in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

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?

in Saigon

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.

Back Stories

in Asia

[Photos] New Asian Trend: Shaving Dogs Into Cubes (And Other Ridiculous Shapes)

Perhaps a sign that Minecraft has become a pervasive cultural force, dog groomers in Japan and Taiwan have begun to apply cubist aesthetics to their techniques.

in Vietnam

Popular Hoi An Beach Has Nearly Disappeared Due to Erosion

While Phu Quoc’s beaches are being ruined by garbage and pollution, Hoi An’s famous Cua Dai Beach is on the verge of being swept into the sea due to erosion caused by human activity.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Journalists Attacked While Filming Overloaded Trucks

Ha Noi city lacks bus stop shelters [Vietnam News] Police seize 20 tonnes of fake food [Vietnam News] Budget overspending exceeds US$3.43 bln in five months [SGGP]

in Saigon

Tan Son Nhat Airport to Be Expanded This Month

As officials continue to debate the merits of Long Thanh Airport, Tan Son Nhat is set to undergo a major expansion this month.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: China To Overtake US As Vietnam's Largest Importer: HSBC

Vietnam’s Hoi An faces imminent risk of losing beach to coastal erosion [Tuoi Tre] Heathrow primary destination for Vietnam Airlines' new 787-9 Dreamliner [eTurbo News] HCMC canal dredging dama...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Court Agrees To Pay $360,000 To Wrongfully Imprisoned Man

Vietnamese argue over bridal photo shoot on university campus [Tuoi Tre] Young Vietnamese build free, low-cost playgrounds for kids from recycled materials [Tuoi Tre] Cost to build road set to hit n...

in Vietnam

Vietnam To Launch Spratly Island Tours

Vietnam has announced a new tour to the Spratly Islands in the midst of growing tensions over territorial claims in the East Sea.

in Vietnam

Repair Date, Maintenance Period Announced For Vietnam’s Broken Undersea Internet Cable

Vietnam’s internet connection should return to normal speeds in two weeks as teams rush to repair the snapped Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable that lies off the coast of Vung Tau.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Traffic Officer Caught On Video Throwing Driver’s Papers Away

Sexual harassment turns increasingly sophisticated at Vietnam workplaces [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to promote Son Doong Cave at SEA Games [Tuoi Tre] Hanoi traffic officer caught on video throwing driver’s ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: First-Day Sales Of Vietnam’s Bphone Hit Almost 12,000 Handsets

Vietnam's Saigon Port plans to raise at least $19 mln in IPO [Reuters] First-day sales of Vietnam’s Bphone hit almost 12,000 handsets: manufacturer [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam scrap vendor finally lays ...

in Vietnam

Ministry: No Power Cuts During Extreme Heat Wave In Vietnam

Rising temperatures are no match for Vietnam’s electricity grid, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Government Tells Local Authorities To Return Beaches To People

Half of Vietnam’s population infected with parasitic worms: doctor [Tuoi Tre] 3,000-Year-Old Axes Found in Vietnam [Archaeology] Vietnam seen becoming more competitive regionally [VOV]

in Saigon

122-Year-Old Saigon Woman Confirmed As World’s Oldest

The World Records Association (WRA) has completed the verification process and officially confirmed Saigon’s 122-year-old Nguyen Thi Tru, as the world’s oldest woman.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Korean Companies Accused Of Exploiting Workers In Vietnam

Vietnam probes child trafficking after Guardian's shocking exposé [Thanh Nien] Vietnam’s “chaebols”: The rich and mysterious family of Vingroup [Vietnam Net] WB to help Vietnam’s economic hub w...

in Asia

US Detects Chinese Artillery On Disputed Island

US surveillance imagery taken last month found two pieces of Chinese artillery deployed on one of the artificial islands the country is developing in the East Sea.

in Saigon

Saigon Police Make Record US$4.5 Million Cocaine Bust

Last week, customs officers at Saigon’s Cat Lai Port found millions of dollars worth of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of wood pallets from South America.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam’s Int’l Tourist Numbers Down for 12th Straight Month

Female DJs overcome prejudices to play music, earn living in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam’s int’l tourist numbers down for 12th straight month [Tuoi Tre] US defense secretary to ask Vietnam to end lan...

in Vietnam

Long An Bridge Collapses 14 Days After It Opens

A new reinforced concrete bridge that spans the 28th Canal in Long An Province collapsed on Wednesday, 14 days after it opened.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Ring Selling Sex For Up To $20k Busted In Vietnam, Pageant Winners Involved

Vietnam, China back South Korea’s opposition to Japan’s UNESCO bid [Japan Times] Vietnam puts the squeeze on counterfeit goods [DTI] Viet Nam needs more apartments for low-income individuals [V...

in Asia

[Photos] Roads Melt In India As Temperatures Hit 50 Degrees

If you thought the Saigon heat was bad, take solace in the fact that you don’t live in Southern India where a recent heat wave has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and melting streets.