Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus

We are all in this, but not together.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

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?

Back Stories

in Vietnam

18 Dead, 14 Missing as Extended Rain, Flash Floods Batter Central Vietnam

After days of unprecedented heavy downpours, the arrival of Storm Linfa added insult to injury in an already-battered central Vietnam.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: VN Posts Strong Q3 Recovery, First Train Hits Saigon's Metro Tracks, Mobile Operators Vow to End Robo Calls

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

First Saigon Metro Train Arrives From Japan for Test Runs

Much excite!

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: International Flights Suspended and New Ride-Hailing App

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Binh Thanh Named Among World's 40 Coolest Neighborhoods

Is there another part of Saigon you would consider cooler?

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Experts Question HCMC Districts Merger, More European Luxury Goods and Vietnam-UK FTA

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Suspected Covid Case in Hai Phong, Train Ridership Plummets and 48 Hour Film Project

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Even With Stellar Pandemic Response, Vietnam's Consumer Confidence Drops Sharply

A recent survey found that the figure fell to its lowest point in roughly 20 years.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Tourists Return to Da Nang, Harmful UV Radiation and VinShop Launch

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon Transport Department Proposes Yet Another Public Bike Project

According to the proposal, it would include 43 stations around central Saigon.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Can Gio-Vung Tau Ferry, Domestic Airlines' Recovery and Nuclear Disarmament

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Traffic Cops Must Get in Shape, Intense Rain Incoming and UK Foreign Minister Visits

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Asia

Singapore to Lift Restrictions on Travelers From Australia, Vietnam Next Week

Starting October 8, the nation will lift arrival restrictions in light of the two country's successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Free Visa Waivers Extended, COVID-19 Vaccine Trials and 45 New Playgrounds

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon Wants to Expand Pedestrian-Only Zone to 5 More Streets in D1

Saigon might create more pedestrian zones in the city in the future.

in Roundups

Morning News Roundup: Japan Lifts Travel Restrictions for VN, HCMC Electric Bus Routes, AIDS Treatment Success

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Hanoi

No Pets, No Vendors, No Vulgarities: Hanoi Proposes New Pedestrian Plaza Restrictions

The spacious pedestrian plaza in Hoan Kiem District has become a hot hangout for locals, but with that popularity also comes numerous nuisances.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Cai Luong Hits Google Homepage, Corporate Income Tax Cut and Daring Theft Goes Wrong

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Traffic Deaths Decline, Failing Mangrove Forest and High-Profile Saigon Real Estate on Sale

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon Aims to Reach Over $12,000 in GDP per Capita by 2030

Saigon's GDP per capita in 2019 was US$6,862.