in Asia

ASEAN Welcomes East Timor, Asia's Youngest Nation, as 11th Member

Time for infographic artists and geography teachers in the region to update their work on ASEAN.

in Saigon

Into the Infernal Heat of One of Saigon's Last Remaining Forges

It's no exaggeration to say that working in a forge is akin to being in a fiery sauna.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Origin of the Strange Lights You See Before Landing in Saigon

What are those astonishingly bright lights seen from an airplane window when approaching Saigon at night? I’ve had visitors ask me this on the drive home from the airport, and the question appears on Reddit every few months. I remember being befuddled myself the first time I witnessed the patchwork radiance.

in Vietnam

My Mom’s Care Packages Remind Me That Home Can Fit Inside a Box of Food

“What do you guys crave? I’ll send some.”

in Vietnam

New 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in Vietnam

After analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.

in Saigon

As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era

Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.

Khôi Phạm

in Vietnam

Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?

Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s

I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Hanoi Street Gets, Loses Unusual Name

Ướp lạnh, or chilled, is a welcome word in Vietnamese. Drive down the street on a hot day and even the phrase bia ướp lạnh is a divine sense of relief. There aren’t, after all, many things better than...

in Vietnam

Tiger Bites Off Woman’s Arm In Central Vietnam, Zoo Tries To Cover It Up

A woman in Nghe An province is missing her arm after it was bitten off by a tiger in a central Vietnam zoo late last month.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Mulls Higher Fines For Drunk Drivers

Lack of regulation blamed for alarming surge in cancer rate in Vietnam [New America Media] Australian woman jailed for 20 years in Vietnam for smuggling heroin in underwear [ABC] Vietnam coffee...

in Saigon

[Photos] Man Falls From Overpass After Bus Crashes Into Oncoming Traffic

A Phuong Trang (FUTA) bus crashed this morning on District 11's Cay Go overpass, injuring eight motorists after it crossed the median barrier and drove into oncoming traffic.

in Vietnam

[Photos] The Madness of Hanoi Traffic

Hanoi can’t seem to get a break. After a torrential downpour hit the capital two weeks ago, heavy rains have visited the city once again, flooding streets and leaving commuters stranded in traffic.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Celebrates First Win of 2018 World Cup Qualifiers

Things are looking up for Vietnam this morning, after the national football team took home its first win of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: 28 Vietnamese To Stand Trial After $13-Million Online Gambling Bust

Government mulls nixing tax fines, fees [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam to classify universities to improve quality [DTI] Vietnamese directors to bring acclaimed films to London festival [Thanh Nien]

in Vietnam

Saigon Authorities Claim New Reservoirs Will Reduce Flooding By 30%

In an effort to make your rainy season a little drier, local officials recently approved the spending of VND950 billion (US$41.8 million) to create three large-scale reservoirs across Saigon. Covering...

in Asia

Laos Officials Shut Down Vietnamese Nightclub In Historic Cave

When you think of Laos' historic Viengxay Cave, a major military base and home to thousands during the 1953-1975 Laotian civil war, the first thing that springs to mind is pole dancers. Obviously.

in Asia

[Video] Meteorite Explodes Over Bangkok

A massive airborne explosion believed to be a meteorite was caught on camera yesterday in Bangkok, taking residents of the Thai capital by surprise.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Farmers Dump Dead Fish To Protest Factory Waste Dumping

Policy, financial hurdles stymie Vietnam auto industry [Thanh Nien] Dollar borrowers in Vietnam report massive losses after dong falls [Thanh Nien] Farmers dump dead fish to protest factory waste du...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam To Let Public Have A Say On New Electricity Rates

Danang, transport ministry lead nation in administrative reform [VOV] Falling oil prices adversely affect Vietnam economy [VOV] State-owned building firms slow to privatise [Vietnam News]

in Vietnam

Long Thanh Airport Construction to Relocate 15,000 People

Nearly 15,000 residents of Dong Nai province will be moving house due to the construction of Long Thanh Airport, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Online Train Ticket Sale Faces Network Congestion

Minimum wage to increase 12.4% next year [DTI] English Premier League to be broadcast for free in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Russia, Vietnam strategic partnership to make Asia-Pacific safer [Spu...

in Vietnam

Bac Lieu Approves Plan For Guitar-Shaped Five-Star Hotel

Officials in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu have approved plans to construct a five-star hotel shaped like a traditional Vietnamese musical instrument, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

Top Mobile Retailer To Open Food Chain Because Why Not

Late last week, Vietnam's top mobile retailer, The Gioi Di Dong, unexpectedly announced its plan to open 30 to 50 convenience stores over the last quarter of the year, reports Thanh Nien.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Airlines Dreamliner Flies To London

China Southern Airlines to launch freighter service to Vietnam [Want China Times] HCM City: Boat tour on Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe launched [DTI] Vietnamese seller of ‘priority logos’ to ‘avoid traffic pol...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Will Free 18,539 Prisoners On Wednesday

As part of its National Day amnesty, Vietnam will release 18,539 prisoners, reports Tuoi Tre.

in Vietnam

[Video] The Vietnamese Navy Just Bought a Pirate Ship

According to Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Navy now has a proud new addition to its fleet, thanks to the work of Polish shipbuilder Marine Projects, Ltd.

in Vietnam

Baggage Truck Driver Loses License After Colliding With Airplane at Tan Son Nhat

A Tan Son Nhat baggage truck driver is without a license after crashing into a China Airlines plane last Thursday, reports Thanh Nien.