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?
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...
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.
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,...
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...
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.
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 ...
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]
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.
[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...
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.
