Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus

We are all in this, but not together.

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?

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Storm Etau Threatens South-Central Coast With More Heavy Rain, Flooding

Haven't we been through enough this year?

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: Hanoi's 'Train Street' Quietly Reopens, Remittances Drop and Vietnam Design Contest

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Vietnam Wins Travel Awards, State Assets Sale and Thu Duc Seeks First Class Status

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City Hall Receives Recognition as National Architectural Monument

The Ho Chi Minh City Hall has been one of the metropolis’ most recognizable landmarks since the period of French rule.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Tourist Submarines Get Green Light, Storm Goni Changes Course and HCMC Remittances Could Reach US$5.5b

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

October Natural Disasters Leave 235 Dead or Missing, Cost Vietnam $730m: Report

As October comes to an end, Vietnam’s central region is reckoning with major devastation and fatalities.

in Roundups

Morning Links: 433 VinMart Stores Close, VN Covid Vaccine Advances and Super Typhoon Goni to be Downgraded

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon School Forced to Close After Whirlwind Tears Roof off Classrooms

A storm on Saturday tore the roof off Binh Phu High School in District 6 of Saigon, disrupting the class schedules of nearly 2,000 students and requiring extensive repairs. 

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Hanoi Metro No.5 Project Assessment, New LG R&D Center and International Flight Protocols

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: New Airline, Japan Opens to Vietnamese, VN Vaccine Progress

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

New Storm Goni Heads for Vietnam After Battering Philippines

More trouble is on the way for storm-weary central Vietnam.

in Vietnam

In Storm Molave's Wake, Rescue Efforts Continue for Landslide, Boat Sinking Victims

Damage from the powerful typhoon is still being assessed, while rescue efforts continue.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Pompeo Makes Surprise Visit, New Terminal for TSN and Negative Covid Tests

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

During Typhoon Molave, 3 Landslides Bury 64 People in Villages Across Quang Nam

Throughout October’s calamitous weather conditions, it’s been proven that landslides are the greatest threat to communities in storm-battered regions.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Overseas Remittances, Mekong Land Erosion Worsens and Floods Unearth UXO

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Vietnam to Increase Fines for Not Wearing Masks 10-Fold in November

The penalty for not wearing facemasks in public places will soon increase by a factor of 10.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Chinese Men Run Away From Quarantine, Fish Sauce Association Set Up and Renewable Energy Incentives

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Ahead of the Year's Most Powerful Storm, Central Vietnam Evacuates, Sets Curfew

Provinces along the southern coast of central Vietnam are in a rush to make final preparations today ahead of a major typhoon that will make landfall tomorrow.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Storm Evacuations, Saigon River Tunnel Fire Drill and SMS Campaign for Flood Victims

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

As Storm No. 8 Dissipates, Vietnam Braces for a Potentially Destructive No. 9

Central Vietnam ơi, beware.