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

After Storm Noul, Hue Mourns Its Unnamed Victims: 10,000 Trees

Last weekend saw the arrival of Storm Noul, which wreaked havoc on the central coast of Vietnam, causing massive destruction and displacing many families.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Recycled Condoms, India Assists with Mekong Water Projects and Virtual Champa Sculptures

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 Stories

Morning Stories Roundup: VNA Resumes Inbound Flights, Hoi An Reopens, Last Covid-19 Patient in Danang Discharged

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

Hanoi Aims to End Burning of Straw in 2021 to Reduce Pollution

The burning of straw and other agricultural byproducts is a perennial problem for the capital's air quality.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Flights to Thailand Resume, New Hyundai Factory and HCMC Develops Plan for Underground Spaces

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

Covid-19 Could Cost Da Nang Tourism $1.1bn This Year

Life in Da Nang is slowly returning to normal after the third wave of COVID-19 infections, though economic ramifications will remain.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: New Metro Line for Hanoi, VNA Recovery, Companies Eye 2021 Return of Tourists

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

Storm Noul Kills 6, Causes Destruction in Central Vietnam Over Weekend

The powerful storm made landfall in Thua Thien-Hue Province last Friday.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Netflix/Steam Avoiding VN Taxes, Hanoi FC Wins Big and 2021 GDP Targets

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: Climate Change Impact on Vietnamese Businesses, Record Organ Transplants and AI Contest

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

Vietnam May Evacuate 0.5m People Before Powerful Typhoon Noul Hits Tomorrow

Typhoon Noul, the fifth to hit Vietnam this year, is expected to make landfall between Quang Ngai and Quang Binh tomorrow.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Hanoi Reopens Bars and Clubs, Incoming Tropical Storm and Decaying Citadel

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 News Roundup: 'The Tale of Kieu' held in Paris, New Tien Giang Forests, International Flights Postponed

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

HCMC Fine Arts Museum Is Sinking Due to Nearby Skyscraper Construction

Saigon’s Fine Arts Museum is facing some serious structural problems that could pose a threat to passersby and visitors.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Week of Heavy Rain, HCMC Going Green and Corporate Income Tax Reduction

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: Hue Reopens, Lazada Lawsuit, Improved Bus Services

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 to Apply for UNESCO World Heritage Status for Cu Chi Tunnels

The Ministry of Defense, which manages the area, needs to approve the plan first.

in Vietnam

Thua Thien-Hue Culture Department Officials Start Wearing Áo Dài to Work

Áo dài has become synonymous with the image of the Vietnamese woman, but what about its male version?

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Proposes Tourism Travel Bubbles Within ASEAN

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

Hao Si Phuong, Saigon's Century-Old Hẻm, Says No to Photography

Yet another community in Saigon has become disillusioned by internet exposure.