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.
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?
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.
2 Vietnamese Fighters Suffer Midair Collision, Pilots Missing
Two pilots are missing after their airplanes crashed in midair during an aerobatic training exercise off the coast of central Vietnam yesterday morning.
Vietnam Airlines Pilot, Flight Attendant Arrested in South Korea for Smuggling Gold
Last Friday, a Vietnam Airlines (VNA) pilot and flight attendant were arrested in South Korea for smuggling 6kg of gold bars in their shoes.
Morning News Roundup: Illegal Fishing Destroying HCMC's Newly-Revived Canals
EU helps improve legal nuclear safety framework [VOV] Da Nang plans to open representative office in RoK [SGGP] Vietnamese willing to spend more in 2015, brand-name goods market warms up [Vietnam Ne...
HCMC Is About To Lose Its Stock Exchange
Plans are in the works to merge Vietnam’s two stock exchanges into a unified Vietnam Stock Exchange headquartered in Hanoi.
Indonesian Politicians Push To Ban Alcohol
If two of Indonesia’s Islamic parties have their way, those caught drinking beverages containing over 1% alcohol will get slapped with up to two years in prison, or a fine of up to US$38,529.
Morning News Roundup: Highway Jammed For 10 Hours By Power Plant Protest
Ernst&Young: Vietnam needs only five major banks [Vietnam Net] Noi Bai Airport to slash prices for sleep pod services [Vietnam Net] Hanoi to host ‘Day of Vietnamese Book' [Vietnam Plus]
As Saigon’s First Pedestrian-Only Street Prepares To Open, Details and Criticisms Emerge
As construction of Nguyen Hue Street’s pedestrian-only promenade nears completion, new details about its operation as well as critical voices have emerged in the Vietnamese press in recent weeks.
Saigon Bank Exec Pulls Gun On Taxi Staff Over Parking Spot
In a story that seems like something out of an American newspaper, Saigon police took a bank executive into custody last week for pulling a gun on a taxi dispatcher during a dispute over a parking spa...
Morning News Roundup: HCM City Bans Teacher-Student Romantic Relationships
Vietnam betting on more casinos [VOV] Authorities unlawfully allow almost 600 pines to be felled in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam automobile industry faces collapse after Toyota announcement about poss...
[Video] How Japan Is Using Anime To Justify An Expanded Military Role
Japan is in the midst of expanding its military’s operating limits to a point unseen since the end of World War II. To help “justify” what many see as an illegal pivot when it comes to the use of mili...
Morning News Roundup: Watch Out For These ‘Time Bombs’ When You’re In HCMC
Vietnamese incinerators create deadly dioxin gases [Vietnam Net] PM approves 36 mln USD textbook reform project [Vietnam Plus] Da Nang, Hoi An host Vespa roadshow [Vietnam Plus]
Weekend News Roundup: Dog Thieves Saved From Mob Attack After Crashing Into Woman
US architects introduce PhD thesis on Saigon architecture [Tuoi Tre] Teen fined $300 for riding motorbike with feet on highway [Thanh Nien] Helmet law for kids largely ignored across Vietn...
Saigon’s Central Post Office Goes Back To Its Original Color
After complaints from street vendors to architects, the Saigon Central Post Office is finally back to its colonial color scheme following a VND5 billion (US$233,013) repainting.
Vietnam Pledges To Ease Visa And Work Permits For Foreigners
Following feedback from businesses with domestic operations, Vietnamese officials have vowed to simplify visas and work permits procedures for foreign workers.
Morning News Roundup: Blind Lottery Ticket Seller Falls Into Manhole In Downtown HCMC
Blind lottery ticket seller falls into manhole in downtown Ho Chi Minh City [Thanh Nien] China, Vietnam pledge peaceful resolution for sea dispute [Reuters] Company plans second Arsenal-su...
Da Nang Unveils Talking Robot to Assist Pedestrians
In yet another reminder that Da Nang wins when it comes to technology, they city is testing a talking robot to help pedestrians cross busy streets.
Morning News Roundup: World Bank Partners With GrabTaxi To Improve Road Safety In VN
In Vietnam, residents barricade streets with bikes to protect houses from rainwater [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's bikers race to upgrade as auto sales explode [Tuoi Tre] Is Japanese capital leaving Vietnam? ...
Video Shows Daily Physical Abuse At Center For HIV-Positive Children In Saigon
Tuoi Tre recently published an exposé cataloguing the abuse of HIV-positive children at a care center in Saigon’s Thu Duc District.
Vietnam Considers Reviving Late Night Alcohol Sales Ban
Vietnam may not be able to agree on its most popular beer, but there’s no question about the drink’s popularity. To curb the “social evil,” the government is considering reviving an unpopular proposal...
Container Holding Radioactive Material Has Been Missing From A Vietnamese Steel Mill For 3 Months
Authorities in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau are searching for a container with highly radioactive material that has been missing from a steel mill for over three months.
