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: Record-High Tide Turns Parts Of HCMC Into River
U.S. firm picked to design new Saigon Tax Trade Center [Vietnam Net] Vietnam students create free crowdsourcing app for street travel [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam's PM seeks to do away with official red stamp...
Morning News Roundup: Thousands Sign Petition To Save Saigon Tax Center
HCM City to use GPS to control radioactive devices [Vietnam Net] TOEFT, TOEIC unaccepted for civil service exam applications in HCMC: Dept [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Electricity asks to increase power price...
Vietnamese Oil Tanker Recovered After Being Hijacked By Pirates
A Vietnamese oil tanker that went missing 7 days ago after leaving Singapore has been located after being hijacked by pirates.
[Updated] Foreign Woman Killed In D1 Hostel Fire
[Update Below] At 12:45 this afternoon, café-goers in front of the 5-story Budget Hostel on Nguyễn Văn Tráng Street in District 1 noticed a fire but struggled to put it out.
Morning News Roundup: Many Universities Ban Jeans, Slippers From Class
Vietnam official says rule on beer temperatures is for drinkers’ sake [Tuoi Tre] USA-Vietnam nuclear accord takes effect [WNN] CAAV proposes two more 'golden' air routes [Vietnam Net]
Buôn Ma Thuột Man Offered $47,000 For Enormous, 220kg Mushroom
While it’s not unusual for mushrooms to fetch high prices, it’s exceptionally rare for common varieties to reach 5 figures. For a Buôn Ma Thuột man, this exception came in the form of a 220kg Lin...
Morning News Roundup: Wartime Ammunition Cellar In Saigon To Be Turned Into Tourism Spot
Wartime ammunition cellar in Saigon to be turned into tourism spot [Tuoi Tre] Muslim tourists flock to Vietnam for delicious food, cheap prices [Tuoi Tre] EU issues stern warning to Vietnam's veggie...
HCMC Moves To Replace Historic Bình Lợi Railway Bridge
The Ho Chi Minh City Transport Department has put plans in place to replace the 112-year-old Bình Lợi Railway Bridge on Phạm Văn Đồng Street, which links Bình Thạnh and Thủ Đức Districts, re...
Morning News Roundup: Hundreds Of Unexploded Ordnances Found In Quang Tri
Coast guard ship with helipad launched in central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] First Vietnamese-made microchip debuts in HCMC [Thanh Nien] Hundreds of unexploded ordnances found in Quang Tri [DTI]
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.
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.
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]
[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...
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...
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
[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...
