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.
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.
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.”
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.
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 ...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Supports UN Human Rights Resolution On LGBT
UN Human Rights Council passes LGBT resolution [DTI] Air France strike affects 1,000 Vietnam Airlines passengers [Tuoi Tre] Singapore's Ascendas in joint venture to build $130-mln Vietnam business p...
[Video] Sewer Fishing In Hanoi
Hanoi may be the most polluted city in SE Asia, but that doesn’t stop its residents from using its sewers as a food source.
Quán Ụt Ụt’s Play On Controversial VietJet Photo “Leak”
It looks like VietJet’s “unofficial” photos of lingerie-clad models that were leaked and went viral late last week have already inspired a parody from one of Saigon’s most popular restaurants.
This Beautiful, Century-Old Saigon Villa May Soon Be Demolished
The gorgeous, century-old villa, which fronts Võ Văn Tần, Bà Huyện Thanh Quan and Nguyễn Thị Diệu Streets in District 3, may not be long for this world, reports Vietnam Net.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Billion-Dollar Highway Cracks After Opening
Vietnam’s billion-dollar highway cracks after opening [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese guests at Paris fashion week [Vietnam Net] Work starts on 9.4 mln USD habour in Dong Nai [Vietnam Plus]
[Video] 'Asia's First' Gold-Dispensing ATMs Launched In Singapore
Singapore is now home to a set of gold-dispensing ATMs, the “first in Asia” according to the company which produced them, reports The Straights Times. The 2 machines were launched on Wednesday morning...
Saigon’s Tax Center to Close Today, 5 Days Earlier Than Planned
You have about 2 hours to say your last goodbyes to the interior of Saigon’s historic Tax Center.
Illegal Road Blamed For Train Derailment In Nam Dinh
Last Friday morning, a train derailed in the northern province of Nam Dinh when it slammed into an idle truck. Railway officials told Thanh Nien that the vehicle had been parked on an illegal road tha...
Morning News Roundup: HCMC To Set Up Radiation Response Team
Ho Chi Minh City to set up radiation response team [Tuoi Tre] Over 1.3 million travelers visit grave of General Vo Nguyen Giap [SGGP] Vietnamese Goods Week opens in Paris [Nhan Dan]
Broken Undersea Internet Cable To Be Repaired Ahead Of Schedule
Repairs to the broken Asia America Gateway (AAG) cable will be completed on October 1, 5 days ahead of schedule thanks to “mild weather,” reports Thanh Nien.
The Curious Case Of The Immortal Apple
When Hanoi woman, Đặng Thi Thọ, bought an apple to place on her family’s shrine during Tết this year, she was surprised to find it unspoiled 9 months after purchase, reports VN Express.
71 Years After His Death, Alexandre Yersin Gets Vietnamese Citizenship
One of the most respected foreigners in the annals of Vietnamese history, Alexandre Yersin, has posthumously been awarded “honorary Vietnamese citizenship.”
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Remittance Expected At US$5 Billion
$40mln hospital with helipad debuts in southern Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] A Vietnam-Italy Fashion Council founded [DTI] Vietnam still plagued by sex-selective abortions [Thanh Nien]
Brian Letwin in Asia
How Saigon’s Floating Hotel Ended up in North Korea
There was a time, not too long ago, when Saigon wasn’t full of tourists and backpackers. In the late 1980s, Vietnam had just opened its doors to the west and was rushing to renovate its decrepit colon...
FPT Blames “Below-Standard” Design For Constant AAG Breaks
Some blame sharks while others conjure up Chinese conspiracy theories, but FPT officials fault “below-standard technical design” for the regular breaks in the Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable which wa...
American Coach Of Saigon Heat Dies After Accident
Jason Rabedeaux, coach of the Saigon Heat, Vietnam’s first professional basketball team, passed away on Monday, just a day after his team took fourth place at the Asian Basketball League Championship....
Morning News Roundup: Schools In HCMC To Provide Free Wifi
Schools in HCMC provided free internet access [SGGP] Vietnam’s longest expressway opens, cutting Hanoi-Lao Cai travel time in half [Tuoi Tre] HCM City: Activities held in response to Clean Up the Wo...
Foreigner Killed After Driving Motorbike Into Wall In HCMC
On Sunday morning, a foreign man was killed at the intersection of Điện Biên Phủ and Đinh Tiên Hoàng Streets in District 1, reports Thanh Nien.
Leaked Photos From Racy VietJet Photo Shoot Cause Online Firestorm
Last Thursday, images from an alleged VietJet Air promotional photo shoot featuring a number of lingerie-clad models were leaked online. The album of racy photos quickly went viral, causing an Interne...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Expelled 9,700 Chinese Boats In Past Decade
Vietnam expelled 9,700 Chinese boats in past decade [Thanh Nien] Vietnam lags behind 5 ASEAN countries in creative productivity: ADB [Tuoi Tre] Da Nang visitors get free postcards [Vietnam Plus...
