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: WB Signs Agreements to Modernise Vietnam’s Poorest Areas
National economy on road to recovery: commission [Vietnam Plus] WB signs agreements to modernise Vietnam’s poorest areas [DTI] Apple's sales boom in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Free Call App Seeks to Take Down Viber
Vietnam free call app seeks to take down Viber [Thanh Nien] CPI up in Ha Noi, down in City [SGGP] Ageing population poses challenges to Vietnam: seminar [Vietnam Plus]
Giant, Globetrotting Duck Coming to Saigon this Month
Continuing its international tour, the world’s largest inflatable duck will be making its way to Saigon this month.
Vietnam Gasoline Prices Reach Record Highs
After the Ministry of Finance approved a 1% rise in fuel prices yesterday, the cost of gasoline has reached a record high, according to Thanh Nien.
Morning News Roundup: Plans for HCMC’s New Airport Moves Forward
First Floating School In Vietnam Begins Operation [Bernama] Vietnam gov’t wants to raise retirement age [Thanh Nien] Vietnam's Pharmaceutical Market is Among the Fastest Growing in Southea...
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Residents Chip in to Install CCTV Systems
Dien Bien Phu feature lights up screens [VNS] Hanoi to ban vehicles in busy Hoan Kiem streets [DTI] Lax management gives rise to fake firms and budget losses: Official [DTI]
Mystery Fish That Attacked Nha Trang Tourist Identified
The fish that attacked a Russian tourist in waters off Nha Trang lat week has been identified, according to Thanh Nien.
Proposed Decree Seeks to End Taxi Scamming in Vietnam
A new draft decree from the Transport Ministry would require all taxis in Vietnam to be equipped with black boxes and receipt printers in an effort to curb taxi scams in Vietnam, reports Thanh Nien.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Hub Concerned Over Safety of ‘World’s Best Street Foods’
Vietnam lawmakers debate allowing residents to gamble at home [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam parking lots like matchboxes ready to go ablaze [Thanh Nien] 7 Die in Shooting at China-Vietnam Border ...
PM: Vietnam Will Not Host Asian Games
Vietnam will not host the 2019 Asian Games as Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other government officials agreed that the country lacks both the experience and funds to successfully execute the even...
Morning News Roundup: Japanese Police Release Vietnam Airlines Hostess
Over 7,000 children catch measles in Vietnam; at least 111 die: report [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City promotes community-based drug detox [Thanh Nien] Witha ana Eye on TPP Garment Companies F...
Russian Tourist Undergoes Surgery After Fish Attack in Nha Trang
In a nightmarish scenario, a Russian tourist was attacked by an unknown fish in waters off Nha Trang Sunday morning and remains in critical, reports Tuoi Tre.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s IPO Flops Prompt Questions Over Listing Plans
1st-qtr luxury car sales soar in Vietnam despite economic woes [Tuoi Tre] Projects behind schedule do not receive capital [SGGP] Tycoon on trial as Vietnam counts cost of its rogue bankers...
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi Plans Monorail System to Ease Congestion
HCM City’s dwellers look forward to clean water [VietNamNet] Hanoi plans monorail system to ease congestion [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam Pop Stars Sing to Start Anti-Poaching Campaign [Bloo...
Morning News Roundup: Green Light for Vietnam Casino
Green light for Vietnam casino [Brisbane Times] Rising sea levels threaten farmers' livelihoods in Vietnam [SBS] Vietnam police probe soccer match-fixing [Yahoo]
17 Tourists Escape Burning Ship in Ha Long Bay
A tourist boat operated by Cuu Long Tourist Boat Co. Ltd. went up in flames last Thursday on the waters of Ha Long Bay. 23 people, including 15 foreigners were rescued and no injuries were reported, r...
Weekend News Roundup: Ho Chi Minh City Parking Lots at High Risk of Fire
Ho Chi Minh city bakery figures out the ABC of burger bun success [The Guardian] Ho Chi Minh City parking lots at high risk of fire [Tuoi Tre] Coffee exporters expect to earn 3 billio...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Woman Falsely Reports $42,700 Theft on Flight
Vietnam considers USD475m support for small farmers [BlackSeaGrain] Major airlines of Vietnam to open new international flights [VietNamNet] Vietnam 3G customers beef about lower quality d...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Students to Compete at Global Energy Contest in France
Vietnam hospital lab awarded international accreditation [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Eximbank deploys fingerprint authentication for POS, ATM transactions [Bio Metric Update] Vietnam ponders on dec...
Morning News Roundup: Brewing Storm Bringing Rain to Vietnam
Bus slips over on central Vietnam muddy road, 13 hurt [Thanh Nien] Education sector incorporates an anti-corruption program in curriculum [SGGP] Govt official says Vietnam needs to comprom...
