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.
Morning News Roundup: Government Proposes Higher Tax On Vehicles
Vietnam to divest $2.5 bln share in top firm Vinamilk [Reuters] Government proposes higher tax on vehicles [Vietnam News] HCM City seeks private funds for projects [Vietnam Plus]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Public Debt Per Capita Surpasses $1,000
Vietnam's economy to be ranked 17th globally by 2025 [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s public debt per capita surpasses $1,000 mark [Tuoi Tre] Special economic zone to go up in HCM City [Vietnam Net]
Miss Universe Thailand Will Dress Like a Tuk-Tuk
Every country has its own signature costume. In Vietnam, it's the áo dài; in Japan, it's the kimono; in Thailand, apparently, it's a bodysuit shaped like a tuk-tuk.
VN Officials Are Now Responsible For The Performance Of Job Applicants
From now on, government officials will have to take care when recommending potential employees for jobs in state-run agencies.
Weekend News Roundup: HCMC Cracks Down On Massage Parlors Providing Sex Services
Southern Hanoi satellite urban area planning announced [SGGP] Vietnam to include doctor wages in hospital fees, upsetting uninsured patients [Tuoi Tre] Japanese airline eyes 10% stake at Vietna...
[Photos] Three-Kilometer Traffic Jam in Hanoi Lasts Over 2 Hours
This will come as a shock to no one, but Hanoi had another traffic jam yesterday morning.
[Photos] This Colonial-Era Water Tower Is About To Collapse
Following the sudden collapse of a 110-year-old colonial villa in Hanoi a few weeks back, authorities and residents alike are giving Vietnam's historical buildings a closer look.
Morning News Roundup: Illegal Houses On Canals Cause Serious Flooding In Ho Chi Minh City
Illegal houses on canals cause serious flooding in Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's 'black gold' fuelling growth but raising health concerns [Channel News Asia] Young forests sold to China...
Lam Dong Mother Sets Son On Fire For Playing Video Games
It's always a good idea to listen to your parents. Especially when one of them is holding a lit match and a bucket of gasoline.
You Want Less Traffic Congestion, Learn to Drive Like the Saigonese: Hanoi Official
It's been a tough couple weeks for Vietnam's traffic officials, what with the rain and the flooding and the clashing definitions of the term 'traffic jam'.
Vietnam Airlines Dropped a Bunch of Dongs on This Commercial, May Get Picked up by ANA
When it comes to marketing campaigns, national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) is putting in some serious work to attract international travelers.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Seeks To Criminalize Truck Overloading
Mekong Delta sugarcane growers enjoy bumper crop, high prices [SGGP] Ha Noi wants illegal construction in building demolished [Vietnam News] Vietnam strong enough to afford TPP: lead negotiator...
The Saigon Post Office May Soon Get Its Own Coffee Shop
After a few false starts and several coats of paint earlier this year, the 130-year-old Saigon Post Office may soon receive a brand-new addition to its surroundings.
[Photos] Saigon Choked by Poisonous Smog
For the past three days, a blanket of smog has engulfed Saigon, resulting in not only poor visibility, but also potential health risks.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Considers Massive Economic Zone To Attract FDI
Unauthorised fees plague Viet Nam's bus terminals [Vietnam News] Quang Nam to open bird’s-eye-view of My Son Sanctuary for tourists [DTI] Hanoi’s polluted craft villages to get environmental clean-u...
Johnny Tri Nguyen Fined For Illegal Martial Arts Competition
Local film star and Hollywood stuntman Johnny Tri Nguyen is in hot water after hosting an illegal martial arts competition last month in Nha Be District.
Morning News Roundup: Saigon Sail Awaits Approval For Nhieu Loc Canal Tour Resumption
Domestic GDP likely to grow 6.5% in 2015 [DTI] Forest protection law falls short [Vietnam News] Ministry defends tax reforms [Vietnam News]
Mobile Users Can Retain Phone Number When Switching Networks In 2017
Mobile users will soon be able to switch carriers without losing their phone number.
Weekend News Roundup: Recalculation Shows Vietnam’s Public Debt At 66.4% Of GDP
Recalculation shows Vietnam’s public debt at 66.4% of GDP [Vietnam Net] TV ads most trusted in Viet Nam [Vietnam News] Hanoi proposes emergency water pipeline [DTI]
Japan Invented a RoboCab Because of Course They Did
Fasten your seatbelts: unmanned taxis are coming to Japan.
