
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.

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.

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.

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: Abused, Imprisoned Vietnamese Slave Away In UK's Cannabis Farms
Vietnam plans to sell operating rights for airports [Thanh Nien] Abused, imprisoned Vietnamese slave away in UK's cannabis farms [Thanh Nien] Mekong Delta authorities instructed to stockpile ri...

Bus Carrying 20 Tourists Nearly Plunges Into Saigon Canal
A bus carrying 20 foreigners and overseas Vietnamese nearly fell into the waters of the Tàu Hủ Canal yesterday afternoon due to a flat tire.

[Photos] 11 Hilarious English Translation Fails On Chinese Signs
While Vietnam may boast an impressive amount of entertaining signage, it looks like China has it beat in this category thanks to what appears to be an over-reliance on Google Translate.

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Offer Largest Ever Rewards (Up To US$250k) For Whistleblowers
Why Vietnam’s agriculture industry is unsustainable [Vietnam Net] HCMC to complete traffic projects this year [SGGP] HCMC borrows US$1.08 billion for anti-flooding [SGGP]

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Named 5th Most Recognised Coffee Producer In US
Vietnam named 5th most recognised coffee producer in US [Vietnam Plus] High hopes for TPP signing in 2015 [Voice of Vietnam] VN retailers face pressure as foreign firms enter the market&nb...

A Sneak Peek Into Saigon’s New Metro Cars
We might have to wait another five years to ride in one of them (at least physically), but soon you can check out the interior of the carriages that will eventually run on Saigon’s first metro line.

41,050 Hospitalized In Vietnam For Brawling, Food Poisoning And Traffic Accidents During Tết
Tết may be the Vietnam’s most festive holiday, but it’s also the most dangerous if measured by the number of people admitted to the country’s hospitals.

Walls of Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral Being Stained by Graffiti, Urine
Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral is facing something of an aesthetic crisis as sections of the church’s brick walls, which were imported from France well over a century ago, have been defaced by graffiti...

Morning News Roundup: Toxic Tet Kumquats Highlight Vietnam's Pesticide Problem
IT companies in search of more experts in 2015 [DTI] Can Tho strives to become Mekong Delta economic hub [DTI] Berlin to host Vietnamese music and fashion show [Vietnam News]

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Chúc mừng năm mới, Saigoneers! We'll return to action on February 24. Have a safe and happy Tết!

[Video] Tết Decorations On Majestic Hotel's Façade Catch Fire
Tết decorations hung on the façade of District 1’s Majestic Hotel caught fire yesterday evening. Though hotel staff quickly extinguished the fire, the ensuing rush of emergency services resulted in he...

Weekend News Roundup: Re-Edited "50 Shades Of Grey" Hits Vietnam Theaters After Premiere Setback
McDonald’s continues expansion in Vietnam [DTI] Thousands of poor labourers given free trips home for Tet [Vietnam Plus] Gun found in cargo at Tan Son Nhat airport [Vietnam Plus]

[Video] Tornado Tears Roofs Off Homes In District 7
When you think of inclement weather in Saigon, tornados are about the last thing that comes to mind. But residents of District 7’s Tan Thuan Tay Ward may want to add some extra nails to their roofs af...

New Nguyen Hue Walking Street To Be Vehicle Free On Weekend, Holiday Nights
The Nguyen Hue phase of the $20.2 million promenade that will eventually connect downtown Saigon to Thu Thiem will be closed to vehicle traffic on nights, weekends and holidays when it opens later thi...

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Become World's 22nd Largest Economy By 2050
Central Highlands focuses on sustainable poverty reduction [Vietnam Plus] Minister urges transport firms to lower fares [DTI] VN should discard conservative views on pig-chopping rite: Ministry of C...

18 Incredible Photos of 1950s Hong Kong
Like Saigon, Hong Kong has long been one of Asia’s most important commercial centers and both had been shaped by European colonial powers for nearly a century before being captured by the Japanese dur...

Morning News Roundup: World Bank Blacklists 8 Projects In Vietnam For Tardiness
Three condemned to death for smuggling 11kg of heroin in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam-Laos border marker planting to be completed this year: officials [Tuoi Tre] World Bank blacklists 8 proj...

[Video] 11 Injured After Car Crashes Into Crowd at Tan Son Nhat
Last night at 7:15pm, a black Audi A8L crashed into a crowd in front of the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport, injuring at least 11 and damaging nearby cars and billboards.

Morning News Roundup: Despite Criticism, Vietnamese Villagers Make Blood Oath To Protect Pig Slaughter Fest
High-tech geriatric facility inaugurated in Hanoi [Vietnam Net] Hanoi to get disabled taxi service [Vietnam Plus] Solid waste piles up as country industrialises [SGGP]

Vietnamese Cities Launch “Taking Drunkards Home” Service
Feeling a bit too drunk to drive after an all-night nhậu session? Don’t worry, there’s a service for that.

