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.
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?
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.
[Photos] Meet The Families Who Live In Bangkok's Airplane Graveyard
In a city with rising rent prices and limited space, three Bangkok families are living in the husks of decommissioned commercial jets in the capital's eastern Ramkhampaeng neighborhood.
Da Nang Bans Votive Paper...Again
In Vietnam, votive paper is everywhere. Take a stroll through any residential neighborhood and you're likely to find at least one person burning brightly-colored money, clothing or other odds and ends...
[Photos] Villa Collapses in Hanoi Leaving 2 Dead, 6 Injured
At 12:45pm yesterday afternoon, a 110-year-old French colonial villa in Hanoi collapsed, killing two and injuring several others.
Morning News Roundup: 30% of Vietnamese to Shop Online by 2020
Vietnam Airlines aircraft provides free transport of medical equipment [Vietnam News] 3 Vietnamese shortlisted in global video competition for farmers [Thanh Nien] Drinking becoming a problem in Vie...
Color Me Run Comes To Hanoi
This weekend, Hanoians will finally have the opportunity to run five kilometers while being doused in colored powder, as the Color Me Run comes to the capital for the first time.
Morning News Roundup: Illusion-Causing Stimulant, Called "American Weed," Traded Openly In HCMC
Vietnam Airlines receives second Airbus A350-XWB [Nhan Dan] Cop suspended for assaulting insulting neighbor [Thanh Nien] Illusion-causing stimulant, called ‘American weed,’ traded openly i...
Chinese Man Deported For Mass Earthworm-Hunting Operation
There are some crimes so despicable and sinister that just to think of them will make your stomach turn.
Weekend News Roundup: Over 40 Percent Of HCM City Youths Show Alcohol Abuse Signs
Over 40 percent of HCM City youths show alcohol abuse signs [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam’s new abortion restriction may backfire: official [Thanh Nien] HCM City expects to control flooding in inner-city a...
Japan Floods Uproot Houses, Leave Thousands Homeless
Earlier this week, while Saigon residents pushed their motorbikes through murky floodwater or sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Japan was busy handling its own rain-related troubles.
Morning News Roundup: Viettel OTT App Going Global
600 transgender Vietnamese ask for new identity papers [Vietnam Net] Viettel OTT app going global [VOV] Concert offers new experience of music in darkness [Vietnam News]
[Photos/Video] Saigon Floods Aren't Over Yet
After Tuesday evening's epic rainstorm (sort of) subsided, Saigon began its return to normal. Traffic jams dissipated, floodwaters receded and we all invested in a good raincoat or, at the very l...
Uber Launches Free Rides for Drinkers
We've all swung by the bar for a quick happy hour cocktail and, several hours and many drinks later, realized that it's 11 o'clock and we somehow have to get home.
Thai Nguyen Woman Heals People By Walking On Their Bare Bums
A woman in northern Thai Nguyen province who claims to be a healer is drawing as many as 600 patients to her doorstep everyday with some pretty unorthodox techniques.
Morning News Roundup: Economists Deny Prediction About Additional 2% VND Devaluation
Economists deny prediction about additional 2% VND devaluation [Vietnam Net] Over 84% of population to have health insurance by 2020 [VOV] Rivers in Ha Noi seriously polluted [Vietnam News]
Ha Tinh Officials Reprimanded For Not Drinking Bia Sai Gon
Seven Ha Tinh officials are in hot water after they were caught violating the province’s administrative recommendation that government employees consume only locally-produced Bia Sai Gon.
[Photos] Saigon Turns Into Swimming Pool After Torrential Downpour
No matter where you were yesterday afternoon, chances are you felt the effects of the torrential downpour that turned up just as you were about to head home from work.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Allow Firms To Make Military Uniforms For Other Countries
Vietnam's economy likely to lag behind neighbors in 20 years: report [Thanh Nien] Airfares in Vietnam expected to drop with new pricing rule [Thanh Nien] Power prices stable for 2015 [Vietnam News]
Man Fined VND3 Million After Letting His 6-Year-Old Son Drive Truck
Police in Quang Ninh province have fined the parents of a six-year-old boy VND3 million for permitting their son to drive a truck.
[Video/Photos] Planes Grounded As Tropical Storm Rages In Central Vietnam
Nearly 30 flights were cancelled yesterday morning as tropical storm Vamco approached central Vietnam. Travelers departing from or heading to Danang found themselves stranded as wind speeds in the cit...
Morning News Roundup: Nearly $8 Billion Invested In HCM City’s Eastern Region
Ha Noi departments face large budget cuts [Vietnam News] Clean water prices to increase [Vietnam News] Vietnam Airlines named among Top 10 most improved airlines [DTI]
