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?
Vietnam Airlines Is Finally Going Public
Vietnam Airlines has finally announced a date for their long awaited initial public offering (IPO), according to Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
[Photos] Deadly Explosion Tears Through D12 Neighborhood
At around 4pm on October 17, an explosion at a fertilizer company in District 12 leveled nearly a dozen homes, killing 3 and injuring four others.
Weekend News Roundup: UN Helps Vietnam Build Eco-Friendly Industrial Zones
Millions of US dollars spent on real estate for the dead [Vietnam Net] Tan Son Nhat Airport on verge of overloading [Vietnam News] Southern Vietnam hub in rush for ‘miracle’ plants [Tuoi Tre]
Heat Come Out Swinging Against Slingers
With their backs against the proverbial wall, it was put-up-or-shut-up time for the Saigon Heat with their playoff hopes on the line.
[Photos] Saigon Man Catches 130kg Giant Barb In D9, Immediately Sells It For $10,000
Believe it or not, there are still some large fish left in Saigon’s waterways.
Man Tempts Fate By Removing Harness While Walking Narrow Plank In The Sky
Mount Hua is one of China’s Five Great Mountains, earning this distinction for its 5 peaks, the highest of which is over 2,100m high. For over 700 years, people have been walking the narrow “trail” th...
New Era For Downtown Saigon As Work Begins On Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Square
While much of the construction going on in downtown Saigon is metro related, much of the scaffolding along Nguyen Hue Street is linked to work on the city’s first pedestrian only area.
Morning News Roundup: Thieves Break Into HCMC Supermarket Steal Cash, Jewelry
Workshop discusses regional co-operation in underwater archaeology [Nhan Dan] Holcim treats 7,000 liters of toxic oil stored near Ha Long [Vietnam Net] Vietnamese people ill-prepared to en...
Vietnamese Citizen Among Those Killed In Himalaya Blizzard, Avalanche
Nepalese police have announced that a Vietnamese citizen is among 12 climbers confirmed dead after a blizzard hit the mountainous region on Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Era Of Red Company Stamps May Be Coming To An End In Vietnam
If you’ve ever had to do commercial paperwork in Vietnam, you’re probably familiar with red company stamps. If Prime Minister Dung has his way, this era may soon be coming to an end, replaced by one o...
Seaplane Operator Seeks Permission To Takeoff From Hanoi’s West Lake
Quang Ninh Province authorities are seeking permission from the Ministry of Transport to allow a Vietnamese aviation company to use the city’s iconic West Lake as a takeoff point for it’s Hanoi-Ha Lon...
SE Asia's Tallest Building Planned For Bangkok
While Saigon may soon be home to Vietnam’s highest building, it looks Bangkok is planning construct the tallest in all of SE Asia with its 615m, 125-story, "Rama IX Super Tower," reports the Bangkok P...
Morning News Roundup: Traffic Cop Knifes Prison Guard For Dirty Look In Northern Vietnam
Traffic cop knifes prison guard for dirty look in Northern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Nearly 2 mln people in HCMC not accessible to clean water [Tuoi Tre] Headmaster disciplined for using dead person’s di...
Truck Flips After Breaking Through D1 Sidewalk Sewer, Kills Nearby Street Vendor
On Tuesday afternoon, an ice delivery truck flipped over after one of its wheels broke through a sewer cover, killing a nearby street vendor.
Morning News Roundup: Numerous Vietnamese Newswires Hit By Outage
PM Dung begins official visit to Germany [VoV] Vietnam has too few culture and arts colleges, universities [Vietnam Net] London City businesses eye up HCM City’s infrastructure [Vietnam Pl...
Amid Rumors Of Coup, Kim Jung-Un Makes First Public Appearance In 40 Days
North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jung-Un, made his first public appearance in 40 days on Monday amid rumors of a possible coup in the international press, reports NK News.
Completion of HCMC’s First Metro Line Delayed 2 Years
While construction seems to be in full swing on Saigon’s first metro line, city officials have announced that completion of the project has been pushed back by two years. Oh, and costs have nearly dou...
7cm Leech Removed From Backpacker’s Nose After Trip To Vietnam
After weeks of nosebleeds, a British backpacker discovered that a 7.63cm leech had been living in her nose for more than a month.
Morning News Roundup: Height Of Vietnamese Lowest In Asia
Vietnam gasoline prices drop further [Thanh Nien] Vietnam capital becoming magnet for luxury automakers [Tuoi Tre] Southern hub to invest $524mn more in environment sanitation [Tuoi Tre]
[Photos] Massive Crowds Gather in Hanoi for 10/10 Celebration
On Friday night, Hanoians took to the streets to enjoy the VND4.5 billion fireworks show to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the city’s liberation. While the fireworks were the main draw, the crowds ...
