Xuân Phương in Hanoi
Every Bánh Chưng Season, Vietnam’s Lá Dong Capital Comes Alive With Harvest Frenzy
On the patches of sandy soil by the river in Kim An Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, there’s a tiny village named Tràng Cát, where dong leaves have been embedded in local history, memory, and economy for centuries. Right in local courtyard, these broad green leaves were transformed into bánh chưng, ready for Tết feasts across the country.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
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.
[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]
[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...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
[Video] 44 Dead, 500 Injured In Massive Explosion At Chinese Port
A series of explosions ripped though a port facility Tianjin late Wednesday night, killing 44 and injuring 500.
Morning News Roundup: Foreign Retailers Drive The Rise Of Convenience Stores In Vietnam
Vietnam Widens Dong’s Trading Band After China Devalues Yuan [Bloomberg] Dozens of houses owned by disgraced Vinashin official seized [DTI News] PM welcomes US Supreme Court Justice [...
[Video] Coffee Shop Owner, Seeking “Cool” Ride Drives Taxi Into Hanoi River
Last Friday afternoon, a Hanoi taxi driver parked his car to buy a drink at a roadside stall. A few minutes later, he found his vehicle submerged in a nearby river after the stall’s owner “borrowed” i...
7,200 Saigonese Share The Same ID Card Numbers
Due to mistakes by local police departments, as many as 7,200 Saigon residents have identical identity card numbers, making it hard for them to get passports, bank accounts and tax codes.
Morning News Roundup: Baggage Truck Tears Off Aircraft Wing After Collision At Vietnam Airport
US Navy Ships to Move to Vietnam for Asia’s Largest Annual Humanitarian Mission [The Diplomat] HCM City Procuracy apologises for wrongful convictions [Vietnam News] Bangladesh, Viet Nam to boos...
North Korea To Set Clocks Back 30 Minutes To Create Its Own Time Zone
On August 15, all the clocks in North Korea will be turned back 30 minutes, signaling the creation of “Pyongyang Time.”
[Photos] 3 Rare White Tiger Cubs Born at Saigon Zoo
Last month, two rare Bengal white tigers at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens became the proud parents of three healthy cubs.
Morning News Roundup: Cable Car System To Be Built In Phu Quoc
Third suspect in massacre of six people in Vietnam arrested, one month on [Tuoi Tre] Cable car system to be built in Phu Quoc [SGGP] VN hospitals need to reduce error rate [Vietnam News]
Police Fine Women Who Scheduled Nguyen Hue Street Fight
The two women responsible for drawing hundreds of spectators to a Nguyen Hue street fight last Monday have been fined VND750,000 each.
[Video] Much Of Bangkok Could Be Underwater In 15 Years: Report
A recent study conducted by the Thai government found that large swaths of the city could be underwater in 15 years. While climate change and rising sea levels are the main actors in the tragedy,...
