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: 241,400 People With A Degree Jobless In Vietnam
Rampant piracy eats up Vietnam's digital content market [Thanh Nien] 241,400 people with a degree jobless in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam preparing documents to sue China: premier [Tuoi...
Foreign Teachers Distressed By New Work Permit Rules
Well, we saw this coming. Foreign teachers are facing problems securing the proper paperwork to teach in Vietnam now that Circular 03/2014 has gone into effect.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Farmer Shoots To Fame Thanks To Bizarre Song Covers
Hue greets visitor 1,000,000 this year [VNS] Vietnam farmer shoots to fame thanks to bizarre song covers [Tuoi Tre] One-fifth of university graduates unemployed [VietNamNet]
[Photos] Heavy Rain Turns Hanoi Streets Into Rivers
The capital may be making preparations for impending super storms, but the rainy season is already wrecking havoc in Hanoi.
Here's A Rundown Of The New Laws That Went Into Effect Yesterday
Yesterday a plethora of new laws dealing with everything from helmet standards to property administration went into effect.
Morning News Roundup: Explosion Splits Vietnam Hub Road Into Parts In Heavy Rain
Vietnamese economy has yet to recover from difficulties [Nhan Dan] International tourists spend $102 per day in Vietnam: report [Tuoi Tre] Casino developers dream of capitalizing on Chines...
Saigon’s Flower Street To Be Relocated For 2015
To accommodate renovations to Nguyen Hue Street, Saigon’s popular “Flower Street” will be moved to Ham Nghi Street next year.
Morning News Roundup: Laos Hydropower Plant Threatens Vietnam’s Mekong
Five laws to take effect from July [SGGP] Da Nang tourism plummets after anti-China protests [eturbonews] Japan to help Vietnam with high-quality agro production chain [Tuoi Tre]
Vietnam: Cheapest Place In The World To Buy A Beer
Not only is Vietnam one of Asia’s leading beer consumers, (and a country whose women supposedly out-drink Russian men) but also the cheapest place to consume the popular alcoholic beverage.
In Singapore, You Can Buy A Maid At The Mall
Well, this is a trend we hope never hits Vietnam’s developing mall culture. In Singapore, there are shopping complexes full of galleries with names like “Budget Maid” and Homekeeper.” Here, one can pu...
Vietnamese Wunderkind Offered 7 Scholarships To Top American Unis
Nguyen Sieu, a 19-year-old Hanoi boy, is one smart cookie. He has been offered university scholarships from seven top U.S. schools: Vassar College, Tufts University, Oberlin College, Franklin and Mars...
Vietnam’s Sleeper Bus Nightmare
While many bus companies advertise “five star” service on their “luxury” sleeper busses, many firms double their capacity by installing extra seats, making trips miserable for passengers.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietjet Air Answering For Its Flight That Went Astray
Roundup: Vietnam's capital stock market bounces on upward trend [Global Post] Vietnam to license numerous billion-dollar FDI projects by year-end [Tuoi Tre] U.S. Catfish Program Could Stym...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Morning News Roundup: With A Boost From Bill Gates, Vietnam's Entrepreneurs Put Profits Into Philanthropy
Ban on teaching English to pre-school children raises controversy [VietNamNet] Minister vows to fix damaged roads [VNS] Vietnam, Laos open new border gate [Thanh Nien]
Pregnant Vietnamese Beauty Queen Busted for US Marijuana Operation
Former Mrs. Vietnam Global was sentenced to prison in Washington State last week for growing and trading marijuana.
Beware: iPhone Locking Ransom Scheme Hits Vietnam
The iPhone locking scam that originated in Australia and Russia earlier this year has made its way to Vietnam.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
7 Days At Saigon’s Lunch Lady
While most street soup spots in Saigon only offer up one type of delicious broth, Saigon’s famous Lunch Lady has gained notoriety the word over for changing things up on a daily basis. The thing is, o...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Have Bus Rapid Transit Routes By 2015
Ex-Mrs. Global Vietnam runner-up indicted for $3.1mn fraud [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to have Bus Rapid Transit routes in 2015 [DTI News] Trang An wins coveted world heritage recognition [VNS...
Vietnamese Petrol Prices Reach All-Time High
As of 8pm last night, Vietnamese petrol prices reached an all-time high.
Bus Advertisements Are Finally Coming To Saigon
After years of delays, bus advertisements are coming to Saigon. The pilot project, which will take place on 10 routes, was supposed to have launched 2 years ago but never made it past the planning sta...
