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.
Vietnam Developing Crowdfunding Regulations For Local Platforms
The Ministry of Planning and Investment is working to create a legal framework for crowdfunding activities, reports Deal Street Asia. The government organization has recently met with local startups t...
22 Pictures Of China's Strangest Chairs
In his series “Bastard Chairs”, German photographer Michael Wolf captures some pretty interesting seating arrangements.
Vietnam Will Not Devalue The Dong Again This Year
The National Bank of Vietnam, after its third adjustment to the dong this year, announced it would not alter the exchange rate again until 2016, reports Thanh Nien.
Morning News Roundup: Most Vietnamese Ignore Nutrition
‘Black Monday' for VN stocks [SGGP] Minimum pay increase for 2016 yet to be fixed [VOV] Ferrari worth $750,000 damaged in crash in HCMC [Thanh Nien]
Dana Filek-Gibson in Asia
What Happened When the South Korean Government Invested in K-Pop
Long before Psy sang about 'Gangnam Style', K-Pop was spreading like wildfire across Asia and around the world.
Vietnam Scraps Foreign Ownership Limits
Beginning in September, foreign investors will be able to own a 100% stake in Vietnamese companies. The decision, announced by government decree in June, will apply to most industries with the excepti...
Over 1,500 Vietnamese Passengers Denied Entry Into Singapore Since January
As many as 1,515 Vietnamese passengers flying VietJet Air have been denied entry into Singapore in the first half of this year, according to Tuoi Tre News. Despite showing sufficient paperwork, the ma...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Start-Ups Have To Register Business Overseas
Another massacre in Vietnam as man kills 4; mental illness suspected [Thanh Nien] Saigon Port plans share sale to banks [Vietnam Plus] Controversial China rig completes drilling well near Vietnam co...
VND1.6 Billion Found In An Abandoned Air Blade
As of Friday last week, police were still unable to identify the owner of a mysterious Air Blade containing more than VND 1 billion, which was abandoned on a sidewalk in Hoa Binh province. Locals came...
Vung Tau to Offer Free WIFI on Popular Beach, Hydrofoil Pier
In addition to a revamped hydrofoil service, Vung Tau is installing free WIFI networks on its most popular beaches and its main hydrofoil pier.
Vietnam Considers Raising Taxes on Large Cars
In an effort to alleviate congestion on the country’s roads Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed levying higher taxes on some cars, while lowering others.
Weekend News Roundup: Rethink On Prostitution: Officials Say Vietnam Needs Legal Red-Light Districts
Vietnam loses $2.5 billion over oil price collapse [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese website fined for publishing film inspired by horrible massacre [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese tra fish enters Walmart in US [DTI]
Flying High: VietJet Is Going Public
Privately-owned VietJet Air is looking to take advantage of its recent success by holding a public offering by the end of the year.
Ben Thanh Market Is Getting Fancy Air Conditioned Toilets
The hot and muggy toilets at Ben Thanh Market will soon be a thing of the past as the city has ordered that air conditioners be installed to appease tourists.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Plans $5.5 Billion For Transport Projects Through 2020
Vietjet's operational safety is now internationally ensured [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese businesses ‘shy away’ from Thai market [VoV] Asian forex slips as China extends losses, Vietnam devalues curren...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Devalues Dong For Third Time In 2015 On Yuan Fallout
Vietnam spends over $4 billion to import animal feed [Vietnam Net] Experts warn against mass investment in waste incinerators [DTI] Health goods removed from Ha Noi drugstores [Vietnam News]
Saigon-Vung Tau Hydrofoil Service To Resume In November
Hydrofoil service between Saigon and Vung Tau will resume in November with a fleet of new boats.
Phu Quoc Authorities Want to Wipe out Forests, Farmland for Development
Famous for its beautiful (and sometimes polluted) beaches, the island of Phu Quoc has become one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations with arrivals increasing by 20% every year. As a result,...
[Video] Enraged Foreigner Confronts Vietnamese Driver On Hanoi Pedestrian Street
A video of a foreign man scolding a Vietnamese motorbike driver on a Hanoi walking street surfaced on the internet recently, sparking widespread debate on whether or not he was out of line.
Morning News Roundup: Ho Chi Minh City To Set Up Special Economic Zone
Vietnam ranks 12th for at-risk public debt [DTI] Ha Noi to cut jobs in state-funded organisations [Vietnam News] Universities nationwide increase working time to serve students [SGGP]
