ASEAN Welcomes East Timor, Asia's Youngest Nation, as 11th Member
Time for infographic artists and geography teachers in the region to update their work on ASEAN.
Into the Infernal Heat of One of Saigon's Last Remaining Forges
It's no exaggeration to say that working in a forge is akin to being in a fiery sauna.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Origin of the Strange Lights You See Before Landing in Saigon
What are those astonishingly bright lights seen from an airplane window when approaching Saigon at night? I’ve had visitors ask me this on the drive home from the airport, and the question appears on Reddit every few months. I remember being befuddled myself the first time I witnessed the patchwork radiance.
My Mom’s Care Packages Remind Me That Home Can Fit Inside a Box of Food
“What do you guys crave? I’ll send some.”
New 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in Vietnam
After analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.
As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era
Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?
Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...
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.
Morning News Roundup: Provider Of Sex Workers For Foreigners In Saigon ‘Backpacker Area’ Arrested
8,000 festivals a year contribute to VN's poor labor productivity? [Vietnam Net] PM pushes for signing of Vietnam – EU free trade deal [VoV] New Mekong Delta highways to cut travel time to HCM ...
“Haunted” 727 Tran Hung Dao To Be Demolished
606 Tran Hung Dao isn't the only historic building on the street to be threatened by the wrecking ball. In a move that was seemingly inevitable, the decaying apartment block at 727 Tran Hung Dao will ...
[Video] American Tourist Chased By Police And Angry Mob In Thailand After “Road Rampage”
In what sounds like something out of a movie, an American tourist managed to escape the wrath of an angry crowd in the resort city of Pattaya after a “wrecking spree” that damaged 13 vehicles and an r...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Buys Nguyen Dynasty Rickshaw At French Auction
Vietnam buys Nguyen Dynasty rickshaw at French auction [DTI] Belgium helps Vietnam preserve documentary films [DTI] Uber gets Gov't nod with legal conditions [Vietnam News]
Vietnamese Company Offers Women With 100cm Breasts Huge Salaries
A Vietnamese firm made headlines over the past week for a job posting offering “qualified candidates” with a breast size of 100cm or more as much as VND100 million per year.
Weekend News Roundup: Architects Want Houses To Grow Rooftop Trees In Vietnam's ‘Suffocating’ Cities
VN set to host 31st SEA Games [Vietnam Net] Ocean science takes big step forward in VN with purchase of well-head platform [Vietnam Net] Consumers switching to safer vegetables [DTI]
Another 'Dead' Saigon Canal Will Soon Be Revived
Running over 10 kilometers through four districts (Tan Binh, Tan Phu, 11 and 6), Tan Hoa is one of Saigon's longest canals. Like many of the city's urban waterways, it has been receiving treatmen...
Morning News Roundup: 4 Foreigners Reportedly Break Into Vietcombank ATMs To Steal $70,000
Epidemic outbreaks found in HCM City [DTI] Vietnam to be Asia's new manufacturing powerhouse [DTI] Total lunar eclipse to occur on April 4 evening [Vietnam Plus]
