Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
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?
$100,000 Diamond Allegedly Vanishes From Woman’s Finger In HCMC Hotel
A Hanoi woman claims that she was drugged at a HCMC hotel last weekend and awoke to find that a $100,000 diamond had been pried from her ring.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Raise Minimum Wage By Up To $18.9 Per Month
Traffic accidents kill 25 people every day in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Vietnam joins Boeing, Airbus industry supply chains [Vietnam Net] Rapid response team for traffic accidents debuts in HCMC [Tuoi Tr...
International Fashion Week Coming To HCMC Next Month
Prep your wardrobes. Fashion Week is coming to HCMC next month.
David Beckham Arrives In Hanoi To Massive Crowds
Retired star footballer, David Beckham, arrived in Hanoi yesterday afternoon where he unsurprisingly caused quite a stir.
Morning News Roundup: 78% Of Vietnam Children Under 6 Use Digital Devices
78% of Vietnam children under 6 use digital device: survey [Tuoi Tre] Luxury car market booming in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Vietnam: Lack of Credit Cards Not Stopping Pursuit of E-commerce [VOA]
Director Of Noi Bai Airport Apologizes For Poor Service, Promises To Improve
Following a negative review of Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport last month, its director has issued a public apology and vowed to improve services, according to Thanh Nien.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam’s Productivity Rate Remains One Of World’s Lowest
Vietnam’s productivity rate remains one of world’s lowest [Vietnam Net] HCMC plans nearly VND16 trillion for Tet goods [SGGP] Water plant project initiated to save polluted river [DTI News]
HSBC, ANZ To Close HCMC Branches Ahead Of New Operating Model
7 foreign banks, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) “finalizing procedures to close their branches in two biggest cities...
Morning News Roundup: HCMC To Spend VND4 Trillion Removing Households On Canals
HCMC to spend VND4 trillion removing households on canals [SGGP] Hanoi moves to control sex ratio at birth [Vietnam Plus] Med-tech Firm Fined by US for Bribes in Russia, Vietnam, Thailand [Indu...
Singaporean Man Crowdfunds Over $10,000 For Vietnamese Tourist Cheated By Local Store
Pham Van Thoai, a Vietnamese tourist, recently traveled to Singapore where he was “cheated” by an electronics store when buying an iPhone. After the story went viral, a Singaporean man started an Indi...
Vietnam To Issue International, Accept Foreign Driving Licenses
A recent announcement by the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) concerning driving licenses will have a significant impact for both Vietnamese and foreign drivers in Vietnam.
Morning News Roundup: Do Vietnamese Drink More Beer Than Any Other Country?
Vietnam school trains man’s best friend using foreign languages [Tuoi Tre] Fireworks from tallest tower to mark New Year in HCMC [Thanh Nien] Parents, teachers question ban on after-school classes [...
[Photos] Saigon Restaurant Buys "Critically Endangered," 230KG Mekong Giant Catfish Worth $16,000
Last month, a local fisherman pulled a 130kg Giant Barb from the Dong Nai River, netting him $10,000. Not to be outdone, on Monday a Cambodian trader sold a 230kg Mekong Giant Catfish to a restaurant ...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Television Postpones Airing Of ‘Sex And The City’
Vietnam Television postpones airing of ‘Sex and the City’ [Tuoi Tre] Son Doong: hard choice between mass tourism and sustainable development [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's corruption fight fails: officials [T...
[Photos] The Saigon Post Office Is Getting A Makeover
If you’ve passed by the Saigon Post Office in recent days, you’ve probably noticed work being done. The iconic building is getting a makeover, trading in its dull pink façade for a fresh coat of colon...
5,000 Liters Of Hydrochloric Acid Flood Biên Hoà Roadway After Accident
A truck carrying hydrochloric acid flipped over this morning at the Bùi Văn Hoà – Võ Nguyên Giáp roundabout in Biên Hoà City, spewing 5,000 liters of the substance onto the roadway.
Learn More About SE Asia With These 15 Great Infographics
SE Asia is booming. But the region, comprised of 600 million people, is a mixed bag of countries and cultures, with plenty of similarities and an equal amount of differences. Making sense of the lands...
Morning News Roundup: Da Nang's Airport Reportedly Among World’s Best
Vietnam becomes biggest ASEAN supplier to US, takes aim at China [Thanh Nien] Vietnam’s Da Nang airport reportedly among world’s best [Tuoi Tre] Hanoi listed among world’s top 10 culturally rich cit...
David Beckham To Return To Vietnam Next Week
Football legend, David Beckham, is on Vietnam where he will “exchange activities with local fans and the media.”
Dragons Move On Despite Feisty Effort From Heat
“Everything has to come to an end, sometime.” ― L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz
