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?
Vietnamese Consume Over 5 Million Dogs Per Year
At a conference on animal welfare in HCMC last weekend, Le Duc Chinh, coordinator of the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA) Vietnam, said that each year, 5 million dogs are killed for their meat i...
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi's Old Quarter To Get New Food Street
Old Quarter to get new food street [DTI] Giant suspension cable through Ha Long Bay to be built next year [Nhan Dan] Vietnam among top three foreign investors in Laos [VoV]
Vietnam Airlines Announces New IPO Date (Again)
Vietnam Airlines CEO, Pham Ngoc Minh, recently announced that the company would be issuing public shares for the first time this November, offering 5% of shares to investors in order to raise $70.6 mi...
Powerful Typhoon On Course To Hit Vietnam
After triggering evacuations and flight cancelations in the Philippines yesterday, Typhoon Kalmaegi is on track to hit Northeastern Vietnam on Wednesday, reports Tuoi Tre.
Weekend News Roundup: More Than 1 Mil. Vietnamese Children Not Attending School
More than a million Vietnamese children not attending school, survey says [DTI] HCMC short of high quality human resources [SGGP] Top Vietnamese designers ready for spotlight in Italy [Nhan Dan]
Why the TPP Agreement Could Be Huge for Vietnam
If agreed on, the groundbreaking Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact, currently being negotiated by 12 Asia-Pacific countries, will not only result in skyrocketing Vietnamese GDP, but redu...
Morning News Roundup: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus To Be Sold In Vietnam Late October
Made-in-Vietnam nano-satellite to be launched in 2016 [Vietnam Plus] iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus to be sold in Vietnam late October [Tuoi Tre] Highway construction more costly in Vietnam [SGGP]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Plans To Promote Tourism On BBC
Official blasts late approval of GM maize in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam plans on promoting tourism on BBC [Tuoi Tre] Zip line offers new route to central Vietnam cave [Thanh Nien]
[Photos] Taiwanese Toilet-Themed Restaurant Becomes International Hit
It may be difficult to believe, but a restaurant that specializes in toilet-related foods and dining ware has become so popular, it now boasts 12 locations throughout Asia.
[Photos] Epic Aerial Views Of Ha Long Bay
Now that seaplane service between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay has launched, passengers on these flights are snapping some great photos of the UNESCO Heritage Site.
Tours Of Vietnam’s Son Doong Cave To Resume Following Suspension
The Quang Binh People’s Committee has given its stamp of approval on a new round of Son Doong Cave tours after they were suspended last week, according to Tuoi Tre.
Morning News Roundup: Higher Passenger Compensation For Delayed Flights
Vietnam consumers drink more at home than outside: report [Tuoi Tre] Higher passenger compensation for delayed flights [DTI] HCMC to build more Children Entertainment Areas [SGGP]
Weekend News Roundup: Efforts To Gradually Ease Traffic Jams In HCMC
Russia to deliver Superjets to Vietnam [ItarTass] Vietnam, Vatican to meet in Hanoi to foster relations [Tuoi Tre] First Vietnamese wins Innovators Under 35 Award [DTI]
HCMC Approves $7.5 Million Plan To Save Cu Chi Tunnels
HCMC city authorities have approved a $7.5 million plan to build embankments around the Cu Chi Tunnels in order to stop erosion from destroying the historic underground relic, reports DTI News.
[Photos] Takazawa’s Edible Art
No outdoor sign and a dining room with a capacity of 10 people, yet inside Chef Yoshiaki Takazawa’s restaurant – Aronia de Takazawa – awaits a potentially life-changing culinary experience.
Morning News Roundup: Man Jumps Into Lake After Giving Money Away
Man jumps into lake after giving money away [Tuoi Tre] Fresh policies take effect since September [Vietnam Net] Bulgarian man jailed for using fake ATM cards in Vietnam [Thanh Nien]
In Miraculous Turnaround, Dragon Fruits Turn From Garbage To Gold
In August, Vietnam’s dragon fruit industry was a mess, with farmers dumping huge piles of the produce into the streets after a bumper crop drove prices into the dirt.
Samsung Asks for Private Terminal at Noi Bai
After announcing that Vietnam would act as a manufacturing base for much of Samsung’s products, the South Korean electronics giant has asked authorities at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport for a dedicated term...
Morning News Roundup: 114 Die In 186 Traffic Accidents During Vietnam’s National Day Holiday
114 die in 186 traffic accidents during Vietnam’s National Day holiday [Tuoi Tre] VN's second highest tower opens [Vietnam Net] HCMC presents impressive investment results [SGGP]
12 Dead, 41 Injured After Illegal Bus Falls Into Gorge Near Sapa
12 people have been reported killed and 41 injured in a bus accident in the hills of Northern Vietnam’s Lao Cai province, reports VN Express.
