in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026

After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?

in Saigon

Outlaw Ostrich Arrested in Bình Dương for Disrupting Public Order

In case you need a pick-me-up on this dreary rainy Friday, here’s a dose of “độc lạ Bình Dương” quackery.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Vietnam's GDP Growth Hits Highest In 5 Years

Last Tuesday, the General Statistics Office announced that gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Vietnam is up to 6.81% for the first nine months of this year, reports Bloomberg.

in Vietnam

Attack Of The Monsoons: Part 1

In the first of a two-part series, cultural and environmental anthropologist Jacob Weger explains why it won't stop raining.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Fast-Growing Ho Chi Minh City Misses Most Environmental Targets

Vietnam's economic growth accelerates as exports beat peers [Bloomberg] Urban dilemma: Fast-growing Ho Chi Minh City misses most environmental targets [Thanh Nien] Foreign experts offer su...

in Saigon

Plan To Plant 100,000 Coconut Trees In Saigon Comes Under Fire

In an effort to spruce up the city's dazzling canals, Saigon may soon receive a brand new grove of coconut trees.

in Asia

Indonesia Is Destroying Its Forests (and Choking Its Neighbors) in the Name of Palm Oil

If you were in Singapore last week, you might have noticed an unusual haze hanging over the city. Normally Southeast Asia's bastion of environmental cleanliness, the Lion City closed schools and shutt...

in Vietnam

Vietnam To Phase Out Its Print Media

In case you haven't heard the news, print is dying.

in Vietnam

Jetstar Passenger Opens Emergency Exit, Delays Plane...Again

Remember that time a VietJet passenger mistook the emergency exit for the bathroom door? How about the one when a first time flier opened the exit on the tarmac to get some fresh air? Or that incident...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Tops Lists Of Ideal Investment Destinations: Cushman & Wakefield

Vietnam recalculates public debt, and it now exceeds safety limit: report [Thanh Nien] 25 bridges to be built with JICA loans [DTI] Vietnam tops lists of ideal investment destinations: Cushman & Wak...

in Vietnam

A Look At The Vietnamese Province Obsessed With Sai Gon Beer

If there's one thing Ha Tinh loves, it's beer.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: High Tide, Rainstorm Likely To Inundate Ho Chi Minh City This Week

Tourists say visa waiver too short [Vietnam News] Ministries declare new vision standards for motorbike drivers [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam lowers dollar deposit interest rates [DTI]

in Saigon

[Video] Suspected Drunk Careens Truck Into D7 Intersection, Injuring Two

No matter how safe you are as a driver, accidents can still happen – even when you're standing still.

in Vietnam

After Villa Collapse, Hanoi Will Examine All Colonial Buildings

Following the collapse of a 110-year-old villa in downtown Hanoi last week, officials in the capital are planning to launch a large-scale audit of the city's colonial buildings.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Expensive Railway Station Left Empty Because Of Uneven Development

Vietnam inflation hits 10-year low in Jan-Sep [Tuoi Tre] Tap water in Ho Chi Minh City fails to meet chlorine standards [Tuoi Tre] Expensive railway station left empty because of uneven development ...

in Saigon

Saigon Is Getting Some Flashy New Bus Routes

Public transportation in Saigon may not be glamorous but it's about to get a little more convenient for local residents. From October 1, Saigon will launch two new bus routes, connecting both District...

in Vietnam

Thousands Of Sea Cucumbers Wash Up On The Shores Of Phu Quoc

Last week, tourists in Phu Quoc were privy to a strange sight, as thousands of sea cucumbers washed up on the shores of Long Beach.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Public Land, A Cake Illegally Shared By Many Firms In Vietnam

Security guard arrested for procuring sex for guests at Saigon hotel [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese teen electrocuted while wading through flooded schoolyard [Thanh Nien] Ministry wants nationwide survey o...

in Vietnam

Saigon Internet Cafes Ordered To Close By 10pm To Prevent Gaming, Sex Chats

For anyone who enjoys late-night gaming or a good sex chat in a public place, we've got some bad news.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Are Getting Paid To Wait In Line For New iPhones

In Vietnam, everyone loves an iPhone.

in Vietnam

All Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Contestants Will Sport VietJet Bikinis

Just when you thought VietJet's brilliant bikini marketing strategy was gone forever, that bright red-and-yellow swimwear is gearing up for another appearance.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Nearly 1 Million Overseas Vietnamese Want To Buy Houses In Vietnam

Second financial firm allows foreign ownership [Vietnam Plus] Nearly 1 million overseas Vietnamese want to buy houses in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Businesses concerned about import/export examinations [...