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.
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
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Nguyen Hue Pedestrian-Only Promenade To Open This Month
It’s been months since crews began to tear up Nguyen Hue Street in order to transform it into the city’s first pedestrian-only thoroughfare. It looks like we’ll only have to put up with this construct...
Morning News Roundup: Ho Chi Minh City Suggests US Charity Supply Helmet Cameras To Traffic Cops
Vietnam Idol show hits licence issues [Vietnam News] HCMC multiplies new school model [SGGP] Vietnam to benefit from new wave of Japanese investment [Vietnam Net]
90,000 Vietnamese Workers on Strike at Factory That Supplies Nike, Adidas
Changes to social insurance laws have sparked a massive worker’s strike in Saigon’s Binh Tan District, shutting down a garment factory that makes shoes and clothes for companies including Nike and Adi...
Vietnam Scraps Airport Maintenance Plan After Airlines Cry Foul
Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) has delayed plans to perform extensive maintenance at some of the country’s largest airports, including Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Province Justifies Controversial Cable Car Project At World’s Largest Cave
Man wearing kilos of gold causes chaotic scene at Hanoi shopping mall [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s voice in gender equality at IPU-132 [DTI] Water quality suffers in HCM City [DTI]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Public Debt On Track To Unhealthy High Levels
Vietnam will suffer from “technology rubbish” if ministry does not act: scientists [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s public debt on track to unhealthy high levels [DTI] Vietnam’s FDI disbursement surges in Q1...
[Photos] People Tempting Fate At Vietnamese Rail Crossings
Vietnamese rail crossings are notoriously unsafe due to poor signage and lack of barricades. But some pedestrians and motorists aren’t doing themselves any favours by crossing in front of oncoming tra...
Vietnam Considers Raising Visa Fee For Tourists, Overseas Vietnamese
Though Vietnam is struggling to keep its tourism numbers up, the country’s finance ministry has proposed raising visa fees for tourists and overseas Vietnamese.
Weekend News Roundup: Month-Long Road Closings In Downtown HCMC Start Next Week
HCMC leaders inspect key infrastructure projects [SGGP] More Vietnamese politicians use emails, social networks [Vietnam Net] MOET’s entrance-exam ban could lead to payments for seats at the best sc...
Vietnam Planning To Drop Death Penalty For Drug Crimes, Robbery
Vietnamese justice officials announced Tuesday that they plan to abolish the death penalty for a number of crimes including robbery and drug trafficking.
Vietnam Set to Become Southeast Asia's Economic Powerhouse: Bloomberg
There are numerous global and domestic trends that may be setting Vietnam up as the region’s economic leader, according to a recent report in Bloomberg.
Morning News Roundup: Drunk Drivers Should Be Charged Criminally - Vietnam Road Directorate
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