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 Vietnam

Vietnam’s Internet Speeds Will Return To Normal This Week

Repairs to the segment of the Asia America Gateway (AAG) cable that connects Vietnam to Hong Kong are expected to be repaired on May 10, three days earlier than expected.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Rip-Offs, Trash And Traffic: The Long Holiday Shows Its Ugly Side

Rip-offs, trash and traffic: The long holiday shows its ugly side [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Red Cross team draws flak for leaving Nepal amid crisis [Thanh Nien] Work begins on Phu Quoc 5-star passen...

in Saigon

More Road Closures For Downtown Saigon Ahead Of Tonight's Fireworks Show

There will be only a slight reprieve from road closures today in downtown Saigon with the city announcing that it will block off vehicle traffic to streets near the Bitexco Tower in advance of tonight...

in Vietnam

AAG Cable May Not Be Repaired Until May 13

Despite previous reports that a short circuit on Vietnam’s section of the Asia-America Gateway had been repaired and that internet speeds are back to normal, according to multiple sources, the problem...

in Vietnam

Free WIFI Coming To Saigon, Da Nang And Hue For Upcoming Celebrations

With huge crowds expected in cities around Vietnam for the upcoming holiday, S-wifi will be providing free WIFI service in many hotspots.

in Vietnam

Vingroup Looks To Buy Vietnam’s Biggest Train Stations, Seaports

The Ministry of Transport is weighing a proposal by Vietnamese conglomerate, Vingroup, which wants to buy up Vietnam’s largest train stations and seaports.

in Saigon

It’s Official: The World’s Oldest Woman Lives in Saigon

The World Records Association (WRA) has recognized 122-year-old Saigon resident, Nguyen Thi Tru, as the world’s oldest woman.

in Saigon

Saigon Losing 33% of Its Tap Water Due To Leaky Pipes

It may be hard to tell during the rainy season when Saigon’s streets are flooded with rainwater, but a new study shows that the city loses a great deal of its tap water due to leaky pipes.

in Vietnam

Internet Speeds Back To Normal In Vietnam

According to Vietnamese telecom VNPT, the country’s internet service is back to normal speeds.

in Saigon

Saigon Expands Reunification Day Roadblocks At The Last Minute

Yesterday, city authorities announced that the area that will be cordoned off to vehicle traffic for Reunification Day festivities has been expanded.

in Saigon

Saigon Begins to Move Its Power Lines Underground

Saigon has begun to move its notorious tangled nests of electricity wires underground.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Health Ministry Proposes Right-To-Die Law, Again

Three 5,000-year skeletons unearthed in central Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Schools confused about departments’ inconsistent policies [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s inward investment surge — will it last? [...

in Vietnam

Saigon Flower Shop’s Floral War Photo Exhibition Backfires

A popular Saigon flower shop’s charitable photo exhibition backfired when city authorities shut it down last weekend due to the use of banned material.

in Saigon

Saigon’s City Center To Be Blocked Off For Reunification Day Celebrations

Navigating your way around downtown Saigon will be a tad nightmarish over the next week, as numerous streets will be closed off for the upcoming Reunification Day celebrations.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Metro Vietnam Found Owing Over $23.6mn In Tax In Transfer Pricing Inspection

Vietnamese shrimp and fish exports found to have antibiotic residue [Vietnam Net] Vietnam to ease foreign ownership ceiling in banks-govt [Reuters] Metro Vietnam found owing over $23.6mn i...

in Vietnam

[Video] Mayhem Unfolds At Hanoi Waterpark After Impatient Customers Jump Fences

A promotional program for free entrance to Hanoi’s Ho Tay Water Park started off innocently enough but quickly devolved into total chaos as those who arrived late began to scale its fences.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: It Will Take Vietnam A Long Time To Ease Visa Rules, Insiders Say

PHL, Vietnam ironing out details of strategic partnership amid China’s reclamation work [GMA] Vietnam firms struggle to expand in Russia [Asia One] Vietnam's HCM City to host pro break-dan...

in Vietnam

VietJet Passenger Opens Emergency Exit Mistaking It for Restroom

51 people were ultimately forced off their flight last Friday afternoon after a passenger on a VietJet leaving Hanoi opened an emergency exit believing it to be a restroom.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Police Warn Of Sex Tourism Boom As Child Sex Abuse On The Rise

HCM City ranked top 5 of PCI 2014 [SGGP] Vietnamese spend $1.5 billion a year on studying overseas [Vietnam Net] Vietnam police warn of sex tourism boom as child sex abuse on the rise [Tuoi Tre...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Police Push To Move Hanoi Railway Station Out Of Downtown

Hanoi police have sent a proposal to the Transport Ministry requesting that it move the Hanoi Railway Station out of the city center to reduce congestion and accidents.