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 ...
Cambodia Deports Another Group of Tourists for Nude Angkor Photos
Another week, yet another group of international tourists was deported from Cambodia for taking “nude pictures” at the holy temples of Angkor Wat.
Morning News Roundup: Counterfeit Goods Undermine Vietnam’s Economic Prosperity
Fake labels on foreign alcohol flood Tet market [DTI] Counterfeit goods undermine Vietnam’s economic prosperity [Voice of Vietnam] Hanoi set ambitious goal on new-style rural building by 2020 [...
Italy Offers to Train Vietnamese Traffic Police
At a meeting with a Vietnamese delegation in Rome last week, an official from Italy’s Polizia Stradale offered his organization’s assistance in providing Vietnam’s traffic police with training to impr...
Numerous Streets In Downtown Saigon To Close For Tết Festivities
As if it weren’t challenging enough navigating downtown Saigon with the construction of the pedestrian promenade and metro station, numerous streets in the area will have been or will soon be closed t...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Most Modern Expressway Opens To Traffic
HCM Ciy flower fairs start next week [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam's most modern expressway opens to traffic [Thanh Nien] Japan gifts patrol ship to Vietnam after upgrade [Thanh Nien]
[Photos] Event Rewind: Saigoneer Photo Walk With Glen Riley
Last Sunday, Glen Riley led our first photowalk of the year through the hẻms around Phạm Ngũ Lão. We met at The Hungry Pig at 144 144 Cống Quỳnh, had a morning coffee, and headed out to expl...
Driver That Drove Bus Up Cần Thơ Bridge Fined Only VND350k
If you were to drive a bus up the arch of a bridge, causing a 10km traffic jam, you’d probably be concerned about getting slapped with a hefty fine. Apparently, you’d be worrying over nothing.
Morning News Roundup: Apartment Builders Skip Waste Treatment For Profit
Vietnam finds evidence of ancient volcano in central region [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese toddler abandoned on taxi reunites with his family after 2 months [Thanh Nien] Local group takes over, upgrades MT...
Vung Tau Restaurant That Overcharged Japanese Tourist By VND19.8 Million Shut Down
It’s always a good idea to check your bill before leaving a restaurant as one Japanese customer learned the hard way at a Vung Tau eatery last month.
40% of the Mekong Delta Could Disappear by 2115
The future of the Mekong Delta is growing increasingly uncertain due to the pressures of climate change and increasing development of hydroelectric power upstream in Laos, China and Cambodia.
Morning News Roundup: First Green School Model Makes Its Debut In Ho Chi Minh City
Fireworks displays planned for Lunar New Year [DTI] Vietnam may reduce lending rates with new housing stimulus package [Thanh Nien] Made-in-China trucks dominate Vietnam market [Vietnam Net]
[Video] A Look At One Of Hanoi’s Most Ridiculous Intersections
Despite its intended role as a helpful conduit, Hanoi’s Xã Đàn – Ô Chợ Dừa intersection is one of the city’s most confounding crossroads.
16 Foreigners Rescued After Tourist Boat Goes up in Flames in Ha Long Bay
Last night a tourist boat carrying 25 passengers was engulfed in flames as it was anchored in Ha Long Bay.
Cambodia Deports 3 French Men for Nude Photoshoot at Angkor Wat
Three Frenchmen were deported from Cambodia last weekend after they admitted to taking nude photos of themselves at the popular tourist destination of Angkor Wat.
Morning News Roundup: Italy Willing To Train Vietnam’s Traffic Police
Series of events to popularise Vietnamese literature [Vietnam Plus] Italy willing to train Vietnam’s traffic police [Vietnam Plus] Teachers say new student-assessment method difficult to implement [...
Check Out Where Saigon Ranks In The Latest Safe City Index
The Economist recently released its Safe Cities Index in which 50 cities around the world are ranked according to levels of safety. While many of these types of lists come out every year based on murd...
Traffic Accident In Cần Thơ Forces Bus Atop Bridge
Around 4am on February 2, a Phương Trang bus carrying 30 passengers narrowly avoided an accident with a truck as it crossed the Láng Sen Bridge in Cần Thơ City.
Morning News Roundup: HCM City's Fire Department Using Robot-Operated Trucks
Advert law drives up costs of billboards [Vietnam Net] HCMC steps up bio gasoline sales [SGGP] Taxi and long-range coach companies slash fares [Vietnam News]
After International Outrage, Vietnam Backpedals on Destroying Thousands of Smuggled Cats
Last week, Hanoi police discovered a truck packed with three tons of live cats destined for Vietnamese restaurants. After it was reported that the felines were to be destroyed in accordance with local...
Plans For Vietnam's First Hooters In The Works
If you thought the penetration of American restaurant culture in Vietnam was complete with the arrival of McDonald’s last year, you’re in for a surprise.
