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 ...
Powerful Storm Causes Death and Destruction in Hanoi
Last night, a deadly storm hit Hanoi, causing large-scale power outages and many large trees to be uprooted.
[Video] Bus Beats the Traffic by Driving on the Wrong Side of the Highway
Traffic can be frustrating. If you’re on an agile motorbike, sidewalks and one-way streets are common, albeit illegal alternatives. But this jerk driver applied motorbike mentality when steering his l...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam to Have First-Ever National Wildlife Park by 2025
Farming imports up 20% this year [VNS] Vietnam gains attention in photo contest [DTI News] Vietnam to have first-ever national wildlife park by 2025 [Tuoi Tre]
Morning News Roundup: Chinese Tourists Resume Visits to Vietnam Despite Tensions
Red bauxite sludge covers farms in northern province [VNS] Vietnam music industry hungry for good new songs [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam lifts ship sunk by Chinese vessel attack [Tuoi Tre]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Lamborghini to Open its First Vietnam Showroom
Start your engines! Vietnam is set to get its first Lamborghini showroom this month.
Morning News Roundup: Heavy Rain Uproots Trees in HCMC Again
Vietnam’s credit ratings remain stable despite East Sea tensions [VietNamNet] Heavy rain uproots trees in HCMC [SGGP] One-Pillar Pagoda repairs put on hold [DTI News]
Brian Letwin in Asia
Man Stuck in South Korea After His Son Uses Passport as Drawing Pad
Kids are notoriously bad at determining the boundaries for their artwork, but this 4-year-old took things to the next level when he used his father’s passport as a canvas, leaving his father stra...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
HCMC University to Start Teaching All Courses in English
One of Vietnam’s major universities, the HCMC University of Social Sciences, has announced that it will start to teach some majors in English, effective immediately.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Turns Away 500 Tons of Toxic Chinese Fruit
Vietnam expects Japan coastguard ships next year: vice defense minister [Chicago Tribune] Phu Yen selected as site for US$2.5 billion marina [DTI News] Vietnam turns away 500 tons of toxic...
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Seeks $1.8 Billion for Subway Project
Suspended private Vietnamese airline given deadline for recovery plan [Tuoi Tre] Russia Lays Down 6th Kilo-Class Sub for Vietnam [RIA] Viettel provides free internet access to all schools&...
HCMC Has Stopped Extending Work Permits for Foreign Workers
In yet another blow to foreign workers in HCMC, the city’s labor authority has announced that it will stop issuing work permit extensions.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
[Photos] Cars Crushed by Trees in Yesterday’s Storm
Yesterday’s downpour not only caused massive flooding in Saigon but also managed to destroy 4 cars in the heart of District 1.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Tycoon Could Get 30 Years
Water shortage grips Kien Giang island [VNS] Vietnam tycoon could get 30 years [Thanh Nien] Vietnam joins UN peacekeeping activities [Global Post]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Dien Bien Man Killed by Lightning While Talking on Mobile Phone
Mobile phones may be linked to brain cancer and have been known to shock people from time-to-time, but there’s a far more dangerous threat to those who enjoy chit chatting in the middle of a thunderst...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Youth Take up Smoking
Vietnamese youth take up smoking [DTI News] Massive shark caught near Quy Nhon [VietNamNet] 1 dead, 4 injured in wild-ox attack in Quang Nam [SGGP]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Chinese Fishing Vessel Sinks Vietnamese Boat Near Disputed Oilrig
Late yesterday afternoon, a Chinese fishing boat rammed and sank a Vietnamese ship in the waters around the controversial oilrig that has stoked tensions between the two countries over the past few we...
Morning News Roundup: Honda Vietnam to Launch 10 New Motorbike Models
Vietnam Airlines to launch IPO in Q3 [SGGP] Experts urge delay of 4G application [Vietnam Plus] World heritage sites lack sufficient management [VNS]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Over 1 Ton of Elephant Tusks Seized in Hai Phong
Hai Phong customs officials seized more than 1 ton of illegal elephant ivory from Hong Kong on May 24, reports Tuoi Tre.
Weekend News Roundup: Real Madrid to Hold Soccer Camp in HCM City
Vietnam Air offering part of push for foreign investment [Sydney Morning Herald] Vietnam car imports soar in May: report [Thanh Nien] Two Vietnamese companies listed in Forbes Global 2000&...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Authorities: Woman Sets Herself on Fire in Front of Reunification Palace to Protest Chinese Oil Rig
According to Le Hieu Truong Hai, District 1's Vice Chairman, a 67-year-old woman from Binh Thanh District set her self on fire in front of Reunification Palace at 6am this morning to protest the Chine...
