in Asia

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.”

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

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 ...

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Cities To Launch “Taking Drunkards Home” Service

Drunk driving is a serious problem in Vietnam that often has fatal consequences. To address this social ill, three Vietnamese cities are launching a pilot program that they hope will get drunk drivers...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Crewman Shot Dead In Pirate Attack Off Singapore

Vietnamese crewman shot dead in pirate attack off Singapore [Thanh Nien] VN tops ASEAN in domain names [Vietnam News] New expressway bad for Hanoi-Lao Cai rail line [DTI]

in Saigon

Hagupit Likely To Hit HCMC This Week

Tropical storm Hagupit hit the Philippines today bringing heavy flooding to some regions and claiming at least three lives. If the storm stays on its current course, it will hit Ho Chi Minh City later...

in Asia

[Photos] Bloodshed Erupts At Malaysian Stadium Following Vietnamese Win

As streets and hems across Vietnam erupted in celebration last night after the national football team defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the 2014 Suzuki Cup semifinal, Vietnamese fans at Kuala Lumpur’s Shah Ala...

in Vietnam

World’s Second Biggest Insect Discovered in Vietnam

Scientists have recently discovered a new species of giant stick bug in Vietnam. Phryganistria heusii yentuensis is over 32cm long or 54cm with its legs outstretched. Before you have a heart attack an...

in Vietnam

87% High Percentage of Vietnamese Woman Sexually Harassed In Public: Report

A recent survey by three organizations (ActionAid, Research Centre for Gender, and Family and Environment in Development and Plan) found that 87% of Vietnamese women say they have been victims of sexu...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Hanoi Reduces Its Tangle Of Wires

Tiger farm found located near residential area [DTI] Traffic cop crashes BMW 750 into militiamen; 2 dead [Tuoi Tre] HCMC tries to improve students’ nutrition condition [SGGP]

in Saigon

HCMC Announces $570 Million Infrastructure Project For Thu Thiem

The Thu Thiem Urban Area has been stalled for over a decade. Even though the land has been cleared at a cost of nearly $1 billion, developers have been hesitant to invest in the project until the prop...

in Asia

[Video] Incredible Japanese “Prawn Cannon” That Cooks Shrimp In 3 Seconds

Japan has built up one of the world’s strongest technology bases, leading the world in the production of creepy robots and sex dolls. But sometimes, Japanese inventors need a break from serious work a...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: 2 Women In Southern Vietnam Take On Drunk Cop

Ha Noi cuts trees in pilot beautification project [Vietnam News] 2 women in southern Vietnam take on drunk cop [Thanh Nien] Free Wi-Fi in Vietnam? Beware of security risks [Thanh Nien]

in Vietnam

Mekong Man Arrested For Marrying 14-Year-Old Girl

According to police in Can Tho's O Mon District, 21-year-old Tran Van Co was arrested this week after marrying a girl seven years his junior.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Listed Among Countries With Low English Proficiency

Vietnam produces international-standard submarines [Vietnam Net] Vietnam listed among countries with low English proficiency [Tuoi Tre] Parents want extra classes for their kids despite ban [DTI]

in Saigon

HCMC Taxi Driver Returns Bag With $8,000, iPhone, iPad

On Monday, a Vietnamese-American woman left a bag full of seemingly everything she owned  - $8,000 in cash, an iPad, an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy 3 and her identity papers - in a Vinasun taxi.

in Vietnam

U-Turn: Vietnam Considers Legalizing Uber

Just days after declaring Uber illegal in Vietnam, the country’s transport ministry said it will consider legalizing the taxi service.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Land In Hanoi Old Quarter Over VND1 Billion Per Square Meter

Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Eyes $4 Billion Vietnam Casino [Bloomberg] Students named scientific contest finalists for idea of greening Saigon footbridges [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam farmer makes win...

in Vietnam

PM Approves 9-Day Tết Holiday

For the second straight year, the Vietnamese government has approved a 9-day Tết holiday.

in Saigon

Major Security Drills Taking Place In Saigon This Week

You may see columns of fire engines, police and military personnel around downtown Saigon this week. These security drills are neither related to a zombie apocalypse, nor filming for Vietnam’s next bi...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Bizarre South Korean Kidnap-Torture Case Unfolds In Vietnam

40,000 die of smoking-caused diseases every year in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to export $70 million oil rig part to India [Tuoi Tre] US singer Kelly Clarkson to perform at Miss Vietnam pa...

in Saigon

HCMC Begins To Crack Down On “Illegal” Uber Taxis

 Could this be the beginning of the end for Uber in Vietnam?

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam To Hold First Art Fair To Pique Public Interest Next Month

Hanoi, Da Nang rank eighth among top tourist attractions [Vietnam Net] Vietnam to hold first art fair to pique public interest next month [Tuoi Tre] VN designers shape new fashion scene&nb...