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?
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
[Video] What Not To Do When Your Phone Rings On Live TV
On a recent VTV morning show, a guest was on to discuss the serious flooding in Long San when his phone rang. Instead of turning it on silent, the guest found another solution for dealing with th...
Morning News Roundup: Fire Destroys 20 Houses In Central Highlands
Commercial banks offer e-tax service [VNS] Vietnam sees first decrease in gasoline prices this year [DTI News] Vietnam Railways Corporation undergoes restructuring [DTI News]
Construction Begins On HCMC’s First Aboveground Metro Station
Less than a week after work started on the underground metro station in front of the Opera House, ground has been broken on the HCMC’s first aboveground station.
Noi Bai Sleep Pods Shut Down Due To Scandal
According to Thanh Nien, the newly installed sleeping pods in Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport have been shut down after only 4 days of operation due to concerns that they were part of a scheme to capitalize o...
Morning News Roundup: People Should Not Eat Snails: Food Watchdog
Mui Ne among most beautiful beaches in Asia [DTI News] 5 suspended for 4-min loss of contact with plane in central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] People should not eat snail: Food watchdog ...
Asia-America Gateway Cable Fully Repaired
Repairs to the broken Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable have been completed, according to Thanh Nien.
Don’t Miss The Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower This Week
The Delta Aquarids meteor shower occurs annually from July 12 to August 23 where 15-20 streaks can be seen every hour at its peak. This year, people in Vietnam are in the perfect spot to catch the cos...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
[Photos] Lê Lợi Street Undergoing Massive Changes For Metro Line Construction
Saigon is getting ready to join the subway club, starting with the Bến Thành Market - Suối Tiên line which is set to open in 2018.
Saigon Zoo Gets 3 New Giraffes
Last Thursday the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens welcomed some new additions – 3 giraffes imported from Thailand, reports Tuoi Tre.
Weekend News Roundup: Man Survives 5 Days Trapped Under Frozen Food
Man survives five days trapped under frozen food [DTI News] Passenger opens emergency door, 23 people miss flight [VietNamNet] Branded clothe smugglers face prosecution in HCMC [SGGP]...
After Backlash, Vietnam Considering Changes To Alcohol Sales Law
The Ministry of Health’shas decided to consider changes to the recently proposed legislation that would ban the sale of liquor and beer between 10pm and 6am after meeting public resistance, according ...
The World’s Oldest Woman Lives In Saigon
The Vietnam Records Organization (VRO) is planning to ask the Guinness Book of World Records to recognize 121-year-old Saigon resident Nguyen Thi Tru as the world’s oldest living person, reports DTI N...
Future Saigon: The Bến Thành Market Metro Station
News about the start of construction of Saigon’s first metro terminal in front of the Saigon Opera House has been making the rounds this week, but there’s another large station set to be built in fron...
Saigon Heat Dominate Indonesia Warriors In Season Opener
Saigon’s professional basketball team, the Saigon Heat, kicked off the 2014 ASEAN Basketball League season with a decisive victory over the Indonesia Warriors on July 19 at CIS Stadium.
Morning News Roundup: Red Tape Causes $37bn Loss In Annual Trade Revenue To Vietnam
Vietnam sees growing popularity of electric bike [Shanghai Daily] Vietjet Air opens new direct route linking central and Mekong delta [SGGP] Vietnam's footwear exports among global t...
Report: Bubonic Plague Outbreak Rocks China, 30,000 Quarantined
If that headline make you feel a bit unnerved, it should. According to Reuters, China has set up quarantine zones (home to about 30,000) in parts of the northwestern city of Yumen, following the deat...
100-Year-Old Trees In Front Of Opera House Cut Down To Make Way For Metro
Flower Street and the statues in front of Bến Thành Market aren’t the only sacrifices being made to accommodate the construction of Saigon’s first metro line.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) To Open Shop In Vincom
British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has grand plans for Vietnam expansion after seeing success in Thailand over the last few years, reports Inside Retail Asia.
FPT Announces Repair Date For Undersea Internet Cable
Telecom giant, FPT announced that repairs to the broken Internet cable that connects SE Asia and North America will be fixed by next Wednesday, July 30, reports Tuoi Tre.
Starbucks Confirms Plan To Open 3 Stores In Hanoi
After speculation began earlier this month about Starbucks opening their first shop in Hanoi, the company has confirmed plans for 3 locations in the capital.
