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 ...
Morning News Roundup: Super Storm ‘Rammasun’ Approaching East Sea
Super Storm ‘Rammasun’ approaching East Sea [SGGP] Many aviation bodies responsible for VietJet’s landing mistake [VietNamNet] Minister calls for revisions on Vietnam's new north-south fli...
Asia-America Gateway Cable Breaks Down Yet Again
Get ready for a month of slow internet. According to ICT News, the Asia-America Gateway cable that lies off of Vung Tau has broken down in what is seemingly becoming a bi-annual event.
Chinese Oil Rig Withdraws From Vietnamese Waters
After months of drama over the Chinese oil rig that had encroached on Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, Xinhua News Agency reports that the platform has finished its exploration and is on the move.
Morning News Roundup: Public Outcry Over Work Permits Granted To 2,100 Chinese
Vietnam border guards shoot out tires to stop Lao drug traffickers [Thanh Nien] No abnormalities found in Chinese mushrooms in Vietnam: official [Tuoi Tre] Jet Airways to start flight to V...
Statues In Front Of Bến Thành Market To Be Permanently Removed
As the Trần Nguyên Hãn an Quách Thị Trang statues that sit in front of Bến Thành Market continue their slow deterioration, the HCMC People’s Committee has agreed to remove, repair and relocate the pie...
Brian Letwin in Asia
[Video] Taiwan's Motorbike Waterfall
If you thought your morning motorbike commute was bad, check out what it’s like in Taiwan.
High-Speed Boats To Replace Hydrofoils Between HCMC – Vung Tau
A new fleet of tourist boats is set to replace the notorious, soviet-era hydrofoils that ran between HCMC and Vung Tau before being banned earlier this year after a series of breakdowns and fires.
Morning News Roundup: New Team To Monitor Airline Flight Delays And Cancellations
Vietcombank earns VND2.7 trillion for first six months [Nhan Dan] 90,000 students join in 2014 Green Summer Campaign [SGGP] UAE becomes fifth largest Vietnam export market [Gulf News]...
Drunk Man, Likely Korean, Arrested For Stealing Mai Linh Taxi
Binh Duong Province police are investigating a case wherein a drunken foreigner stole a Mai Linh taxi on July 12.
Survey: Hanoi Is More Expensive Than Saigon
Based on a recent report by The Mercer Human Resource Consulting (UK), which ranks cities across the world based on cost of living, even without Starbucks or McDonald's, Hanoi is a pricier place to li...
Conditions For Work Permits For Foreigners To Be Loosened
At a meeting at the end of June, officials decided to loosen the controversial conditions for foreigners to obtain work permits in Vietnam.
104-Year-Old Great-Great Grandmother Fights Off Robber
Taking advantage of the elderly will inevitably result in some bad karma, a lesson a Dong Nai man quickly learned after attempting to rob Vo Thi Bai, a 104-year-old woman.
Weekend News Roundup: Air Traffic Controller Suspended For Near-Collision
Authorities seek to control viral internet series [DTI News] Hanoi water pipeline breaks 9th time [DTI News] Official: Progress made on reducing HIV transmission [SGGP]
[Video] Thief Receives Epic Beating After Failed Motorbike Theft
We’ve seen plenty of videos of things being stolen on Vietnam’s streets, from motorbikes to iPhones. While the thief seems to execute his caper successfully more often than not, the video below is an ...
Morning News Roundup: ASEAN On Verge Of Borderless Economy
Vietnamese youth shortest compared to peers in nearby countries: expert [Tuoi Tre] Aussie man dies in Vietnam motorbike accident [Tuoi Tre] Excessive arsenic content found in water of Hano...
Chinese Man Detained For Stealing $5,000 on Vietnam Airlines Flight
On Tuesday, a Chinese man was caught stealing $5,000 from 2 Japanese passengers on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Jakarta to HCMC, reports Tuoi Tre.
Is Vietnam Committing Tourism Suicide?
A recent piece in Thanh Nien looks at how the country’s pristine beaches, rivers and mountains are being literally ripped apart in the name of development. While much of this environmental degradation...
[Map] New “HCMC Region” To Include Vung Tau, Long An, Others
HCMC is about to get a whole lot bigger. Prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a plan to create the Ho Chi Minh City Region by 2030 that will better integrate key economically areas into the ur...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Says Chinese Tourist Number Up By 34%
Viettel proposes slashing mobile phone charges [Nhan Dan] Girl, 18, dies after 10 day self-starvation to lose weight [SGGP] Vietnam drugmaker DHG to expand as antibiotic curbs bite [T...
Satellite Photos Of Japan’s Super Typhoon Neoguri Are What Nightmares Are Made Of
Super typhoon, Neoguri, the largest storm on earth is bearing down on Japan with 270kmph winds and generating 13m waves. These satellite images capture the vastness of the deadly storm.
