
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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

Vietnam Will Free 18,539 Prisoners On Wednesday
As part of its National Day amnesty, Vietnam will release 18,539 prisoners, reports Tuoi Tre.

[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.

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.

Morning News Roundup: Survey Reveals Massive Shortfall In Public Service Quality
Tycoon to the rescue as cheaper China floods Vietnam's economy [Thanh Nien] Survey reveals massive shortfall in public service quality [DTI] Experts urge firms to study laws for TPP [Vietnam Plus]

Hanoi Closes 40 Streets For National Day Parade
Beginning at 9pm on Tuesday, 40 streets in downtown Hanoi will be closed for the National Day parade, Voice of Vietnam reports. Roughly 35,000 people are expected to participate in this year's festivi...

Vietnam Railways to Introduce E-Ticketing System Next Month
Starting next month, travelers will be able to purchase train tickets via an electronic ticketing system, reports Talk Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines Drops Plan To Purchase Airbus A380
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) will no longer be adding the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airplane, to its fleet, Thanh Nien reported on Wednesday.

Weekend News Roundup: Around 300 New Businesses Launched Each Day In Vietnam
Vietnam debates design of helmets for ethnic women with high buns [Tuoi Tre] Hanoi authorities make ambitious flood pledge for National Day [DTI] UK firm makes master design for Dung Quat oil r...

[Video] Hanoi Traffic Police Pursue Mai Linh Cab Driver in 'Terrifying High-Speed Chase'
A Mai Linh taxi driver is in some serious trouble after speeding away when officers attempted to pull him over for a traffic violation.

Woman Holds Funeral For Herself And Five Living Relatives
On Tuesday, a Phan Thiet woman organized a collective funeral for herself and five other living family members, drawing the attention of several curious neighbors.

Morning News Roundup: Fine Might Go Up To $1,800 For Overloaded Vehicles
$107 million approved for second Laos border gate [Vietnam Net] Minimum wage may rise 12% [Vietnam Net] Hanoi Museum remains mired in controversy [DTI]

[Photos] Hanoi Streets Under Water After a Night of Heavy Rain
Less than two hours of rain turned Hanoi into a citywide swimming pool on Wednesday evening. As predicted by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a bout of heavy rain drenched the...

Transport Ministry Will Attempt To Beat Uber At Their Own Game
After ongoing legal struggles with Uber, the Ministry of Transport recently announced it will launch its own app to compete directly with the ridesharing enterprise. This is a move by local authoritie...

Nearly 100 US Army Uniforms Found in Passenger's Luggage at Tan Son Nhat
Last Sunday, customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport seized nearly 100 US Army uniforms from a passenger traveling from the United States, reports Tuoi Tre News.

Morning News Roundup: TPP Set To Devour Vietnam Livestock Sector
Dollar rise lifts imports and widens Vietnam’s trade gap [VOV] VietJet listed among world’s fastest growing airlines [VOV] Master plan approved to develop northwest national tourism area [DTI]