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?
Weekend News Roundup: Motorbike Owners Rebel Over New Road-Use Fees
Investors eye $3 billion children’s amusement park market [Vietnam Net] Motorbike owners rebel over new road-use fees [Vietnam News] Extra classes at preschool burden parents, kids in Ho Chi Minh Ci...
Morning News Roundup: Hoi An Considers Dismantling Irreversibly Damaged Old Houses
FDI capital reaches US$3 billion in HCMC [SGGP] Hoi An town considers dismantling irreversibly damaged old houses [Tuoi Tre] Hanoi, HCM City office space rental costs rise [VoV]
After Tour Company Complaints, HCMC Police Stop Distributing Tourist Safety Leaflets
Last week, HCMC police began to hand out leaflets to tourists in District 1 with a list of safety tips to keep themselves and their belongings safe during their stay in the city. But after complaints ...
Morning News Roundup: Giant 'Pit Of Death' Appears In Thanh Hoa
Giant 'pit of death' appears in Thanh Hoa [Vietnam Net] Campaign mounted in Vietnam hub to educate students on rhino protection [Tuoi Tre] Anti-flood projects, left idle for six years, now cost...
“One-Of-A-Kind” Ancient Ritual Site Discovered In Hanoi
Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient ritual site dating back to the first king of the Lý Empire, the first of its kind ever discovered.
Cost of Long Thanh Airport Balloons to $18.7bn
Like many large-scale infrastructure projects in Vietnam, the cost of HCMC’s long-anticipated Long Thanh International Airport has exceeded original estimates, according to the Transport Ministry.
Vietnamese Banks Face Stiff Fines for Empty ATMs
In Vietnam, on Fridays, weekends and holidays, it’s common to find that ATM machines have run out of cash, resulting in the dreaded “ATM Hop” – jumping from machine to machine, hoping to get a much ne...
Morning News Roundup: Ministry Of Transport To Sell Several Highways
In Vietnam, 60 kids mistakenly get water instead of vaccine [Thanh Nien] Service quality at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports under microscope [Vietnam Net] Major airports in Vietnam unfriendly: dep...
Morning News Roundup: Distraught Locals Worry About Effects Of "Devil's Tree"
VietJet voted one of Asia's best budget airlines [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam tough on inappropriate websites, deputy minister says [Tuoi Tre] Huge amounts of personal data stolen, offered for sale in Vie...
HCMC Police Distribute Leaflets With Safety Tips For Tourists
Last week, HCMC police began to hand out leaflets to tourists in District 1 with a list of safety tips to keep themselves and their belongings safe during their stay in the city.
[Photos] Violent Storm Uproots Trees, Floods Streets, Destroys Vehicles In HCMC
Last Friday afternoon, a heavy downpour uprooted trees, flooded streets and destroyed hundreds of vehicles across the city, reports Thanh Nien.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Strives To End AIDS By 2030
International schools inaccessible to average Vietnamese students [DTI] Vietnam man arrested as bomb sent to adversary explodes on bus [Thanh Nien] Vietnam strives to end AIDS by 2030 [Vietnam ...
Heat Provide Little Resistance Against Bangkok As Both Teams Eye Playoffs
“The playoffs are the playoffs. You just play who is put in front of you.” – Steve Nash After Friday’s season finale against HiTech Bangkok City, the Saigon Heat may be glad they don’t have to face t...
VietJetAir Crew In Hot Water After Landing On Wrong Runway At Cam Ranh Airport
They may be marketing pros, but when it comes to operations, VietJetAir doesn’t have the best track record.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam 3rd Best Place In Asia For Expats: Survey
Train makes emergency stop in HCMC for man lying on tracks [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's HCM City to see a fall in October CPI [Global Post] New flood-prevention measures on the table for HCM City&...
Vietnam Has Lost 60% Of Its Mangrove Forests Over The Last 70 Years
A recent report found that Vietnam’s mangrove forests, which protect the country from flooding and costal erosion, have been lost since 1943.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam A Top Agricultural Producer But Farmers Still Poor
Vietnam touted as top agricultural producer but farmers still poor [Vietnam Net] HCMC transport dept. asked to eliminate flood-prone areas next year [Tuoi Tre] French firm denies $2bn commitment to ...
[Photos] Inside Hanoi’s New Parliament Building
If you’ve visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed a large structure going up just outside its gates. This is the country’s new Parliament building which...
Morning News Roundup: Almost One-Third Of Vietnamese Partners Are Unfaithful: Survey
Almost one-third of Vietnamese partners are unfaithful: Survey [Thanh Nien] First-graders study math before learning how to read [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s health ministry releases guidelines for Ebola...
[Photos] Heavy Fog Lingers In HCMC
When you were driving to work late last week, you probably found yourself in a shroud of dense fog (OK, it was more like smog).
