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 Asia

Chinese Vendors Busted For Lacing Noodles With Opiates

Forget about contaminated phở. In parts of China, vendors have been caught lacing their noodles with opiates in the hopes of keeping their customers coming back to get their fix.

in Vietnam

Get Ready For A Total Lunar Eclipse On October 8

On the night of Wednesday, October 8, be sure to lift your head to the sky to see this year’s final lunar eclipse.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Launches Most Modern Coastguard Vessel

Vietnam launches most modern coastguard vessel [SGGP] About 1,500 people race in Run for Peace in Hanoi [VoV] Australian group to set up luxury sailboat plant in Da Nang [Vietnam News]

in Saigon

[Photos] HCMC Streets Flooded After Heavy Rains

According to the HCM City Flood Control Center, flooding in HCMC has been getting worse in recent years since many of the city's sewers are blocked with mud and sand from construction projec...

in Asia

Millions of Laser Beams Uncover the Vastness of Angkor Wat

When Portuguese monk, António da Madalena, visited Angkor Wat in 1586, he was overwhelmed by the architecture of the ancient city, writing that "…[it] is of such extraordinary construction t...

in Vietnam

Ministry Withdraws Controversial Plan To Ban Sidewalk Alcohol Sales

Following “widespread criticism,” the Ministry of Industry and Trade has withdrawn its plan to ban sidewalk alcohol sales.

in Vietnam

Hanoi’s X98 Will Open Its Doors This Month

Hanoi’s Zone 9 will be reincarnated in the form of a new alternative art and cultural space called X98 later this month, according Kenh14.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Museum Cited Top 25 In Asia

Vietnamese scientists successfully create iron from red mud [Vietnam Net] HCM City intensifies education for disabled kids [Vietnam Plus] Vietnamese museum cited top 25 in Asia [DTI]

in Vietnam

Repairs To AAG Cable Completed Ahead Of Schedule

Technicians have completed repairs to the Asia American Gateway (AAG) cable, restoring Vietnam’s international Internet connection a day ahead of schedule, according to Thanh Nien.

in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge Opens In Hanoi With Brilliant Colors

Hanoi’s skyline just got a boost of color with the opening of the Nhật Tân Bridge which is illuminated by a powerful set of multicolored floodlights.

in Vietnam

[Video] Vietnamese Monk Faces Punishment For iPhone 6 Unboxing, Extravagant Facebook Photos

A Buddhist monk from the northern province of Hai Duong will “likely be punished by his Sangha” after video of him unboxing an iPhone 6 and photos showing his “extravagant” lifestyle spread across soc...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Phu Quoc To Become Special Economic Zone With Casinos

Cessna delivers first amphibious Grand Caravan EX aircraft to Vietnam [Biz Journal] Hand-foot-mouth disease, dengue fever hit HCM City [VoV] Ha Noi ward lacks water for one week after supply cu...

in Vietnam

116-Year-Old Recognized As Vietnam's Oldest Man

The Vietnam Record Organization (VRO) has recognized 116-tear-old Y'N Dong of Đắk Nông Province as the country’s oldest man, reports Vietnam Net.

in Saigon

Demolition Of Tân Bình Market Put On Hold After Protests From Traders

After protests from traders, Tân Bình District authorities have delayed plans to replace the 50-year-old Tân Bình Market with “a six-story traditional, civilized market,” and 17-story shopping center,...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC Bag Snatcher Drowns In Canal

HCMC offers free parking for student bus passengers [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City bag snatcher drowns in canal [Thanh Nien] Khe Nuoc Trong Forest project officially launches in Vietnam [Worl...

in Vietnam

Rapping Vietnamese Newscasters Take Home Prize At World Journalism Awards

Expats aren’t the only ones who can rap in Vietnam. Not only does the country boast an up and coming group of young hip-hop artists such as Suboi, but also award winning rapping newscasters.

in Saigon

A Week After Expat’s Deadly Accident, A Different Story Emerges

In the early morning hours of September 21, a foreign man was killed at the intersection of Điện Biên Phủ and Đinh Tiên Hoàng Streets in District 1. A week after the accident, new ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: VND3 Trillion For Climate Change Adaptation Projects

VND3 trillion for climate change adaptation projects [DTI] Ha Noi department seizes 20 iPhone 6 smartphones [Vietnam News] Vietnamese man hits US$228.4 million Powerball jackpot [VoV]

in Vietnam

Repairs To AAG Cable Delayed After Second Break Found

Zing reports that a second break has been found in the Asia America Gateway (AAG), pushing back the repair date from October 1 to October 5.

in Asia

[Video] 30 Feared Dead After Volcano Erupts In Japan

Japan’s Mount Ontake erupted without warning on the morning of September 27, spewing thick ash across the area and trapping hundreds hikers at the popular tourist destination, reports the Associated P...