stories of 2015
From countless development projects to Vietnam's new foreign property ownership laws, the loss of Hanoi's trees to the never-ending saga that is travel at Tan Son Nhat, there was plenty to t...
[Photos] Saigon's 3km Traffic Jam From Hell Lasts 7 Hours
Even by Saigon's extremely specific definition, motorists traveling the Hanoi Highway yesterday morning officially experienced a traffic jam.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Reveals New Drone for Patrolling the South China Sea
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Hundreds hospitalized in mass Vietnam food poisoning [NDTV] Vietnam reveals new drone ...
Dong Nai Officials Block Proposed Road Through Cat Tien National Park
The Dong Nai People's Committee has rejected the construction of a road through the province's Cat Tien National Park, saying it poses a threat to the surrounding environment.
[Video] Bilingual US Preschool Teaches Vietnamese to Students
Earlier this month, the rainy American city of Seattle opened its first bilingual English-Vietnamese school.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam GDP Hits 8-Year High
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Four Vietnamese chosen as globally influential scientific minds [DTI News] Vietnam bac...
Saigon-Bound Jetstar Plane Lands in Can Tho Due to Airport Overload
Last week, passengers on one Saigon-bound Jetstar flight received a Christmas surprise, as their plane was forced to temporarily land in Can Tho due to overloading at Tan Son Nhat International Airpor...
Local Man Summoned by Authorities for Writing Fake Mermaid Story
A man from Quang Nam province is in hot water this week after writing a false news story that went viral on social media. The tale's scandalous contents? Mermaids.
French President to Visit Vietnam in 2016
Early next year, Vietnam will welcome French President Francois Hollande on his first official visit to the country.
Weekend News Roundup: Winter Shortens, Summer and Drought Lengthen in Vietnam: Meteorologists
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. Hanoi parents queue overnight for limited vaccines [DTI] Japanese culture festival com...
