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

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...

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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]

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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...

in Vietnam

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]

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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,...

in Vietnam

[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.

in Vietnam

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]

in Saigon

[Photos] Hanoi Launches 'Friendly' Bicycle Police Force

Nguyen Hue Street’s rollerblading security guards have been getting a ton of press over the past week for their unique mode of transportation. Not to be outdone, last Wednesday, a squad of police in H...

in Asia

22 Killed, 120 Injured In Blast At Central Bangkok Shrine

A massive explosion tore through a popular Hindu shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok last night, killing 22 and injuring 120 more.

in Vietnam

Former US Consulate Employee Imprisoned For Selling Visas At Up To $70,000

After years of investigation, a former State Department employee has been sentenced to 64 months in prison for his role in selling US visas to Vietnamese citizens who had previously been denied them f...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: VN Coffee Growers Near Bankruptcy

Vietnam's $2.6mln stall at Italy expo fixed 2 months after criticism [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese DJ listed among world’s top 50 [Vietnam Net] Vietnam is in top destination of South Korea’s investors&nbs...

in Vietnam

Parking Space Prices Hit US$50,000 In Hanoi

High demand and low supply have resulted in astronomical costs for parking spaces in Hanoi, some of which exceed the cost of the cars themselves.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Government To Pursue $500.8M Museum Despite Funding Problems

Experts criticise uncontrolled Mekong crocodile breeding [Vietnam News] Government to pursue $500.8mln museum despite funding problems, criticisms [Thanh Nien] Foreign coloring books for adults...

in Vietnam

Population Explosion: Hanoi Adding 200,000 New Residents Each Year

It’s no secret that the populations of Vietnam’s urban centers are quickly growing, but in Hanoi, this phenomenon is occurring at a rapid pace as the city adds 200,000 new residents each yea...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Craft Beer Explodes In Saigon

Vietnam moves to weaken currency after China devaluation [Asian Correspondent] Craft beer explodes in Saigon [Thanh Nien] Vietnam’s deputy prime minister just got serious about startups [Tech i...